Hey BM! Indeed, the best thing about the Fairlight is there are no custom chips! Keeping them alive while a challenge should be possible into the future :D
I owned a Series IIx between 1987 and 1988 (when I traded up to the Series III) It was Alan Parson's and even came with original sequences and samples for his track Mamagamma, Close to the Edit by Art of Noise and Frankie's Two Tribes. Great to see you tackle this beast and follow your progress.
Wow, I am almost as excited as you are watching this instrument come together. An amazing piece of modern technology! Thank you so much for sharing your fun. Cheers
great to see someone taking the time to keep these things running. :) 45kg isn't the upper limit of what someone can lift but it may be a weight you don't want to carry indefinitely.
Hi, you're great, I'm only happy with the Fair light case from the first series. I know more from Sinclaiver than I hope to have one day but for now I'm happy to see you restore these wonders, greetings from Italy
I also watched the Tommorows World edition when they showed off the Fairlight CMI, I was amazed, it put my analogue synths to shame, I realised straightaway that I could sample my analogue patches and even play them as a poly sound, when I heard how much they cost my heart sunk, 5 years later I was working in a studio that used to hire one, and with an operator, then 2 years after that they bought one and I used it as often as possible during down time, I still have my disks to this day, most of my stuff was converted to be used on my Akai samplers. I loved that original keyboard that the CMI used, they were built like a tank!
I remember watching the Fairlight on TW. I went on to work with computers and digital music a few years later for a brief period. The Fairlight inspired my career at that time before moving into computers and electronics. Fantastic finding your channel and restoration.
You are a complete legend! Love your commitment and skills…and the videos….having spent a lot of time with Fairlights in the past I find this mind boggling! JPMusic
Michael, Great to see your dedication to this project. I don’t think I’ve got enough mental stamina left to accept such a mission but I’m enjoying watching you breathe life into this historic beast. ❤
Thanks Jonathan, I was telling Quentin Goldfinch only the other week there were some dark moments of deep frustration while trying to get things to work, he said it was pretty much the same when he was designing the voice cards haha :D
2:07 you might find video’s about ‘reforming capacitors’ informative. This simple process restores the way these electrolytic caps get their polarization.
I feel your pain with the cards in the chassis. I have a Series III, and getting the cards in is a pain, but much worse is getting them out! Always stressed with those black plastic tabs. 😬Great video. Looking forward to more. 😊
I found a trick that makes them a lot easier to insert. Remove the top cover of the CMI , grasp the frame with your hand and then do simiar at the bottom and then use your thumbs to push the cards in. You will find some how the seat a lot easier :D I'll show it in a later video!
What a fascinating project this is turning into. I remember the same Tomorrow’s World episode vividly, it was an astonishing demo. I worked in the computing industry not long afterwards, but computing and music only occasionally converged for me. Thank you and best of luck.
LOVING THIS. My brother and I used to save our pennies and go rent the CMI by the hour at Ryrie house in rushcutters bay in their practice studio. we achieved probably nothing, but at the time having hands on access to the beast was like drinking from the holy grail. Until the Ensoniq Mirage came out at least lol.
Good one Mike, Fairlight CMI Restoration, Just shows back in the good old days An amazing piece of modern technology. Look forward to part 3 :) ( Rob H
Crazy to think you could fit it all on a $3,= MCU nowadays and have better specs to boot haha This is a really cool project! Always been fascinated with the CMI's, even if they were "just" samplers. It was quite the revolution in how music was made back in the day!
You beauty! Very excited to see how this journey develops. Keen to see anything about that CVI Compact in the background too 👀 Been trying to get mine in good order on and off for a few years, just about everything but the frame hold works so suspect a dud memory chip somewhere. Always a fun process!
The machine that created most of the soundtrack for my journey from boyhood to manhood. Can't wait to see the next installment! I also remember the Tomorrow's World episode.
Lovey video, thanks for posting this; I can't help wondering why you didn't turn in on and try it out before disassembling, unseating all the boards, cleaning, etc.
