Fairlight co-founder Peter Vogel has put up a teaser about a 30th anniversary limited edition version of the Fairlight CMI, a pioneering polyphonic sampling instrument.
Vogel calls this image a pre-production mockup for the Fairlight CMI Series 30A.
If you’ve got more info or other thoughts on the Fairlight CMI Series 30a, leave a comment below!
More info, via Peter Vogel on the Fairlight Yahoo Group (registration required):
There have been discussions from time to time about replicating the CMI using a software emulation. These efforts will have limited success because the “Fairlight sound” relies on the peculiarities of the hardware used in the original design.
In the days when I was the designing CMI hardware, my greatest challenge was to minimise the distortions and artifacts that were inherent aspects of the hardware available at that time. In effect, we struggled to make the Fairlight sound less “Fairlight”. So the intimate details of what makes a Fairlight sound like a Fairlight are indelibly etched in my brain.
When Fairlight brought out the Crystal Core Engine last year, my imagination ran wild. Here was a tiny board with enormous capabilities that could be configured to faithfully reproduce the CMI hardware in its FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Every bit of the 1980’s CMI hardware, the essence of its sound, could be reconstructed faithfully in digital hardware form.
To fully appreciate the astounding potential of the CC-1, download the brochure here:
I also recently discovered that ALL the IP relating to the original Fairlight CMI including all of the hardware and filter designs, sample libraries etc are still retained by Fairlight.au in Sydney.
So I have been wondering if it would be worthwhile to develop a faithful reproduction of the CMI on the “Virtual Hardware” of the CC-1?
This would perform identically to the original CMI series II or III, but run on a PC fitted with the Crystal Core card. The MIDI input would come directly into the CC-1 so there would be no problem of latency introduced by the PC.
At this stage I’d like to “feel out” the market to assess the level of interest in this project and whether the significant investment in R&D will be worthwhile.
The Fairlight Series IV (CC-1, I/O box and software) might be sold for approximately $US5,000.00.
So my question is, what do you think of this idea? How would a Fairlight CMI at this sort of price be received by the market? Who would the buyers be and how would I tap into them?
What do you think?
Peter Vogel
via failedmuso
I've never had a Fairlight, but at that price I'd que up to buy one!
I've never had a Fairlight, but at that price I'd que up to buy one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTrgxbN40AU
I would by one if I could afford it, but I can't, so I made one of my own. See link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTrgxbN40AU
I would by one if I could afford it, but I can't, so I made one of my own. See link.
Peter – I would try to get newer, alternative dance groups to start using this. I believe this will give modern music a fresh "new" sound (believe it or not) and hopefully inspire musicians to get one.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a return to retro sound in the near future!
Peter – I would try to get newer, alternative dance groups to start using this. I believe this will give modern music a fresh "new" sound (believe it or not) and hopefully inspire musicians to get one.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a return to retro sound in the near future!
Price for next Fairlight IIII has to be right for very one not price out the market like before
with series I / IIx and III
It would be great with the 80's comeback sound that is going on right now. Computers are NOT samplers, contrary to popular belief. The CMI had a very distinct sound to it. I think you should just make a few for the price of parts alone and get them hooked on it. Get them addicted! Then charge a hefty price after that.
It would be great with the 80's comeback sound that is going on right now. Computers are NOT samplers, contrary to popular belief. The CMI had a very distinct sound to it. I think you should just make a few for the price of parts alone and get them hooked on it. Get them addicted! Then charge a hefty price after that.
Peter Vogel are the sampler hero, now and then… We all wish him god luck with his Fairlight CMI 30A because modern softsamplers has no soul.
Fairlight Instrumens are now also doing an iOS version for Ipad/Iphone. We all hope that it has SOME of the original SOUND flavour..
But it cost 49$ and have not the same sound quirkines as the original (and the CMI 30A) I think its better for the brand if they raise the price and do a deluxe iOS version where SOME of the lovely character of the CMI are still there (But offcourse not to compete with the flagship 30A model) Sure there is a demand!! This way he Fairlight legend is preserved and new kids learn what a lovely sampler really is.
This comment has been made somewhat after the fact.. However, excellent idea Peter, I have always loved the Fairlight and its richly deserved place in music history. I for one, would gladly commit a glamorous non violent crime for a series IIX but would compromise on a series IV and all the potential that its inherent design represents.