Comments on: The $17,000 Fairlight CMI 30A Computer Musical Instrument http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/08/14/the-17000-fairlight-cmi-30a-computer-musical-instrument/ Synthesizer and electronic music news, synth and music software reviews and more! Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:14:44 -0500 hourly 1 By: sample-test http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/08/14/the-17000-fairlight-cmi-30a-computer-musical-instrument/#comment-144239 sample-test Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:10:02 +0000 http://www.synthtopia.com/content/?p=16095#comment-144239 If it does everything that it's supposed to, then it definitely is worth the price. If you were to buy all the outboard gear and software to do everything that this little dynamo does then it would cost well over $17,000! Considering that when the Fairlight CMI came out it cost roughly $100,000 this isn't really that much. If it does everything that it's supposed to, then it definitely is worth the price. If you were to buy all the outboard gear and software to do everything that this little dynamo does then it would cost well over $17,000! Considering that when the Fairlight CMI came out it cost roughly $100,000 this isn't really that much.

]]> By: Keith http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/08/14/the-17000-fairlight-cmi-30a-computer-musical-instrument/#comment-142777 Keith Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:51:10 +0000 http://www.synthtopia.com/content/?p=16095#comment-142777 its not the same thing its not the same thing

]]> By: Rob P. http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/08/14/the-17000-fairlight-cmi-30a-computer-musical-instrument/#comment-141458 Rob P. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:40:42 +0000 http://www.synthtopia.com/content/?p=16095#comment-141458 What I want to know is, what can the new Fairlight do that other sampling systems can't? Sure, the early units had a certain character to them (Peter Gabriel /Security) but now that we're in the age of crystal clear sound, what unique/better things can it possibly do? Why is it necessary to stick with the "mainframe" hardware model when a single unit with a display (similar in appearance to, say, Roland S-50 but with up to date OS/Hardware) with SIGNIFICANTLY lower cost would be in order? I just can't see Fairlight's current business plan in any feasible light. What I want to know is, what can the new Fairlight do that other sampling systems can't?

Sure, the early units had a certain character to them (Peter Gabriel /Security) but now that we're in the age of crystal clear sound, what unique/better things can it possibly do? Why is it necessary to stick with the "mainframe" hardware model when a single unit with a display (similar in appearance to, say, Roland S-50 but with up to date OS/Hardware) with SIGNIFICANTLY lower cost would be in order?

I just can't see Fairlight's current business plan in any feasible light.

]]> By: john http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/08/14/the-17000-fairlight-cmi-30a-computer-musical-instrument/#comment-141454 john Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:36:27 +0000 http://www.synthtopia.com/content/?p=16095#comment-141454 way overpriced , i really think their pricing is off the mark , they will sell their limited number though as thats all i think they cope to do to a few rich people and thats that. way overpriced , i really think their pricing is off the mark , they will sell their limited number though as thats all i think they cope to do to a few rich people and thats that.

