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.

1983

Ursa Major StarGate 323 Digital Reverb

With the coming of the Space Age, sound engineers will finally acquire power over acoustic space and time with the Ursa Major Stargate 323. They will create reverberant spaces of almost limitless variety, from tiny chambers to vast echoing canyons. They tune their effects to achieve a richness and realism that once seemed beyond the reach of any technology.

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1983

Ibanez DM500 Digital Delay

The Ibanez DM500 is a versatile digital delay unit with 0.5ms to 256ms delay times and a full 16KHz bandwidth. It offers modulation for swept effects, feedback control, and stereo outputs, delivering professional-quality delay at an affordable price.

1983

Love Is A Battlefield

Pat Benatar

Love Is A Battlefield, the hit song by American rock singer Pat Benatar, remains a timeless classic that still resonates with listeners today, over 35 years since its release in 1983. The song’s catchy melody, anthemic chorus, and empowering lyrics about standing up for oneself have made it a fan favourite and an enduring staple […]

Engineered by: Peter Coleman

Mixed by: Peter Coleman and Neil Giraldo

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1983

Aphex Aural Exciter Type B

Aphex Systems Limited introduced the Aphex Aural Exciter Type B in 1983 as a low-cost version (US$495) of the original Exciter which was offered on a $30 per minute hire basis.

1983

Ibanez HD1000 Harmonics Delay

The Ibanez HD1000 Harmonics Delay combines high-quality pitch shifting up to 13 semitones with digital delay up to 504 ms, perfect for creating harmonies, flanging, and echo effects. It offers precise control over pitch, delay, and mix, with external control options and an easy-to-read LCD display, all in a compact, user-friendly design aimed at professional audio applications.

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1983

Ibanez DM2000 Digital Delay

The Ibanez DM2000 is a high-performance digital delay with a 12-bit data converter and 16KHz bandwidth for clear effects. It features versatile inputs, easy controls, and is ideal for time delay effects like flanging and reverb.

1983

Owner of a Lonely Heart

Yes

The song Owner of a Lonely Heart (from the 1983 album 90125) was conceived in 1979 by South African musician, singer-songwriter, and producer Trevor Rabin. He later recalled that he wrote “the whole thing, from beginning to end” while going to the toilet. Using his home studio equipment, which included a 4-track tape machine, Rabin […]

Engineered by: Gary Langan

Mixed by: Stphen Lipson

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1984

Yamaha R1000 Digital Reverberation

After working on delivering a high end digital reverb in the Yamaha REV1, they decided to tackle the other end of the market with the Yamaha R1000 digital reverb. By comparison, the Yamaha R1000 was most definitely not in the same league as it's more expensive sibling, but it afforded home musicians a taste of digital reverb that delivered pretty good results.

1984

Ursa Major StarGate 626 Digital Reverb

The Ursa Major 626 replaced the previous model, the Ursa Major 323, by adding more memory which allowed for longer delay times. For those who loved the Ursa Major Stargate 323 and in particular the delay functions should seek out the Stargate 626 to take advantage of those longer delay times.

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1984

Fostex B-16 Multitrack Tape Recorder

Upon the release of the Fostex B-16 Multitrack Tape Recorder, it provided smaller project studios with a 16-track tape machine that offered performance and value for the very first time.

1984

Ursa Major 8×32 Digital Reverb

There are times when you won’t compromise on sound quality. When, no matter how difficult the material is, you must have reverberant effects that are perfectly smooth, clean, spacious, colourless. There are perhaps three or four computer-based digital reverb systems that achieve uncompromising sound quality. All sound quite natural (and relatively alike).

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1984

Publison Infernal Machine 90 Stereo Audio Computer

France's contribution to recording studio effects, the Publison Infernal Machine 90, Stereo Audio Computer. The Publison Infernal Machine 90 is a computer-based audio processor released around 1984, from a company based in France.

1984

Lexicon Model 200 Digital Reverberator

The Lexicon Model 200 was introduced as a more affordable reverb after the success of the Lexicon 224 had enjoyed, but it did not find favour with larger studios as the 224 did. The Lexicon Model 200 Digital Reverberator is an economical, general purpose digital reverberation device designed for recording studios, musicians, film/video production houses, and broadcasters.

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1984

Lexicon PCM 60 Digital Reverberator

The Lexicon PCM 60 was the first in a long line of PCM named digital reverbs and it offered an affordable entry into the world of Lexicon digital reverbs. The Lexicon PCM 60 was a good digital reverb however it never enjoyed the same sales or current legendary status as the later model Lexicon PCM 70 would enjoy upon its release.

1984

Dynacord PDD 14 Digital Delay

The Dynacord PDD 14 released in 1984, is a studio-grade, programmable Digital Delay designed and manufactured in Germany. Up to eight different sounds can be programmed into the non-volatile memory and accessed directly. There is also the possibility to alter the stored programs without altering the memory contents.

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1984

Boss CE-300 Super Chorus

In the early 1980s, the Chorus effect first introduced by Roland on their JC Series guitar amplifiers, was the effect to have, and the Boss CE-300 was affordable. The Boss CE-300 offers two independent chorus circuits to produce full pitch-deviation effects for a wider, fuller sounding effect in the stereo mode, as well as specific deep chorus effects.

