Fairlight-CMI

Hi there Harald !

Thanks to everyone who has chipped in ideas so far : thanks very much !

I found this on the KMI site :

__________


MFX Inputs/Ouputs:
The MFX mainboard contains four DUARTS (68681), offering 8 serial inputs 
and 8 serial outputs (and various parallel I/O ports). A subset of these serial 
ports is connected to the CMI mainframe (requiring a new rear-panel 
assembly: CMI-354/355).
CMI -> MFX:
* CMI MIDI D output
* CMI PRINTER2 output (now called "/mfx" under OS9)
* MIDI from CMI music-keyboard (via CMI rear-panel)
* RS232 from Music+Alpha-keyboard (via CMI rear-panel)
MFX -> CMI:
* CMI MIDI D input
* "DIN" Q133 RS232 input
* RS422 I/O (via CMI rear-panel) 
Without the MFX keyboard connected, the RS232 from the Music+Alpha-
keyboard is directly routed to the RS232 "DIN" input of the Q133. Furthermore, 
the MIDI output from the Music-keyboard is directly routed to the MIDI D input 
of the CMI. This re-routing establishes the original CMI routing (see above) 
and is accomplished by a relay on the CMI rear-panel.
The MFX keyboard sends real-time, timecode, SysEx control commands and 
forwarded music-keyboard MIDI packets to the CMI MIDI D input. Here, MDR 
commands are encapsulated within special SysEx packets. In return, the CMI 
replies or requests MFX services via its PRINTER2 output to the MFX 
(especially for downloading new application software "mfx.runtime" to the 
MFX).
Optionally, a CMI music-keyboard and/or an Alpha-keyboard can still be used 
(attached to the CMI mainframe). In this case, their output signals is re-routed 
to the MFX (via the CMI rear-panel see above), which in turn multiplexes 
these signals with its own outputs (in its software "mfx.runtime") to the 
corresponding CMI mainframe inputs (MIDI D input and "DIN" Q133 RS232 
input). (Note: mfx.runtime only supports 3-Byte MIDI command packets from 
the MIDI-keyboard input, as sent by the CMI music-keyboard. No Real-time, 
Active-Sensing, SysEx, or omitted start-bytes are allowed.)
The MFX mouse port (RS232, 1200Baud) is used as a replacement for the 
graphics-pen of the Alpha-keyboard. (Supported protocols: Microsoft 2-button 
3-Byte protocol, MouseSystems 3-button 5-Byte protocol, ...) Here, the MFX 
generates an output stream compatible with the Alpha-keyboard graphics-
pen protocol.
See software section below for more information about MFX and MDR.

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So , Im guessing all I need to do is :

1) power the MFX keyboard from the exposed wires

2) Connect the MFX keyboard via the mini-centronics interface

3) Plug the interface box into the CMI's Midi, Printer, and RS422 port

The only bit im missing is the wiring for all the cables : Harald : I will try to find 
a standard cable type for this type of port first, and source the components. If I 
cant work it out myself, Id love to take you up on your offer of testing the pins, 
but I feel it is likely to be a standard cable (why would fairlight rewire a 
standard cable after all)

Ill report back and let you all know how it is going !  

Thanks for all your help, and stay well,

Arron



--- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, feldmann@x wrote:
> On Sun, 21 Mar 2004 02:07:32 GMT, feldmann@x... wrote:
> 
> Dear all,
> 
> >I recall I read something about the MFX controller the other day and
> >if memory serves me well it said that initially the MFX was
> >controlling the CMI over MIDI. Now, I could be totally wrong, but if
> >that's the case, 
> 
> I searched and searched and I am unable to substantiate this
> statement, so please just take it as a comment.
> 
> Until I come up with the source of the info, please do not rely on the
> correctness of my statement regarding MFX-2 and MIDI control.
> 
> Thanks ! :)
> 
> Harald.