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.
1990
Released in 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
Released in 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
Released in 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
Released 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
Released in 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
Released in 1990
Ensoniq EPS-16+ Digital Sampling Workstation
The Ensoniq EPS-16+ is a powerful digital sampling workstation featuring 16-bit sampling, 24-bit dynamic effects processing, and a built-in 16-track sequencer. With sampling rates up to 44.6 kHz, 20-voice polyphony, and advanced sound design capabilities, it offers exceptional control for music production and live performances.
1990
Released in 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
Released in 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
Released in 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
Released in 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
Released in 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
Released in 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
Released in 1991
RSP Technologies Saturator
The RSP Technologies Saturator is a dual channel, two rack space unit finished in anodised blue.
1991
Released in 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
Released in 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
Released in 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
Released in 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.
1991
Released in 1991
Korg A1 Performance Signal Processor
Korg had made a number of effects units by the time the Korg A1 was released, and for this unit they went all out to match the competition. The Korg A1 was designed to surpass the usual limitations of digital multi-effect processors.
1991
Released in 1991
Orban 290RX Adaptive Enhancement Processor
By the 1990s Orban was owned by AKG Acoustics, and during this time they released a number of interesting products, such as the Orban 290RX. The Orban 290RX Adaptive Enhancement Processor was an interesting product that was on one hand a sound restoration device, and on the other a noise reduction system.
1991
Released in 1991
Zoom 9030 Advanced Instrument Effects Processor
The Zoom 9030 is a versatile multi-effect device with 47 built-in effects, intuitive controls, analogue distortion, real-time modulation, and support for external effect devices, offering dynamic sound processing for a wide range of applications.
1991
Released in 1991
Alesis Quadraverb GT Guitar Effects Processor
The Alesis QuadraVerb GT is a stereo effects unit that is ideal for guitar. It combines analogue and digital electronics to provide the best of both worlds.
1991
Released in 1991
Akai DD-1000 Magneto Optical Disk Recorder
The Akai DD-1000 Magneto Optical Audio Recorder is a significant development in audio technology, known for its innovative digital recording and editing capabilities. Combining advanced technology with professional functionality, it has established itself as a key piece of studio equipment history.
1991
Released in 1991
Hit
The Sugarcubes
Before embarking on a successful solo career, Icelandic singer Bjork was the lead singer and keyboard player for The Sugarcubes. Although the band didn’t reach the same level of success as Bjork did in her solo career, they did manage to make their mark with their hit song Hit and their album Stick Around For Joy which […]
Engineered by: Ed Thacker
Mixed by: Paul Fox, Ed Thacker, The Sugarcubes
1992
Released in 1992
Even Flow
Pearl Jam
Even Flow, the second single from Pearl Jam’s debut album Ten, remains one of the band’s most iconic and beloved songs. Released in 1992, the song’s driving guitar riff, propulsive rhythm section, and emotionally charged lyrics helped to establish Pearl Jam as one of the most important and influential rock bands of the 1990s. The […]
Engineered by: Dave Hillis
Mixed by: Tim Palmer
1992
Released in 1992
RSP Technologies Intelliverb
RSP Technologies are better known as Rocktron, but for a short time they produced the RSP Technologies brand, aimed more at studios. The RSP Technologies Intelliverb was something of a sleeper, but from all reports it is a very good reverb, and their current prices would support that.
1992
Released in 1992
Summit Audio DCL-200 Dual Compressor Limiter
A mainstay of both the live sound and studio environments, the Summit Audio DCL-200 has helped shape the sound of countless concerts and albums for decades, as well as holding down the fort in many of the best dance clubs around the world.
1992
Released in 1992
Ensoniq ASR-10R Advanced Sampling Recorder
The Ensoniq ASR-10R Advanced Sampling Recorder is a groundbreaking digital sampling rack unit that sets a new standard in workstation integration. With its revolutionary 24-bit dynamic effects processing and the ability to monitor, sample, and resample through onboard effects, the ASR-10R transforms sampling into an expressive and musical experience.
1992
Released in 1992
Alesis ADAT 8 Track Digital Recorder
The Alesis ADAT recorder when it arrived in 1992, literally changed the world overnight for studios and home musicians alike, by bringing digital recording to an affordable level for small studios and musicians.
1992
Released in 1992
Studer D780 DAT Recorder
In the dynamic world of broadcasting, professionals demand excellence in their studio equipment. The Studer D780 R-DAT recorder rises to meet these exacting standards, ushering in a new era of efficiency and precision.
1992
Released in 1992
dbx 1046 Quad Compressor Limiter
The dbx 1046 provides 4 channels of smooth classic dbx OverEasy® or Hard Knee compression that are perfectly suited for use on individual tracks of your multitrack recorder.
1992
Released in 1992
Eventide H3500 DFX Sampling Ultra Harmonizer®
The Eventide H3500 is capable of creating affects you have never heard before (1992) and is fully MIDI controllable with click less, real-time MIDI control. The Eventide H3500 incorporates all the effects of the Eventide H3000-SE, plus the Mod Factory dynamic presets, and the Eventide HS322/395 Sampler card.
1992
Released in 1992
Sony DPS-M7 Sonic Modulator
After a digital reverb and a digital delay, the next logical choice for Sony was a modulation processor, and that is exactly what they delivered with the Sony DPS-M7. With the new Sony DPS-M7, Sony continued to improve the sonic characteristics of the internals, with the DPS-M7 showing even better noise floor performance than even the DPS-D7 that preceded it.
1992
Released in 1992
Sony DPS-F7 Dynamic Filter Plus
After the digital reverb, digital delay and then a modulation processor, what could Sony release next? A dynamic filter, which lacked the appeal of the first three effects in the DPS line up. The Sony DPS-F7 is suited to keyboard players more so than studios, as it generates rather interesting effects for keyboards including vocoder and synthesiser. Having said that, creative engineers could find great use for this effect in their racks.
1992
Released in 1992
Ensoniq DP/4 Parallel Effects Processor
Ensoniq were a keyboard manufacturer back in the 1980s, but their legacy seems destined to be their first multi-effect processor, the Ensoniq DP/4. Using their experience from keyboards and samplers, Ensoniq developed their first effects processor in 1992 towards the end of their keyboard era, and to this day, the Ensoniq DP/4 is still sought being after.
1992
Released in 1992
Studer D827 MCH 24/48 Track DASH Tape Recorder
The Studer D827 MCH 24/48 Track DASH Tape Recorder enhances the Studer reputation for superior quality, excellent performance and optimum economics. It was of course, based on the Sony DASH format of multitrack digitalrecorders.
