The Fairlight CMI is based on the architecture of the Qasar M8 (Multimode 8), created by Tony Furse in 1975. In the early 70’s, Tony Furse, a consulting engineer for Motorola, created his first prototype of hybrid analog/digital synthesizer, the Qasar I. In 1972-1973, Furse created his second prototype, the Qasar II, with the financial […]
In 1983, a major CMI update appeared: the Fairlight CMI IIx. Several internal cards were modified. The two 6800 processors were replaced by 6809 processors, the random access memory changed from 64Kb to 256Kb, the control panel of the central unit was modified, a MIDI/SMPTE interface was proposed as an option, as well as a […]
In 1982, the CMI II, a slightly improved version of the CMI, was created. The sampling rate turned from 24 to 32Khz, still in 8 bits. The channel cards have been improved. A MIDI card is available as an option. But the main innovation was the inclusion of the Page R, created by Michael Carlos, […]
First model of the Fairlight CMI, marketed in 1979.CMI stands for Computer Musical Instrument. It is based on the architecture of the Fairlight Qasar prototype, and it has most of its features: Layout on the CMI-25 motherboard ID DESCRIPTION SLOT CMI-02 Master card: control of 8 channel cards, ADC sampling, timerfunctions for sequencer and MCL […]
In 1971, in Australia, Kim Ryrie creates the magazine Electronics Today International (ETI) in which are published the diagrams of two hybrid analog / digital synthesizers available in kit and designed by Trevor Marshall, the ETI 3600 and 4600. These two synthesizers will be marketed in England by Maplin Electronics Ltd. But frustrated by the […]
Vintage SynthesizersMark VailEd. Miller Freeman Books Text + photos: p214-219 The SynthesizerMark VailEd. Oxford University Press Text + photos: p72-73 Digital SamplingThe Design and Use of Music TechnologiesPaul HarkinsEd. Routledge208 pages Synth Gems 1Exploring Vintage SynthesizersMike MetlayEd. Bjooks Text + photos: p128-133 The Musician And The MicroRay HammondEd. Blandford Press Text + photos: p126-146 Synthesizer […]
Peter vogel instruments The Peter Vogel’s web site, one of the founding members of Fairlight Instruments with Kim Ryrie The Holmes Page One of the first sites about the Fairlight K.M.I Klaus Michael Indlekofer’s web site. A comprehensive and very technical section on the different Fairlight models Mustudio The site of my friend Jean-Bernard Emond, […]
In the early 80’s, the Fairlight CMI, a new instrument created by an unknown Australian company, was about to start a revolution in the field of sonic and musical creation, with the introduction of sampling and a brand new conception of sequencing. Most of the records of these times featured the very distinctive sound of […]
Thanks to my friend Jean-Bernard Emond for the scans Manuals Brochures / Advertisements Articles
Dumps by my friend Jean-Bernard Emond = Download .bin file CMI I MAINFRAME Q032 – Processor Control Card4 EPROMs 2708 CMI IIx MAINFRAME Q219 – Lightpen / Graphics Interface Card1 PROM Harris 7603 2 PROMs Harris 7611 CMI-02 – Master Card2 PROMs Harris 7611 Q133 – Processor Control Card2 EPROMs 2516 QFC9 – Floppy Disk […]