Freshwater Instruments has introduced the FI50A CPU Card, a complete modern CPU card for the Fairlight CMI Series I, II and IIx.
The CPU card replaces the original computer section of the CMI, while preserving the instruments character, workflow and hardware experience.
It runs updated software, derived from the original source code, and dramatically improves speed, reliability, storage and usability of the instrument.
The FI50A arrives pre-installed with a fully licensed original CMI sound library and adds new ways to expand it: enhanced 10-bit sampling, waveform upload over Wi-Fi, SD card and USB memory support.
It also brings modern wireless interfaces, DisplayPort output, USB, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, while retaining support for legacy CMI keyboards, CRT/light pen operation, floppy disks, MIDI interfaces and Series I/II channel cards.
Pricing and Availability:
The FI50A CPU Card is expected to be available in August/September 2026, priced at $1,500 USD.
via Matrixsynth
I love that this fantastic piece of kit is still alive and well and that people are still finding ways to hot rod them.
I’m surprised that there are enough Fairlight users left for this to fly. I can understand having Big Love for an instrument, but that blurry green GUI is part of what led to better screens and software in general. $15oo seems cheap for that big an upgrade, though. Its further proof that gear kept in one non-smoking place can hold up well. You rarely ever saw one on a tour, with good reason. This will make it a much better studio member.
It is really great to see an update for the Fairlight I am into sequencing on vintage computers (Amiga, Atari etc) and there are so many new updates keeping these machines alive and very useful in producing and making music.