Almost 40 years ago, Australians Kim Ryrie and Peter Vogel created the first digital sampler in history. An inconceivable computer with a giant keyboard and a stylus that allowed menu-driven interface operations. It was called the Fairlight CMI (Computer Music Instrument).

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Almost 40 years ago, Australians Kim Ryrie and Peter Vogel created the first digital sampler in history. An inconceivable computer with a giant keyboard and a stylus that allowed menu-driven interface operation. It was called the Fairlight CMI (Computer Music Instrument).

It all started in 1976 when, wanting to build a fully digital synthesizer, the Fairlight company created the «QasarIn» prototype. A large model with a very limited sound. Although the idea was to have total control of the different settings of the synth, at that time this model did not meet the expectations.

In this way Kim Ryrie and Peter Vogel had the idea to digitally record natural sounds in order to have a total domain of the samples. Creating in this way sounds with better quality and more complex textures.

This is how the sampling technique was created, which initially offered a more complete waveform design than simple digital waveforms. Although at that time, only attack, sustain, vibrato and decay could be modified.

From that idea, the Fairlight CMI model was born. The first synthesizer to feature a 73-note keyboard, a head unit with 2 x 8″ floppy disk drives, an alphanumeric keyboard, a monochrome monitor and a stylus.

This synth was the first to offer the sampling technique. Besides having a graphical representation of waveforms, additive synthesis and a rhythmic sequencer named Page R. Even though it had a poor quality of samples (8 bits – 24 kHz). The «Fairlight CMI» was a machine capable of perfectly reproducing a large number of sound banks of real and acoustic instruments, via its floppy disk input.

After the CMI was tested by artists like Peter Gabriel and bought by Stevie Wonder. A «Sound Bank» of samples was created for other 80’s artists, subsequently introducing the Fairlight CMI II, CMI IIx and CMI III versions. These models already had the option to record at 16-bit with a maximum sample rate of 50kHz in stereo or 100kHz in mono.

Almost 40 years ago, Australians Kim Ryrie and Peter Vogel created the first digital sampler in history. An inconceivable computer with a giant keyboard and a stylus that allowed menu-driven interface operation. It was called the Fairlight CMI (Computer Music Instrument).
Among the list of 80’s music artists who used the Fairlight CMI. Prominent names include Laurie Anderson, Afrika Bambaataa, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Michael Jackson, U2, Hans Zimmer and many others.

We share with you this short documentary made by «The Age & Sydney Morning Herald«, where they tell in depth the history, cultural impact and disappearance of the Fairlight CMI synth.

Finally, at Valetronic, we recommend these notes that may also be of interest to you. The best synthesizer sounds ever created. Top 7 headphones for mixing and production. MPC Switch: a prototype between Nintendo Switch and Akai MPC.

Credits: Fairlight, The Age & Sydney Morning Herald, wikiwand