How the Fairlight CMI changed the course of music

The history of the Fairlight CMI, the world's first commercially available digital sampler and sequencer synthesizer, as told by the people who created and worked on it.

#music #technology #sydney #australia #history

With the introduction in 1979 of The Fairlight Computer Music Instrument (CMI), Peter Vogel and Km Ryrie brought digital sampling and sequencing to the music world, turning the recording industry on its head. Early adopters Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush pioneered the Fairlight's use in the early 80s and by the middle of the decade it had become one of the most coveted tools in music production.

The story of the Fairlight CMI's creation, its cultural impact and ultimate demise is told via exclusive interviews with both Fairlight co-founders Kim Ryrie and Peter Vogel as well as Fairlight engineer Peter Wielk and Professor Samantha Bennett of the ANU School of Music.

This video was produced by Tom Compagnoni for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

00:00 Introduction
01:22 Naming the company 'Fairlight'
02:15 Peter Vogel and Kim Ryrie
05:58 The Fairlight CMI is born
06:40 Peter Gabriel
08:45 Kate Bush
10:27 The Fairlight factory
11:11 The Orch 2 sample
13:11 Fairlight CMI's impact on 80s pop
13:31 Cost of the Fairlight CMI
15:48 Fairlight CMI system software code
16:16 Downfall of the Fairlight company

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