Yamaha

Yamaha is a company that has been at the forefront of digital audio technology since the 1980s. The company has developed some of the most innovative and high-quality digital effects processors that have been used in studios and live sound applications around the world.

The history of Yamaha digital effects processors can be traced back to the release of the REV1 in 1984, which was Yamaha’s first digital reverberator. However, it was the release of the SPX90 in 1985 that brought affordable digital effects processing to a wider audience. The SPX90 quickly became a popular choice for musicians and engineers, offering a range of effects including reverbs, delays, and modulation effects. The unit was known for its high-quality sound and ease of use.

In the 1990s, Yamaha continued to innovate with the release of the SPX900 and SPX1000. These units offered more advanced features and algorithms, including high-quality pitch shifting and stereo imaging effects. The SPX1000 also introduced a new “Smooth” reverb algorithm, which was known for its smooth and natural sound.

The 2000s saw the release of the Yamaha REV500. This units offered a range of high-quality reverb algorithms, including emulations of classic hardware reverbs. The REV500 also introduced a new “Inverse” reverb algorithm, which was known for its unique, gated reverb sound.

Today, Yamaha continues to be a leader in the world of digital effects processing. The company’s processors are used by musicians, engineers, and producers in a wide range of applications, from professional studios to live sound and broadcast. Yamaha’s effects processors are known for their high-quality sound and intuitive user interfaces, and the company continues to innovate with new algorithms and features to meet the evolving needs of the music and audio industry.

Released in 1990
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.
Released in 1993
The Yamaha SPX990, regardless of the name came after the Yamaha SPX1000 and continued the Yamaha tradition of providing superb quality. The Yamaha SPX990 effect systems offers 80 preset effect programs including accurate simultaneous natural reverberation and early reflections.
Released in 1993
The Yamaha FX770 is a compact, all-in-one guitar effects processor offering a wide range of effects, including compressors, WAHs, amp simulations, delays, and modulation, all programmable and controllable via MIDI or foot controller. It replaces bulky setups with a single, flexible unit designed for professional sound customisation.
Released in 1994
The Yamaha REV100 was one of Yamaha’s most affordable digital reverbs and it offers reasonable quality for the money too. Reverb is the essential effect for musical instruments, recording, and sound reinforcement. Delay and modulation run a close second and third. The Yamaha REV100 offered all this and is most suitable for live rigs.
Released in 1994
The Yamaha D5000 is something of a rare processor that is very difficult to find for sale, and when they are they are often rather expensive. So what is the magic? With the quote from Bob Clearmountain that it is the best digital delay ever made, the Yamaha seems to have gone underground in home studios or Yamaha simply did not make very many of them.
Released in 1995
The Yamaha ProR3 marks a new era in Yamaha’s reverberation technology. Third-generation Yamaha digital signal processors (DSP) with 32 bit digital signal processing and high-performance 20 bit linear A/D and D/A converters provide unprecedented density and resolution, with breathtaking dynamics.
Released in 1996
Digitally reproducing the complex reflection patterns of natural reverberation is a daunting task that can only be effectively handled by custom LSI circuitry. Yamaha was a pioneer in the field of DSP (Digital Signal Processor) LSI production, and continues to lead the way in products such as the Yamaha REV500.
Released in 1997
The Yamaha A3000 Professional Sampler is a powerful tool for break-beat and phrase sampling, featuring a triple-block effects system, user-friendly interface, and expandable options such as digital I/O and up to 128 MB of additional RAM. Ideal for both studio and live performance, it offers extensive sound-shaping capabilities and intuitive control.
Released in 2000
It’s simple. It’s fast. And it’s fully professional. It’s the Yamaha CDR1000 Professional Audio CD Recorder, a fully professional CD recorder that’s fully compatible with CD-R and CD-RW. Finally, the convenience of tape-based recording formats has come to the CD.
Released in 2000
The Yamaha A4000 Professional Sampler is a powerful tool for sound creation, featuring 16 filters, 96 effects, Loop Divide/Remix functions, and real-time controls. With expandable RAM, broad sample format compatibility, and Direct-to-CD burning, it’s ideal for advanced music production and live performance.
Released in 2000
The Yamaha A5000 goes beyond traditional sampling with 16 filters, 96 effects, and advanced resampling. It offers real-time control, a user-friendly interface, and compatibility with formats like AIFF and WAV. Expandable up to 128 MB RAM and featuring Loop Divide/Remix and direct-to-CD burning, it’s perfect for music production and live use.
Released in 2000
Reminiscent of their own REV1, the SREV1 was Yamaha once again going all out to take on the big brands, namely Lexicon in the studio reverb space. The Yamaha SRev1 is perfect for recording studios, audio post, broadcast, concert halls, theaters, or anyone looking for superb quality reverb that sounds just like the real thing, with the option to sample the reverberation characteristics of any location for use back in the studio.
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