Synth-DIY Yahoo! Groups Archives

Thread

Traveling with a CMI IIx

2011-01-22 by Jeremy Campbell

So I am considering buying this IIx on Craigslist in LA.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/msg/2162901739.html

The problem is I am in New York. I can't get out there for over a  
month, so this may all be moot, but I'm wondering what experiences  
people have had traveling with these almost 30 year-old machines. How  
risky is it? Is that something you just wouldn't do? It has flight  
cases. I do remember something from the Fairlight Instruments Facebook  
page about them having to dismantle the mainframe to get the airline  
to let it on the flight (shudder...). I guess the alternative would be  
shipping it - which I would definitely hesitate to do. Not sure I  
could take the time for a road trip...

So I'm asking what would you do? Attempt to get this thing back across  
the whole US of A (it actually came from a studio in New York), or  
wait for something to come up more East Coasty. Haven't seen anything  
through usual channels in a while and I'm kind of set on a IIx.

Thanks for your input,
Jeremy

Re: [Fairlight-CMI] Traveling with a CMI IIx

2011-01-22 by Harald Feldmann

Jeremy,

Simply flightcase the thing and ship it fedex.
Done this several times across the atlantic, never had a problem.

If it comes with original flightcases, the better. If not, there are some
SKB cases that will do, with proper added padding. With SKB cases, the
keyboard is a no-brainer. Mainframe does not require dismantling. The
whole mainframe unit packs in a case, close case, ship case. Get cases
with wheels so you can roll things around by yourself, otherwise you need
a companion to lift things. Think 50kg / 100 lbs per item. I disadvise you
to carry it on stairs by yourself, it's too bulky.

ENSURE cases and everything in it. Take pictures before shipping.

Personally I have flown out to most machines I own, to meet the owner,
handle the paperwork, oversee the casing, or do the casing myself and
personally watch it being picked up by fedex.

Best regards,
Harald

Show quoted textHide quoted text

> So I am considering buying this IIx on Craigslist in LA.
> http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/msg/2162901739.html
>
> The problem is I am in New York. I can't get out there for over a
> month, so this may all be moot, but I'm wondering what experiences
> people have had traveling with these almost 30 year-old machines. How
> risky is it? Is that something you just wouldn't do? It has flight
> cases. I do remember something from the Fairlight Instruments Facebook
> page about them having to dismantle the mainframe to get the airline
> to let it on the flight (shudder...). I guess the alternative would be
> shipping it - which I would definitely hesitate to do. Not sure I
> could take the time for a road trip...
>
> So I'm asking what would you do? Attempt to get this thing back across
> the whole US of A (it actually came from a studio in New York), or
> wait for something to come up more East Coasty. Haven't seen anything
> through usual channels in a while and I'm kind of set on a IIx.
>
> Thanks for your input,
> Jeremy
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Re: Traveling with a CMI IIx

2011-01-23 by tropicaljgc

Thanks for the feedback. It's good to know this can be done relatively safely. Is there anything else that needs to be done to it to prepare it for the inevitable jostling of travel? I assume disks in the drives is a good idea. Anything else that needs to be locked into place or opened up and padded?

--- In Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com, "Harald Feldmann" <feldmann@...> wrote:

Show quoted textHide quoted text

>
> Jeremy,
> 
> Simply flightcase the thing and ship it fedex.
> Done this several times across the atlantic, never had a problem.
> 
> If it comes with original flightcases, the better. If not, there are some
> SKB cases that will do, with proper added padding. With SKB cases, the
> keyboard is a no-brainer. Mainframe does not require dismantling. The
> whole mainframe unit packs in a case, close case, ship case. Get cases
> with wheels so you can roll things around by yourself, otherwise you need
> a companion to lift things. Think 50kg / 100 lbs per item. I disadvise you
> to carry it on stairs by yourself, it's too bulky.
> 
> ENSURE cases and everything in it. Take pictures before shipping.
> 
> Personally I have flown out to most machines I own, to meet the owner,
> handle the paperwork, oversee the casing, or do the casing myself and
> personally watch it being picked up by fedex.
> 
> Best regards,
> Harald
> 
> > So I am considering buying this IIx on Craigslist in LA.
> > http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/msg/2162901739.html
> >
> > The problem is I am in New York. I can't get out there for over a
> > month, so this may all be moot, but I'm wondering what experiences
> > people have had traveling with these almost 30 year-old machines. How
> > risky is it? Is that something you just wouldn't do? It has flight
> > cases. I do remember something from the Fairlight Instruments Facebook
> > page about them having to dismantle the mainframe to get the airline
> > to let it on the flight (shudder...). I guess the alternative would be
> > shipping it - which I would definitely hesitate to do. Not sure I
> > could take the time for a road trip...
> >
> > So I'm asking what would you do? Attempt to get this thing back across
> > the whole US of A (it actually came from a studio in New York), or
> > wait for something to come up more East Coasty. Haven't seen anything
> > through usual channels in a while and I'm kind of set on a IIx.
> >
> > Thanks for your input,
> > Jeremy
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Evaluating a IIx

2011-01-23 by Jeremy Campbell

Another question for the group:

Is there anything in particular you would be sure to test when  
evaluating a IIx? Obviously I'm not expecting it to be perfect after  
27 years, but are there any red flags - common problems that are  
difficult to fix or impossible to find parts for?

Thanks again. I really appreciate this resource.
Jeremy

Re: [Fairlight-CMI] Evaluating a IIx

2011-01-23 by WT

Pull out CPU card and check for batterydamage !!! Believe me it is not a 
pretty sight.

Reading and writing to both diskdrives.

Lightpenfunction on the whole screen.

Check computerkeyboard so that all keys works.

All keys on the musickeyboard ( including velocity ).

Check sliders and buttons on Music Keyboard ( will need to be patched to 
functions in a voice )

Midi In and out.

Check cables for good function. They are old and can be brittle.

Look inside mainframe for dirt.

Pull out all cards and look for dirt and or damage. They can be very hard to 
pull out/push in.

Check all audio outputs for good sound.

Check AD-converter for function. It is an unbalanced input so correct wiring 
is needed. Check Mic in / Line In and ADC direct in.

If possible, check sync in/out.

Look at the condition of disks. Rust is no good. A sign of damp storage 
conditions. You can manually spin the flexidisk with your fingers while 
watching the coating of the disk through the hole in the jacket.

Good luck !!!

WT

----- Original Message -----

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From: "Jeremy Campbell" <captainjc@gmail.com>
To: <Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2011 4:46 PM
Subject: [Fairlight-CMI] Evaluating a IIx


> Another question for the group:
>
> Is there anything in particular you would be sure to test when
> evaluating a IIx? Obviously I'm not expecting it to be perfect after
> 27 years, but are there any red flags - common problems that are
> difficult to fix or impossible to find parts for?
>
> Thanks again. I really appreciate this resource.
> Jeremy
>