The damage that could of been done was not worth the risk. As is its months of work to get it functional. Lets just say my fears play out in a coming episode ! ! ! ! ! ! :D
LOL at Cris's wooden Rule! I later found a trick to save my thumbs a little (after the first day of trying to put the cards in I was in pain for about 2 days). DEC PDP 11/23 with two RL02 drives! Fully working. The exploded cap you see in the clip is from the PDP power distribution system. :D
Great progress! I'm now going to have to play around with Qasar Beach, the entirely software emulated Fairlight recreation. I installed it ages ago, but haven't found the time to actually use it.
If you take the key out of the back of the cabinet, you can likely separate the plug and tumblers from the the barrel. Then just take the tumblers out and it can be turned with a screwdriver
@@100ThingsIDo Oh yes...I met Jo Hammer when he worked for Simmons Drums...The friend who made my laser harp is a friend of Michel Geiss...I'm a music teacher (conservatories in the area of Paris) and during my studies, I had a teacher (Normal school of music of Paris) who was the piano teacher of Jean-Michel Jarre...(they didn't like them together !) But your restoration project is amazing...A question: How does your fairlight cost ? Before restoration ? All the best...
@@laserharpevents Wonderful, Paris is such a great city. I paid about half of what a fully restored system sells for these days (check the current auction on eBay). I was very lucky that the person selling the Fairlight was also a member of our Fairlight group on facebook so he gave me a very good deal. Michel Geiss is an amazing person. DIGISEQUENCER :D Indeed, Jo was very passionate about Simmons still, he still thought the SD-X was amazing :D
In my dining room as I do this you will see my Northstar S100 system, Synclavier mainrame, PDP-11/23 mini computer (with two working RL02 drives) and my trusty Apple IIe and IIgs :D
They don’t make ‘em like they used to. Far out… paint it gunmetal grey and it wouldn’t look out of place on a navy ship! Bonus feature, I imagine it’ll keep your house warm during winter. Any idea how much power this thing draws? For the key, I imagine any locksmith could cut a key for that keyway if you take the cylinder to them, if you want to have the switch functional as-built.
I am confused: The wiring on the switch is modern with brown and blue. However, in Australia wiring was red and black until 2018. That would mean this has been rewired at some point. This could have happend in Europe since the wiring in the UK is brown and blue since somewhere around 2006.
UK wiring for appliances (flexible cables) has been blue / brown since the early 70s. It was only fixed wiring (in building walls etc) that changed much later in 2006.
@@ChipGuyAh ok, I don't know when appliances in Australia changed to the blue / brown code but I would imagine, like in the UK, it was earlier than fixed wiring just because of the practicalities for import / export.... someone from Australia will tell us :-)
100% looks like original loomed cables, Kim was right at the heart of Eletronics in Australia at the time so possibly they were aiming for the 'modern' spec! :D
It's more I don't have much use for one as most of the work I do is low voltage or has PSU's that don't go well when undervolted. And yes I am cheap ... thats why the Fairlight is so broken and I did not purchase a fully restored one haha! :D Yes, I ran the Fairlight PSU for a while with only a very light load to allow the Caps to 'reform' :D
I'm twitching, almost zero real ESD precautions on such a precious beast.... sigh.... no straps, walking around handling cards. Sitting the cards inside a giant static generator (big plastic tub!) on top of ESD shielding bags is a nice idea but.. I remember dreaming about what it would be like to own a CMI when they came out. Be great to see it running.
Sorry! The Fairlight is huge and yes I should be more ESD aware. Limited equipment and (as you can see) no workshop to set up correctly is the biggest challenge :D
I'm loving watching these videos of yours about this legendary piece of hardware!! Thanks
I am so glad there are people out there willing to preserve this old gear and not just the 'analogue classics'.
Fairlight = Mystique!
Hey BM! Indeed, the best thing about the Fairlight is there are no custom chips! Keeping them alive while a challenge should be possible into the future :D
digital... right?
I owned a Series IIx between 1987 and 1988 (when I traded up to the Series III) It was Alan Parson's and even came with original sequences and samples for his track Mamagamma, Close to the Edit by Art of Noise and Frankie's Two Tribes. Great to see you tackle this beast and follow your progress.
