The Chroma Polaris was the second synthesizer made by Fender/Rhodes after they took over ARP, following their classic Rhodes Chroma. It has a classic analog ARP-like sound, kind-of tinny but also fat. Sounds can be layered up to 6 voices. It has typical analog synth controls including a cool 'sweep' knob for sweeping through the LFO or analog filter cutoff parameters. It also has a simple real-time sequencer and 132 memory patches.

There's also a nice and colorful layout with sliders similar to Roland Juno synths, membrane push-buttons and a large velocity sensitive 61-note keyboard making the Chroma Polaris a very nice synth. Fully MIDI-equipped, the Polaris will transmit and receive all its edit controls through MIDI as well as the ability to play up to three patches at once. Unfortunately they are rare and usually hard to find. It has been used by Leftfield and Jimmy Edgar.

Jneedham

August 10, 2012 @ 11:59 pm

Replace the National quad output summer/buffer with:
TL074 to get some ob-xa bite
BB 2134 for more refinement in the upper midrange

rong

June 22, 2012 @ 6:45 pm

I was offered a Polaris for £250 a few years ago. I got put off by the utterly awful presets and the dodgy membrane switches though so decided against it. Kind of regretted it ever since.

Rob Ocelot

October 8, 2011 @ 10:36 pm

Some other cool/interesting things about the Polaris:
*Selective pitch bend with a sustain pedal for crazy pedal steel effects
*Very mature MIDI implementation, accepts aftertouch (both channel and polyphonic) from external controllers and routable to almost any parameter
*Can use a second Polaris or a Chroma Expander for more polyphony via the Chroma interface

Cons:
*8-Step resonance
*No oscillator mixer (not really a big downside [beep] other have pointed out)
*Pitch bend works opposite to every other synth on the planet
*Heavy as sin!

Vance

June 14, 2011 @ 8:25 pm

Excellent sound, features, and easy to use. Compares very well to the super expensive vintage synths. The ribbon cable fix is documented and only a fool would part these out for the chips.

I'm keeping mine and I'm amazed every time I turn it on.

James

May 17, 2011 @ 6:41 pm

Not too many VCO synths made it into the MIDI era. The Ob-8 and Prophet 600 come to mind so the Polaris is in good company. Never mind what some idiot(s) says in the forums. This is a top caliber synth in control, capability, and sound in every way. Yes, there is some quirks in the lack of Oscillator mix control but I've generally never set my OB-xa's oscillator to 'half' either. What you get is a good synth engine capable of tons of tones and it feels 'sharp' on the attack. It can do warm and mellow like a P5 but can get big and brash like an OB. Bonus points for sweet Hammonds and e-piano's.

<4321>

 

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