Fairlight-CMI

We're hoping to have some more detailed specs this week, however I can
answer a few questions in general terms.

 

The CC-1 can perform very complex algorithms and lots of them, with almost
no latency. So yes, we are modelling the quirky hardware of the CMI. The
sound of each CMI was subtly different, due to their analogue bits, so it
won't sound exactly like any one CMI, but lined up with a few CMIs you won't
be able to tell the difference.

 

The sound will be user selectable, to be like a series I,II,IIX, III etc. Or
you can dig deeper and make it sound like nothing else. 

 

One of the many nice things about the CC-1 is that it has no inherent bit
width. "Normal" processors generally offer say 32 or 64 bit operations,
where as the CC-1 can be configured to any number of bits. So if something
works most effectively as 33 bits, so be it.  And the bit widths can be
mixed within the one signal path. 

 

The "n" polyphony is achieved by "n" individual circuits set up in the FPGA
working in parallel, as opposed to the software emulation model which is
necessarily sequential. The channels can have different configurations is
required; in any case there will be subtle coefficient differences between
channels to reproduce the individuality of outputs that has often been
cited.

 

How much polyphony?  All we know at this time are the extremes - it will
certainly be at least 16 like the original Series III but given that the
Crystal Core when used in a DAW delivers up to 230 channels of mixing  ALL
of which have full processing (8 bands EQ, 3 stages Dynamics), you can
safely assume a lot more than 16 will be possible.

 

Re pricing: yet to be finalised, but the choice to go with the CC-1 does
come at a price. Although the CC-1 is not sold currently as a separate card
(it would be no use without the software etc that goes with it), the retail
price would be around the $5,000 mark.  So you can do the sums, the CMI 30-A
is not going to be price competitive with the mass-market synths which
abound.

 

Peter

 

From: Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Rob Puricelli
Sent: Sunday, 9 August 2009 6:22 AM
To: Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Fairlight-CMI] Re: Fairlight CMI 30A

 

  

The Fairlight CMI 30A will be based around the CC-1 FPGA card from the
current Fairlight company. It will be used to recreate the EXACT circuitry
of the original Fairlights within it's FPGA structure. It will be, in
Peter's own words, an exact virtual recreation of the CMI II & III. Whilst
the internals will be digital, the programming within the CC-1 will be
analogue models and therefore faithfully recreate the original circuitry of
the original machines.

 

Take a read of Peter's email to SonicState.com that exists in this thread or
can be read over at my blog..

 

http://failedmuso.blogspot.com/2009/08/more-news-on-fairlight-cmi-30a-limite
d.html

 

SonicState have been promised an interview with Peter Vogel in a couple of
weeks time, so I suggest you keep your eyes peeled on that site for the
latest info :o)

 

Rob.

 

From: Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Marcin 'Rambo' Roguski
Sent: 08 August 2009 19:58
To: Fairlight-CMI@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Fairlight-CMI] Re: Fairlight CMI 30A

 

  

On Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:42:54 -0500
blixton <blixton@aromabar.com <mailto:blixton%40aromabar.com> > wrote:

> Oops, I mean 8 bit. The reason im into these samplers is cause of the 
> way old Peter Gabriel records sound. I wish i had a more scientific 
> reason but it is that simple

It's not about whether output is going to be 8, 16, 24 or even 32 bit.
It's about the dynamic range (i.e. the booming lows) of Fairlight, and 
using quality components available today it's quite possible to exceed 
it - I applaud Peter for taking a chance and resurrecting CMI (I've
been waiting 13 years for that) ;-).

But like Rob said, there ever gonna be purists and that believe that 
there's a liquid that improves CD playback quality... The truth is, if 
one didn't have CMI and listerned it thru separate outputs, will not 
know the difference even if its sample would be played by Mirage - 
when properly engineered... My 2c worh...

Rambo

-- 
I'm not prejudiced, I hate everyone equally.

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