# Peter Vogel CMI — user reviews > 143 indexed App Store user reviews of Peter Vogel CMI by Peter Vogel Instruments Pty Ltd, rated 2.60/5 from 37 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/peter-vogel-cmi/id420212505/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/peter-vogel-cmi/id420212505.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 9 · 4★ 3 · 3★ 6 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 17 ## What do users think of Peter Vogel CMI? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 🎨 Authentic Fairlight sounds - 🕰️ Nostalgic retro experience - 🎹 Great for composing and sampling - 💰 Affordable compared to original hardware **Cons** - 💸 Expensive for a limited feature set - 🐛 Crashes and bugs on newer iOS versions - 📺 Clunky and outdated user interface - 🔒 Lack of export and sharing options **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashes on startup for some users - Keyboard issues and unresponsive controls - Incompatibility with newer iOS versions **Most requested features** - Add more Fairlight Series III sounds - Improve MIDI and Audiobus integration - Implement a more modern and intuitive UI - Add support for odd time signatures ## Newest reviews (17 of 143) ### 3/5 — Good old Fairlight CMI.. *2026-04-01, version 2.4.3* But i took the plunge and got the pro upgrade from basic player via IAP. I think personally i would have been better off sticking with basic. The pro doesn't seem to have all full blown cmi features and for the price its a bit of a let down even with the extra sound libraries. Maybe i have been spoilt by more modern apps and maybe its the way i use it.. (basically/mostly, output to Audiobus, which was not available at first).. update: no longer use audiobus as there’s auv3 etc but this cmi app doesn’t look like it’s going to get auv3 any time soon .. Recent updates have monkeyed around with the on screen keyboard. (It went kangaroo, geddit?) Recently it had slimmer keys but they put it back to big old chunky. Puzzling. Why not just allow resizing like most other apps of this type.. Yes, yes, yes, i have recently got the irig midi and a big old keyboard but its not always convenient to break that out! *Thunk!* *Thunk!* *Thunk!*... … 2026: what happened to the other pro version .. guess that’s a hint for “so long” … ### 3/5 — for 50$, i think auv3 is a requirement *2025-09-10* ? ### 4/5 — Beloved, with caveats *2024-09-25* Good, but as of Pro 2.4.3, on an iPad Pro running ipados 18, intel chip, it does not allow me to change the names of individual songs, and the play buttons in the sample pane shrink unexpectedly, rendering them near impossible to tap or press. I love the idea of this, and want to use it to spur some creativity, but there are just a couple of roadblocks along the way. ### 4/5 — Is this app still alive *2024-03-02* I love this thing As we are in 2024 It is crashing on me, not even getting close to "booting" up. This thing is genius, I hope it lives on ### 2/5 — 開かなくなりました *2022-06-07* 先日まで使えましたがある日突然開かなくなりました。 ### 2/5 — CMI Review *2021-08-25* Eight years later and the full version is still $50US plus tax in 2021. I guess dropping the full version from $50 to $20 now will not boost sales? I ended up moving to Nanostudio 2 and 3 IAPs. If you want a 2020 app that can do pretty much the same. ### 1/5 — App quits on open… *2021-06-10, version 2.4.3* iPhone XS iOS 14.6 ### 4/5 — Thank you *2021-05-04* Thank you for making the Fairlight compatible with iOS 14. I have missed it greatly ❤️ ### 1/5 — Still crashes *2021-03-03* I got excited for a split second seeing that the app has finally been updated...I ran the install, hurriedly pressed “open” and all I got was the app crashing like the developer claimed was fixed. DO NO PURCHASE THIS UNSUPPORTED APP!!! ### 1/5 — Thanks but no thanks *2020-09-15, version 2.4.2* A tenner for a lighter than lite ?? I want my money back !! ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work on iPhone 11 Pro *2020-07-03, version 2.4.2* It’s a shame but this App won’t even start up on my new iPhone 11 Pro so I can’t review it, paid $14.99 and tried to start it for 20mins before requesting a refund... what a pity. ### 2/5 — Good Introduction to the Fairlight, but... *2020-05-26, version 2.4.2* Great to experience a virtual-version in App form, but there is no access to be able record to R page, which is a shame as that would justify £9.99 price tag. Even if the number of Samples were to be reduced, it would be more of ‘try before you buy’ to see if it was something you would want to invest in further. As it is, you have only have access to the two included two tracks. ### 2/5 — Keyboard not playing as it should *2020-05-05, version 2.4.2* The keyboard is not playing as it should/ used which really kills it. Pity it’s a good app but this makes it useless ### 1/5 — Crashes Only *2020-03-11* Attempting to open the App in iOS 13.4 results in nothing but crashes, as the app fails to open. The App Support link is dead. ### 1/5 — Fun but still crashes *2020-01-19* What a fun app when it works Unfortunately the latest iOS upgrade 13.2.3 killed it again I tried to contact the developer directly but the website link is dead so I have to hope they see this review. When it is working this is a fun app so I’m happy to change my review when it’s fixed Hope they fix it soon ### 3/5 — Great demo, small problem. *2019-12-04* It crashes on start. As