Wow, I am almost as excited as you are watching this instrument come together. An amazing piece of modern technology! Thank you so much for sharing your fun. Cheers
A lifetime of lusting over them brings a special joy in brining one back to life :D
great to see someone taking the time to keep these things running. :) 45kg isn't the upper limit of what someone can lift but it may be a weight you don't want to carry indefinitely.
So excited for this project! They mostly finally boot at night, mostly
Hi, you're great, I'm only happy with the Fair light case from the first series. I know more from Sinclaiver than I hope to have one day but for now I'm happy to see you restore these wonders, greetings from Italy
I also watched the Tommorows World edition when they showed off the Fairlight CMI, I was amazed, it put my analogue synths to shame, I realised straightaway that I could sample my analogue patches and even play them as a poly sound, when I heard how much they cost my heart sunk, 5 years later I was working in a studio that used to hire one, and with an operator, then 2 years after that they bought one and I used it as often as possible during down time, I still have my disks to this day, most of my stuff was converted to be used on my Akai samplers.
I loved that original keyboard that the CMI used, they were built like a tank!
I remember watching the Fairlight on TW. I went on to work with computers and digital music a few years later for a brief period. The Fairlight inspired my career at that time before moving into computers and electronics. Fantastic finding your channel and restoration.
Thanks, and I hope you enjoy the future videos :D Indeed the Fairlights were things of such wonder at the time they came out :D
You are a complete legend! Love your commitment and skills…and the videos….having spent a lot of time with Fairlights in the past I find this mind boggling! JPMusic
Thanks, they are still just as creative as they were in their day! Such great music making instruments :D
Thanks for the video. Glad it's going well. 👍
I love watching the project unfold. Thank you for sharing.
Glad you are enjoying it :D
Michael, Great to see your dedication to this project. I don’t think I’ve got enough mental stamina left to accept such a mission but I’m enjoying watching you breathe life into this historic beast. ❤
Thanks Jonathan, I was telling Quentin Goldfinch only the other week there were some dark moments of deep frustration while trying to get things to work, he said it was pretty much the same when he was designing the voice cards haha :D
2:07 you might find video’s about ‘reforming capacitors’ informative. This simple process restores the way these electrolytic caps get their polarization.
nice seeing your patience working with these machines. MPC60 was excellent and this seems to be most promising.
Thanks! MPC is still working like a charm :D
Oh wow! Super excited to follow your journey getting this thing up and running!
Thanks, and thanks for checking out the clip :D
I feel your pain with the cards in the chassis. I have a Series III, and getting the cards in is a pain, but much worse is getting them out! Always stressed with those black plastic tabs. 😬Great video. Looking forward to more. 😊
I found a trick that makes them a lot easier to insert. Remove the top cover of the CMI , grasp the frame with your hand and then do simiar at the bottom and then use your thumbs to push the cards in. You will find some how the seat a lot easier :D I'll show it in a later video!
What a fascinating project this is turning into. I remember the same Tomorrow’s World episode vividly, it was an astonishing demo. I worked in the computing industry not long afterwards, but computing and music only occasionally converged for me. Thank you and best of luck.
Computers and technology was so much more about the hardware than software at that time. Amazing what peope were able to do :D
This was simply awesome. Good luck with the rest of your restoration.
Thanks :D
LOVING THIS. My brother and I used to save our pennies and go rent the CMI by the hour at Ryrie house in rushcutters bay in their practice studio. we achieved probably nothing, but at the time having hands on access to the beast was like drinking from the holy grail. Until the Ensoniq Mirage came out at least lol.
That would of been amazing! Was it in the room with the Neve console ? :D
@ no next door. it was very small room really, hardly anything else in it besides a cmi from memory. lol
Good one Mike, Fairlight CMI Restoration, Just shows back in the good old days An amazing piece of modern technology. Look forward to part 3 :) ( Rob H
As you know they still sound amazing and the workflow is like nothing else :D
Superb content, been looking forward to part 2, keep up the great work!
