Effects Timeline
Our Vintage Digital and Analogue Effects timeline now includes Audio Recorders and Classic Music Tracks to help place these effects and devices within the history of recorded music. Any errors, please notify us using our contact form.
1974
Eventide Model H910 Harmonizer®
The Eventide Model H910 Harmonizer was developed by Eventide in 1974. It was the world's very first digital effects processor. It combined ‘de-glitched’ pitch change with delay and feedback. It could be controlled by a keyboard remote control to instantly shift pitch in half steps.
1975
Kashmir
Led Zeppelin
Kashmir is one of Led Zeppelin’s most iconic and ambitious songs, released in 1975 on their sixth studio album, Physical Graffiti. Written by Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Bonham, the track is known for its hypnotic, Eastern-influenced melody and grand, epic feel, standing out as one of the band’s finest achievements. It was never […]
Engineered by: Andy Johns
Mixed by: Eddie Kramer
1975
Aphex Aural Exciter
An effects box that provided a very special kind of enhancement to your tracks, that you could not buy, but instead had to rent, really? The Aphex Aural Exciter was something of a mystery box when it was released in 1975, but it provided a solution that was perfectly timed, however is no longer relevant in today's recording world.
1975
Altec 1612A Limiting Amplifier
In audio systems, input signal levels can vary significantly. The Altec 1612A is excellent for managing dynamic range, ensuring the overall sound level is more consistent. It operates as a limiter or a line amplifier, equipped with two inputs, a compression/VU meter, a dual range attack/release switch, and a limit/line balance control that prevents limiting from altering the preset output level.
1975
Eventide Model FL201 Instant Flanger
Flanging may not be a popular effect these days, but back in 1975 when the Eventide Model FL201 Instant Flanger was released, it was. The Eventide Model FL201 Instant Flanger was designed to simulate true tape flanging and offered a much deeper flanging effect than anything previously available, it was widely used on many legendary recordings.
1976
MXR Model 129 Pitch Transposer
The MXR Model 129 Pitch Transposer is a classic piece of audio equipment that was released in the late 1970s. The unit was designed to allow musicians and audio engineers to transpose the pitch of audio signals up or down by a fixed amount, ranging from one octave below to one octave above the original pitch.
1976
MXR Model 113 Digital Delay
The MXR Model 113 Digital Delay is a self-contained audio delay line which utilises sophisticated technology to achieve a new standard of professional quality. The culmination of an intensive design program, the MXR Model 113 Digital Delay is unparalleled in versatility, ease of operation, and creative application.
1976
Ampex ATR-100 Series Professional Audio Recorder
In the world of two track analogue mastering audio recorders, the Ampex ATR-100 Series recorders are regarded as the finest reel to reel audio mastering recorders ever made. The fact that they are still in use today, more than forty years later is surely testament to that.
1976
EMT 250 Digital Reverb
The EMT 250 Digital Reverb is completely electronic, with no moving parts: ruggedly built and insensitive to shock or vibrations...and a studio legend! Extremely versatile with many programming possibilities and adjustment of parameters. The EMT 250 Digital Reverb uses high-value digital words (12 bit, quasi 15 bit) to virtually eliminate intrinsic and quantising noise.
1976
dbx 118 Dynamic Range Enhancer
The dbx 118 Dynamic Range Enhancer, despite being initially targeted at consumers, has earned a solid reputation in professional studio environments.
1976
dbx 119 Dynamic Range Enhancer
The dbx 119 is remembered for its versatility and advanced features, offering extended compression range, precise threshold-based control, and dual modes for professional and audiophile use. Its ability to enhance dynamic range and provide consistent, high-quality sound made it a valuable tool in studios and public address systems, all at an affordable price.
1976
dbx 160 Compressor/Limiter
The dbx 160 and 161 are single-channel compressor/limiters combining sophisticated technology and user-oriented features in a compact package. Unique circuit designs, such as true rms level-detection and feed-forward gain reduction, place the 160 and 161 in a completely different class from conventional compressor/limiters.
1976
MXR Model 126 Flanger/Doubler
For more than 30 years now, both engineers and musicians have relied upon the MXR Model 126 Flanger/Doubler as one of best-sounding bucket-brigade* flanging effects ever made. Through its signature flanging, doubling, and delay effects, the MXR Model 126 Flanger/Doubler imprints a very unique sonic signature on guitars, bass, keys, drums, or just about any source needing depth and movement.
1976
Klark Teknik DN 50 Spring Reverb
The Klark Teknik DN50 Spring Reverb was introduced around the mid-seventies, just prior to the launch of digital reverbs.
1976
Urei LA-5 Audio Leveler
Urei introduced the Urei LA-5 Audio Leveler with the specific needs of sound reinforcement professionals in mind.
1977
Roland RE-301 Chorus Echo
The Roland RE-301 Chorus Echo is a vintage tape delay unit known for its warm analogue sound. It features a built-in chorus for added modulation. The unit has straightforward controls for easy manipulation and is suitable for musicians seeking a classic, reliable delay effect with a touch of vintage charm.
1977
Wuthering Heights
Kate Bush
If ever a song deserved a place in the list of Classic Tracks, it is Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights from 1977. Upon its release here in Australia at least, you could not turn on a radio or TV without hearing this song, an indication of just how huge a hit it was at that time. […]
Engineered by: Jon Kelly
Mixed by: Jon Kelly
1977
Eventide Model H949 Harmonizer®
The Eventide Model H949 Harmonizer is a combination digital delay line, pitch changer, and all-round special effects unit. The TIME REVERSAL feature is entirely new. When used with a variable-speed tape recorder, the Harmonizer is capable of shortening or lengthening a piece of program material to fit a given time slot, without altering the pitch.