1984

Ibanez MSP1000 Multi Signal Processor

The Ibanez MSP1000 is a versatile processor with a compressor/limiter, graphic EQ, and notch filter. It offers precise control, eliminating feedback and shaping sound without affecting quality.

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1984

Purple Rain

Prince

Back in the 1980s, while I respected Prince as a talented musician and songwriter, I was not necessarily a big fan of his music. Although I enjoyed a few of his songs, none of them made it to my regular playlists. However, as time went by, my appreciation for Prince’s music grew. In recent years, […]

Engineered by: Susan Rogers

Mixed by: Susan Rogers and Prince

1984

Ensoniq Mirage Digital Multi-Sampler

The Ensoniq Mirage Rackmount Sampler, released in 1984, was one of the first affordable digital samplers, known for its distinctive 8-bit sound and simplicity. Its built-in 8-track sequencer and MIDI capabilities made it a popular choice, shaping the sound of 1980s electronic music.

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1984

dbx 120X Subharmonic Synthesiser

The original dbx 120x, released in the 1980s, was a pioneering piece of audio equipment that made significant contributions to the world of professional audio and music production.

1984

Take On Me

A-Ha

Take On Me by A-ha is a quintessential 1980s pop song, renowned for its catchy synth-driven melody and groundbreaking music video. Released in 1984, the song initially struggled to make an impact but was re-released in 1985 with a new, innovative video, which then catapulted it to immense popularity. The song features the distinctive high-pitched falsetto […]

Engineered by: Neill King

Mixed by: John Ratcliff

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1984

Like A Virgin

Madonna

Madonna’s Like A Virgin single and album, which were both released in 1984, were pivotal moments in the pop star’s career. The album represented a significant departure from her earlier work, boasting a more refined and polished sound. Meanwhile, the single’s catchy pop hooks and daring lyrics captured the attention of audiences worldwide, cementing Madonna’s […]

Engineered by: Jason Corsaro

Mixed by: Jason Corsaro

1984

Reckless

Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams’ Reckless album made a significant impact in the mid-1980s, essentially defining the sound of rock albums during that era. It was a record of immense importance, and it solidified Bob Clearmountain’s reputation as the go-to mix engineer. What makes Clearmountain’s role even more remarkable is that he served not only as the mix engineer […]

Engineered by: Bob Clearmountain

Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain

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1984

Jump

Van Halen

Van Halen’s hit single Jump was an instant classic, dominating the airwaves in the 1980s and still captivating audiences to this day. It’s notable for its prominent use of keyboards, a departure from the band’s usual hard rock guitar-driven sound. In fact, it wasn’t until later that many realized that Jump was actually a Van […]

Engineered by: Don Landee

Mixed by: Don Landee

1985

MXR 01A Digital Reverb

In 1985 it would seem MXR employed the team at ART (Applied Research & Technology) to produce a digital reverb, based on the ART 01A, and it even had ART listed as the manufacturer on the front panel.

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1985

ART 01A Digital Reverb

The ART 01A is a digital reverb from around 1985, that was also licensed to MXR and sold with the same 01A name on the front panel, but refereed to as the Model 191 on the rear.

1985

Boss RDD-10 Digital Delay

The Boss RDD-10 Digital Delay released in 1985, delivered studio quality digital delay for the ultimate refinement of basic performance.

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1985

Boss RSD-10 Digital Sampler Delay

The Boss RSD-10 Digital Sampler Delay, released in 1985 offers a two octave plus range and controllable dynamics.

1985

Boss RBF-10 Flanger

The Boss RBF-10 Flanger from 1985 provided superior signal to noise ratio achieved with Built-In Noise Reduction.

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1985

Boss RPH-10 Phaser

The Boss RPH-10 Phaser from 1985 provides 3 different Phasing Modes that let this Phaser create a multitude of effects.

1985

Boss RCL-10 Compressor Limiter

The Boss RCL-10 Compressor Limiter from 1985 provides four different high-performance functions integrated into a single unit.

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1985

Boss RGE-10 Graphic Equaliser

The Boss RGE-10 Graphic Equaliser from 1985 provides fine tonal compensation with 10-Band Graphic Equaliser.

1985

Sony PCM-1630 Audio Processor

The Sony PCM-1630 was used for mastering audio CDs in the mid 1980s and onwards, by most of the major record labels around the world. It was an essential part of early digital audio disc production and was responsible for hundreds of classic albums being put to CD.

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1985

Yamaha REV7 Digital Reverberator

The Yamaha REV7 was more affordable than the REV1 and found a home in many studios world wide. People seem to either love or hate these old Yamaha reverbs, in fact the Yamaha REV7 would have to be one of the most polarizing reverbs there is, with no in between it seems. But make no mistake, there is much love for this classic 1980s reverb!

1985

Studer A721 Cassette Tape Recorder

The Studer A721 is a professional cassette recorder with superb audio performance, reliability, and convenient operating concept, including a four-motor tape transport mechanism and modular audio electronics with automatic record parameter calibration.

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