CMI V
by Arturia · Sampler · Vintage digital sampler (Fairlight)
vst3s Score 8.4/10 · rated #6 of 11 samplers & workstations
A software recreation of the Fairlight CMI Series IIx, the early-1980s digital sampling workstation. It has the original sampler plus additive (Time Synth) and spectral synthesis engines.
It includes 600 samples from the original CMI library and 360 presets. Variable bit depth and sample rate bring back the grainy 8-bit sound of 80s pop and film music.
Best for: Keys & Synths, Sound Design. Genres: Pop, Electronic & EDM, Ambient & Cinematic.
Keywords: digital classic, sample-based, vintage, 80s, hardware emulation, additive, preset-driven, spectral, film & game audio, sequencer, cinematic, FFT-based, gritty, modulation matrix, polyphonic, sound design.
What it does
CMI V recreates the Fairlight CMI Series IIx, the first commercially available digital sampling system and a staple of MTV-era hits.
- Three engines: Sampler, Time Synth (additive) and Spectral Synth, plus FFT-based cross-synthesis.
- Ten slots: up to 10 instrument slots, 32-note polyphony per track and 24 modulation sources per track.
- Vintage grit: variable bit depth and sample rate (2.1 to 44.1 kHz).
- Sequencer and sounds: a 32-step sequencer modelled on the original Page R, 600 original CMI samples and 360 presets.
When to use it
Choose it for the specific Fairlight sound: stabs, choirs and lo-fi 8-bit textures heard on 80s pop and film scores. It's a character instrument, not an all-round sampler like Kontakt or HALion, and not a 12-bit hip-hop grit machine like RX1200.
Where to buy
- Arturia: $149 (US price (Arturia lists the same amount in USD and EUR))
- AudioDeluxe: $149
- Plugin Boutique: $149
Tutorials and reviews
- Tutorials | CMI V - Episode 1 : Overview (Arturia)
- Arturia CMI V Review: Hear Every Preset in Action 🎧🔥 (Preset Reveal)
- Noodling Around with Arturia's CMI V - Presets and Features (Raddland)
- Arturia CMI V Demo
- Made Sample Based Beat with only Arturia CMI V
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