I'm Building a Fairlight CMI: Episode 0

Cris Blyth is a brave man. He has a dream of taking a Fairlight MFX and upgrading it to a Fairlight CMI Series III. He's not worried that these machines are tremendously complex, quite rare, have not been made since the 1980s, and cost huge amounts of money back then. He's not worried that the few existing experts on Fairlights strongly recommended that he not attempt this. Will he make mistakes? Absolutely. Will he succeed? We're not sure. But either way, it will be a fun journey.
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[@Doctormix]

I'm officially hooked to this channel. This video is great. Well done Cris. this is very very good.

[@CrisBlyth]

Heeeeeyyy ! I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying them, more to come too !!

[@migueleq]

Hi Claudio nice surprise!

[@nachom1971]

Revisiting this episode!

[@ForgottenMachines]

Hey...Chris...we've met...with Perifractic! (this is AJ!) And so great that you're re-creating a version of this vintage awesome machine! So cool...keep it up, great work!

[@RetroRecipes]

Great content and Cris is very watchable. Keep ‘em coming!

[@adonaldson]

I knew I recognised him from somewhere!

[@markusfuller]

what a fantastic project, I wish you every success.

[@Quasam]

All my youtube heroes has commented this video. I was kinda confused at first seeing a face from RR on Syntaur, but this is looking great! Keep it coming.

[@CrisBlyth]

It is an amazing confluence ! If that’s the right word :) It seems like we share the same interests !

[@adastra123]

That's brilliant!!!! Watching from Ireland. I was ( still am ) a synth fanatic. Always fascinated by the fairlight. These to me were mythical electronic beasts from a world I would never come close to. That was years ago and the fascination has not jaded or tired. I love what you are doing. The more mistakes the better. I wish you so much the best of luck and fun with it. I am over 50 and still have a child like interest in this stuff.

[@noccy80]

Look up "qasarbeach", its a software recreation of the CMI IIx. No custom hardware, sexy knobs or light pens, but the nostalgia is there for sure!

[@adastra123]

@@noccy80 lol. Thanks, I absolutely will do. Cheers again.

[@Syntaur]

Cris joined us in Episode 23 of Talking Synth's to discuss more about the Fairlight CMI. He talks about his crazy adventures and much more!

[@Odnanref0MASTER]

Great video! Thank You for this. Really looking forward to seeing the unfolding of this Project.

[@wokacola6663]

With you bro!

[@Wizardofgosz]

I bet CuriousMarc and his posse would be interested in this project as well.

[@sebastiaandonga7678]

“And his posse” 🤣🤣🤣 yeah like the gangster Marc is

[@GEOSynths]

This is great, thanks for documenting it :)

[@Simon-ui6db]

Nice to see a Casio WK1800 in your kenya studio.

[@CrisBlyth]

yeah ! it’s surprisingly capable ! it was also my first midi controller for my CMI !

[@wilsonjaksetic6009]

Incredible stuff!! Thanks for embarking on this journey with us!

[@markarca6360]

Fairlight is now a part of Blackmagic Design, an Australian manufacturer of professional A/V and film capture/post-production equipment.

[@CrisBlyth]

What’s up woh all these Australian companies doing such amazing innovative things ! :)

[@bwdnz]

Wow! This insane, great job guys.

[@somedude5414]

Great storytelling. Amazing story.

[@lavoltabbona]

Back in the day I trashed a Roland D70 just trying to replace the LCD display so I have no idea how the hell a guy could do something like that... Good luck! Will follow 💪🏻

[@TheSynthnut]

What an amazing project! Best of luck to you, your enthusiasm is so refreshing, really hope it comes off.

[@CereyanliMusiki]

You are a brave soul. Keep up the attitude . I will be following this journey with excitement 👍

[@eichisama]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing - really looking forward to see where this goes!

[@brimslegworth5826]

So Excited to watch your Journey!! So fun!!

[@alextirrellRI]

I didn't realize there was CMI equipment this modern looking.

[@Fluxwithit]

This is so great. This is one of those projects I would take on then hate myself for doing .... but love that I did it. With so much frustration. Perfect for living vicariously through! Cant wait to follow this journey.

[@Rhythmattica]

RESPECT! Mate, Fairdinkum brilliant... This is gonna be a ride. One day ill post what happened to 3 MFX's that where destroyed as trades. Totally gut wrenching.

[@dosgos]

Exciting video! Can't wait to see this project execution.

[@roginator1]

great project!

[@delskioffskinov]

O.M.G. for this is the greatest synth ever made! I know it's controversial but my all time favourite songs were made on this machine! Mate! I will watch every second of this! Thank You for giving this synth some love!

[@juno6]

Good luck!!!! fingers crossed!

[@jimmy_jamesjams_a_lot4171]

The FairLight has been something of a far off time where I was too young to be trusted to touch anything with light pens and monochrome monitors! I have vague recollections of trying to make 3D images on a VAX 1000 or VMS terminal running CAD/CAM at 3M where my father worked. That had a light pen, and it’s hardware took up I believe 30% of the whole floor, stuffed inside a room that had a small set of stairs that led to that platform where hardware sat atop, wiring and all running beneath this raised platform. All manner of noises in that room. “And THAT is the computer, the little thing you were sitting at is just a node or a desk workspace that gives you access to the actual computer in here...”! I’m really eager to learn about the different FairLight models and why you’re really excited about the CMI. It’s a full on digital multi tracker, where your other setup is only a sampling workstation? It does seem like a massive undertaking. There’s a guy somewhere in the Olde World who’s been playing with old Cray computers. You remind me a bit of him. Always nice to know people have ambitions and time to chase their dreams! Very inspirational, THANKS for sharing!!

[@CrisBlyth]

wow ! that’s a cool story you have there ! Yes, Fairlight made different models and their roadmap did vary to keep up with the marketplace. Their later models only did multitracking but they were REALLY good at it. So I also have one of those that I’m going to keep in its original condition. With any luck I might get them to work together ??!! :) If I get this one working ! I’m glad you’re enjoying the series !

[@_P_M_]

Something about Fairlight. I expect anybody working on one to be wearing a labcoat and require security clearance to enter the room.

[@TheWarhammerfreak]

Excited for the new series!!! I love this channel so much

[@Osmankabir]

Wow! This is a must see!

[@FLH3official]

Great video, what an adventure and a nice project. I wait impatiently for the next episodes!

[@SyncdAlien]

Loving it! Liked & shared!

[@Veptis]

I kinda hopes this episode 0 would give some overview of the task. Especially to some viewers that might not be as familiar with all the equipment. My only contact to Fairlight is what is put into DaVinci Resolve nos.

[@MarcWeertsMusic]

Very cool project!

[@MrMargaretScratcher]

"Hmmm this guy sounds a bit like the guy who had the Team 17 Amigas with the Worms 3D animations on... Oh wait it *is* him!"

[@CrisBlyth]

just li'l old meee. :)

[@CallousCoder]

I pondered for a while… 20 seconds. It would probably have been cheaper for Criss to immigrate back to Scotland and pick up that machine than ship it over :)

[@mitfreundlichengrussen1234]

This will be fun - in my ears, it is the best-sounding digital device ever built. (the MFX is the closest you can get to a 2" tape machine) Cheers.

[@alunroberts1439]

Looks like fun would love to have a bash

[@kabongpope]

Haha, amazing! I am here for the journey! :)

[@Wagoo]

Good luck! Should be an adventure :)

[@midiot777]

Good luck - I just subscribe to follow your journey. Thanks from Vegas

[@nonyobiz-records]

too good of a project to not do it!!!! Awesome and great work mate!

[@paulhorsley8922]

Good luck with your project,I have a set of good screwdrivers if you need them 😂

[@smiljanicn]

CRIS from Team 17!!! How my subs are all linked and know each other!? Perifractic, Cris, Syntaur guys!

[@CrisBlyth]

hehehe you are one of a select few ! but yes!, the crazy connections exist :) wow !

[@PlasticCogLiquid]

One of the Worms guys? :P Hell yes!

[@FelixDegenaar]

Yep, I'm hooked. And subbed.

[@theceruleandolphin2829]

Banging!

[@mikaelostberg3539]

Hell yeah! Can I borrow it when you're done? I need it to write my hit.

[@kerzwhile]

This is so bad ass!! 😯😉

[@mootbooxle]

This is cool!

[@stanislavzalevskyi3968]

That's going to be an interesting story... subscribed)

[@jorgeegrojjorge]

I love this channel 👍😯

[@thesynthfloyd]

Wooooow!

