THD-Labs

Tangerine Automation Interface for Flying Faders

ONE CARD TO CONTROL THEM ALL !

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The original Flying Faders system was sold with an aging automation computer and uses a fragile optical link to transmit control data between the faders and the interface. Though the faders still work well, the automation system is now obsolete. Updating it has become a costly, frustrating endeavour

Enter the Tangerine Automation Interface for Flying Faders! This system fits into the original Flying Faders card cage and uses the existing servo card, cabling, and faders. It costs less than other systems and gives you more than the original ever could.

AUTOMATION FEATURES

The TAI connects your Flying Faders to your favourite DAW with no limit to channel count. The TAI enables fader automation from within the project you’re mixing via one of it's three automation workflows: Injektor Plug-In (AAX, AU, VST), HUI, or by using the REAPER DAW. It supports all widely used automation modes (OFF, READ, WRITE, TRIM, TOUCH).

CONSOLE FEATURES

Core console features are available without the need for a computer. The TAI controls Mutes, Solos, Groups and Links.

Mix Scenes are available as well — the same kind that would be found on a live digital mixing console — they’re particularly useful for multi-day tracking sessions.

TESTS & DIAGNOSTICS

The TAI includes a powerful diagnostics suite to help bring vintage faders back to life. The TAI assists in verifying the communication between the card-cage and the faders. It helps isolate any issue with individual fader components.

The TAI makes it possible to test motors, switches, and LEDs across your entire Flying Faders system. A great addition to any technician’s bench.

MODULAR AND CUSTOMISABLE

The TAI for Flying Faders is customizable to fit any Flying Faders system: from 8 to 96+ channels with virtually no limit on channel count. It is available in 3 feature sets: Diagnostics, Console Control and Automation.

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EFFORTLESS INSTALLATION

The Tangerine SEKA card is the only piece of hardware required to actualize Flying Faders systems. It slides into your FF card cage replacing your original SECA card.

It communicates with your computer using a standard USB cable, replacing the old, expensive fiber-optic link.

Total install time is typically less than 15 minutes.

It's that simple !

FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION WORKFLOWS

The Tangerine Automation Interface offers multiple automation workflows :

  • INJEKTOR workflow, the TAI brings direct READ/WRITE/TOUCH/TRIM automation of faders and mutes directly in a AAX/AU/VST compatible DAW.
  • REAPER workflow, the TAI enables tape-based mixing workflows without an additional hardware synchronizer.
  • HUI workflow, the TAI controls DAW virtual faders directly using your consoles's faders as input controllers.

OPTIONS

Event Controllers

Does your console have automatable EQs, Inserts, or Sends managed through the Flying Faders system? 

Event Controllers expand the TAI by allowing communication with the card cage's event cards. These cards were only installed on consoles with additional automatable parameters.

NOTE: Use of the console's EQs, Inserts and Sends may cease to function if the console is designed to use Event Cards and no Event Controllers are present. Typically, Event Cards are installed on the right side of the card cage, in slots 14 onwards. Unsure if your console requires Event Controllers? Contact us and we'll walk you through the verification process.

Specifications And Features

Automation

Automation features require a USB connection to a host macOS or Windows computer running appropriate software. 

  • 8 to 96 channels of Flying Faders automation, configured to match channel count.
  • Use your DAW as the automation software. Available workflows:
    1. INJEKTOR (AAX/AU/VST plugin)
    2. REAPER/SSL
    3. HUI*
    4. HUI hybrid*
  • READ / WRITE resolution: 10 bits (1024 steps) +/- 0.1 dB precision
  • Control and automate FADERS and CUTS  
  • Support for TRIM and ABSOLUTE modes
  • Enhanced fader level match (to match fader position in motor OFF mode)
  • Set individual channel automation modes from the faders themselves
  • Control automation directly from console's Master Control Module
  • Definable post-write automation mode toggle
  • Master Fader Automation
  • Grouped automation
  • Linked automation
  • Any console fader can be used as a virtual DAW controller

Console Features

All console features are available even when the TAI is not connected to a host computer. Some configurations and settings are also available through the Injektor software for simplified access.

  • Control console cuts and solos
  • Create and control Groups and Links
  • Create and load Mix Scenes
  • Define channels for solo-safe

Diagnostics Features

All testing and maintenance features are available even when the TAI is not connected to a host computer.

  • Motor Test, with 5 patterns
  • LED Test, with 3 patterns
  • Switch Test
  • Built in auto-shut off protection for motor tests
  • Software-based toolless automatic calibration

OPTIONS

  • Event Controllers: retain the use of EQs, Inserts, and Sends on consoles with additional automatable parameters.

COMPATIBILITY

Injektor supports computers running:

macOS 10.9.5 (Mavericks) — macOS 13 (Ventura) or
Compatible with both Intel and Apple M1 processors.

Windows 10 / Windows 11

TaiMothership plug-in is tested for:

Pro Tools 11 — Pro Tools 2023 (Rosetta currently required)
Logic Pro X
The HUI workflow does not require any software installation and supports any HUI compatible DAW.

* Pro Tools limits HUI workflows to a maximum of 32 simultaneous channels.

Order

PRICING

Pricing for the TAI for Flying Faders varies depending feature set and channel count:

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ORDERING

The TAI for Flying Faders can be purchased from the Tangerine Shop or contact us for more information.

It will be our pleasure to assist you.

PAYMENT

Preferred Payment Methods: wire transfer, money orders, certified cheques and Interac e-Transfer (Canada only).

Also available with a 4% surcharge: MasterCard, VISA and PayPal.