soon as I open up the app, it crashes. I've tried everything from clearing my cache to deleting and reinstalling the app. Nothing has worked. Please fix this. ### 1/5 — Too buggy and too pricey *2019-11-04* I really want to like this app more, but it's just way too buggy, especially for what the developer charges. I would eventually like to get the Pro version for the authentic Fairlight experience; however, this version doesn't inspire any sort of confidence that I would get my money's worth were I to upgrade... Before I updated to 2.4, I had issues with connectivity and midi not working properly. Now with 2.4, it won't respond to polyphonic note input, be it from the internal onscreen keyboard, or from an external source. I've found out it's a bug, because only 2 times since the recent update have I been able to get it to play polyphonically, and each time when I closed the app, polyphony was lost. If you really want Fairlight sounds, you're best off getting this Lite version, and sampling it inside of a DAW. To add salt to the wound, the developer has never responded to any of my emails inquiring about and addressing bugs (dating to 2 years back when I purchased this), and the app rarely gets updated (making it borderline abandonware), so you're left with a barely functional app. It's truly overpriced for what you get, even at half the price. Unfortunately, I'm not very optimistic that this will ever get on par with other sampler apps. Hopefully the developer proves me wrong. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — A warning would’ve been nice before abandoning the app and users *2026-05-03* Years ago, I spent $50 on the Pro version and used the app more times than I can count. I accumulated hundreds of self made samples and then, suddenly, the app no longer opens. I guess I only rented the app. ### 1/5 — Cash for Crash *2025-10-05* The app would never launch on my phone. I have deleted the app and reinstalled it. If the app is no longer supported or they have stopped updating it, just remove it from the App Store. I could’ve just donated $10 to them instead paying apple fees🤣-5⭐️ ### 1/5 — This is so complicated on here *2025-06-11* This is very hard and can’t change a voice of its like I would never use this horrible app again. ### 1/5 — Crashes immediately after launch *2025-03-22, version 2.4.3* Crashes immediately after launch ### 1/5 — Don’t Buy if on IOS 18 *2025-03-08* Was really excited to use this app. But shuts down as soon as it opens on iOS 18. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work. Dev awol. *2022-11-05* Didn’t work on iOS 14, and then did work on iOS 14, and now on iOS 15 it doesn’t work again. Just crashes immediately. To think I spent $50 on this. Shame as I liked Page R. We can all get Arturia and UVI VSTs of the CMI, but losing access to Page R is the most frustrating part of this seemingly being abandoned. I say abandoned because there’s zero support for this. ### 1/5 — Rubbish *2022-10-18, version 2.4.3* You pay £8.99 for a dem of a program that you can do nothing with, bw prepared to spend £50 if you want to actually use it. ### 1/5 — Crashes on Startup *2022-08-12, version 2.4.3* Cannot comment on the app as it crashes 1 second after startup. All i lnow is that I have done my dough cold on this one. Pooey on this app ### 1/5 — Sounds Great! Lots of bugs… *2022-01-25* First, I’d like to say this could be a five star app. But right now, it needs a lot of things fixed. On the good side, it sounds awesome! If you’re looking for those 80s voices in their 8bit glory, look no further. These are the real deal. You can easily import your own samples or use the built in sampler. It’s got a lot of potential, but you can’t ignore the list of bugs that need to be fixed. I have been running Vogel CMI Pro on an iPad 8th generation - iOS 15.2.1 and ran into these problems: First, the interface is clunky. I understand the retro look, but do we really need a floppy disk “success rate” option? On to the real issues… Audiobus 3 does not work with Vogel CMI. You get an error message saying “Audiobus can’t communicate with this app…” etc. I don’t really use Audiobus, but that needs to work! Vogel CMI will not sync up with Cubasis 3 to do punch in/punch out recording when using the Vogel CMI ‘Page R’ pattern sequencer. I would hope you would be able to record one pattern at a time, similar to the way you can with the Patterning 2 drum machine. Syncing up with Cubasis 3 is a must! Add to this the fact that Vogel CMI can’t export patterns or songs as .wav, .mp3 or other sound formats. Please add! There are no undo buttons. The major problem with the Vogle CMI app is it won’t communicate properly with other apps like Cubasis 3 and Audiobus 3 and can’t export patterns/songs in .wave or .mp3 formats. I would hope the developers have plans to fix these issues. ### 1/5 — Broken - unusable *2021-08-28* Crashes immediately on startup in ios14 on iPhone. Reinstalling doesn’t help. Seems abandoned. I paid for the pro upgrade so now I’m trying to figure out how to get a refund. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Feedback *2021-06-09, version 2.4.3* I wrote to the developer and he answered the next day. Fantastic app and friendly developer… high five… ### 5/5 — Fairlight time capsule. *2021-01-11, version 2.4.2* I really like the fairlight app. It’s like a journey back in time without the stress of maintaining a real fairlight 2x machine. I wish the page r sequencer could record odd time signatures like the hardware fairlight could. The fairlight app is locked into only playing in a four four time signature which is a bit frustrating. The fairlight series 3 sounds are my favourite although they are not multi sampled across the keyboard but then this app is modelled on the 2x not the series 3. It’s amazing how these days we take music technology for granted with digital audio workstations Cubase and Logic. The fairlight app is like a time capsule with sampling and sequencing that changed the way we worked in the 1980s and is where it all began!! ### 5/5 — Legendary *2020-05-02, version 2.4.2* I mean I’ve gotta admit, this thing right here is the sound of the 80’s. Best synthesizer available on the App Store! I do plan on buying the pro version until I get enough money. Though I do think that $49.99 (Basically $50) is a lot just for one app, but y’know, the CMI III was literally used to create a whole entire soundtrack for a movie, (Terminator II: Judgment Day), so I guess it gets a pass. Overall, this app is very amazing and I enjoy it. Thank you. ### 5/5 — Wonderful *2018-02-22, version 2.3.2* This is an affectionate, nostalgic recreation of one of the studio cornerstones of the 1980s. A Fairlight CMI for less than thirty quid! If you're after a modern feature-rich DAW for iOS with all the bells and whistles, you've come to the wrong place. Fairlight make this abundantly clear, so I have no patience with the whingers. If however you remember the CMI with affection, you will not be disappointed. ### 5/5 — Awesome Sampler / Synthesiser ! CMI REBORN or um, Rebooted 😉 *2017-01-28* Worth every red cent ! The CMI is reborn & dare I say "better" ? Yes, still some bugs but hey ! It's the CMI for 50 bucks How can Anyone possibly complain 😋 However, I'd love to see graphical ADSR envelopes ... ### 5/5 — no update, no support *2017-01-10, version 2.3* People who upgraded to Pro instead of purchasing the Pro version didn't get the recent update. Web site and support page is dead. This is cool app, but I'm not going to repurchase to get updates. Update - they fixed it so five stars. Thanks! ### 5/5 — I asked for an update and wow! It came! Thanks *2017-01-10, version 2.3* i was thinking it didnt work but i found out it was user error i read the manual then learned the way to program it and find that it very much still is alive and kicking.... i am taking off one star only because the developer website seems to be down. did he die? im praying he is well or the company is well, getting error 500 on google and no such page 404 errors is not comforting for the future of this app. if i were you i would enjoy it now but treat it like a real piece of gear that will eventually stop working, most probably like the originals. unless they build a remodel of the original like Moog and the other modular synth companies. i would say this is a gift, so enjoy it. i listened to Peter Gabriel's album Security and i can now understand how they programmed it for that record. its amazing. kate bush records too.... but if you want bells and whistles and eye candy synth pads stick to garageband. this is nostalgic and for those who want to have that hardware sampler in their palm! Super awesome! It keeps getting better and better with updates with midi, max, legacy support for older non core apps, I'm thinking this is for when you use the Akai keystation, with the usb/lightning adapter. But the real power is reading the manual and finding other fairlight user's to see what songs you can share! I have a E-mu sampler with all the CMI III samples but not as easy access as this app offers! As a sound fx tool and quick goto machine for any sound you might need? It's here! And creating samples on this thing is taken my understanding of the art sampling to a whole new level, as the touch interface is so much more tactile and user friendly than the horrible 90's when programming meant digging pages on a lcd screen! There are other synthetic emulator apps and I have those too! But the cool thing about this app is that it is a sequence music programming tool that actually uses musical notation! And not midi scratches! Finally I feel like I am scoring in real time instead of programming a sequencer! Well music theory students know what I mean! Sibelius this is not but a Fairlight CMI that you can hook up to a 88 key midi controller and soon I am sure will be able to do more midi CC options (as the developer left an open letter for additional features wished for!) In my book this means a golden goose that will continue to lay eggs because I see this app growing doing things the original Fairlight CMI couldn't do. Well it already exports email! The pen or stylus used on the newer iPad Pros might in the future get to even draw 3D waveforms and wave tables! Great Update! ### 5/5 — ロンリーハート *2015-12-10* 80年代で衝撃をうけた、イエスやハービーハンコックが使ってたオケヒットなどのSEが再現できてあの頃の洋楽ファンには、楽しめると思います。あの曲は、この音を使ってたのかとか発見もあります。 ### 5/5 — Love this App *2015-04-20, version 2.0.1* Great piece of music history on your Ipad. If you're into creating that retro 80s sound this is a must have app. I like this version, but I think I'll get the pro version in a couple weeks to add the xtra features. ### 5/5 — Awesome! *2014-12-31, version 1.6.2* I think it's fantastic! I just wish there was a VST version. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*