1977
dbx 117 Dynamic Range Enhancer
The DBX 117 is a dynamic range modifier. It can compress or expand the dynamic range of any audio program by a constant factor. It will expand previously compressed material or compress material with excessive dynamic range. may be used in any situation where dynamic range must be compressed to meet limitations of recording equipment or listening environment or expanded to rectify the effects of previous compression.
1977
Barracuda
Heart
Barracuda by Heart stands out not only as a highlight from their second album, Little Queen (1977), but also as a defining anthem of 1970s rock music. Its success at the time was immediate, propelling Heart into the spotlight and establishing them as a force in the rock genre. The song’s aggressive guitar riff and […]
Engineered by: Mike Flicker, Buzz Richmond, Winslow Kutz
Mixed by: Chris Wonzer
1977
Give A Little Bit
Supertramp
Give a Little Bit is a popular song by the British rock band Supertramp, originally released in 1977 as the lead single from their album Even in the Quietest Moments…. Written primarily by Roger Hodgson, the song became one of the band’s signature hits and has remained a staple of classic rock radio since its […]
Engineered by: Russel Pope
Mixed by: Geoff Emerick
1977
dbx 3BX 3 Band Dynamic Range Expander
The dbx 3BX is a state-of-the-art dynamic range expander that enhances audio quality by dividing the sound spectrum into three frequency bands. Utilising advanced RMS detectors and voltage-controlled amplifiers, it individually expands bass, midrange, and treble, ensuring pristine sound clarity and preserving musical integrity even in the most complex compositions.
1977
dbx 110 Subharmonic Synthesizer
The dbx 110 is an innovative device that enhances stereo systems by addressing the limitation of reproducing deep bass frequencies below 50 Hz. It samples low-frequency fundamentals, generates these signals an octave lower, and mixes them back in at controllable levels. This results in a rich, deep bass experience, similar to that of a live performance.
1977
Sony PCM-1 Digital Audio Processor
The Sony PCM-1, launched in September 1977, was Sony's first consumer PCM processor, setting the standard for digital audio devices despite its high price of 480,000 yen and limited sales of around 300 units worldwide.
1977
Poor Poor Pitiful Me
Linda Ronstadt
As a teenager in the late 1970s, I would often DJ for my parents’ parties and the most requested track was Linda Ronstadt’s Poor Poor Pitiful Me (written by Warren Zevon). The song always got everyone dancing and I still remember those parties whenever I hear it, which must be well over a thousand times […]
Engineered by: Val Garay
Mixed by: Val Garay assisted by Mark Howlett
1977
DeltaLab DL-4 Digital Delay
The DeltaLab DL-4 TIMELINE is a studio quality special effects processor designed for the professional musician to use in live performances. The DeltaLab DL-4 is a derivative of their highly successful DL-2 ACOUSTICOMPUTER which brings total performance to the performing musician previously attainable in very expensive delay lines.
1977
Urei LA-4 Compressor/Limiter
The Urei LA-4 Compressor/Limiter can reduce the dynamic range of an audio signal, making it more consistent and balanced. The Urei LA-4 Compressor/Limiter can also limit the maximum level of the signal, preventing distortion and clipping.
1978
Dynacord DRS 78 Digital Reverberation System
The first point of make clear about the Dynacord DRS 78 is that it is a digital echo and reverb system in a three-rack unit high enclosure. Besides giving a very wide range of reverb and echo effects it produces above all true and absolutely natural reverb effects as they have been obtainable so far only in studios or in cathedrals.
1978
AMS DMX 15-80S Stereo Digital Delay
The AMS DMX 15-80S is a true stereo microprocessor controlled digital delay line. Originally designed to meet specifications laid down by the British Broadcasting Corporation for equipment to be supplied to them, it offers two completely independently delayed channels with precisely controlled delay times.
1978
Lexicon 224 Digital Reverberator
The Lexicon 224 digital reverb announced in 1978 is the kind of stuff legends are made of. It is without a doubt the most admired and desirable reverb of the Lexicon line-up. It may be 45 years old now, but the Lexicon 224 is still in use today at many studios regardless of its limited bandwidth, and is loved by so many engineers, that they will only replace it when it dies. If it dies...
1978
Ursa Major Space Station SST-282
The Ursa Major SPACE STATION is an advanced signal processor using time delay techniques to transform a mono source into a new, stereo, output signal. It is as different from earlier delay units as the complex reverberant sound of a room is from a single repeat of a sound slapping off a wall.
1978
Sony PCM-1600 Digital Audio Processor
The Sony PCM-1600 was the first commercially available professional 16-bit digital audio processor for two channel mastering with the first machines delivered in April of 1978.
1978
Two Tickets to Paradise
Eddie Money
I have been a fan of Eddie Money’s music since my mid-teens when Two Tickets to Paradise was a hit here in Australia. This song has remained a favorite of mine and has made me appreciate his later albums such as Nothing to Lose and Can’t Hold Back. Although Baby Hold On was the first […]
Engineered by: Andy Johns
Mixed by: Andy Johns
1978
dbx 100 Boom Box Subharmonic Synthesiser
The dbx 100 Boom Box: revolutionising your audio experience by restoring the missing low-frequency bass in your favourite recordings. Say hello to a new dimension of sound fidelity and depth.
1978
dbx 1BX Dynamic Range Expander
The dbx 1BX is a compact audio processor renowned for its ability to enhance audio clarity, depth, and richness, making it an essential tool for musicians, sound engineers, and audiophiles seeking to elevate their listening experience.