[@WarrenPostma]

Yer insane and I love it.

[@HappyHackingVideoBlog]

I LOVE THIS! I think I perfectly understand (due to my own crazy-tinkerer personality) how you feel while coming up with these mad projects inside your mind. And then suddenly making online orders for computer parts! :-D With a convoluted plan in mind I've just bough a couple of Technics SX-KN5000 keyboards last week :-P And I already own one of these in perfect working conditions since 1996!

[@CrisBlyth]

I think it’s perfectly fine to purchase more cos the original Technics now won’t be lonely :) I’m glad you’re enjoying the series !

[@HappyHackingVideoBlog]

@@CrisBlyth I've relocated to London. Just bought yet another KN5000. Now I have 5 of them! LOL

[@copperstaterocketguy1640]

You should have John Lawry from the christian band Petra on your channel.. He was one of the first to use a Fairlite.. See "Petra..Captured in Time and Space.. His "Jesus Loves You" solo was mind blowing in 1985 and still manages to amaze..

[@CrisBlyth]

just watched that, impressive !

[@CrisBlyth]

just watched that, impressive !

[@retro-dademusic6403]

Cool

[@6581punk]

People are producing Amiga and C64 motherboards now, brand new ones. So why not Fairlight? :)

[@CrisBlyth]

exactly !! :)

[@CrisBlyth]

@gridsleep those are all very true points. However, for me the excitement is figuring out these things as I’m going along. Also, I really enjoy the journey when making music with a CMI. Nowadays there is so much more modern tech, with thousands of patches etc However the upsurge in all the analog synths being remade, and the euro rack movement shows that there’s an interest in people discovering their own sounds, on their own journey. Even my iPad is miles more powerful and capable than any CMI, but that’s not the point for me. I like the restrictions when using a CMI, and I’ve make many commercials in the last few years with my ‘proper’ CMI in Kenya. It’s simply fun to use, and it still sounds amazing. So, for me, and I’d say anyone who likes old synths and retro tech, nostalgia IS what is used to be, and kinda why we’re watching this channel.

[@CrisBlyth]

@gridsleep typo, edited.

[@CrisBlyth]

@gridsleep yes, that can come after the building part. :)

[@CrisBlyth]

@gridsleep hehe. and now I’m thinking about refraction :) hmm FFT ?

[@Daphoid]

The one thing this video is missing is an intro. I'm a synth guy, but I'm in my 30's whereas I suspect a lot folks have 10-40 years on me. In short, I have no idea what a CMI is or why its awesome. The video editing is definitely a step up for sure from the (100% fine and serviceable mind!) stuff from the channel. I will say though, Sam does pause a bit to explain /why/ a holy grail synth he's going after is as such. Other then an a lacking intro, the journey is awesome!

[@CrisBlyth]

Good call and that’s totally my fault ! I actually removed the intro as I felt it went on a bit and incorrectly assumed it was superfluous. Perhaps we can add this into Episode 2 ? - thanks for the feedback :)

[@Daphoid]

@@CrisBlyth Sounds awesome Chris, I look forward to it. I'm sure it'll amp up my enthusiasm. I'm an IT guy so a lot of that synth looks like 80's computer hardware to me so I'm super curious to what makes this so unique (like when folks dream about an ARP 2600 or a Juno. Thanks!

[@slipknotboy555]

@@Daphoid To be fair (not bragging, that'd be stupid), I'm 25 and already knew what a CMI was. I have for some time. I think it's more about interest than age, heh

[@gonzinigonz]

This could well end up being up there with the Apollo guidance computer restoration :)

[@CrisBlyth]

I’m happy I’m not the only one that round the Apollo computer restoration fascinating ! :)

[@coolelectronics1759]

Thats dope. Its so crazy Im basically sitting infront of a modern equivalent of that! Only I wish I was a coder. I have a dream of making a imbedded x86 os that can be put on any pc and booted from that turns it into a dedicated appliance for creating music. Even if I cant make the sofware singlehandedly, maybe I can get a community involved in the idea and build on what the cmi left off on. I know it can be done, yes there will be possible many issues along the way but look, there is a bunch of similar ideas already out that work for other building other x86 appliances, e.g take a look at retro pie, libreelec, I would like to make something like that but for music

[@coolelectronics1759]

oh yeah and I would make it and it's source code open source, I am a strong believer in the idea that everyone should have access to the gift of music

[@videomove]

nice!