]]> By: Gordon http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/08/14/the-17000-fairlight-cmi-30a-computer-musical-instrument/#comment-140270 Gordon Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:30:56 +0000 http://www.synthtopia.com/content/?p=16095#comment-140270 I wonder if a digital nostalgia wave is about to hit us, like analogue did. It might of course be that the most modern technology is still just an ever-more complex version of essentially digital sound and, if we wish to celebrate its essential non-complexity, there are already movements like 8-bit and circuit-bending of toy keyboards and so on. With any production effort, there is the aspect of basic material and assembly costs but - equally significant - the way an increasing market subdivides the overheads. For example, Korg's Kaossilator retails for £129 or, say $200 but if they were only planning to sell 100 of them, the retail price - covering R&D and manual production, would be into the tens of thousands of pounds/dollars per unit sold. Thing is, with the original Fairlight, its unique selling potential was about far more than the nuance of the sound texture so, in this day and age, I think it'll have a hard time selling at such a premium for this aspect alone when all its other original unique selling points are long since superseded and by far, far cheaper equipment. I see its market consisting in the successful pop musician who, growing up in the eighties, was wowed and inspired by those using it first time around. Now, they have lots of success and money themselves and tons and tons of equipment. What they'd maybe like, is one piece of equipment that has ample room for patient exploration and quality output, to simplify their methodology; their life etc. etc. and take them back to their original childhood inspiration, in the same way that people of my generation obsess over the modular synths and Radiophonic Workshop. Nostalgia for fabled simplicity has the appeal of the carefully built model railway set: it restores an illusion of personal control. I wonder if a digital nostalgia wave is about to hit us, like analogue did. It might of course be that the most modern technology is still just an ever-more complex version of essentially digital sound and, if we wish to celebrate its essential non-complexity, there are already movements like 8-bit and circuit-bending of toy keyboards and so on.
With any production effort, there is the aspect of basic material and assembly costs but – equally significant – the way an increasing market subdivides the overheads. For example, Korg's Kaossilator retails for £129 or, say $200 but if they were only planning to sell 100 of them, the retail price – covering R&D and manual production, would be into the tens of thousands of pounds/dollars per unit sold.
Thing is, with the original Fairlight, its unique selling potential was about far more than the nuance of the sound texture so, in this day and age, I think it'll have a hard time selling at such a premium for this aspect alone when all its other original unique selling points are long since superseded and by far, far cheaper equipment.
I see its market consisting in the successful pop musician who, growing up in the eighties, was wowed and inspired by those using it first time around. Now, they have lots of success and money themselves and tons and tons of equipment. What they'd maybe like, is one piece of equipment that has ample room for patient exploration and quality output, to simplify their methodology; their life etc. etc. and take them back to their original childhood inspiration, in the same way that people of my generation obsess over the modular synths and Radiophonic Workshop. Nostalgia for fabled simplicity has the appeal of the carefully built model railway set: it restores an illusion of personal control.

]]> By: Gordon http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/08/14/the-17000-fairlight-cmi-30a-computer-musical-instrument/#comment-140269 Gordon Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:25:48 +0000 http://www.synthtopia.com/content/?p=16095#comment-140269 I wonder if a digital nostalgia wave is about to hit us, like analogue did. It might of course be that the most modern technology is still just an ever-more complex version of essentially digital sound and, if we wish to celebrate its essential non-complexity, there are already movements like 8-bit and circuit-bending of toy keyboards and so on. With any production effort, there is the aspect of basic material and assembly costs but - equally significant - the way an increasing market subdivides the overheads. For example, Korg's Kaossilator retails for £129 or, say $200 but if they were only planning to sell 100 of them, the retail price - covering R&D and manual production, would be into the tens of thousands of pounds/dollars per unit sold. Thing is, with the original Fairlight, its unique selling potential was about far more than the nuance of the sound texture so, in this day and age, I think it'll have a hard time selling at such a premium for this aspect alone when all its other original unique selling points are long since superseded and by far, far cheaper equipment. I wonder if a digital nostalgia wave is about to hit us, like analogue did. It might of course be that the most modern technology is still just an ever-more complex version of essentially digital sound and, if we wish to celebrate its essential non-complexity, there are already movements like 8-bit and circuit-bending of toy keyboards and so on.
With any production effort, there is the aspect of basic material and assembly costs but – equally significant – the way an increasing market subdivides the overheads. For example, Korg's Kaossilator retails for £129 or, say $200 but if they were only planning to sell 100 of them, the retail price – covering R&D and manual production, would be into the tens of thousands of pounds/dollars per unit sold.
Thing is, with the original Fairlight, its unique selling potential was about far more than the nuance of the sound texture so, in this day and age, I think it'll have a hard time selling at such a premium for this aspect alone when all its other original unique selling points are long since superseded and by far, far cheaper equipment.

