Richard Hilton meets the Fairlight CMI 30A

So there I was, like I am now, sat at my PC in my studio one Saturday night when I noticed some posts from my friend Rich Hilton. He’d been uploading some pictures of himself outside the Sydney Opera House and other such landmarks whilst on tour with Chic. Lovely, I thought and then, something dawned on me. What else is in (or around) Sydney? That’s right, my friends Peter & Lorraine Vogel and of course, the Fairlight CMI 30A.

Quick as I could, I asked Rich, if I could arrange it, would he like to see the CMI 30A in the flesh? Like any normal tech head, Rich said yes, so I then contacted Lorraine, who had just arisen from her slumber and asked if she’d like a legendary keyboard player and producer to come see a CMI 30A. Naturally, she said yes!

So, some frantic messaging took place between Rich in his hotel room in Sydney and Lorraine in the Blue Mountains outside Sydney and me, in my little bedroom studio in Suffolk, England, it was quite bizarre.

After some time, it transpired that Duncan, an employee of Fairlight Instruments, had a 30A in his home in Sydney. Amazingly, Duncan drove all across town to pick Rich up, took him back to his place, fed and watered him and let him play with the beast. Now THAT is Australian hospitality for you, right there 🙂

So, Rich played with the 30A, with Duncan at his side and Peter on the phone hands free. Much was discussed and a great time was had by all. I woke up on Sunday morning to the following pictures and a big thank you from Mr Hilton for arranging the visit. And I just sat there with that warm , comfortable glow you get when you have made someone’s day.

Priceless.

She Blinded Me With Science Sequence Page

CMI 30A Waveform

The Fairlight CMI 30A