http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMy0p__Rx50
The Fairlight iPad app is now available (App Store link) worldwide.
The Fairlight app recreates the historic Fairlight CMI as a multi-touch application for the iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.
Fairlight says “We are proud to present the iPhone & iPad Apps, giving you the experience of a CMI Series IIx in the palm of your hand, complete with the full Series IIx factory library and expandable to include the best of the Series III library and even your own samples.”
Features:
- browse and play the entire original Fairlight CMI IIX Sounds floppy disk library – 32 disks containing 564 voices.
- display voices graphically using the iconic Page D, and change your viewpoint by tipping your iPhone/iPad.
- play built-in Fairlight CMI Page R compositions.
- import and play Page R compositions and instrument collections sent to you by others.
- authentic Fairlight CMI user interface experience, including floppy disk sounds.
- on-screen music keyboard.
- use an external MIDI keyboard to play the CMI voices. The Line6 MidiMobilizer and Akai SynthStation are supported.
The Fairlight app retails for $9.99. A $39.99 in-app upgrade is available to add “pro” features.
Here’s what the $39.99 Fairlight iPad in-app “pro” upgrade adds:
- gain access to the CMI III voices library.
- create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
- use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
- use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
- play back your music, essentially as it would sound on a real Fairlight CMI
- export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
- import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
- import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
- send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
If you’ve used the new Fairlight app, let us know what you think!
Update: Fairlight says “The App is now available for purchase in the iTunes Store. Some countries are reporting it is not available yet, but it should be there within 24 hours.”
Update 2: We’ve had conflicting information from Fairlight on MIDI support. Here’s the breakdown on the basic vs pro features, direct from the Fairlight site:
Basic:
- Simulated CMI experience with genuine floppy disk sounds
- Play all original CMI II sounds
- On-screen music keyboard
- Display CMI II sounds in Page D
- Play and display Page R songs
- Import CMI .RS Page R songs
- Import CMI .IN instrument files
- MIDI in » play CMI sounds
- Works with Line6 MIDI Mobilizer
- Works with Akai Synthstation
Pro:
- Create and edit your own Page R songs
- Create and edit your own instrument sets
- Import Fairlight CMI .VC voice files
- Play and use a selection of Fairlight CMI III voices
- Send/receive songs and instruments by email
- Create Fairlight voices from WAV and AIFF files
Update 3: See comments below – at least one use has had trouble getting MIDI working with the basic version. If you’ve got the app, let us know your experiences.
Also available in Spain (and downloading). The PRO version is not in APPStore (is an IN-APP PURCHASE) and I don´t know if it´s available.
Downloaded it hours ago – in Australia.
Hey Synthtopia, your "Update 2" is totally incorrect. Where on earth are you getting this information?!
Obviously NOT from here: http://fairlightinstruments.com.au/ios/features
Hey Synthtopia, your "Update 2" is totally incorrect. Where on earth are you getting this information?!
Obviously NOT from here: http://fairlightinstruments.com.au/ios/features
Hey Synthtopia, your "Update 2" is totally incorrect. Where on earth are you getting this information?!
Obviously NOT from here: http://fairlightinstruments.com.au/ios/features
Hey Synthtopia, your "Update 2" is totally incorrect. Where on earth are you getting this information?!
Obviously NOT from here: http://fairlightinstruments.com.au/ios/features
Hey Synthtopia, your "Update 2" is totally incorrect. Where on earth are you getting this information?!
Obviously NOT from here: http://fairlightinstruments.com.au/ios/features
Hey Synthtopia, your "Update 2" is totally incorrect. Where on earth are you getting this information?!
Obviously NOT from here: http://fairlightinstruments.com.au/ios/features
It will be interesting to hear from users if this app offers anything beyond nostalgia.
Whats next? Synclavier iPad app to make my childhood memories of having both Fairlight and Synclavier in my play room to come true.
Just picked up this Universal app for my iPhone 4 and iPad 1 &2 USA
MIDI is included but you have to pay for midi filie import export.
Leslie
From Fairlight''s iTunes listing, as noted in original article:
UPGRADE to PRO VERSION (in-App upgrade)
You can use the in-App upgrade process to add these features for an additional $39.99:
– gain access to the CMI III voices library.
– create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
– use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
– use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
– play back your masterpiece, essentially as it would sound on a real CMI!
– export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
– import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
– import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
– send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
This differs from what they show on their site, so we updated the post to reflect what they are showing on their website.
Leslie
From Fairlight''s iTunes listing, as noted in original article. This is what they were listing as "pro" features, as of the time of posting the article:
UPGRADE to PRO VERSION (in-App upgrade)
You can use the in-App upgrade process to add these features for an additional $39.99:
– gain access to the CMI III voices library.
– create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
– use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
– use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
– play back your masterpiece, essentially as it would sound on a real CMI!
– export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
– import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
– import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
– send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
This differs from what they show on their website, so we updated the post to reflect that.
