Fender Chroma Polaris Synthesizer Demo

http://sounddoctorin.com for most information technically about this synth and pretty much all others. Ones I've worked on and tried to document some details on included below. Visit the site for a virtual studio tour with sound clips from many of the synths there including Akai AX80, AX60, AX73, ARP Pro-Soloist, Axxe, Omni, Alesis D4, DM5, Crumar DS1, Multiman, Performer, Trilogy, Composer, Bit One, Casio CZ-1, SK-1, HT-700, Farfisa VIP345, Fender Chroma Polaris, Kawai SX-210, K1m, K5m, XD-5, K5000R, Korg Sigma, Delta, Lambda, LP10, Mono/Poly, Polysix, Poly61, Poly800, DW8000, DSS-1, DSM-1, Wavestation EX, Karma, Kurzweil K1200pro, Moog Polymoog, Opus 3, Memorymoog, Oberheim OB-8, Octave Cat, Peavey DPM SI, Roland SH2000, SH3a, Jupiter 4, Juno 6, Juno 106, MKS30, MKS10, MKS7, MKS-70 w/PG-800, JV-1080 w/ kb's of 60/70 exp, Sequential circuits Prophet 600, Prophet T8, six-trak, multi-trak, Siel OR400, DK600, Expander, DK70 keytar, DK80, Yamaha CS60, CS15D, CS20M, PC1000, DX7, DX21, CS2x, S03, and the mighty Conn Electric band! :-) Send your requests for which synth you'd like reviewed next!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Fender
• Chroma
• Polaris
• demonstration
• 80's
• analog
• synth

[javiceres]

Über cool instrument

[sounddoctorin]

@javiceres yeah I just got another one to repair it looks like! Well thought out beast for sure. Probably won't be able to get it ready for a month and a half at least though.

[safetybarbara]

I wish you lived in Portland. I looked at the manuel and have no idea what it is telling me to do. Thanks though!

[sounddoctorin]

@safetybarbara I get there often. I worked on a couple people's machines last time I was there. A guy on the east side has a marvelous collection. Jupiter 8, 6, prophet 5, Oberheims etc. Wish I could have finished everything for him..I have more work there when I return if I want it. I grew up in Corvallis and Mom is still there.

[safetybarbara]

When the release is high on mine (I just got one) it as a nice slow fade, but then all of a sudden the sound just cuts. I've experimented with all of the settings for the sustain, release, etc. and it keeps doing that. Does that sound normal to anyone? We couldn't tell if it's just weird like that or if it's broken. I'm used to my Juno 6 that works really well and has a fairly slow, but at least SMOOTH release. For me this is a super troubling and serious problem!

[sounddoctorin]

@safetybarbara Sounds like the calbration procedure may need to be done on it. This is a common issue. THe service manual has instructions on how to do that.

[cephal0p0d]

Yes! Very underratted synth! Love mine to death.

[eiffe]

it's amazing, some patches of yours even sound like ppg wave!

[trashbaggage]

The best demo of this instrument on Youtube.

[safetybarbara]

I watched this video a long time ago and now I have a Chroma Polaris of my own! I bought it for too much though because one of the keys only makes sound half of the time and the release, or maybe the decay is funky on it.

[newpro5657]

Bladder switches can be problematic...but there is still value in these great old synths. The Polaris is one of the heavier beasts to move around...real hardware circuits and switches in there. But the pulse width modulation and ring modulator made this a very unique synth and could do bell tones with the best of the FM's. All this remembrance is making me want one again. 6 voices was limiting but a true analog synth for a good price, me thinks. Cheers, Sam

[sounddoctorin]

@newpro5657 Yeah they are neat. I just fixed up another one that has some cracks around the buttons and we had to do some paint detail work. Looks pretty good now. They are really worth fixing up for sure. So many cool tricks! :) Thanks for adding that.