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Summary of Contents for Rhodes Chroma Aftertouch System
- Page 1 POLYPHONIC AFTERTOUCH SYSTEM FOR RHODES CHROMA Installation Manual...
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Page 2: Kit Contents
Introduction Thank you for purchasing a Rhodes Chroma Aftertouch System. This product adds polyphonic aftertouch functionality to any Rhodes Chroma. Our aftertouch system uses high quality force-sensing- resistors that were designed for human touch applications, making them ideal for use in aftertouch systems. Each key’s aftertouch sensitivity can be adjusted, allowing for uniform response across the Chroma’s keyboard, which can require as much or as little pressure as... -
Page 3: Tools Required For Installation
Tools Required For Installation • Phillips Head Screwdriver • Awl, Center Punch, or other tool for starting screw holes • Soldering Iron • Solder • Ruler • Pencil Installation To begin the installation process, start by removing the lid and the 4 screws that hold the front panel in place. - Page 4 Figure 2 - Removing Balance Rail Felts Figure 3 - Paper Spacers Remaining Figure 4 - NEA Quick-Recovery Foam Punchings...
- Page 5 The aftertouch kit contains two PCBs (Fig. 5 & 6). One PCB has a 14- pin DIP cable connected to it. This is the Lower Sensor Board (Placed beneath the lowest 32 notes on the Chroma keyboard). The Lower Sensor Board must be connected to the Upper Sensor Board using the 12-pin 1”...
- Page 6 Figure 8 - Proper Folding of FFC Cable Place the aftertouch assembly onto the base of the keybed as shown in Figure 9. Do not screw the assembly into place yet. The assembly should be oriented so that the sensors are closest to the front rail, and the back edge of the PCBs is flush with the balance rail.
- Page 7 Figure 10 - 14 Pin DIP Cable Placement (Best to fold and run ribbon underneath bender chassis. Tape ribbon down to keep flat) Figure 11 - 14 Pin DIP Cable Plugged Into Chroma I/O PCB J22 (Note pin number markings on PCB and Header) Turn on the Chroma and press SET SPLIT-35 to enable polyphonic aftertouch.
- Page 8 Figure 12 - Alignment of Sensors With Keys Figure 13 - Alignment of Aftertouch Assembly With Balance Rail Figure 14 - Marking Screw Holes With Awl...
- Page 9 Figure 15 - Screwing Aftertouch Assembly Into Place Note that now the active portion of the sensors is located directly underneath keys at the same point on all of the black keys (Fig. 16). This is typically 1.5” from the key front (Fig 17 & 18), but can vary slightly, so measure this distance on your keyboard to make sure it’s the same.
- Page 10 Figure 17 - Correct Location of Screw on a Sharp Key APPROXIMATELY 1.5” Figure 18 - Correct Location of Screw on a Sharp Key Figure 19 - Example of Starter Hole Marked With Awl...
- Page 11 APPROXIMATELY 3.75” Figure 20 - White Key Screw Location (Side View) CENTERED APPROXIMATELY 3.75” Figure 21 - White Key Screw Locarion (Bottom View) Now place the key into the keybed and play that note. Apply aftertouch pressure. Notice that the screw under the key comes into contact with the protective foam strip over the aftertouch sensor.
- Page 12 Figure 22 - Black Key at Rest Figure 23 - Black Key Depressed (No Aftertouch Engaged) Figure 24 - Black Key Depressed (Aftertouch Engaged)
- Page 13 Figure 25 - Key Travel During Normal Key Stroke (Note how close screw comes to the sensor foam without actually touching it.) Figure 26 - Back of Key Hitting Back Rail Felt During Keystroke Figure 27 - Back of Key Pressing on Back Rail When Aftertouch is Engaged...
- Page 14 Figure 28 - Compression of Balance Rail Foam Punchings When Aftertouch is Engaged. (This is what allows the screw to come down on the sensors in a controlled way, which makes the aftertouch response feel good under the fingers.) Test all keys to be sure that the pressure response is even from note to note.
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