ARP Rhodes Chroma

$11,625.50 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (6)

2 Critic Reviews

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Rhodes Chroma

1 community setup

7 wishlisted

14 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (1)

$11,625.50 3 available Used

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Average Price: $11,626

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, ARP Rhodes Chroma is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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The Fender Rhodes Chroma is a legendary synthesizer that continues to captivate musicians with its unique blend of versatility and classic analog warmth. Originally introduced in the early 1980s, this synthesizer remains a favorite among both vintage gear aficionados and modern sound designers. Its enduring appeal lies in its rich sound palette and the innovative features it introduced to the synth world.

The Chroma is renowned for its 16-voice polyphony, a rarity for its time, allowing musicians to create lush, full-bodied sounds that are perfect for both studio recordings and live performances. Its architecture includes a dynamic interface with touch-sensitive keys, making it highly responsive to nuanced playing techniques. The synth's multi-mode filter and extensive modulation capabilities offer endless possibilities for crafting unique tones, from smooth pads to gritty leads.

What sets the Chroma apart is not only its robust design but also its ability to integrate seamlessly into modern setups. Its MIDI implementation, though initially introduced as an upgrade, ensures that it can communicate effectively with contemporary digital audio workstations and other MIDI-compatible devices. Whether you're exploring ambient soundscapes or driving electronic beats, the Chroma's intuitive layout and powerful sound engine make it a timeless tool for any musician's arsenal.

Key Features:

16-voice polyphony for complex and rich sound layering
Dynamic touch-sensitive keys for expressive playability
Multi-mode filter for versatile sound shaping
Extensive modulation options for creative sound design
Original MIDI capability for modern connectivity
Robust build quality, ensuring longevity and reliability

Product specs

Analog/Digital

analog

Videos

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synth4ever

ARP RHODES CHROMA - Analog Synthesizer - Sounds, Patches & Ambient Soundscapes | Synth Demo

synth4ever

Rhodes Chroma Demo, Part 2

NonDigitalTom

Rhodes Chroma Demo (Part 1)

The Keyboardist Blog

ARP / Rhodes Chroma | HD DEMO - Overview | Part 1

Synthesizer Circuit

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ARP Rhodes Chroma.

Features and functionality

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The Rhodes Chroma allows VCOs, VCFs, and VCAs to be reconfigured electronically, enabling modular-like patching without cords, enhancing sound creation flexibility.
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The synthesizer supports optional polyphonic aftertouch and can be expanded to 32/16 voices with the rare Chroma Expander unit.
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The Chroma has digitally generated ADSR envelopes and 16 LFOs with multiple waveform options, allowing for diverse modulation capabilities.
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The Max for Live editor includes tabs for Voice A/B control and a Both tab, which can overwrite individual voices and send combined CCs, enhancing patch flexibility.
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The Chroma can be enhanced with an iPad controller via Lemur, expanding its modulation capabilities beyond the factory setup.
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The Chroma's architecture allows for extensive modulation options once understood, offering a rich playground for sound experimentation.
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Mods and upgrades

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Behringer BCR2000 sysex templates and custom controllers from StereoPing and Red Shift Consulting provide hands-on control, overcoming the limited real-time editing of membrane buttons.
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Use cases and applications

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Known for its powerful and rich tones, the Chroma is frequently compared to a polyphonic ARP 2600, making it suitable for complex soundscapes and ambient music.
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The custom editor aids in quick patch creation and is beneficial for those who use Ableton Live to record and sequence MIDI with the Rhodes Chroma.
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User experience

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Owners note the synth's sound as big, brash, and harmonically rich, yet requiring in-person experience to truly appreciate its power and tone.
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Text color issues may occur when using the custom editor with older versions of Ableton Live, such as Live 10, due to background color settings.
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Software and compatibility

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A custom Max for Live CC editor was created to facilitate patch creation on the Chroma, specifically tailored to work with the CC+ upgrade and default MCM custom settings.
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Setup and maintenance

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Loading Ableton projects with saved settings can overload the Chroma by sending too many control values simultaneously; it's advised to load patches directly on the Chroma for stability.
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Comparisons

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A user noted the Chroma's ability to function as a powerful drone machine by setting the release to maximum, maintaining sound without decay.
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Value and pricing

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Despite its high price, the Chroma remains a dream synth for many due to its revered sound and historical significance.
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Critic Reviews

Rhodes Chroma · International Musician Review

rhodeschroma.com

The Fender Rhodes Chroma is an intriguing hybrid of analog and digital synthesis, offering impressive versatility with its customizable patching and 16-voice capability. However, editing can be a hassle, requiring constant reference to the manual. While its build and sound potential are commendable, the factory presets lack distinctive character, and the interface feels cumbersome with its tiny LED display and tactile buttons. Priced steeply, it’s a complex piece that might not have musicians in mind, despite its innovative functionalities. Potential buyers should be aware of early model technical issues.

neutral

Full Review

Rhodes Chroma (EMM Oct 82)

muzines.co.uk

Full Review

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 6 Ratings

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io_perplesso

327

almost 7 years ago

Excellent old analog

The Rhodes Chroma is a wonderful piece of hardware; it comprises full analog audio generation and path (XR4151 VCOs, Curtis filters and VCAs) and a clever digital control part. The instrument could be virtually patched in 16 different ways, like as with a modular synth; the 16 voices could be arranged as 16x1VCO, 8x2VCO, unison, arpeggio modes. Ring modulation and sync are present. VCFs could work either as 2-pole or 4-pole, LPF or HPF. A new CPU board (named CC+) is currently available to overcome to several limitations and to add native MIDI interface with SysEx. An optional alphanumeric display could be connected, to make editing far easier and immediate. Even with CC+, an external controller like Behringer BCR-2000 could be used to adjust the various parameters in a much easy way. The instrument could be upgraded with a polyphonic aftertouch kit, and its electronic implementation is present as factory on all units. The eight DVB (dual voice boards) are quite prone to fault, mainly due to component age, and some early CMOS ICs are quite often to be replaced. The Power Supply unit is the most failing part, but a kit (SPSU) is available as drop-in replacement. The wooden keyboard doesn't present any piano-like feedback articulation, but simply it's a pleasure to play.

Roles:

Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Rock Blues