Tangerine Automation Interface
For Flying Faders
TANGERINE AUTOMATION INTERFACE FOR FLYING FADERS
ONE CARD TO CONTROL THEM ALL !
The original Flying Faders system was sold with an aging automation computer and uses a fragile optical link to transmit control data to its card cage. Though the faders still work well, the automation system is now obsolete. Maintaining it has become a frustrating, costly 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
The TAI connects your Flying Faders to your favourite DAW with no limit on channel count. The TAI enables fader automation from within the project you’re mixing via its Injektor Plug-In (AAX, AU, VST) or HUI workflows. It supports all widely used automation modes (OFF, READ, WRITE, TRIM, TOUCH).
Console Control
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 & customizable
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.
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 Workflows
The Tangerine Automation Interface offers multiple automation workflows :
- In INJEKTOR workflow, the TAI brings direct READ/WRITE/TOUCH/TRIM automation of faders and mutes directly in a AAX/AU/VST compatible DAW.
- In 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. HUI* - READ / WRITE resolution: 10 bits (1024 steps) +/- 0.1 dB precision
- Control and automate FADERS and MUTES
- 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 global automation modes directly from the console's Master Control Module
- Definable post-write automation mode toggle
- 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 mutes 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
Hardware specifications
- Single TAI SEKA card controls all features
- Requires a complete and functional Flying Faders Card Cage - including a functional power supply
- All lead-free, RoHS components
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)
Compatible with both Intel and Apple Silicon processors.
Windows 10 / Windows 11
TaiMothership plug-in is tested for:
- Pro Tools 11 — Pro Tools 2024 (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
ORDER NOW FROM THE TANGERINE SHOP!
Pricing
Pricing for the TAI for Flying Faders varies depending feature set and channel count:
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.
Typical delivery times are 1 — 2 weeks after receipt of payment.
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.
SUPPORT AND WARRANTY
The original purchaser of any Tangerine Automation Interface receives 5 years of software and firmware updates and 2 hours of complimentary installation support and product training.
If you encounter an issue with your Tangerine Automation Interface that cannot be resolved using the product manual or THD-Labs website support, please reach out to us via our contact form. We are here to assist you.
For emergency assistance, please call us at 1-866-344-0880 (ext:2).
Warranty: the Tangerine Automation Interface for Flying Faders is covered against material and craftsmanship defects by our 5-year hardware warranty.
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
- In the Flying Faders card cage, replace the existing MartinSound SECA card with the new Tangerine SEKA card.
- Connect the USB port to your computer.
- Download and install the drivers and Injektor Software.
For more detailed installation instructions you can refer to the Tangerine for Flying Faders user's manual.
Which workflow is best for me ?
The Tangerine Automation Interface supports 3 dedicated workflows. On top of all original computer functions, each workflow offers different modern approaches to automation that certain users may prefer.
- 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.
- Available only on the TAI for SSL E/G, 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.
- 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.