Thanks :D
Crazy to think you could fit it all on a $3,= MCU nowadays and have better specs to boot haha
This is a really cool project! Always been fascinated with the CMI's, even if they were "just" samplers. It was quite the revolution in how music was made back in the day!
You could, hopefully one day someone will do just that :D You would need to keep the analog sections to keep the sound!
Best show of the holidays.
You beauty! Very excited to see how this journey develops.
Keen to see anything about that CVI Compact in the background too 👀 Been trying to get mine in good order on and off for a few years, just about everything but the frame hold works so suspect a dud memory chip somewhere. Always a fun process!
I have started working on it and made some video, hopefully once the CMI is done :D
Fantastic work - well done indeed. These are a nightmare to work on!
Fortunatly its designed well to allow easy servicing of most things.... D
Awesome. I cant wait till you get into the guts some more.
I’ve been looking forwards to this! Brilliant.
I can never be thankful enough David :D Glad you are getting some entertainment in return for all the stress :D
@ Cheers! Actually fascinating to see you do this. As you say, what great machines in terms of build quality. You see it when they are apart!
Good progress, good luck with the project, can't wait to see the floppy drives up and runnung!
Floppy drives will be a while away, the project takes some inetersting and unexpected turns as it progresses :D
Awesome progress! Keep up the good work!
Cheers
Daniel, host of Eat and Listen channel
Thanks man! hope things are well :D
The machine that created most of the soundtrack for my journey from boyhood to manhood. Can't wait to see the next installment! I also remember the Tomorrow's World episode.
It is just amazing how many places the Sarah.vc sound turns up :D
Lovey video, thanks for posting this; I can't help wondering why you didn't turn in on and try it out before disassembling, unseating all the boards, cleaning, etc.
The damage that could of been done was not worth the risk. As is its months of work to get it functional. Lets just say my fears play out in a coming episode ! ! ! ! ! ! :D
On ebay is a Fairlight IIx for only USD33,000 so that is an incredible find
Restored by Peter Wielk, well worth the money :D The monitor with it is the 'spare' one on the floor during my early restoration videos!
Simply awesome.
Thanks :D
Looking forward to seeing a wooden rule being used to push in all the cards in the future.
Also what is that lovely DEC tower in the background?
LOL at Cris's wooden Rule! I later found a trick to save my thumbs a little (after the first day of trying to put the cards in I was in pain for about 2 days). DEC PDP 11/23 with two RL02 drives! Fully working. The exploded cap you see in the clip is from the PDP power distribution system. :D
Really interesting project ,good luck 🤞 ❤
Thank you :D
Wow, that is a huge linear power supply 😱
Massive! :D You will see more of it soon!
Thanks for share the progress ...
My Pleasure :D
Great progress! I'm now going to have to play around with Qasar Beach, the entirely software emulated Fairlight recreation. I installed it ages ago, but haven't found the time to actually use it.
Qasar Beach is really great! Even Blue Weaver has had a play with it! :D
If you take the key out of the back of the cabinet, you can likely separate the plug and tumblers from the the barrel. Then just take the tumblers out and it can be turned with a screwdriver
Possibly, I will need to take a look :D
Really great work; my laser harp is sending you good vibrations...All the best from France (Burgundy)...
I had a really nice chat with Jo Hammer about Jean Michel's laser Harp last year and the Houston & Lyon concerts :D
@@100ThingsIDo Oh yes...I met Jo Hammer when he worked for Simmons Drums...The friend who made my laser harp is a friend of Michel Geiss...I'm a music teacher (conservatories in the area of Paris) and during my studies, I had a teacher (Normal school of music of Paris) who was the piano teacher of Jean-Michel Jarre...(they didn't like them together !) But your restoration project is amazing...A question: How does your fairlight cost ? Before restoration ? All the best...