Leslie
From Fairlight''s iTunes listing, as noted in original article. This is what they were listing as "pro" features, as of the time of posting the article:
UPGRADE to PRO VERSION (in-App upgrade)
You can use the in-App upgrade process to add these features for an additional $39.99:
– gain access to the CMI III voices library.
– create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
– use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
– use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
– play back your masterpiece, essentially as it would sound on a real CMI!
– export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
– import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
– import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
– send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
This differs from what they show on their website, so we updated the post to reflect that.
Leslie
From Fairlight''s iTunes listing, as noted in original article. This is what they were listing as "pro" features, as of the time of posting the article:
UPGRADE to PRO VERSION (in-App upgrade)
You can use the in-App upgrade process to add these features for an additional $39.99:
– gain access to the CMI III voices library.
– create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
– use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
– use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
– play back your masterpiece, essentially as it would sound on a real CMI!
– export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
– import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
– import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
– send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
This differs from what they show on their website, so we updated the post to reflect that.
Leslie
From Fairlight''s iTunes listing, as noted in original article. This is what they were listing as "pro" features, as of the time of posting the article:
UPGRADE to PRO VERSION (in-App upgrade)
You can use the in-App upgrade process to add these features for an additional $39.99:
– gain access to the CMI III voices library.
– create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
– use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
– use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
– play back your masterpiece, essentially as it would sound on a real CMI!
– export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
– import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
– import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
– send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
This differs from what they show on their website, so we updated the post to reflect that.
Leslie
From Fairlight''s iTunes listing, as noted in original article. This is what they were listing as "pro" features, as of the time of posting the article:
UPGRADE to PRO VERSION (in-App upgrade)
You can use the in-App upgrade process to add these features for an additional $39.99:
– gain access to the CMI III voices library.
– create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
– use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
– use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
– play back your masterpiece, essentially as it would sound on a real CMI!
– export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
– import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
– import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
– send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
This differs from what they show on their website, so we updated the post to reflect that.
Leslie
From Fairlight''s iTunes listing, as noted in original article. This is what they were listing as "pro" features, as of the time of posting the article:
UPGRADE to PRO VERSION (in-App upgrade)
You can use the in-App upgrade process to add these features for an additional $39.99:
– gain access to the CMI III voices library.
– create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
– use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
– use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
– play back your masterpiece, essentially as it would sound on a real CMI!
– export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
– import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
– import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
– send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
This differs from what they show on their website, so we updated the post to reflect that.
Leslie
From Fairlight''s iTunes listing, as noted in original article. This is what they were listing as "pro" features, as of the time of posting the article:
UPGRADE to PRO VERSION (in-App upgrade)
You can use the in-App upgrade process to add these features for an additional $39.99:
– gain access to the CMI III voices library.
– create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
– use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
– use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
– play back your masterpiece, essentially as it would sound on a real CMI!
– export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
– import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
– import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
– send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
This differs from what they show on their website, so we updated the post to reflect that.
Leslie
From Fairlight''s iTunes listing, as noted in original article. This is what they were listing as "pro" features, as of the time of posting the article:
UPGRADE to PRO VERSION (in-App upgrade)
You can use the in-App upgrade process to add these features for an additional $39.99:
– gain access to the CMI III voices library.
– create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
– use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
– use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
– play back your masterpiece, essentially as it would sound on a real CMI!
– export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
– import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
– import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
– send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
This differs from what they show on their website, so we updated the post to reflect that.
Leslie
From Fairlight''s iTunes listing, as noted in original article. This is what they were listing as "pro" features, as of the time of posting the article:
UPGRADE to PRO VERSION (in-App upgrade)
You can use the in-App upgrade process to add these features for an additional $39.99:
– gain access to the CMI III voices library.
– create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
– use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
– use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
– play back your masterpiece, essentially as it would sound on a real CMI!
– export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
– import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
– import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
– send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
This differs from what they show on their website, so we updated the post to reflect that.
Leslie
From Fairlight''s iTunes listing, as noted in original article. This is what they were listing as "pro" features, as of the time of posting the article:
UPGRADE to PRO VERSION (in-App upgrade)
You can use the in-App upgrade process to add these features for an additional $39.99:
– gain access to the CMI III voices library.
– create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
– use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
– use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
– play back your masterpiece, essentially as it would sound on a real CMI!
– export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
– import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
– import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
– send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
This differs from what they show on their website, so we updated the post to reflect that.
Leslie
From Fairlight''s iTunes listing, as noted in original article. This is what they were listing as "pro" features, as of the time of posting the article:
UPGRADE to PRO VERSION (in-App upgrade)
You can use the in-App upgrade process to add these features for an additional $39.99:
– gain access to the CMI III voices library.
– create instrument sets that store settings for all 8 channels, including the voices, pitch shifts, volumes, release times etc.
– use Page R to create songs that can be used with any instrument set.
– use the on-screen keyboard or external MIDI keyboard to record new notes while your composition is playing (minimum iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3G or iPad recommended).
– play back your masterpiece, essentially as it would sound on a real CMI!
