Better late than never so they say; the latest scoop regarding the Fairlight CMI 30A did not come as indicated last August 12. However, just around 2122 hours EST of August 14, 2009, I received word from Fairlight Father Peter Vogel that the draft of specifications for the new Fairlight CMI 30A has been released. What is it that awaits us with this new CMI? Read further.

Production specifications are still being finalized according to Mr. Vogel. As a general guide, the new CMI will still exhibit the classic Fairlight sound from the 80s as well as the new Fairlight sound, which would be equivalent to uncompromising clarity. At the heart of the system to make this all possible is the Crystal Core engine (CC-1), which makes use of the field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to achieve a performance in excess of the fastest digital processor of conventional design and is perceived to be capable of delivering hundreds of tracks of sample playback without any audio degradation and virtually no latency. The Crystal Core engine will also reproduce as faithful as possible the peculiarities and limitations of the original digital and analog hardware of the 80s CMI. In such a manner, the quirks of the old CMIs as well as its vintage analog richness can be replicated.

CMI-30A Provisional Hardware Specifications(as at 13 August 2009):

• System Components:
• Mainframe — free-standing and adaptable to rack mount, includes 750GB SATA hard drive, DVD R/W drive, USB ports.
• Monitor — 15" with lightpen (passive stylus)
• Alpha-numeric keyboard
• Music keyboard — weighted, velocity sensitive, MIDI, 6 octaves, 73 keys with pitchbend.

• Outputs:
• 24 channels analogue, balanced XLR
• 2 channels analogue monitor mix, balanced XLR
• Dynamic range > 100 dB (unweighted)
• THD < 0.002% @ 1kHz, -1dBFS
• Frequency response +0.05 / -0.15 dB, 20 Hz – 20kHz
• Digital output: 64 channel BNC MADI

• Inputs:
• 2 balanced mic inputs XLR
• Sample rate: 44.1, 48, 96, 192 kHz
• THD < 0.002% @ 1kHz, -1dBFS
• Frequency response +0.05 / -0.15 dB, 20 Hz – 20kHz
• SPDIF

• Other I/O
• MIDI, MIDI Timecode input and output 5 pin DIN
• LTC (Linear time code) input and output
• Word clock (for synchronization to external sources)

The software system for the Fairlight CMI 30A combines the very best features of the Fairlight series IIX and the III, with considerable new developments. Users will also get a chance to contribute to additional specifications for the Fairlight CMI 30A through the Fairlight Forum. Talking about pricing, this will be a really serious deal as we're talking about a hefty projected price of 17,000 USD and the additional music keyboard option for 2,000 USD. The schedule for orders will be really tight as only a limited number of units will be produced. Prices and specifications will be finalized by the end of August 2009, which by that time will also signal a call for expressions of interest. At that point, Fairlight will be asking for a deposit to secure orders on a first-come, first-served basis. Fairlight will stop taking orders by the end of September with delivery around the first quarter of 2010.