Fairlight-CMI

Hi group,

Glad that you are liking the files.  I would also (publicly) like to 
thank Laurent for hosting the files and Colin for starting the group!

The background to the video is as follows:

The BBC was quite progressive in the mid 80's when it transmitted a 
number of Computer Music programs.  This one was called Micro Live 
and used to feature BBC computers and Sinclair Spectrums and the 
like.  They did a Special which was basically the history of 
synthesisers around 1984 or 1985.  I recorded this program on Betamax 
at the time (when I was 14 or 15).  I recently discovered the tape 
and having bought a Betamax player from eBay set about rediscovering 
my youth (you do this when your 34 married with two kids!).

I foolishly recorded over part of it with Philip Glass's 
Koyaanisqatsi (spelling?).  What was left had Bob Moog demonstrating 
a Minimoog.  I have converted this to a clip for the 
The_Lords_of_the_Mini yahoo group.  If you are interested in that you 
can download that - Divx format again.  It also had Francis Monkman 
(Sky, Curved Air) demonstrating a Prophet 5 - I have that as a clip 
too.  One of the main parts was at Martin Rushent's studio (Human 
League, Associates, Then Jericho) showing the recording process with 
Then Jericho on the Synclavier system and Linn Drum.

Kendal Wrightson then went on to demonstrate a complete song recorded 
live in 1 min using a Linn 9000 and a DX1.  A Kurzweil 250 also 
feature.  The room that the Fairlight was in must have a GBP100,000 
worth of gear in it at the time (1985).

There was a lot of boring stuff about how the Musician's Union was 
upset at samplers believing (correctly?) that their livelihood was 
threatened.

On another note, about two to three years ago I remember and recorded 
a program I think was called "The Shape Of Things That Hum".  It was 
a 10 min short program generally about synths and the bands that use 
them but one of the features was the Fairlight.  They had Nick Rhodes 
telling us about his Series III and how unreliable it was.  I don't 
have that recording any more but that I think it is a testament to 
the fact that Nick Rhodes wasn't very good and the Fairlight wasn't 
shown that much.  I certainly remember it as a bit disappointing!

Do any other UK members remember this?

Chris