The Fairlight CMI

The Fairlight CMI (Computer Musical Instrument) is a pioneering digital sampler and digital audio workstation from the late 1970s and 1980s. It allowed musicians and producers to record, edit, and manipulate recorded sounds digitally, offering advanced sampling capabilities for its time. The device featured a touch screen interface and a digital audio engine, enabling precise editing and sequencing of sounds. It revolutionized music production by making sampling and digital editing more accessible, influencing genres like pop, rock, and electronic music, and helping shape modern digital audio technology.