Purveyors of analog effects mixer magic
Audio Innovate are at it again. Not content with simply flipping the script a little on analog effects laden scratch mixers, they've been pondering and pouring over the idea of a new type of capacitance based crossfader technology. And after a few sleepless months deep in the AI labs, owner Elliot Marx has cracked the technology and brings you the InnoFader. But you need to read the PR to full understand just what's on offer here.
AI PR follows:
AUDIO INNOVATE OFFERS THE NEW INNOFADER
SAMPLES AVAILABLE AT NAMM, JANUARY 2008
January 17, 2008, Anaheim,CA: Audio Innovate introduces the InnoFader, a replacement for industry standard VCA faders, with the advantages of Audio Innovate’s exclusive non-contact, variable capacitor technology. With an 8mm stem, sturdy, long body construction, and without a fader brush to wear out, the InnoFader is designed to last over 4 million cycles of use - with zero maintenance.
The InnoFader uses variable capacitor technology which, unlike current optical technology, makes it 100% resistant to smoke, dust, and moisture that plague most DJ working environments. In addition, currently used magnetic faders only work in the same brand mixers, leaving DJs limited options for upgrading their mixer faders. The InnoFader is designed to work with mixers from a variety of manufacturers.
To ensure better compatibility over a wide range of mixers, the InnoFader comes with added features including:
1. A cut-in adjustment that allows DJs to fit the fader into a mixer with a smaller slot, while tweaking the dead space at both ends of the fader.
2. A curve adjustment which permits DJs to either match the original mixer fader curve, or create a custom curve for sharper or softer cut-in. Both adjustments are electronic, eliminating the need to tamper with sensitive mechanical fader parts.
At the 2008 NAMM show, Audio Innovate will provide off-tool samples of the new, cutting-edge InnoFader. The InnoFader will be offered for sale both as an OEM fader, and as a retail replacement fader, in Q2 of 2008 with a projected retail price of US$79. To reserve one of the limited number of first samples of the InnoFader, contact Elliot Marx ASAP!
The key points of the InnoFader are as follows:
No bleed/cracking
Even the best conductive plastic (CP) or carbonized conductive plastic (CCP) contact faders will eventually bleed and require cleaning. Since the InnoFader is non-contact, no cleaning is required.
Sturdy design - 8mm stem, long body type
Many DJs have experienced issues with bent or broken 4mm fader stems, thus the InnoFader adopts the emerging standard 8mm stem, ensuring almost no chance of breaking the stem. The long body type ensure a rigid construction which when combined with the heavy stem ensures a solid and long lasting crossfader.
No calibration required
The InnoFader is designed to automatically compensate for circuit tolerances to the point that no calibration is required to adjust for the <0.5mm tolerance on fader cut-in position.
Standard VCA output
Many manufacturers design their faders to work with custom outputs, and interfaces that make plug and play with 3rd party faders almost impossible. The InnoFader will work as a drop in replacement for analog faders. Why?
1. The pinout is a 4 pin industry standard Vcc, VCA out #1, VCA out #2, and ground.
2. The VCA out signals are from 50k digital potentiometers with 256 taps, and the output can short to Vcc or ground for a full on/off signal.
3. The entire fader power draw can be as low as 0.5mA so that circuits designed for low power 50k fader connections will work.
Adjustable curve
Analog VCA faders have fixed A, B, or D-type curves. The InnoFader has an output curve adjustment to fit any of these configurations.
Single cut-in adjustment for both sides
This ensures that the InnoFader can work in any sized fader slot. Since the adjustment is electronic, the actual active fader area can be shortened, unlike others which have a fixed active fader area. This often requires adjusting the mixer to fit the fader, while the InnoFader can be electronically adjusted to fit the mixer.
Not affected by dust, smoke, temperature, moisture
One main drawback of optical faders is that they stop working once there is internal dirt buildup. The InnoFader's electronic signals are unaffected by environmental factors experienced in harsh DJ environments.
No cleaning required
Unlike other contact fader technologies, only routine light maintenance is required to keep the rails lubricated and free running. Because of the closed construction of the long body, this is kept to an absolute minimum.