FAQ

How do I install the Tangerine Automation Interface for Flying Faders?

Installing the Tangerine Automation interface for Flying Faders is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3

  1. In the Flying Faders card cage, replace the existing MartinSound SECA card with the new Tangerine SEKA card.
  2. Connect the USB port to your computer.
  3. Download and install the drivers and Injektor Software.

For more detailed installation instructions you can refer to the Tangerine user's manual.

Which workflow is best for me?

The Tangerine Automation Interface supports 3 dedicated workflows. On top of all original SSL computer functions, each workflow offers different modern approaches to automation that certain users may prefer.


  1. The Injektor workflow is our most recent - and most popular - no-compromise method for working with the TAI. Using our AAX/VST/AU plugins, you can quickly and easily control up to 96 channels directly in your favourite DAW. All available automation modes are available - including TRIM. This workflow requires installing our Injektor software package. To see the Injektor workflow in action, check out our tutorial video.
  2. The Reaper workflow was developed to match the feel of the original SSL computer. In this workflow, Reaper directly replaces the existing SSL computer and will be “Synched/Slaved” via time code to your audio source and can control up to 96 channels. This is the preferred workflow when controlling automation from a tape deck directly from the SSL centre section without having to manipulate a DAW.
  3. The HUI workflows turn your console into a control surface that interacts with HUI compatible DAWs without any additional software required. Though HUI workflows don't require any additional software, they do have some tradeoffs compared to other workflows. The HUI OTB workflow is limited to 32 channels and does not support TRIM automation modes. The HUI Hybrid workflow can support up to 96 channels by using bank switching and supports TRIM automation modes, but it does not have unity-gain coming out of the DAW.

How do I configure my interface and my DAW software?

Initial set-up of your Tangerine Automation Interface is quick and easy.

After connecting your TAI to the console and to USB, install our Injektor software suite. Using Injektor's setup tab, you can choose your desired workflow and other comfort settings.

Depending on your chosen workflow, you may need to install additional software packages:

  • The Injektor workflow does not require any additional software.
  • The Reaper/SSL workflow requires the Reaper DAW and our driver/skin package.
  • The HUI workflows do not require any additional software.

All that's left afterwards is setting certain settings inside your DAW (this only needs to be done once). Each DAW has its particularities and configuration steps vary by workflow. Complete information for each DAW and workflow is available in the Tangerine user's manual.

How do I use the Tangerine Automation interface ?

Fader moves and mute switch toggles are sent from your console to your DAW according to the selected automation mode. You can select the automation mode by pressing switches on your console or using onscreen controls.

Within the DAW, volume and mute information will be written to or read from track automation envelopes. How the DAW and console respond to this envelope is dependent on the choice of workflow:

  • When using the Injektor and Reaper workflows, volume and mute information is sent to the console. Normalize the DAW to 0 dB on each channel and the console takes care of volume changes.
  • When using the HUI workflow, volume information controls the DAW's fader volumes and mutes. On audio-in-fader consoles, summing is done in-the-box. On consoles with VCAs, summing can be done on the console; the TAI normalizes VCAs to 0dB and the DAW sends post-fader audio to the console.

What automation modes does the Tangerine support?

Available automation modes depends on the workflow you're using.

The Injektor, Reaper/SSL and HUI-Hybrid workflows support all available automation modes: OFF, READ, WRITE, LATCH, TRIM WRITE, TRIM LATCH, TRIM READ.

The HUI-OTB workflow does not support TRIM modes. It only supports: OFF, READ, WRITE, LATCH.

Warranty

If you are experiencing issues with your Tangerine Flying-Fader interface and are not able to solve the issues from the user guide troubleshooting section or THD-Labs web site support section, contact our technical support team at 1-866-344-0880(ext:2) or by email. In order to help us diagnose and solve any issues as quickly as possible:

  1. Have the product model and serial number available.
  2. Be ready to operate the unit.
  3. Call us while the unit is powered up and exhibiting the symptoms

WARANTY

THD-Labs Automation interface are warranted to be free from manufacturing defects for five (5) years from the original date of manufacture. The warranty includes parts and labour. Warranty is limited to the first time buyer and is non-transferable.

THD-Labs will remedy the problem by repair or replacement, as we deem necessary, to restore the product to full performance. THD-Labs will pay return shipping costs for the full length of the specific product’s warranty.

In the event of a defect or malfunction, contact THD-Labs for return authorization. Products must be returned using original packaging material.This warranty is considered void if the defect, malfunction or failure of the product or any component part was caused by damage (not resulting from a defect or malfunction) or abuse while in the possession of the customer. Tampering by persons other than factory authorized service personnel or failure to fully comply with THD-Labs operating instructions voids the warranty. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which may vary from country to country.

Shipment Instructions

With the returned unit, include a letter providing your name, the RMA number, the return shipping address, and a brief description of the problem.
Pack the returned unit very carefully to prevent damage during transit. We recommend using the original THD-Labs box and packing material. If the original packing is not available, we recommend using at least 2 inches of padding around the product.
We recommand using DHL as the carrier. Please be aware that any local customs charges will not be paid by THD-Labs. (RMA makes things go smoothly true customs...)
The package should have a tracking number and insured for an appropriate value. Regular mail services is not recommended, although some postal services offer courier deliveries with insurance and tracking features which could be acceptable.
THD-Labs cannot be held responsible for packages that are lost or misdirected en route to our service facilities. Please ask your shipper to record your RMA number on all paperwork.

If you have any questions regarding your RMA, please contact THD-LABS customer support team