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Description

Step into a time machine with the Arturia CMI V, a captivating digital homage to the iconic Fairlight CMI—the first commercially available digital sampling system. This revolutionary tool redefined music production in the '80s, and now, it's back with a modern twist. The CMI V offers a blend of vintage charm and cutting-edge technology, allowing musicians to explore endless creative possibilities without breaking the bank.

This synth plugin is not just about nostalgia; it’s a comprehensive digital workstation that empowers your creativity. With the ability to handle up to 10 digital instruments simultaneously, you can mix, layer, and sequence like never before. The CMI V faithfully recreates the original sampling engine, while also introducing a new Spectral synthesis mode, offering a fresh perspective on sound design.

Whether you're a seasoned producer or an aspiring musician, you'll appreciate the rich library of over 600 original CMI presets and an additional 360 sounds crafted by Arturia's sound designers. The intuitive interface makes sound shaping a breeze, with features like variable bit depth and sample rate, a classic 32-step sequencer, and high-quality output effects.

Designed for versatility, the CMI V is compatible with a variety of formats including VST, VST3, AU, AAX, and can even be used standalone. Its resizable GUI ensures seamless integration into your workflow, whether you're in a DAW or working on a high-resolution screen.

Key Features:

  • Software synthesizer playable through a MIDI keyboard
  • 600 presets from the original CMI library
  • 360 additional presets by Arturia sound designers
  • 10-track expansion with polyphony up to 32 per track
  • Faithful emulation of original sampling and additive synthesis
  • New Spectral synthesis mode
  • Classic 32-step sequencer inspired by "page-R"
  • 24 modulation sources per track
  • High-quality output effects
  • Compatible with VST, VST3, AU, AAX, and standalone operation

Product specs

Software Type Synth/Sampler
Platform Mac, PC
Upgrade/Full Full
Download/Boxed Download
Bit Depth 64-bit
Format VST2.4, VST3, AAX, AU, Standalone
Hardware Requirements - Mac 2.5GHz processor or higher, 4GB RAM minimum, 12 GB free drive space
Hardware Requirements - PC 2.5GHz processor or higher, 4GB RAM minimum, 12 GB free drive space
OS Requirements - Mac OS X 10.10 or later
OS Requirements - PC Windows 8.1 or later

FAQs

What is the Arturia CMI V used for?

The Arturia CMI V is a virtual instrument plugin that emulates the classic Fairlight CMI synthesizer, known for its digital sampling capabilities and unique sound design options.

Is the Arturia CMI V compatible with my DAW?

The Arturia CMI V is compatible with most major DAWs as it supports VST2.4, VST3, AAX, and AU formats, and can also be used as a standalone application.

What are the system requirements for the Arturia CMI V?

For Mac, you'll need OS X 10.10 or later, and for PC, Windows 8.1 or later. Both require a 2.5GHz processor or higher, 4GB RAM minimum, and 12 GB of free drive space.

Can the Arturia CMI V be used for live performances?

Yes, the Arturia CMI V can be used for live performances thanks to its standalone mode, allowing musicians to utilize its sound design capabilities in real-time.

Does the Arturia CMI V offer any unique features?

The Arturia CMI V includes a spectral synth feature, which allows users to explore additive synthesis with ease, offering a distinct sound design experience.

Woody Piano Shack

Woody Piano Shack

Arturia CMI V | Enjoying Fairlight sample library

Video thumbnail for Arturia CMI V | Enjoying Fairlight sample library by Woody Piano Shack

Arturia CMI V | Enjoying Fairlight sample library

Woody Piano Shack

Woody Piano Shack

Video thumbnail for Arturia CMI V - First Look by ADSR Music Production Tutorials

Arturia CMI V - First Look

ADSR Music Production Tutorials

ADSR Music Production Tutorials

Video thumbnail for Making an 80s synth song using only the Arturia CMI V plugin by once upon a synth

Making an 80s synth song using only the Arturia CMI V plugin

once upon a synth

once upon a synth

Video thumbnail for Tutorials | CMI V - Episode 1 : Overview by Arturia

Tutorials | CMI V - Episode 1 : Overview

Arturia

Arturia

Video thumbnail for Arturia CMI V - Stand Alone & VST - The BIG Soundtest Preset Demo by The Sound Test Room

Arturia CMI V - Stand Alone & VST - The BIG Soundtest Preset Demo

The Sound Test Room

The Sound Test Room

Video thumbnail for Made Sample Based Beat with only Arturia CMI V | WPKit #294 by Verysickbeats

Made Sample Based Beat with only Arturia CMI V | WPKit #294

Verysickbeats

Verysickbeats

Video thumbnail for Arturia CMI-V Ep.1 - Introduction by One Man And His Songs

Arturia CMI-V Ep.1 - Introduction

One Man And His Songs

One Man And His Songs

Video thumbnail for Arturia CMI V - Let’s Check it Out by The Sound Test Room

Arturia CMI V - Let’s Check it Out

The Sound Test Room

The Sound Test Room

Video thumbnail for How to Use Arturia CMI V with King Unique - Intro and History by Sonic Academy

How to Use Arturia CMI V with King Unique - Intro and History

Sonic Academy

Sonic Academy

Reviews

PROS

  • Authentic emulation of the classic Fairlight CMI sound

  • Expansive sound design capabilities with numerous parameters

  • Ability to sample any WAV file enhances flexibility

  • Rich selection of 80s-inspired sounds

  • Comes with a vast array of patches out of the box

  • Great for standalone use and resampling

  • A valuable tool for hobbyists and professional sound designers alike

CONS

  • Sampler functionality could be more user-friendly

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Arturia CMI V.

