Mattias Murhagen wrote:It simply seems odd to have an older "paradigm" in such a software in 2020
Perhaps the perception if you've only ever been exposed to the keyboard/mouse editing model.
I wrote the following in a previous thread that may clarify why Fairlight users are so passionate:
The Fairlight Audio Editor panel (which is available in standalone form and included as standard in all the Fairlight Consoles) is designed specifically for audio editing and the tactile control of Fairlight parameters, and its unique implementation ensures a much faster and more flexible audio editing environment than what a mouse and keyboard are ever able to provide.
The Audio Editor is context sensitive, in that its key layout changes and adjusts depending on the selected function (e.g. editing and manipulating Audio Clips, or operating in the Media Pool) and operating mode (e.g. setting up Audio Editor preferences, Recording and ADR, Editing, Mixing and Automation, Monitor Control and Loudness monitoring, Talkback, and Macros).
Keys change with clear colour indication and button highlights, unique icons, and text to reveal the current active mode, selected function, or available recording and editing functions - much of which only requires a single key press. For those tasks that are often repeated and may require several steps, Macros may be created and executed in an instant at the press of a single Macro switch or key.
The Audio Editor's Pad (the central display) and rotaries also adjust according to function, such as adjusting Pan in both standard surround and immersive formats, Track Level, Path Settings, routing to and adjusting send levels to Main and Sub Busses, adjusting Aux Send Levels, Fairlight Channel or Clip EQ, Fairlight Dynamics, or controlling Plugins (both 3rd party and Fairlight AFX).
The full breadth of Fairlight editing functionality is immediately available under both hands, without reaching for a mouse or keyboard. Editing and parameter control is possible without looking up at the computer displays and using the Resolve UI, since all editing functionality and available parameter controls are laid out clearly across the surface in zones for quick and easy access - and building muscle memory is possible within a very short space of time.
The Audio Editor will also transition automatically in to a full QWERTY keyboard across its surface when text needs to be entered in to a dialog box (e.g. editing ADR Cue text, renaming an Audio Clip or a Track, searching within the Media Pool or within the Sound Library), or numeric fields (such as Inspector parameter fields), as well as when switching to an open third party application (extremely useful when switching to External Audio Processes and using keybindings within that application from the Audio Editor surface).
And the electronic clutched jog wheel is an absolute pleasure to use for both jogging and shuttling (the gearing is completely user definable or it may be configured to auto-adjust based on zoom level, along with other options such as setting the monitoring to auto-dim while jogging and automatically cancelling that state when the transport is started), the mouse and keyboard are a significant step backwards.
The hardware controllers are by comparison very expensive.
An entry-level 8 fader Avid S4 console without displays or chassis requires a larger investment than the much more complete Fairlight 2 Bay Console that provides these as standard.
A 48 fader 5 bay Fairlight Console is almost $30k less than the entry-level 16 fader Avid S6 Console which doesn't include a chassis.
Yamaha's Nuage is also more expensive than the fully modular Fairlight consoles once configured with equivalent displays, chassis, and fader options.
The Fairlight Audio Editor though is unique and without comparison, as there isn't currently an equivalent available from Avid, Steinberg/Yamaha, or surprisingly with any of the other available control surface options within any price range or form factor.
Honestly, I don’t think Blackmagic can price the hardware any lower while maintaining reliability and the incredible build quality, but they can certainly go a lot higher and still compete quite comfortably with the alternatives.