Reasonable cost
At $79US, the InnoFader comes in at a very reasonable price for the quality and performance it offers.
The InnoFader will be available as a 3rd party replacement fader from retailers for the majority of popular DJ mixers that utilise a standard long body fitment. It is also planned to offer the InnoFader to interested manufacturers as a standard component or as an option. Both will be available in Q2 of 2008.
So that's a non-contact crossfader with an 8mm stem and onboard curve and cut-in control that fits a broad range of mixers... pretty hot stuff. Also kind of cool that controls are electronic rather than physical.
Looking at the very early prototype picture above, It strikes me that if you feel comfortable wielding a soldering iron and a Dremel, you could mod your mixer case to accept the fader controls on the outside as well. Or maybe even drilling holes in the case so that you can poke a screwdriver in to adjust the Innofader without the need to open up your mixer.
Just to supplement this, tension control is being planned for the final product. The screw in the fader body connects to the fader stem, grounding it and adjusting the tension at the same time. I've often pondered how important tension is as I've always gone for the loosest fader I can find. What do you guys think? Is tension control an indispensable feature or just another thing to go wrong?
Like the verbiage says, Elliot will be inflicting himself on very suspecting people at NAMM 2008. After that it's a waiting game as the InnoFader will go through months of testing until AI are happy that the InnoFader is ready to be abused by DJs in the wild.
Looks smart! Like a PXF, but better (ouch - couldn't resist). If you need someone to test drive it in a Xone:02 then let me know.
Have had my rane 56 since jan 05 and never cleaned the faders. No problems, nothing, nada.
quote:
"Have had my rane 56 since jan 05 and never cleaned the faders. No problems, nothing, nada."
Not everyone has a Rane though. And it's aimed rather more at people wanting to replace their existing fader than their entire mixer.
Yeah but the difference is, is that your 56 fader only works in your 56. This can work in tons of mixers. From the looks of this fader, it looks very similar to the 56 fader. This could possibly be a new creditable competition to the rane fader if it has a nice feel and delivers on what E Marx promises. This seems very exciting.
I'd be willing to give this a test in my UMX-9 if it'll fit.
But the question remains...will it fit a 909?
i doubt it will fit technics mixers
I'd love to see how this holds up against the Pro X Fade, but it sounds like a worthy competitor
Hope we don't have to see an Innofader-i for this one! :D
i need it
Sick stuff. I would like to get one to upgrade my second mixer, but is there a way to check if it will fit the Ecler HAK-320?
who cares really if it would fit in a 909. the 909 already has it own proprietary non contact fully adjustable fader that is great. This new fader looks very interesting. They just need to make it feel better and be built better than lets say a focusfader for example.
it just needs to feel like a hak fader and both rane and pxf are fucked.
I'm pretty sure it won't fit into 707/909. Both have three special faders and the technology is so different compared to any other mixer (fader controls the amount of electricity passing throught it while normal fader adjust volume directly). If there ever will be a replacement faders for 707/909 those will propably fit only into those two mixers.
The big question is, can it work while being immersed in cocoa cola.javascript
miley_bbcode('newsposting', 'fullnews', ':D');
Yeah. I was waiting for the PXF2. I have an Ecler Nuo3 joint. It would be nice to be able to get a suitable replacement for (way) under $170USD smackers.
It's nice to know there may be another option. Woohoo! Please-work-please-work.
We used the original Alps long body fader construction for this fader. Putting a large distance between the fader rails reduces the amount of vertical play in the knob and overall makes the fader stronger, which is essential for crossfaders and even line faders on pro scratch mixers.
For OEM implementation, we may take out unnecessary components or customize the interface. This can save cost without detracting from the performance. In contrast, the retail version is set up to work in a variety of mixers.
Many manufacturers have standardized on their own interfaces so that you can only use the manufacturer provided fader. Since the InnoFader is microprocessor controlled, it is possible to customize not just the wiring but the electronic interface to work with mixers with non-standard interfaces.
looks great, expect a visit from the
reps
Looks good. Oh and me too, I'd wish there would be a alternative for those 909 faders. Yeah I know they do anything (except rolling one up for me), but some peeps do prefer a different fadercap (I love my 909, but i dislike the "to high" fadercap).
ive been eyein up the ttm56 for a while now so think i'll give this a bash before i shell out £445
Props to AI!
