Fairlight's $28,000 XYNERGI keyboard makes Optimus look Minimus

So you thought the $1,536 Optimus Maximus keyboard was a tad expensive? Peep this: the €20,000 (about $28,000) XYNERGI programmable controller from Fairlight. To be fair, you get a hell of a lot more than just a keyboard for your 28-grand as the kit includes Fairlight's CC-1 digital media engine as well. While it's targeted at media professionals, it also integrates like a peach with Microsoft Office and all your other Windows applications. Better yet, the custom key mappings are said to "intelligently" adjust depending upon the "mode the operator is in." However, judging by the video (after the break), intelligence seems defined by your ability to find (and push) the function button.

[Thanks, Chris]

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 13th 2007 8:09PM]

The REAL price of Fairlight’s Xynergi system

From Fairlight’s Sales & Marketing Director…

It’s fantastic that Xynergi has created so much interest – thank you all for your posts! It’s great to see that everybody is excited about this product and its special switches!
I wanted to join in to add some clarity to this discussion.

Xynergi is not just a $28K keyboard!! - Xynergi is the controller part for an extremely sophisticated and highly specified digital audio production system. It delivers the same functionality found on expensive large format mixing consoles that normally cost $100Ks It also has a built in multi-track recorder, Academy award winning editing software, onboard video track and an open integration with 3rd party plug ins. Having said all of that, the switches on the controller are very cool and it does make your imagination run wild.

Read on for more and to find out what the REAL price is…….


The complete system is known as the Xynergi Media Production Centre (MPC) and includes the Xynergi Controller, CC-1 acceleration card, SX-20 sync and audio I/O unit. Software tools include: a disk recorder, editor, multi-format mixer, monitoring system, video, plug-in manager, re-wire host, file delivery system. A fader sidecar is available as an option.

The controller has been designed from the ground up to leverage the power of the Fairlight software suite and to harness the immense processing power of the CC-1 card – that’s just one of the things that differentiates it from being just a normal standard computer keyboard.

Some examples; Fairlight have included a high resolution audio scrub wheel for high performance audio editing. There are dedicated transport buttons, an auto locator touch pad and backlit switches for managing channels and fader sets. We have also included a studio monitor and studio talkback section with level control knobs and dedicated backlit Mute and DIM switches.

Then there is the “Pad”…this is the section at the top that is surrounded by knobs and switches. This section can be used for controlling mastering quality EQ’s and Compressors as well as to pan sound in a 3 dimensional surround sound formats. It includes touch sensitive rotary encoders (knobs) and switches which can be used to support a comprehensive automation system.

To discover ‘how it’s different’ and ‘why it’s better’ follow this link ( http://www.fairlightau.com/default_content.html ) and click the Xynergi picture.

So – how much is it? Read the description then look at the price.

The entry level Xynergi MPC-96 system includes: Xynergi controller, CC-1 card with 96 (expandable to 230) audio channels each with 8 bands of mastering EQ and 3 stages of dynamics (no extra plug-ins required! – no latency either), 96 (expandable to 192) track disk recorder and editor, integrated video (SD or HD with capture), 32 (expandable to 72) mix busses, automation, full monitoring matrix, audio bridge to VST plug-ins, re-wire host, extensive file format support, SX20 sync unit with 20 audio I/Os (analogue and digital) including mic amps. Also, optional fader side car.

Oh, and by the way it’s designed and built by Fairlight... and sounds like a Fairlight. Fairlight was the audio gear of choice for thousands of hit records and many inspirational music creators such as Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, Sir George Martin and Trevor Horn. Fairlight systems have also been used to make the sound tracks for a countless number of academy award winning feature films.

The list price is USD $21K… call your local Fairlight dealer if you’re still a non believer!

Hope this clears up the confusion.

All the best!!

Stuart

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 14th 2007 4:23AM]

I WANT!!

The whole package actually seems like a good deal, considering pro audio gear often costs tens or hundreds of thousands of $$. Their CC-1 engine has been talked up on Gearslutz and elsewhere, and is supposed to be hugely powerful and sounds great. It certainly looks to kick the crap out of the other half-baked overpriced junk currently on the market for pro audio users.

Is the controller available on its own? If so, how much? Can you swap in your own graphics if you don't like the goofy ones (IMO) that come with it?