Software and compatibility

  • The CMI V only supports "wav" and "aiff" formats, limiting direct use of ".caf" Apple loops without conversion.

    Source
  • Some users experience difficulty using the iPad app as a MIDI controller with their DAW, finding it cumbersome compared to having the CMI plugin directly in the DAW.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Rendering Apple loops to .aiff in Logic's desired tempo enables their use in CMI V, expanding creative possibilities for users.

    Source
  • The Roland SP404 is recommended for those seeking Fairlight-like tricks in a simpler, more affordable package.

    Source
  • The Fairlight is recognized for its unique contribution to iconic soundtracks like Terminator 2, capturing the interest of new users.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • CMI V's inability to import ".caf" files directly requires users to convert these files for full functionality within Logic.

    Source
  • Users find the default presets overly processed, requiring deep menu diving to access original Fairlight sounds and disable unwanted effects.

    Source
  • The plugin allows for DX7 sysex file import, but some files play at low volume, potentially distorting when volume is increased, requiring careful adjustment.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Arturia DX7, praised for its vintage accuracy, offers built-in effects for added sound characteristics, differentiating it from Dexed despite similar sound quality.

    Source
  • The Prophet X is highlighted as a high-end hardware alternative to the Fairlight, praised for its exceptional capabilities and sound quality.

    Source
  • Akai keyboard samplers, such as the S1000 and X7000, are considered closer to the Fairlight in terms of features, while being more accessible.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners express frustration over the inability to globally disable effects, complicating the process of achieving authentic Fairlight sounds.

    Source
  • Modern samplers like Octatrack, Digitakt, and MPC are noted for achieving Fairlight-like results, albeit with more features and complexity.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Arturia: CMI V Virtual Instrument | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

Arturia's CMI V is a captivating homage to the legendary Fairlight CMI, combining its historical sampling and synthesis capabilities into a user-friendly package for just $199. While the interface may seem a bit dated, it offers intuitive navigation through its advanced features. The inclusion of the entire original sample library and enhanced capabilities like increased polyphony and sampling time make this a powerful tool for sound design. Some factory patches may seem stuck in the '80s, but the creative potential is vast for those willing to explore. Overall, it's a great deal, especially as part of Arturia's V Collection, offering unparalleled value for synth enthusiasts.

positive

Arturia CMI V - Review - Failed Muso Failed Muso

failedmuso.com
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 8 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
southpau_joe

Excellent sampler

love the ability to sample any wav file and love the 80s throwback sounds too

j_o_e

80s sampler and synth

Cool synth. With its sampler was easier to use but for the price I dig it.

elothesource

Masterful Vintage Sound

This is a no joke VST sounds and options to change the sounds is amazing so may patches out the box and massive i run it in standalone mode create with it and bounce out to resample a must have for any sound designer

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Lenno uses Arturia CMI V

Lenno

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

This Snapshot was taken from 13/02/2021 Twitch Stream (https://www.twitch.tv/helloimlenno), proving that Lenno is using this Plugin.

See how Graham Massey uses Arturia CMI V

Graham Massey

Guitarist, Keyboardist

808 State

...
Verified via MusicRadar

GM: “After the process, it’s hard to tell the difference between a softsynth and a live synth but we used quite a few. There’s a lot of nice stuff in the Arturia package like the CMI Fairlight and Buchla libraries. We can’t afford the original gear so they’re useful.”

Graham Massey interviewed on MusicRadar, discussing the creation of the album Transmission Suite.

See how Steve Levine uses Arturia CMI V

Steve Levine

Composer, Music Producer

Culture Club

...
Verified via YouTube

At :30, Arturia CMI V can be seen behind him on his computer monitor.

See how Kostas Maskalides uses Arturia CMI V

Kostas Maskalides

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via SoundCloud

Kostas Maskalides utilizes the Arturia CMI V in his track "Immersed," as evidenced by the track available on SoundCloud.

See how Shimron Elit uses Arturia CMI V

Shimron Elit

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Photo

Screenshot on Shimron Elit's official website.

Album Usage

The Arturia CMI V has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Arturia CMI V, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

1 alternative for Arturia CMI V, curated by the Equipboard community.

Fairlight CMI IIx

 

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound

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