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National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive

Fairlight CMI by Peter Vogel and Kim Ryrie

1979

Fairlight CMI by Peter Vogel and Kim Ryrie

1979

    The Fairlight CMI was the world's first polyphonic digital sampling synthesizer, invented in 1979 by Peter Vogel and Kim Ryrie, based on a dual-6800 microprocessor created by Tony Furse in Sydney. The Fairlight grew to become one of the most widely-used synthesizers in music, being used by musicians from Kate Bush to Brian Eno, and film and television composers such as Peter Best.

    Fairlight samples became ubiquitous in 1980s pop music.

    The Fairlight CMI was the world's first polyphonic digital sampling synthesizer, invented in 1979 by Peter Vogel and Kim Ryrie, based on a dual-6800 microprocessor created by Tony Furse in Sydney. The Fairlight grew to become one of the most widely-used synthesizers in music, being used by musicians from Kate Bush to Brian Eno, and film and television composers such as Peter Best.

    Fairlight samples became ubiquitous in 1980s pop music.

    • Creators
      Peter Vogel and Kim Ryrie
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