Fairlight CMI

[Dave McGuire]

On Sep 30, 2009, at 6:10 PM, Steven Hirsch wrote:
>>> Being a vintage computer and synthesiser fan, I'd love
>>> to get a Fairlight CMI for restoration/care/actual use
>>> so if anyone has any Fairlight CMI model they would like
>>> to either sell or trade let me know. Can be EU or US.
>>
>> Mmmmm, Fairlight.
>>
>> Years ago (1988 or so?) my friend Mike in Delaware had a  
>> Synclavier II. That thing was damn impressive.  Sadly he no longer  
>> has it.  Unless I'm mistaken, there's a MicroVAX-II in there!
>
> There's been earlier discussion on this list, but short answer is  
> that you are mistaken :-).  The Synclavier was built around New  
> England Digital's own bit-slice CPU originally developed for their  
> ABEL minicomputer system. Probably based on AMD 29xx parts,  
> although I do not know that for sure.

   Really?  I was actually pretty sure about that.  I never saw the  
innards of the machine myself, but I will happily stand corrected!

> A company I ran in the 80s did a lot of audio systems contracting  
> work with NED and I recall seeing terminals all over the place that  
> were logged on to the in-house ABEL system.  I think they used it  
> for inventory, billing, etc.  All the support software was  
> developed in the ABEL environment AFAIK.

   I've gotta assume this is different from the ABEL PLD design  
language.  I've never heard of it, what is it?

             -Dave
>


-- 
Dave McGuire
Port Charlotte, FL