Fairlight story #03: Modern DAW integration

Published on Apr 19, 2020 DeftAudio

"This episode I'm explaining how Fairlight is controlled and integrated into the main DAW."

DeftAudio Fairlight posts

Two channel CV Gate Attenuator for 3.3V/5V logic with an arrow indicator or voltmeter

video upload by DeftAudio

"An overview of the CV/Gate attenuator with various options. Available here: https://www.tindie.com/products/defta..."

"Deftaudio Two Channel CV Gate Attenuator for Eurorack
Two channel gain and max voltage passive attenuator with three options available:

Basic version, two channel with 3.3V, 5V limits, precise adjustment and LED control
Indicator version, two channel with 3.3V, 5V limits, precise adjustment with a vintage arrow indicator per channel
Voltmeter version, two channel with 3.3V, 5V limits, precise adjustment with a single digital LED voltmeter
Description:

This is simple and efficient board to adjust voltage level when interfacing between Eurorack gear and to the outside world. It's specifically important for Gate levels, which exceed typical voltage level of 3.3V or 5V and go all the way up to 12V. While modular gear typically designed to handle those voltages, other instruments such as sync or arp inputs on vintage synths may not have a protection at all.

This board designed in mind with three modes of operation which are not available in other products:

3.3V logic limit. This mode is protected by a Zener diode and meant for interfacing to 3.3 logic gear, such as microcontrollers, Arduino, Teensy, etc.
5V logic limit. This mode similarly has a Zener diode circuit for 5V logic of the majority synthesizers sync, arpeggiator and other various trigger inputs.
Attenuation. In this mode multi-turn potentiometer sets the attenuation ratio. While two other modes set the max voltage limit, in this mode the output voltage is linearly scaled down to the attenuation ratio set.
Purchasing options:

PCB only: Only PCB board is included, other parts, such as connectors, diodes, resistors and LEDs are sourced by a buyer.
DIY Kit: Comes with all parts including arrow indicators or digital voltmeter per selected option. Soldering is required.
Assembled board: this option is NOT planned at the moment."

Eurorack USB power adapter and Compute faceplate for Intel and Android sticks

video upload by DeftAudio

"DIY Kit and PCB to provide USB power from the Eurorack power as well as compute module mounting. Available on Tindie: https://www.tindie.com/stores/Deftaudio"

Пятый Канал интервью с Deftaudio

YouTube via DeftAudio | December 05, 2010 | 0 likes, 0 dislikes

"Разговор о лазерной арфе и интерактивном инструменте ReActive (авторская версия Reactable)"

Googlish:
"Talking about the laser harp, and interactive tools ReActive (author's version of Reactable)"

Fairlight CMI Series III - Fully Restored - Owned by Brad Fiedel, Terminator II

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by DeftAudio

"The story of working on getting back to live CMI Series III that was used on the truly masterpiece T2 score."

via this auction

"Here is your unique chance to buy a fully restored Fairlight CMI Series III that used on Terminator II: Judgement Day by Brad Fiedel.

"Hello. My name is Andrei Kudryavtsev. If you've been tracking Fairlight sales, you probably saw my other restoration work. All systems that I sell are completely restored and refurbished to the original condition, as much as possible. They are also upgraded to modern standards providing better reliability and usability. This system is not the exception. It's the legendary Fairlight owned by Brad Fiedel and used on T2 score. It took me over a year to finish this build. It arrived to me with a mess of previous repair over last 35 years. Failed parts were replaced by other boards not following versioning and compatibility. It required extensive work to get it up to date to Rev 9 standards which means the final CMI functionality. It's running OS9.34 with all required hardware changes, with 16 voices 32MB sample memory, with SCSI2SD replacing original hard drive, USB2CMI replacing original Preh keyboard, and a VGA monitor. It has fully repainted the CMI mainframe, music keyboard.

Power supply section is brand new. Old switching PSU has been replaced with three modern PSUs, driving clear power rails and dedicated power rail for fans. Cooling section is brand new, replaced all fans with server grade fans and new fan speed controller with a separate zone management and thermal sensors.

