Classic Recording Studio Gear
Vintage Digital
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.
1988
Yamaha SPX1000 Multi-Effect Processor
By 1988 when the Yamaha SPX1000 was released, Yamaha had pretty much established their place in recording studios the world over. Look at any modern studio effects rack and you will find Yamaha SPX1000s and it's siblings, in studios the world over, such was the quality of these multi-effects processors.
1988
Yamaha GEP50 Guitar Effect Processor
The Yamaha GEP50 Guitar Effects Processor is a versatile device offering 50 pre-programmed effects, including distortion, reverb, echo, and more. It also features 50 user memory locations for custom effect storage, an INSERT loop for adding a second signal processor, and MIDI compatibility for remote control. To fully utilise its capabilities, it's recommended to read the manual thoroughly.
1988
Buffalo Stance
Neneh Cherry
Released in 1988, Neneh Cherry’s hit song Buffalo Stance has become a timeless classic, still enjoyed by many to this day. The song’s unique sound set it apart from other music being played on the radio at the time, making it a standout hit. Interestingly, Buffalo Stance actually began as the B-side to a single released in […]
Engineered by: Mark Saunders
Mixed by: David Pine
1989
Alesis Microverb II
The Alesis Microverb II represents a clear breakthrough in signal processing technology. Utilising the Alesis R.I.S.C. (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture. The Alesis Microverb II provides clean, quiet, professional digital reverberation with the cost and simplicity of spring units, in a highly compact enclosure.
1989
Tascam DA-50 Digital Audio Tape Recorder
The Tascam DA-50 Digital Audio Tape Recorder was the first US-legal DAT tape recorder with SCMS Copy protection, it was also a rebadged high-end TEAC or in Japan, Esoteric DAT recorder with some cosmetic changes to suit professional studio use.
1989
Tascam BR-20(T) Reel to Reel Recorder
The Tascam BR-20 Series are highly flexible and reliable professional stereo audio recorder/reproducers that use 1/4-inch-wide tape on 5, 7 and 10-1/2-inch reels, at two selectable speeds: 15 inch/s (38 cm/s) and 7.5 inch/s (19 cm/s). All models are switchable between NAB and IEC equalisation.
1989
Lexicon 300 Digital Effects System
The Lexicon 300 not only contains the finest sounds, as you’ve come to expect from Lexicon, it incorporates new functions that satisfy the needs of today’s audio production. For both analogue and digital use the Lexicon 300 takes full advantage of recent advances in converter technology and combines them with flexible digital interfacing.
1989
Roland R-880 Digital Reverb
In 1989 Roland decided it was time to take on the big names in studio reverbs, and they released their best reverb to date, the Roland R-880. As good as the Roland R-880 was, and is, it failed to take any market share away from the big names like Lexicon, but it did find a home in some studios and those people love the Roland R-880.
1989
Studer A827 24 Track Audio Recorder
The Studer A827 24 Track Multi-Track Recorder is quite possibly the finest 24 track analogue audio recorder ever made, and many are still in use today around the world.
1989
Dynacord DRP 20 Digital Reverb Processor
The Dynacord DRP 20 Digital Reverb Processor is without a doubt the most popular digital reverb in the Dynacord range from the 80s period. We have very little information on the Dynacord DRP 20 other than the information below which was translated from a German document. If you have anything in English on this processor, please let us know.
1989
Sony PCM-3348 DASH Multitrack Digital Recorder
Sony PCM-3348 DASH Multitrack Digital Recorder was the State-of-the-Art Digital 48 Channel Recorder offering Professional Quality, Performance and Reliability.
1989
Alesis 3630 Compressor
Since its introduction, the Alesis 3630 Compressor has become the most popular dynamics processor ever made. Despite what the official Alesis marketing department say about the Alesis 3630 Compressor below, it is not the holy grail of compressors, regardless of the fact it has become something of a cult classic among many musicians.
1989
dCS 900 Analogue to Digital Converter
In the world of professional audio, the introduction of the dCS 900 in 1989 marked a significant milestone. Digital audio was still in its relative infancy, and the demand for high-quality analogue-to-digital conversion was growing. The dCS 900 came as a response to this need, setting a new standard for digital audio converters with its innovative technology and precision.
1989
Aphex Model 250 Aural Exciter Type III
The slimmer and more powerful Aphex Model 250 Aural Exciter is the latest successor to the premium product in the field of Aural Excitement.
1989
Studer D820X Digital Tape Recorder
The Studer D820X - developed for stand-alone use also fits effortlessly into any system through its extensive interfaces and offers advanced facilities for digital mastering.
1990
Nothing Compares 2U
Sinead O’Connor
When Sinead O’Connor’s cover of Prince’s Nothing Compares 2U hit the airwaves in early 1990, it quickly became a worldwide hit. Two things stood out in the recording: the extraordinary vocal performance by Sinead, and the liberal use of reverb on her voice. The SSL console at Westside Studios in London was used to capture Sinead’s […]
Engineered by: Chris Birkett & Sean Devitt
Mixed by: Chris Birkett
1990
Manley EQP-1A Stereo Pultec EQ
Manley’s modern take on the Pultec EQ - in stereo! - with extra frequencies the original never had; a vastly superior power supply and famous Manley line amps complete the package. Magic on drums, killer on guitars.
