The Birth of Electronic Computer Music

US How the Qasar & Fairlight CMI pioneered music tech      10/02/25

The Fairlight CMI is a legendary piece of equipment, which was developed in Canberra, Australia. This little documentary seeks to explore the rise of the Fairlight, forging a turning point in Electronic Computer Music - with interviews, testaments, and audio examples. The film was produced by Samantha Bennett & Nic Vevers, and features music by Newborn Noise. 

The world's first digital synthesiser was developed right here in Canberra. The Fairlight Computer Music Instrument was developed in Australia and took the music world by storm. Shaping the sound of the 80s and the changing way music would be made forever. But before the Fairlight was the Fairlight there was the Qasar. A world-first digital sampler, synthesiser, sequencer that was developed right here in Canberra.

A Mustard Flats Original Produced by Samantha Bennett & Nic Vevers Special thanks to: Australian National University Archives National Archives of Australia Trove: National Library of Australia ArtsACT Supported by ACT Government

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About the author [midierror]: midierror is co-founder of Potato Audio, he makes nifty Max For Live devices, award-winning Sample Packs and hosts the 'midierror meets...' interview series speaking with all kinds of people working in sound & music. 


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