The Fairlight: A Photo Essay

November 18, 2016
By Mitch Maher

Mitch Maher

On each episode of Instrumental Instruments, we ask an expert to offer a demonstration of the instrument in question. Recently, we visited the Los Angeles home of Tim Curtis, a synth guru, to hear how the Fairlight sparked a digital revolution. (You can read more on that here.)

When we arrived at Tim’s home, we found more than we bargained for. Tim has not just one, but two Fairlights (remarkable, especially considering how rare and expensive they are), and a host of other instruments laying around. Mitch Maher, a local photographer, documented Tim’s remarkable set-up.

Mitch Maher
Mitch Maher
Mitch Maher
Mitch Maher
The sounds for the Fairlight are stored on 8" floppy disks Mitch Maher
The insides of Tim’s two Fairlight systems Mitch Maher
Tim’s Fairlight Series III Mitch Maher
Fairlight Series III Mitch Maher
Mitch Maher

Header image © Mitch Maher

On a different note

Instrumental Instruments → In-depth profiles of important music-making devices that have transformed the way we make – and hear – music
The Synthesizer That Sparked A Digital Revolution