All work is carefully documented and available in my Instagram with all dates it was performed.

instagram.com/deftaudio/

This system needs a new home, a person who will be using it to make the music and not being distracted by common failures. All of those have been addressed to make your life easier and bring new life into this wonderful machine. I should say a disclaimer anyway, that as is a vintage gear....it may fail any moment...and obviously no return offered. However, I'm offering you my help in learning this great machine, and so you get 10 hours of my time at no charge. You can use it for whatever you want - set up and install online, learning session, tutorials, technical support etc...

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland CMU800R midi by Deftaudio.ru

YouTube via DeftAudio. "Great CMU-800R with midiboard inside."
Note there's a CMU-800R up for auction here, with the Apple interface card, software and manual.

Backlit pitchband and modulation wheels for John Bowen Solaris

Published on Aug 16, 2014 DeftAudio

"RGB backlit for wheels.
Prototyped by Deftaudio in July'2014."

Roland CMU-800R with MIDI Option Installed

via this auction

"For the quick info visit:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec04/articles/roland.htm

www.cmu800r.deftaudio.ru

http://sites.google.com/site/analogvocoderinfo/interfaces/roland-cmu-800r

The CMU-800 is one of unique and rare module that was produced by Amdek and then by Roland in th past. It's a medium-sized, off-cream metallic wedge, with a barrage of jacks on the back and a bare minimum of knobs on the front. It also sported this ruddy great ribbon cable hanging out the back!

What is it? Essentially, its a computer-controlled CV/gate output system, designed to work with computers - a Japan-market-only NEC Z80 machine and the humble Apple II range. No MIDI, no inputs as such, just a means to let your "brand spanking new 8-bit computing marvel" be the controlling heart of your System 100M. The box was the same for each model, you just bought the interface and software to suit your particular CPU.

This unit is in amazing condition looks and works like new even it's 25+ years old! It has MIDI option installed. This is custom prepared unit, almost not possible to buy anywhere else:

http://cmu800r.deftaudio.ru/midi.html"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland CMU-800 ~1983

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction

"This unit is in amazing condition looks and works like new even it's 25+ years old! It has MIDI option installed. This is custom prepared unit, almost not possible to buy anywhere else:

http://cmu800r.deftaudio.ru/midi.html

You'll be able to control everything that could be controlled. Including single voice Melody channel, single voice Bass channel, 4 voices Chord channel and analog Drum channel. CV/GATE ouput also works, so, you'll get 8 channels of CV/GATE in addtion!

Midi implementation chart:
Midi channel CMU800R CV/Gate out Comments
1 Melody Ch1 1-voice
2 Bass Ch2 1-voice
3 Chord Ch3 1-voice
4 Chord
Ch4 1-voice
5 Chord Ch5 1-voice
6 Chord Ch6 1-voice
7 - Ch7 1-voice
8 - Ch8 1-voice
9 - -
10 Rhythm - 7-poly drums in GM
11-16 - -

Also support pitch shift, CCs on 01, 16, 17, 18, RPN and midi reset mesages.

Audio Demos:

http://cmu800r.deftaudio.ru/audio.html"

Fairlight CMI Series III and Chicken Systems Translation introduction

Published on Jun 14, 2019 DeftAudio

"Brief overview of my Fairlight setup and integration with Translator app for the sample transfer."

Oberheim DPX-1 and HxC floppy emulator

YouTube via DeftAudio | July 12, 2010

"Here is first test of Oberheim DPX-1 with HxC SD card floppy emulator.
It's based on prototype schematics and made on piece of breadboard.
Minimal version of conversion SW is 1.3.11
We're not selling this product.
For more information please contact to:
http://hxc2001.free.fr/floppy_drive_e..."

Note: as of this post, onkloud9 has three DPX-1's up for auction here.

Some pics for reference to what the original looks like.