@@laserharpevents Wonderful, Paris is such a great city. I paid about half of what a fully restored system sells for these days (check the current auction on eBay). I was very lucky that the person selling the Fairlight was also a member of our Fairlight group on facebook so he gave me a very good deal. Michel Geiss is an amazing person. DIGISEQUENCER :D Indeed, Jo was very passionate about Simmons still, he still thought the SD-X was amazing :D
Felicidades es usted un hombre afortunado por tener un pedazo de historia en su casa.
Feliz 2025
Cracias y espero que tengas un gran 2025 :D
: D More progress! Could that be mini-computer related equipment I see in the back?
In my dining room as I do this you will see my Northstar S100 system, Synclavier mainrame, PDP-11/23 mini computer (with two working RL02 drives) and my trusty Apple IIe and IIgs :D
This machine is the 80s ❤
and 2024 :D People seem to love them even more now!
They don’t make ‘em like they used to. Far out… paint it gunmetal grey and it wouldn’t look out of place on a navy ship!
Bonus feature, I imagine it’ll keep your house warm during winter. Any idea how much power this thing draws?
For the key, I imagine any locksmith could cut a key for that keyway if you take the cylinder to them, if you want to have the switch functional as-built.
Wow! great job!
Thanks :D
Can't wait for Part 3, better still Part x where it's fully working and playing music
Hopefully Part 3 will be out in a few weeks :D
awesome, gonna pour a pinot gris and watch this part 2 (look at those caps!)
Fantastic.
Thanks Guido :D
oh getting the cards back in.. I know the pain
My thumbs hurt for 2 days! Serious haha!
Hey! Cris!!!
No need of TV series when you can have a Fairlight restoration by Mr. 100 Things!
Thanks :D hehe I should release a bingable box set when I'm finished haha! :D Hope you are doing well
Brilliant !
Thank you :D
I was waiting for this :)
Thank you :D Glad you enjoyed!
WoopWoop! It's only broken for the moment. Soooooon.
hehehe ....tooo right.. Its only not fixed yet :D
10:11 that EEVBlog multimeter 👍🏼
Dave Jones is Ledgend :D
05:15 - anyone else reminded of Bowman shutting down HAL 9000?
My mind is going... I can feel it ... I can feel it....... :D
Cool 😊✌️👍
Thanks :D
I am confused: The wiring on the switch is modern with brown and blue. However, in Australia wiring was red and black until 2018. That would mean this has been rewired at some point. This could have happend in Europe since the wiring in the UK is brown and blue since somewhere around 2006.
UK wiring for appliances (flexible cables) has been blue / brown since the early 70s. It was only fixed wiring (in building walls etc) that changed much later in 2006.
@@rossthompson1635 OK, but this was built in Australia. It must have been the same in Australia back then.
@@ChipGuyAh ok, I don't know when appliances in Australia changed to the blue / brown code but I would imagine, like in the UK, it was earlier than fixed wiring just because of the practicalities for import / export.... someone from Australia will tell us :-)
100% looks like original loomed cables, Kim was right at the heart of Eletronics in Australia at the time so possibly they were aiming for the 'modern' spec! :D
So you are so cheap you wont buy a variac? Also, the way to check power supplies is by removing them from what they are powering.
It's more I don't have much use for one as most of the work I do is low voltage or has PSU's that don't go well when undervolted. And yes I am cheap ... thats why the Fairlight is so broken and I did not purchase a fully restored one haha! :D Yes, I ran the Fairlight PSU for a while with only a very light load to allow the Caps to 'reform' :D
My Christmas present arrived late!
when does Kate Bush want it back...?
Shhhhh I dont want to get on her bad side :D haha!
Hahahaha! :)
I'm twitching, almost zero real ESD precautions on such a precious beast.... sigh.... no straps, walking around handling cards. Sitting the cards inside a giant static generator (big plastic tub!) on top of ESD shielding bags is a nice idea but..
I remember dreaming about what it would be like to own a CMI when they came out. Be great to see it running.
Sorry! The Fairlight is huge and yes I should be more ESD aware. Limited equipment and (as you can see) no workshop to set up correctly is the biggest challenge :D
you don’t sound very Scottish to me :)
How is that music Keyboard going ? :D