$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).
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!
that first video… NNXT from Reason! lol
def oscar worthy credits.
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!
[…] Vintage Fairlight Computer Music Instrument Videos [Retro Thing; see also Create Digital Music] […]
"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.