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I couldn't find any information - I think the instrument there is a Fairlight CMI, which Peter Gabriel actually helped develop. But considering how prominent H

I couldn't find any information - I think the instrument there is a Fairlight CMI, which Peter Gabriel actually helped develop. But considering how prominent Hancock was in electronic music it wouldn't surprise me if this was built custom. OTOH Hancock likes computers in general so maybe he's just a nerd :) https://old.reddit.com/r/OldSchoolCool/comments/120mqfs/herbie_hancock_with_his_apple_iii_running/?rdt=46210 https://old.reddit.com/r/OldSchoolCool/comments/120mqfs/herb... Bonus cute video of Hancock showing the Fairlight off on Sesame Street: https://youtube.com/watch?v=daLceM3qZmI https://youtube.com/watch?v=daLceM3qZmI

TheOtherHobbes 2y ago
The synth he's playing - making the synth brass sounds - is a Rhodes Chroma. The Fairlight is being used as a drum machine. The Fairlight's keyboard controller is the one he points to at around 30s. The Fairlight's screen sequencer - called Page R - was easier than keyboard entry for drum and bass line programming. I don't think Hancock did any development work or had any customisation done. (Except for the black case for the keyboard. Usually they were PC beige.) It's fascinating this tech still has a legendary aura even though it's forty years old and has been completely outclassed by a cheap modern laptop and MIDI controller. As for Quincy - a lot of people think talent is really just effort. But some people just have it - a deep instinctive feel for what they're doing - and he clearly did.
- chrisdhoover 2y ago
  Effort will get one far even without natural talent Effort and talent cannot be surpassed.
seanhunter 2y ago
A friend of mine met Herbie on a Buddhist summer camp. She said he's an incredibly nice, humble guy as you would sort of imagine, he introduced himself to everyone as "Hi I'm Herbie, I'm a pianist". She didn't know anything about him so asked him what sort of music he played and he said she should listen to "Maiden Voyage". She became a jazz singer as a result.

TheOtherHobbes 2y ago

The synth he's playing - making the synth brass sounds - is a Rhodes Chroma. The Fairlight is being used as a drum machine. The Fairlight's keyboard controller is the one he points to at around 30s. The Fairlight's screen sequencer - called Page R - was easier than keyboard entry for drum and bass line programming. I don't think Hancock did any development work or had any customisation done. (Except for the black case for the keyboard. Usually they were PC beige.) It's fascinating this tech still has a legendary aura even though it's forty years old and has been completely outclassed by a cheap modern laptop and MIDI controller. As for Quincy - a lot of people think talent is really just effort. But some people just have it - a deep instinctive feel for what they're doing - and he clearly did.

chrisdhoover 2y ago
Effort will get one far even without natural talent Effort and talent cannot be surpassed.

seanhunter 2y ago

A friend of mine met Herbie on a Buddhist summer camp. She said he's an incredibly nice, humble guy as you would sort of imagine, he introduced himself to everyone as "Hi I'm Herbie, I'm a pianist". She didn't know anything about him so asked him what sort of music he played and he said she should listen to "Maiden Voyage". She became a jazz singer as a result.