I've got an inkiling how this fader works, and if so, this is pushing fader design into a whole new era.
Can't wait to see this one in the wild.
Good work guys.
i would like to see this available for the Nuo2 ecler mixer as its the only one which you can't fit an Eternal x-fader in it.
looks and sounds like it could be the bomb.
I just got the latest parts in today. The good news is the tension adjust works great! You can adjust all the way from an ultra lightweight Ecler Eternal feel all the way to a stiff mixing console type of fader.
I'll try to get more detailed info / pictures / videos posted on our website this weekend.
and what's the bad news?
Hey E Marx, Are you guys going to make your own custom fader cap or use the rane style fader cap. You guys should at least make your own branded color scheme for the fader like how pro x fade did. Then everyone will immediately know that is your fader in their mixer.
Why can't they make one of these faders for cheap mixers like a Numark MKII?
Or a Gemini?
That sounds great!
If it works better than PXF I'M gonna put one into my 05 mkIII VCA
sounds so awesome, big respect to ai. i agree with bcrogan that an unique colour-sheme would be very very cool but the rane-shaped fadercap is simply the best in my opinion, so keep this shape. right now i´m very happy with my ttm56 but i think i´ll get an additional 3-channel mixer (empath or maybe maybe nuo3) so i might plug a pro-x-fade2 or an innofader (or even eternal fader) in it. i hope the innofader is super-loose with a nice feeling, i think tension-adjust is a good feature for such an universal fader but i personally won´t need it
What did you guys have in mind for a "unique color scheme"?
We landed on black with red stripe for 2 reasons:
1) Matches the AI logo
2) Fits in a variety of mixers without looking out of place.
One other thing we're working on is a sticker you can put on the mixer itself. So this in itself will provide some distinction.
i think the red on black sheme is okay, black on red or something similar might be flashier but as long not much/no other fader-caps have the same colour-sheme...
@audio innovate:
will there be linefader versions or will these function fine as linefaders aswell?
@props:
The adjustable curve will allow you to tweak the curve to anything from A type (typical line fader with a soft curve) to C type (sharp at the bottom). The middle curve setting is B type (linear, typical crossfader).
Also the mixer slot must be big enough to fit the long body type fader for the InnoFader to work, and the mixer needs to be VCA.
Looks like at some point you guys would like us to come out with a compact version of the InnoFader... Of course with enough interest we plan on doing different versions. It was a major challenge to get this first one working. I'll be posting a story soon (my New Year's Resolution hehe).
You mean I can make my 100i even better?!? Is this possible? WIKKID! 8)
Personally,it already beats the pants off of my 05 III.
3 different xfaders in my 100i and it still pops when scratching and pans the left channel all the way left when the wet/ dry is wet
meh still a sweet mixer
Hi
Rather then the Red & Black Fader Cap ( yeah i knwo those are AIs Logo Colours I would really have liked to have seen something to better fit "All" mixers (I know an all black cap would be sorta boring) but if that is the case why not make it black with a grey stripe... 8)
Greetz
Dj Strategy
Can't wait for this fader to become available. I have Audio Innovate's AEM 100 and love it. The only thing is the curve on the crossfader is a little sharp for my taste when set on the softest curve. It'll be awesome to be able to adjust the curve with the new fader. BTW, Elliot Marx offers awesome and personal technical support. I stupidly removed the rubber feet and when I put the screws back in I messed up the internal power supply but Elliot gave me the best customer support I've ever experienced from a DJ company. Keep up the good work Elliot!
Elliot Marx is the man!
You have never seen personal technical support like this. He called me from Taiwan on his cell phone at 1am in the morning to help me mod the 3 Innofaders I was trying to install in a PMC 07.
Elliot Marx is a CrossFader Genius, an awesome person, great business man, top notch technical support wiz and a customer service guru.
Your the man Elliot! Thank you
On December 23, 2007, Deft commented...
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