– export MIDI files from Page R, with General MIDI instruments for each channel specified by you
– import MIDI files into Page R, with all the notes ready to be edited.
– import audio files to be used as voices in your instrument sets and compositions.
– send and receive songs and instrument sets by email.
This differs from what they show on their website, so we updated the post to reflect that.
Edit: neither Line 6 MIDI OR COREMIDI is working with $9.99 version. SMMFH
Hurm. Doesn't seem to like playing sound through the headphone act… Weird.
$50. omfg. And no MIDI i/o or clock? Even in the 'pro' version.
I knew this app would be over the top expensive, but omfg.
Peter Vogel remains completely demented and utterly out of touch with reality, lol
At least we get the disc drive sound.
omfg.
Can you knock off $15 and leave off that fucking goofy disc drive sound?
omfg.
Noted in the article – thanks for the feedback.
If other readers have tried out the MIDI support, please leave a comment with your experiences!
Got it working. I had to restart the app since I already had it running. Sorry for mis-info.
the demo song was pretty cool wats the best way to program that old choir pad in the beginning on a synth ?
I spent my money for a crippled demo ! Do they really expect I throw more money at them after that experience ???
Just one word: Greed !
I'd have to agree the app seems relatively overpriced. I keep thinking though that if this released as a desktop VST/AU at this pricepoint people would call it a bargain. I'm not defending their pricing scheme as business logic generally dictates pricing items in the same range as your competitors within a given market, which they're clearly going against. I just think there's an intersesting discussion to be had about perceived value and pricing from the view of the buyers/users.
Actually I think they should have made this a desktop app, add a light pen and it's a wrap.
I use this app with the Synthstation 25 and it's always get the sleep mode when i have the phone docked to the controller. Others apps like Xewton, syhntstation, ivoxel and Nlog don't do that. It's awful if you want to play live. I sent an email to the developper to ask and this was the answer:
"sorry, this is one situation we overlooked. Although the Fairlight App will stay awake when playing songs in Page R, we neglected to do the same when connected to the SynthStation.
This will be fixed in an update, but I don't know how long that will take to appear on the App Store.
I'm glad you are enjoying our labor of love.
Regards"
So… i'm waiting the next update.
To all the folks griping, give them some time to sort out the kinks.
Sure it’s hideously expensive, feature limited and buggy – it’s a Fairlight CMI emulation. Just like the real deal expect limited features and more than a few speedbumps until there have been a couple of updates.
That’s tough to swallow for a $5 app, let alone a $50. However, unless you have access to one of the few fully serviceable Series IIx it’s the only way to get a realistic taste of the CMI experience.
Some of the more “interesting” features of the original are the exorbitant cost, sometimes flaky hardware and distinct lack of features compared to modern tools.
Fortunately with an app there’s no need to fly a tech out to fix an out of alignment 8″ drive, a crew of sweaty roadies to move your baby more than 3′ or having to install upgraded air-conditioning in your workroom to prevent “bad things happening”.
I bought my first CMI without knowing much about it other than it was used to make almost all of my favorite records in the early eighties. While I waited impatiently for it to show up I studied a couple of tracks that I planned to recreate with the CMI.
Once it arrived (and waited another couple of weeks for a new system disk and refurbished 8″ drive to get the bloody thing to work) I had the shock of my life. I went very quickly from thinking that having a CMI would enable me to easily riff on The Art of Noise now I had the same tool, to my jaw dropping as I tried to work out how the hell they managed to get more than the most awful sounding drum patterns out of it.
In short, experiencing the reality of what an early Fairlight actually is (as opposed to the legend) multiplied my respect for JJ, Anne Dudley, Mr Horn and everyone else who managed to coax some of the most inspired music in the pas 30 years out of such a frustratingly limited device.
Finding this out after spending a few $ on the iCMI app verses $10,000s on the real thing doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?
I know this tough to swallow for folks, but if you are after the sounds you’d be better served by going elsewhere. DON’T buy the “Fairlight IIx Library” Sample CD from ProRec, there’s far better options these days. Look around. 🙂
However for anyone interested in music technology, early 80s music and open minded enough to appreciate what it is (as opposed what you think it should be) $50 is a bargain.
For the record, I produced the sample cd mentioned above as a way to enable people without a Fairlight to get access to sounds that at the time were looking to being in danger of being lost to disc rot and everyone’s fascination with “HiFi” sample libraries. It falls short of the real deal by a long way, because The “Fairlight Sound” isn’t just having the library. It’s about how the samples interact with page R (or CAPS), are mixed and the determination of the producer to make music.
Crufty hardware makes a difference for sure, but talent is the magic ingredient. 🙂
ok.. wait a minute… can this thing actually sample ??? or am I missing something.I've seen no reference to it so far.
It seems you have to load them in via the file exchange crapola… which means you have to interact with iTunes.
If the immediacy of being able to use the built in mic, or attach a mic isn't there, then.. well.. that's kinda poo
If a sampler, can't sample…… //