The Fairlight was introduced in 1980 as the first true sampling keyboard. The first two models used a cool light pen, but they often broke so a graphics tablet was used in subsequent keyboards. They were expensive - $25,000 for the earliest models, sometimes over $100,000 for later ones. Components alone cost the manufacturers almost as much as the sticker price. Despite this, they didn't even have 16-bit sound (CD quality) until the mid-80's. Around this time, Ensoniq introduced the Mirage for $2000 (I bought mine used in 1990 for $400) signaling the end of Fairlight.
Peter Gabriel was among the first two people to get his hands on it (the other being Stevie Wonder, the Rasta-Toad). This informative clip shows him collecting samples for his brilliant fourth album.
and for an example of how you shouldn't overuse a gimmick, here's an enjoyable piece of detritus from Jean Michel Jarre. Lance introduced me to this, and it can best be described as "Fairlight rape":
By my estimation, a used, functioning Fairlight sells for about 3% of its original price. Never buy digital equipment as an investment, folks.
February 25, 2008
RetroTech: The Fairlight CMI
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5 comments:
The Fairlight served as the grandfather of all digital samplers, and the Jarre video served as the template for all first-year student digital effects demo reels. "Wow! Look! You can do THIS to the video! Hit record! Wow! And you can do THIS to the video, too! Hit record again!"
God, it just gets worse and worse. Jarre REALLY should consider never making a film or video for his music ever again. He's made some music which I've liked, but the visuals are intolerable. For example...
The Gabriel interview is pretty fun. It reminds me of how fun it was to play around with my old Casio SK-1 sampling keyboard in the mid 80s.
I almost mentioned the SK-1 in the post, but didn't want to go off on too many tangents. I bought it as soon as it came out, in 1986, for $100 retail. They currently close for $40 on ebay, because they're as desirable as the Furby or the Speak & Spell among geeks who are into "circuit-bending", a hobby I've picked up recently. I plan on getting a couple of them soon.
And yeah, Gabriel's fourth album is far more immersive and atmospheric than anything he did before or since.
I do still have both my SK-1 and SK-5 back at my folks place. I should probably just give them to you.
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