[diydsp]

it would be reductive to chalk up the sound of the 80s to any one synth. Especially when the Fairlight was responsible for a number of iconic songs: http://ghservices.com/gregh/fairligh/topsong/

This is a good overview of key 80s gear, including the E-Mu, Linn Drum, DX7, Fairlight, Mirage, etc. https://www.musicradar.com/news/10-synths-that-defined-the-8...

[jhallenworld]

Also used in a bunch of movie soundtracks:

https://forum.vintagesynth.com/viewtopic.php?t=72349

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnpYowxlwsU