Blackmagicdesign Fairlight Assembly Manual

Instruction Manual

Fairlight Console

Assembly

June 2019

English

Welcome

Thank you for purchasing a Blackmagic Fairlight console for your audio post production!

Fairlight has been the premiere audio post production suite in the film and television industries for

decades. It has a long history of innovative software and hardware engineering that’s led the way

for music and audio production. We are excited about the new Fairlight console and believe you

will enjoy your experience with it.

Your Fairlight console is customizable, letting you install just the Fairlight modules you want

depending on the number of bays in your console. Modules include the Fairlight Console Channel

Control, Fairlight Console Channel Fader, Fairlight Console Audio Editor and Fairlight Console LCD

Monitor. You can install the modules and build your system to suit your own needs.

All the fine controls in each module are designed for precision handling and finesse, featuring

illuminated buttons with easy to read LCDs that let you monitor your settings and know exactly

what is happening at all times. The faders are also servo assisted, so they are able to be saved

and recalled while maintaining sync with DaVinci Resolve. There is nothing like watching the

faders reacting to your adjustments in realtime while monitoring your audio mix!

With your Fairlight console and DaVinci Resolve’s Fairlight page, you have the tools you need to

shape your audio just the way you want it.

This instruction manual will guide you through assembling your Fairlight console, installing the

Fairlight console modules and getting started with DaVinci Resolve so you can quickly start using

your Fairlight console.

Also, please check the support page on our website at www.blackmagicdesign.com for the

latest version of this manual and for updates to DaVinci Resolve. Keeping your software up to

date will ensure you get all the latest features! We are continually working on new features and

improvements, so we would love to hear from you!

Grant Petty

CEO Blackmagic Design

Contents

Fairlight Console Assembly

Fairlight Console Components 4

Unpacking and Assembling 5

Tools Required 6

Attaching the Legs to the Console Chassis 7

Alternative Assembly with Two or More People 9

Installing the Fairlight Panels 11

Attaching the Monitor Infill Module 13

Powering the Modules 14

Arranging Cables and Replacing the Leg Side Covers 14

Connecting the Fairlight Modules 15

Connecting the Fairlight Console to your Computer 15

Connecting the Computer’s HDMI or SDI Output 16

Reattaching the Chassis Back Panel 16

Configuring the Fairlight Modules 16

Fairlight Panel Setup 17

Changing Network Settings 19

Fairlight Studio Utility 20

Selecting your Fairlight Console in DaVinci Resolve 22

Technical Specifications 23

Fairlight Road Case Dimensions 23

Fairlight Console Dimensions and Weight 23

Fairlight Panels Dimensions and Weight 24

Power Consumption 24

Operating Temperature 24

Help 25

Regulatory Notices 26

Safety Information 27

Warranty 28

Fairlight Console Components

The Fairlight console is available in 4 configurations that let you build your console to suit
yourproduction requirements. Fairlight modules, for example the Fairlight Console Channel
Control, Fairlight Console Channel Fader, Fairlight Console Audio Editor, and the Fairlight
Console LCD Monitor, are installed into the module slots within the Fairlightconsole chassis.

Fairlight 3 Bay Console

1

2

3

4

1. Fairlight Console LCD Monitor 2. Fairlight Console Channel Control 3. Fairlight Console Channel Fader

4. Fairlight Console chassis, includes legs 5.Fairlight Console Audio Editor

6. Fairlight Console Channel Control Blank 7. Space for your mouse or notes

6

7

5

The illustration above shows a fully assembled Fairlight 3 Bay console. In a typical 3 bay
configuration, the Fairlight Console Channel Control and Fairlight Console Channel Fader
modules are installed on each side of the Fairlight Console Audio Editor. However you can
place modules in any position you prefer, as your Fairlight console is fully customizable.

On a 4 and 5 bay configuration, additional modules can be installed on each side.

Fairlight 5 Bay Console

4Fairlight Console Components

Fairlight 2 Bay Console

The 2 bay configuration sets the Fairlight Console Channel Control module and Fairlight

Console Channel Fader module next to the Fairlight Console Audio Editor

NOTE You can arrange the Fairlight modules on either side of the audio editor and

change the position of the mouse area. For example you may be left handed and want to
have the mouse on the left side of the audio editor module. Fairlight modules are mounted
in a module bracket that can be lifted out and repositioned. Keep reading thismanual
for more information on how to install the Fairlight modules into the modulebrackets.

