Music Tech History Day: Fairlight CMI in Videos, and the Computer You Can Play
$26,000 at the time, the Fairlight CMI was the commercial product that really launched the notion of computer as musical instrument to the general populous - along with various electronic cliches in its wildly-popular preset bank. Our friend James at Retro Thing alerts us to the fact that none other than Fairlight co-founder and co-designer Peter Vogel has been uploading vintage videos to YouTube. There’s a behind-the-scenes tour of the Fairlight factory, circa 1984, and below, a demonstration of the Series III instrument by Greg Sneddon:
There’s also this charming 1980 appearance on "This Week" on Australian TV.
What about making music with computers?
"No, no — you don’t feel like a technician."
Curious that we still have to answer that question today.
Dig the groovy imagery at the end. (around 5:00 in).
6 Comments
Leave a CommentCreate Digital Motion » Video: Fairlight CVI Video Instrument Development, Ca. 1984
[...] Vintage Fairlight Computer Music Instrument Videos [Retro Thing; see also Create Digital Music] [...]
April 25, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
Joe Bicker
It’s amazing to look back at the introduction of technology we now take for granted. It’s also strange how I can now do just what they did, with better sounds, on a machine that literally fits in my pocket! (Eeepc)
The best bit in the second video is the presenter at the end.
“What an amazing machine.”
Such enthusiasm!
April 25, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
wax
that first video… NNXT from Reason! lol
April 25, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
lost
def oscar worthy credits.
April 25, 2008 @ 5:18 pm
MonksDream
Wow! That takes me back to my first exposure to samplers (Fairlight, Synclavier, Mirage) in the early 80’s.
Two things strike me:
- how little the systems have changed in the last 25 or so years. Hell, they even take up roughly the same amount of space
- how much better the pen is than the mouse as an input device
Thanks Peter!
April 25, 2008 @ 5:33 pm
Keith Handy
“I wonder what Steinway would think of his piano NOW!”
That’s the kind of comment that gave the 80s a bad name.
BTW, I had a pair of white pants once. The first time you sit down, they’re ruined. That’s why they don’t make white pants anymore.
April 26, 2008 @ 12:37 pm
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