[@Bishka100]

"I'm building a Fairlight CMI"... And I thought you were going to build it from scratch :-))

[@CrisBlyth]

Well, yeah :) you’re right, I had no idea the cage would arrive, but as you’ll see, there’s a LOT of things about to happen, and a lot of work to be done !

[@Bishka100]

@@CrisBlyth I think you should build it from scratch... Using valves (tubes). OK, it would be the size of a four-bedroom house and use as mush power as a small town, but so what! :-)

[@CrisBlyth]

@@Bishka100 I agree ! I think tubes are too modern though I was thinking binary encoded spinning flint disks to produce sparks. :) 8 bedroom house, plus garage.

[@jmp01a24]

Cool. Like watching an award winning tv series on HBO, what a great plot and setup. I really want to watch the next episode. Also when seeing the Syntaur connection: "Yep! We know them" :) The guys that knows synths.

[@koalemos1679]

YASSS

[@krokodile63]

Really like this vidz, also really love your baseball cape! which team is it?

[@CrisBlyth]

Oh my cap ! It’s my friend who makes the ‘original handlebar jack’ is a thing you put your on your bike handlebars when repairing a puncture, and it protects your lights and phone holder from getting all squashed into the ground. :) the logo is a representation of his bread & face !

[@PORRFNK]

Cooooooooooooool

[@marcbrasse747]

A short selection of redundant but at the same time unavoidable (bad) jokes: "But, but, but I've got a Fairlight as well. It's in my Arturia V-collection folder!" "Is it really a Ferrari 250 if it does not have matching chassis and engine numbers?" "I think your collection of CMI's is unevenly spread over the world, sir. Maybe you should contact one Mr. Vogel in Australia for a third one."

[@marcelofp75]

I want to see this

[@GNeuman]

No expert, but the cutoff point for synths entering the digital age must be the PPG?

[@GNeuman]

@gridsleep wow, thanks for that..actually, my comment is way off.

[@NTRSN-Archive]

waaww

[@nielswil]

Next: build the Korg Oasys.

[@nielswil]

@gridsleep How is the polyphony? I want to build a pc into a vintage Roland MKB 300 midi controller and make a 'poor man' Oasys. If i can find a OASYS-PCI (i live in Europe) i have a 'better poor man' Oasys.

[@user-eg4zk5ko3o]

Can you build me one!!!!! Haha

[@g-starthefirst]

Where can I see the video where you saw “CMI/MFX”?

[@Hey_Moustache]

At 1minute 16seconds on the boot screen

[@g-starthefirst]

@@Hey_Moustache no, I saw that. He said that he made a separate video.

[@Hey_Moustache]

@@g-starthefirst ah my apologies! :)

[@CrisBlyth]

Yes, I realized that I didn’t post it on KZbin, but on the CMI Facebook users group. I’ll dig it up and post it on KZbin also ! :) more videos soon too !

[@mm-hl7gh]

..your old keyboard got a bit old you say ? a bit inconsistent ? so so .. ;)

[@mgabrysSF]

You're mad. Don't stop.

[@snoolee7950]

Sears is gone.

[@BobbyGeneric145]

WHY!? So much work for such antiquated gear!

[@CrisBlyth]

This is a synth restoration channel, so, there’s lots of this here :)

[@MolloyPolloy]

It's history and needs to be preserved. Also videos like this are instructional for other users.

[@menahemd]

Can I be invited to stave's shad ?

[@funkytransport]

do i hear a Scottish accent? :)

[@darkwinter6028]

AAAHHH!!! STOP!!! Those plastic tables are HORRIBLE for sensitive electronics! Get a wooden tabletop (a sheet of plywood or MDF from Home Depot or Lowes will work… doesn’t have to be fancy) and get an anti-static kit from Amazon or eBay. That should consist of an anti static mat, a grounding cable, and an anti static wrist strap with a 1 megaohm resistor in it’s cable (which is for safety in case you accidentally touch something with live mains power on it - the resistor keeps large currents from flowing across your body, but can still discharge any static electricity that you are carrying to ground). A kit should run about $20USD or so.