1990
Manley Enhanced Pultec Equaliser
The Manley Enhanced Pultec Equaliser is Manley’s modern take on the Pultec EQ with extra frequencies the original never had; a vastly superior power supply and famous Manley line amps complete the package. Magic on kick drum, killer on guitars.
1990
Sony MU-D100 Stereo Cassette Recorder
Released in 1990, the Sony MU-D100 recorder features a design aesthetic that matches the Sony MU-R201, while offering advanced editing capabilities and a highly durable mechanism for professional use.
1990
Dynacord DRP-15 Reverb Processor
The Dynacord DRP-15 provides numerous varying effects in 100 pre-set programs and 126 freely programmable memory locations. A maximum of six effects can be used in the multi-effects structures at one time.
1990
Toy Matinee
Toy Matinee
So, picture this: a wildly successful music producer, credited with generating hundreds of millions of dollars for the record company through collaborations with Madonna, is asked, how can we repay you? In the case of Patrick Leonard, his response was to seek funding for his own project, thus giving birth to the remarkable Toy Matinee endeavor. […]
Engineered by: Bill Bottrell
Mixed by: Bill Bottrell
1990
Korg A2 Performance Signal Processor
The Korg A2 Signal Processor provides 102 Separate Effects and 97 Effect Chains that work very well with guitars: all with Professional Quality, Studio Sophistication built in.
1990
Yamaha FX900 Simul-Effect Processor
The Yamaha FX900 Simul-Effect Processor offers flexible control of up to seven effects with 100 presets and real-time control options. It delivers high-quality sound with advanced A/D and D/A conversion for various applications like guitar, bass, and vocals.
1990
Zoom 9010 Advanced Sound Processor
The Zoom 9010 is a highly advanced effects unit, offering four independent channels, flexible routing options, customisable send/return connections, real-time control of parameters, and the ability to run up to seven effects simultaneously.
1990
Alesis Midiverb III Digital Effects Processor
The Alesis Midiverb III is a high quality multi-effects unit which features up to 4 simultaneous effects at a full 15KHz bandwidth and with 16 bit resolution. Since all features of Alesis Midiverb III are accessible from the front panel, the operator can set up a wide range of complex effects without a complex user interface.
1991
Sony DPS-R7 Reverberator
The Sony DPS-R7 was the first in a new digital effects line up from Sony, its success spawned a number of other effects using the same architecture as the DPS-R7. The Sony DPS-R7 is an excellent digital reverb that still stands up today, with its full bandwidth and excellent reverb algorithms, it is hampered only by its truly awful interface if you wish to program it.
1991
Sony DPS-D7 Digital Delay
On the back of the success of the Sony DPS-R7, Sony developed and released the next processor in the line-up, the DPS-D7 Digital Delay with audible improvements. Sony didn't just add in the new algorithms and release it, they also chose to make the DPS-D7 use a higher sampling rate of 48kHz to improve the bandwidth even further than the DPS-R7.
1991
dbx 163X Compressor Limiter
The dbx 163X Compressor/Limiter provides smooth, natural-sounding OverEasy® compression with easy, hands-on control, versatile inputs for recording and live use, and features like stereo-strapping for balanced stereo compression, making it ideal for enhancing instrument and vocal levels while preventing PA overload.
1991
dbx 263x De-Esser
The dbx 263x De-Esser is a highly effective and versatile tool for any audio engineer or producer looking to improve the quality of their vocal recordings.
1991
Roland DM-80 Multi-Track Disk Recorder
The Roland DM-80 is an affordable mufti track recorder system for tapeless recording. It is a complete music production system that provides comprehensive control over recording, playback and editing operations.
1991
RSP Technologies Saturator
The RSP Technologies Saturator is a dual channel, two rack space unit finished in anodised blue.
1991
TUBE-TECH CL 1B Opto Compressor
The Tube-Tech CL 1B is an all-tube optical mono compressor. It delivers a very musical and smooth compression, preserving the clarity of the source even at extreme settings, and this is where CL 1B really stands out compared to other compressors.
1991
TUBE-TECH PE 1C Program Equaliser
The TUBE-TECH PE 1C is a passive, all-tube EQ, based on the legendary PULTEC EQP 1A design and featuring a passive EQ section and a high-quality op amp.
1991
Roland RSP-550 Stereo Signal Processor
After failing to make an impact with the Roland R-880, Roland went back to what they do best, affordable multi effects processors and the Roland RSP-550 was born. The Roland RSP-550 was a departure from the norm for Roland, gone was the SRV nomenclature, but only for a short while when they returned with the SRV-330.
1991
Lexicon LXP-15 Multi-Effects Processor
The Lexicon LXP-15 offers a rich and distinctive palette of special effects, including 128 preset effects programs to get you started. Each program has up to five display pages of variable parameters that you can adjust for subtle or dramatic changes in the program’s sound, and you can store as many as 128 customised programs in user memory.