A Fairlight Console Channel Rack Kit is also available from Blackmagic Design resellers
if you need to install additional devices in your console. For example Blackmagic
HyperDeck recorders or SmartScope Duo monitors.

Additionally, you can install Fairlight Console LCD Monitor Blank, Fairlight Console
Channel Control Blank, or Fairlight Console Channel Fader Blank kits.

Unpacking and Assembling

Your Fairlight console is shipped in a large, strong and secure road case containing the
FairlightConsole chassis and legs. Each Fairlight module is shipped separately. Refer to the
‘technical specifications’ section of this manual for a complete list of size and weight
measurements foreach Fairlight configuration.

5Unpacking and Assembling

After opening your Fairlight console's road case, carefully remove the console chassis and
place it gently onto a solid, stable surface strong enough to support the weight of the
chassis and legs.

NOTE Please note that an empty Fairlight 3 Bay Console weighs 90kg and up to

150kg for a 5 bay console. The console is built strong and is clearly too heavy to be
unpacked by one person. You will need to make sure that all lifting is performed by
4people using the correct lifting techniques, such as bending your knees, keeping a
straight back and lifting with careful, controlled movements.

The surface your Fairlight console will be placed onto for assembly needs to be high enough
from the ground to ensure the legs are elevated when attaching to the chassis. Allow for at
least550mm. A scissor lift trolley or similar utility is the perfect solution for assembly.

Alternatively, if assembling the console with two or more people, you can stand the chassis on
its rear panel while attaching the legs and feet. Refer to the next section named 'Alternative
Assembly with Two or More People' for more details.

Tools Required

For assembly you will need the following tools:

1 x Torque wrench with
19mm socket capable of 35 Nm.

1 x Pozidriv 2 torque driver capable
of 0.45 Nm for M3 and M4 screws.

We recommend using torque tools for tightening only, and using a regular wrench or driver
forremoving the screws.

6Unpacking and Assembling

Attaching the Legs to the Console Chassis

The road case contains two legs that attach to each side of the console chassis. However,
before attaching to the chassis, you should first secure the feet to each leg. Each assembled
leg weighs 10 kilograms, so please take care when lifting.

The feet are attached to the console chassis with their length longer
atoneend. Ensure the longer end is facing the front of the console.

To attach the foot to each leg:

1 Lay the leg on its side with the cover panel facing upwards. Remove the two

M12screws fromthe end including the small brace plate.

2 Align the foot to the end of the leg and hold it in place. Make sure the rectangular

cutouts on the bottom of the leg and brace plate are completely aligned.

7Unpacking and Assembling

3 Now place the support plate on the bottom of the foot and secure the

foot to the leg using the two M12 screws. Tighten to atorque of 35 Nm.

4 Repeat steps 1 to 3 for the second leg.

To attach the legs to the console chassis:

1 Remove the side cover from each leg by unscrewing the four M3 screws

from the opposite side of the leg using a Pozidriv 2 screwdriver.

2 Remove the four M12 leg fastening screws from each side of the console chassis.

3 Align each leg to the side of the console by mounting it against the

guide pins on the chassis.

8Unpacking and Assembling

4 Secure the legs to the chassis with the leg fastening screws and tighten the screws to

atorque of 35 Nm.

The side cover for each leg can be reattached later. Leaving the cover off at this point
of assembly provides access to the inside of the leg for when you are wiring up the
panels inside the console.

5 Carefully lower the console from the support surface and place it on the floor.

Werecommend placing the assembled chassis as close to its intended position as
possible, as once Fairlight modules are installed, the overall weight of the unit will
increase substantially. Ensure there is enough space at the rear of the chassis to
replace the back panel before securing your console into position.

Alternative Assembly with Two or More People

If you don't have access to a scissor lift trolley or similar utility and have someone tohelp you,
you can stand the chassis on its rear panel and attach the legs and feet from this position.

To assemble the legs and feet:

1 After removing the console chassis from its road case, gently lean the chassis onto its

rear panel. Ensure a second person holds the chassis in place so it does not slip.

Lean the console chassis onto its rear panel so the front is facing upwards

2 With the console chassis securely held in place, attach the legs as shown in the

previous section.

9Unpacking and Assembling