Fairlight CMI

5.0 (7)

1 Critic Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated May 14, 2026

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£119.00

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One of the world's first music workstations, the Fairlight Computer Musical Instrument (CMI) paved the way for modern music production with its unprecedented multitimbral capabilities and convincing ability to emulate various instruments. After its introduction in 1979, the CMI quickly became a studio staple (despite its nearly $100,000 price tag), appearing in everything from "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" by Tears for Fears to the "Miami Vice" soundtrack.

Videos

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Fred Koke

Herbie Hancock jams with his Fairlight CMI

Fred Koke

Some Fairlight CMI IIX Sounds

Perfect Circuit

How the Fairlight CMI changed the course of music

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age

Herbie Demonstrates the Fairlight CMI Synthesizer on Sesame Street, 1983

Herbie Hancock

Kate Bush and the Fairlight CMI

Manuella Blackburn

The Fairlight CMI: Mother of All Samplers

Fuzz City Records

1980: The Sound of the FUTURE! With the Fairlight CMI | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive

BBC Archive

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Critic Reviews

Fairlight CMI Review (EMM Jun 81)

muzines.co.uk

The Fairlight CMI is a groundbreaking digital instrument praised for its innovative approach to sound synthesis and sampling, offering capabilities that were ahead of its time. Its user interface, which includes a light pen for waveform drawing, sets it apart from competitors, allowing for deep sound manipulation. However, its high price tag and complexity mean it's best suited for dedicated musicians and studios rather than casual users. While it's a powerful tool for creative sound design, the learning curve and lack of traditional music notation support could be a drawback for some. Overall, a remarkable but niche piece of equipment.

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Roger Limb

Keyboardist, Composer

Verified

Roger Limb was documented using the Fairlight CMI in the early 1980s, as shown in the Radiophonic Workshop Gallery.

Masamichi Amano

Composer

Verified via 音楽っていいなぁ、を毎日に。｜ Webマガジン「ONTOMO」

Masamichi Amano, a composer known for his work in classical and contemporary music, began learning computer-aided composition at an early age. After completing his studies, he moved to Australia, where he became the first Japanese person to master the Fairlight CMI, as detailed in an interview featured on the web magazine ONTOMO.