Cherry Audio Chroma

If you're after a colourful new synth, Cherry Audio has something that covers the whole spectrum. Roland Schmidt looks through the prism

- Roland Schmidt

$69

PC MAC

It’s been difficult to ignore the incredible rise of Cherry Audio recently, through its exacting reinterpretations of seminal classics from the vintage synth and drum machine back catalogue, coupled with some new and exciting designs, too. With price tags starting as low as zero, it’s on a charge to bring affordable, amazing-sounding plugins to the masses.

In the Chroma-zone

What makes Chroma particularly interesting, is that the Rhodes Chroma is apparently one of the most requested synths for recreation, which is just as well, because an original vintage model could easily set you back five figures.

So, what is the Chroma, and why is it of such interest? The Chroma began development under the watchful eye of Alan Robert Pearlman. You might know his company better as ARP, the producers of legendary synths such as the Odyssey and 2500 or 2600. Research began in the late ’70s, on a radical new design of analogue synthesiser, moving away from the expense of a fader-laden panel, in favour of press buttons, a data entry fader and microprocessor control.

Regrettably, ARP filed for bankruptcy in 1981, leaving the design in the wilderness. Thankfully it was picked up by CBS and put into production in 1982 through their Rhodes division.

Chromatography