]]> By: Gordon http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/08/14/the-17000-fairlight-cmi-30a-computer-musical-instrument/#comment-140267 Gordon Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:24:18 +0000 http://www.synthtopia.com/content/?p=16095#comment-140267 I wonder if a digital nostalgia wave is about to hit us, like analogue did. It might of course be that the most modern technology is still just an ever-more complex version of essentially digital sound and, if we wish to celebrate its essential non-complexity, there are already movements like 8-bit and circuit-bending of toy keyboards and so on. With any production effort, there is the aspect of basic material and assembly costs but - equally significant - the way an increasing market subdivides the overheads. For example, Korg's Kaossilator retails for £129 or, say $200 but if they were only planning to sell 100 of them, the retail price - covering R&D and manual production, would be into the tens of thousands of pounds/dollars sold. Thing is, with the original Fairlight, it's unique selling potential was about far more than the nuance of the sound texture so, in this day and age, I think it'll have a hard time selling at such a premium for this aspect alone when all its other original unique selling points are long since superseded and by far, far cheaper equipment. I wonder if a digital nostalgia wave is about to hit us, like analogue did. It might of course be that the most modern technology is still just an ever-more complex version of essentially digital sound and, if we wish to celebrate its essential non-complexity, there are already movements like 8-bit and circuit-bending of toy keyboards and so on.
With any production effort, there is the aspect of basic material and assembly costs but – equally significant – the way an increasing market subdivides the overheads. For example, Korg's Kaossilator retails for £129 or, say $200 but if they were only planning to sell 100 of them, the retail price – covering R&D and manual production, would be into the tens of thousands of pounds/dollars sold.
Thing is, with the original Fairlight, it's unique selling potential was about far more than the nuance of the sound texture so, in this day and age, I think it'll have a hard time selling at such a premium for this aspect alone when all its other original unique selling points are long since superseded and by far, far cheaper equipment.

]]> By: dante http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/08/14/the-17000-fairlight-cmi-30a-computer-musical-instrument/#comment-140259 dante Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:20:49 +0000 http://www.synthtopia.com/content/?p=16095#comment-140259 I bet a lot of people are curious to experience the Fairlight, as it is a piece of musical history; but how many of them have $17,000 lying around? I wonder if they'll ever come out with a more affordable (but less accurate) PC or Mac Fairlight emulation. I bet a lot of people are curious to experience the Fairlight, as it is a piece of musical history; but how many of them have $17,000 lying around? I wonder if they'll ever come out with a more affordable (but less accurate) PC or Mac Fairlight emulation.

]]> By: Dante http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/08/14/the-17000-fairlight-cmi-30a-computer-musical-instrument/#comment-140258 Dante Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:18:42 +0000 http://www.synthtopia.com/content/?p=16095#comment-140258 I bet a lot of people are curious to experience the Fairlight, as it is a piece of history; but how many of them have $17,000 lying around? I wonder if they'll ever come out with a more affordable (but less accurate) software emulation for PC or Mac. I bet a lot of people are curious to experience the Fairlight, as it is a piece of history; but how many of them have $17,000 lying around? I wonder if they’ll ever come out with a more affordable (but less accurate) software emulation for PC or Mac.

]]> By: nico http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/08/14/the-17000-fairlight-cmi-30a-computer-musical-instrument/#comment-140247 nico Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:54:46 +0000 http://www.synthtopia.com/content/?p=16095#comment-140247 17000?!? Ha Ha! That's stupid! 17000?!? Ha Ha! That's stupid!

]]> By: violetta http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/08/14/the-17000-fairlight-cmi-30a-computer-musical-instrument/#comment-140234 violetta Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:38:34 +0000 http://www.synthtopia.com/content/?p=16095#comment-140234 $17,000 is a lot for any synthesizer, especially for one that's got a 30-year-old operating system that looks like something off of a Commodore 64. $17,000 is a lot for any synthesizer, especially for one that's got a 30-year-old operating system that looks like something off of a Commodore 64.

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