Brad Fiedel (Terminator 2) Fairlight Restoration announced

video by DeftAudio

"For a very special time I'm announcing Fairlight Series III restoration that was owned by Brad Fiedel and used for scoring Terminator 2 Judgment Day. Importantly there are two systems used which were synced together to produce the original soundtrack. Watch till the end you'll find the easter egg."

Luma-1 - playing lost LM1 patterns

video upload by DeftAudio

"Playing LM1 patterns on Luma-1 live, no post processing. Yamaha DMP11 used as the FX for delay and Gated Verb.

Luma-1 is an authentic recreation of the iconic LM-1, originally designed by Roger Linn in 1979 and now brought back by Joe Britt. Fully recreating the original design of the LM-1, it utilizes the same audio path (with vintage DACs and filters), runs the unmodified LM-1 software, and adds a secondary modern processor for adding highly desirable features like loadable sounds, USB connectivity, MIDI and more."

Restored Fairlight CMI Series III for Sale

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated. Fairlight CMI Series III - Demonstration Video

Published on Nov 21, 2016 DeftAudio

"Demo video to support the eBay listing
Unique restoration project explained in every detail, what's included with the system, condition, function tests and so on... read more inside the item description."

via this auction

Details captured for the archives:

"Here is the exact list what is included into the listing:
Fairlight CMI-III Rev 9.34 mainframe, fully populated with 16 channels (8 * CMI-31) and max 32MB of memory (3 * 8MB + 4* 2MB cards), CMI-337 input card, CMI-32, CMI-41, CMI-28, Q356, Q133, Q209, QFC9, Q777, ESP-CG3 VGA card, SCSI2SD scsi adapter with 16GB SD Card.
Weighted musical keyboard with a sustain pedal and a soft case.
Alphanumeric Preh keyboard with touchpad and stylus
NEC LCD VGA monitor
MiniPC with preinstalled CMI-Control SW, custom serial cable and PSU, touchpad and new keyboard
Musical keyboard uplift adjustable motor-driven stand with LCD mount
Mainframe stand on wheels
Power distribution unit
Documentation: user manuals, tutorials, CMI-III Service Guide, some prints
Connection cables: 3x power cables, serial to musical keyboard (10 feet), power to musical keyboard (10 feet), VGA cable (6 feet), DVI cable (6 feet), VGA cable (10 feet).

Condition and Restoration Details

Saying that the condition is awesome, actually, is saying nothing. Let me get you introduced to the whole restoration process, what has been done in order to make it so amazing. Every system component was restored, returned back to a factory specs or replaced. Having just about 200s Series III ever produced that’s a bit tricky.

Music keyboard belonged to Stewart Copeland (famous The Police drummer). That’s very rare weighted version which Fairlight put on a special order.

CLICK FOR MORE »

DK Synergy II+ in action with Kaypro computer

Published on Jun 6, 2018 DeftAudio

"Just a test example how they speak to each other"

Don't miss 6:09 for realtime screen updates. So cool.

Roland cmu-800 MIDI interface test / CMU800

Published on Mar 6, 2016 DeftAudio

Luma-1 plays LM-1 patterns that you always wanted to hear

video upload by DeftAudio

Roland CMU-800R real demo with AppleII interface.

DeftAudio

"This is the basic overview of CMU-800R capabilities and Apple II software driving it. Less talking and actual demos."

Roland CMU800R Demo

Published on Jun 24, 2015 lovesvintagesynth

"Funktionsdemo Roland CMU800R mit Midiinterface (deftaudio), angesteuert aus Ableton. Am CV/Gate Channel 1 und 2 hängt ein Roland System 100."

Luma-1 drum machine overview and demo

video upload by DeftAudio

"Luma-1 is an authentic recreation of the iconic LM-1, originally designed by Roger Linn in 1979 and now brought back by Joe Britt. Fully recreating the original design of the LM-1, it utilizes the same audio path (with vintage DACs and filters), runs the unmodified LM-1 software, and adds a secondary modern processor for adding highly desirable features like loadable sounds, USB connectivity, MIDI and more."

See this post for additional details.