Fadermate system

[oyanliz]

Hi all,

I have more or less decided to install the fadermate system in my console SSL4040E. The idea is to replace the 8 master section group faders by the fadermate motorized faders (and install the needed cards in the bucket). If everything is working fine, in the future, I would install motorized faders in other buckets. (With one MCU, Master Control Unit, can be driving up to 4x8 motorized faders).

I would like to know your opinion (pros and cons) about the system and if there is someone who has already installed this system, I would like to collect information before making the investment.

Thanks in advance.

Regards to all.

Oihan

[horizonsound]

Hi Oihan

I was reading about the Fadermate system recently. It looks really well done, and Malcolm Toft makes good quality products.

If you only need fader automation then this looks like the best option. I am not sure if you can still use the TR capability of the SSL computer, in conjunction with Fadermate, but it does suggest that you can.

Anthony.

[oyanliz]

Thanks for you opinion Anthony!

Best regards!!

Oihan

[MartyAckerman]

I'm installing a Fadermate system now and having a rough time. The install seemed to go fairly smoothly - the system appears simple overall.  There is not much room at all between the bottom covers and the channel pcb's, so the Fadermate boards are sort of floating in a tight space, which I don't love.

I was unable to calibrate the system on my mac, but it worked well enough on PC. When I asked the Fadermate team, they said to just use a PC. Not the most thorough support for mac, but I have a laptop available.

SSL boards require an additional card from Fadermate that they include for each bank of 8 faders.  It's purpose is to smooth out the audio taper of the motorized Alps Audio taper to better match the SSL VCA fader behavior. To power it I tapped into the + and - 18v rails from underneath a bucket of channels. They send a separate 3 page PDF describing this procedure.

The main issue I'm having is that the Fadermate system seems to be attenuating the signal by about 65db. The signal passes, just drastically low. Automation via HUI works great. To Fadermate's credit, they have been very responsive, patient, and helpful. Unfortunately they also appear to be stumped. They do tell me that they've installed in SSL's before without issue and I do believe them. 

My issue stems from the VCA conversion board. It puts -5vdc on the top of the fader, which should be at 0v. The fader passes audio fine without the VCA board, but only the top 25% of the fader is useable as the rest is silent. I'm hoping I just did something wrong in the install, but so far no culprit has been found.

[horizonsound]

Thanks for that very detailed run down on the Fadermate system. It would be great if you can share some photos, or email me some. I'm quite interested.

You are correct that at the top of the SSL fader, it should be 0V, and +5V and the bottom. By any chance did you or they wire the 5V supply incorrectly?
Typically the 5V supply is generated off the 82E13 board, so would assume it is an error when the new motorised fader board is wired back to the SSL fader bus card?
My understanding is that they use the audio 10K track to wire back in to the SSL, and the motor postion track to feed back to the fadermate system.

Not having support for mac is surprising!

Anthony.

[MartyAckerman]

Sure, here's a little album of photos.  Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like to see.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/igJFrpP6TAoTi4aa8

The wiring to and from the fader is via a 10 pin ribbon cable.  The fader gets +5 via the SSL s12e connector, which you remove from the SSL fader board and attach to the Fadermate VCA conversion board during install.  So the +5v still shows up on the fader itself just fine.  It's back at the "FCU" board which interfaces with the main control unit that I find the -5v.

They do provide a mac calibration app, but depending on which OS version you have (13.6.1 here) there are security warnings and in my case, the app crashed on loading every time.  Rather than deal with that, they said just use a PC.