I'm Building a Fairlight CMI: Episode 16

Cris Blyth is a brave man. He has a dream of taking a Fairlight MFX and upgrading it to a Fairlight CMI Series III. In this episode, Cris gives up on screen printing the front panel, and instead enlists laser beams to do the work. The result is incredibly wonderful. At least until the end of the episode.
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[@rpaxton7706]

Observing how you created the front plate reminded me of a quote from one of Midnight Oil’s songs … “You make it work with sticks and bones”, and from another point in the song “You make it work with rocks and sand”. So you kept with the Australian tradition of ingenuity and perseverance, much as the original designers of the Fairlight did. Brilliant!

[@mitduschzentrale]

Love the project. Best regards from Germany.

[@russellyoung6498]

Awesome Cris, you are a man driven!

[@ZapAndersson]

So gloriously nerdy ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@CrisBlyth]

Isn't it !!! How ya doing man ! :)

[@videomove]

“when you make something, it‘s a thing“ - loving this, such a fantastic project - deeply impressed! ⭐️👌🏼

[@CrisBlyth]

Thank you.. it somehow became much more 'real' with that simple front panel !

[@marcpinion]

We all dressed of having a fairlight iii. Just fantastic

[@CrisBlyth]

I dreamed about being dressed, but then I woke up naked ! oh ! :)

[@HFqTV]

thank you for a next nice CMI Build Video 👍

[@CrisBlyth]

Why thank you for watching ! :)

[@HFqTV]

​@@CrisBlyth because I'm always happy when there's a new video you have a nice way of documenting it ... I've subscribed to your ​Cris Blyth youtube channel too now :)

[@distantcomets]

What a bonkers journey you've taken us on! The pride and joy in this video is sooooo earned! Glad to be watching this series...

[@6581punk]

I know from doing embroidered patterns on cloth with my Brother machine that it is often easier to add the pattern onto the material and then cut it. Rather than cut it and spend ages getting the alignment right.

[@CrisBlyth]

I was super slow getting the alignment.. I think I had the video at 50,000% speed ! However, I only had one chance !

[@Soren_Marodoren]

Yes, you are back!. I have been missing you.

[@CrisBlyth]

awww.. bless ya ! Work got in the way.. :) but I am indeed back !

[@seanconnell4710]

That was amazing Cris, so gutted for you that you've got to start the panel again, but you keep smiling fella, loving this journey 😉

[@MeeBilt]

Great job with the frontpanel! I've been thinking of getting myself a laser cutter/engraver too and now I realise that I need to have one 😁 Learning new things is about trying and failing - you will nail it for sure on the second try 👍

[@CrisBlyth]

I've since made quite a few lovely things with the laser.. it's bonkers fun and doing wood Mandalas is really quite satisfying ! I'd definitely recommend getting one !

[@6581punk]

Me too. Although the Brother Scan n Cut machines are also very handy. Done a load of t-shirts and stickers with mine.

[@StupidTuberDude]

Awesome Chris! I followed you along this project, watched every episode and I just love your enthusiasm!

[@CrisBlyth]

Thank you ! I'm really glad you liked the episodes ! and there's more to come too !

[@StupidTuberDude]

@@CrisBlyth I'm ready if you are!

[@ReneKnuvers74rk]

It would be nice if you could share the type of laser cutting engraving hardware you are using. Yours seems quite capable! Oh and congrats on the fabulous end result. Nice to see you getting all excited on the front plate. Can only imagine how freaked out you will be when the unit is completed and fully functioning.

[@CrisBlyth]

You’re right ! I’ll ask the Syntaur guys to add the name. It was an Ortur Master Pro 2 I believe. There are newer models from Ortur, and they seem to be very popular.

[@DynamicRockers]

32:00 This panel looks so good, congrats for the awesome work and dedication!

[@6581punk]

It also looks more vintage being less than 100% black.

[@CrisBlyth]

I agree.. and it's not even quite white, but 'off' white. There IS a very famous Black CMI out there.. There was only ever one Black CMI, and it's made many a famous 80's song.. owned by 'Stock, Aitken & Waterman'

[@KeirMurphy]

Really good episode Cris.

[@videomove]

yours a phreak! 🤩

[@CrisBlyth]

yeah ! I am.. I also get called 'insane' a lot and also, 'why' :) hehehe. more insanity to come soon !

[@videomove]

i absolutely love it! freaks rule...

[@zzzudio]

Love your dedication, I knew exactly how you felt when you noticed the stripes in the print. Take your time, it's worth overcoming this frustrating moment. The end results will be great. All the best from Germany!

[@CrisBlyth]

I really appreciate this. There's still so much to go, but definitely in a good place now ! still more episodes to make somehow !

[@mattierenton701]

YESSSSS absolutely loved the journey, seeing you learn (and sometimes not learn !!) from your mistakes has been a real joy to behold. Its been really amazing being taken along on the journey, just seeing you light up, smile and laugh it really is a wonderful moment and thankyou Chris !!

[@CrisBlyth]

I do a lot of 'not learning' and there's even more 'not learning' coming up in future episodes (as you might have seen in the 'up next' section. It makes me really happy to read comments like yours, and it's continuing to be quite a journey !

[@bhamadicharef]

there was a Kodak moment right there !

[@CrisBlyth]

It was definitely a moment to remember ! :)

[@eugenioarpayoglou]

Hey! I'm in Uruguay, and yes you said it correctly. Uruguay is actually the name if the river, the country's official name is La Republica Oriental del Uruguay (the republic east of the Uruguay [river]). The word "Uruguay" comes from the indigenous Guaraní language and translates to "river of painted birds."

[@CrisBlyth]

I had the most fantastic shoot, with an amazing local crew. I wish I could have stayed for weeks longer, such a lovely memorable time !

[@trancytimbo]

Hello from the land of the Fairlight 🦘 The last part of the video was lightning fast, do you think the special etching paint/surface wasn’t fully removed and then interacted with the gloss coat somehow? Have loved every minute of this series Cris, likely because I’ve been fascinated with the instrument ever since I saw it as a young kid in the 80’a on Sesame Street. Awesome stuff!

[@CrisBlyth]

Yes ! it did react and I really thought that I had rinsed off, but I love come to understand how much I have to clean and rinse and let it dry.. however, I have learned a lot :) and the proof of that will be shown soon ! :) glad you’ve liked the series.. and I think I’ve got quite a few more episodes before I call this out be done ! :)

[@videomove]

was the soundtrack already made with your fairlight? it sounds nice! 👌🏼

[@CrisBlyth]

I make the beginning and end tracks for sure, I can't remember if I used any of my tracks on this episode ! but there will be CMI tracks on an episode soon !

[@NeilAFawcett]

Noooooooooo! After all that work and love the plate print failed :(

[@CrisBlyth]

there is another……. :)

[@deastman2]

What is that handheld tool you’re using with the laser etcher?

[@craigie13]

I trust you never made airfix models as a child. You're the most impatient person ever.... 😜😜😜

[@CrisBlyth]

oh I made so many, I loved making them.. I just need things to keep up :). As soon as I put something in the microwave, after 2 seconds I'm like 'COME ON ALREADY' :)

[@Sinapsya]

Hi I'm Fabio from rome, can you write me the name ho you laser print? Can I use it for print vinyl plastic?

[@CrisBlyth]

Yes it's the Ortur Master Pro 2. However they now have a 'Master Pro 3' version which looks MUCH better !