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

Digital Reverb, Yamaha

Yamaha REV7 Digital Reverberator Details

The Yamaha Rev7 Professional Digital Reverberator is a state-of-the-art sound processing device that is both extremely versatile and easy to operate. This reﬁned stereo reverberator uses highly complex digital technology to create astonishingly authentic, warm, natural reverberation.

A host of superb features makes this unit a unique example of modern, sophisticated sound processing – from Yamaha.

A wide variety of reverberation, echo, delay, and ambient effects.
Special Modulation effects include stereo phasing, ﬂanging, chorus, and tremolo.
Totally accurate and independent control of parameters.
The 30 factory preset effects may be edited to create up to 60 user programs, which can be stored in the Yamaha Rev7’s memory, and instantly recalled at the touch of a button.
Remote control unit permits remote selection of all presets and the most commonly used user programs.
Effects may be selected from an external MIDI device (e.g., a DX 7 synthesiser) enabling automatic selection of a specified reverberation effect for each voice on the synthesizer.
Full three-band parametric equalisation allows adjustment of the sound of the Yamaha Rev7 to exactly match the acoustic properties of any environment.

This highly advanced unit offers superb performance in any situation where professional quality reverberation is required: concerts, recording studios, and broadcasting, and will satisfy the highest demands of the contemporary musician and sound engineer.

The Yamaha Rev7 Professional Digital Reverberator, designed according to Yamaha ’s philosophy of making up-to-the-minute advances in computer technology available to you, the discerning user.

30 Presets
30 impressive factory presets are permanently stored in the Yamaha Rev7 ROM (read only memory). Presets cover a broad range of effects various size halls, simulations of mechanical reverb devices, simulations of recording studio type acoustic environments, stereo delays, and a range of modulation type effects. Presets are carefully programmed to provide the ideal effect in a broad range of applications, but if you need a “special” effect, it is simple to program your own.

Yamaha REV7’s 60 Unique Effects
Presets can be modified to create your own programs – up to 60, which can be stored in Yamaha Rev7’s RAM (Random Access Memory). Your programs will be as easily accessible as the presets, in fact you can recall the first 7 user programs (numbers 31 thru 37) instantly using the DIRECT RECALL keys, and all programs can be called using the MEMORY, NUMERIC and RECALL keys.

Programmable Parameters
Each preset incorporates up to 7 user-programmable parameters, including Reverb Time, First Reflection Delay and Level, Diffusion, Liveness, Initial Delay Time, Room Size, Modulation Frequency and Depth (for the Modulation Programs). You can alter the Reverb Time of the HI and LOW frequency ranges in proportion to the MID range. Within some presets different selected Modes can simulate natural environments (LARGE HALL, SMALL HALL) and artificial reverberations (PLATE, SPRING, RANDOM, REVERSE).

MIDI Control and Natural Reverberation
MIDI compatibility makes it possible to create a totally different reverberation program for each voice on your MIDI keyboard, and automatically recall the program when you press a Voice Select key on your DX synthesizer or other MIDI keyboard.

Total Professional Capability
Electronically balanced TRS phone jacks (which also accepts mono phone plugs) as well as XLR type input and output terminals can be used with all professional equipment. Stereo and Mono inputs may be received, producing a stereo reverb output. The Digital/Analogue and Analogue/Digital converters feature a high sampling rate so that an ultra-wide dynamic range is possible with any input with no unwanted compression or noise. A 3-band parametric EQ is also featured to “fine tune” reverb sounds.

LED & LCD Displays
Input Level LED: An accurate, fast 8-point display indicates the level of the input signal; EQ On LED: Illuminates when the semi parametric EQ section is in use.; MONO LED: Illuminates when Mono/Stereo switch is set to MONO; Memory LED: A large, easy to read 2-digit display indicates when the effects program is in use; LCD: A Liquid Crystal Display panel, readable from a wide angle, indicates program information and parameter values.

Control Switches
Power On/Off switch; Mono/Stereo Switch: Produces stereo reverb output from a mono input or stereo-in/stereo-out reverb; Input Level Control: Sets input signal for optimum level (Range +10dB to -90 dB); EQ On/Off Switch: For instant comparison of equalised signal and original signal; Semi Parametric Equaliser Section: Versatile 3-band semi parametric EQ section permits precise control of reverb timbre; MIXING control: Allows accurate balancing of reverb signal.

Control Keys
Parameter Select and +/- Keys: For selecting programmable parameters relating to presets, editing/creating of user programs, increasing/decreasing selected values, or selecting programs 1 thru 90 in combination with the MEMORY key. MEMORY Keys: For selection and recall of programs, storage of new parameter values. MIDI CTRL Key: Set MIDI Control mode, enabling setting of MIDI channel, effects program number and MIDI voice number for automatic selection of programs from MIDI keyboard.

DIRECT RECALL Keys: For rapid one-touch recall of all 30 preset programs and the first 7 user programs, Programs 1 thru 6 are called directly while 7 thru 30 are called by successive presses on the OTHERS key and 31 thru 37 are called using the USER MEMORY and DIRECT RECALL keys. NUMERIC/EDITING Keys: For entering program numbers and parameter values. All programs can be selected using MEMORY, NUMERIC, and RECALL Keys.

Yamaha REV7 Rear Panel
Remote Control Connector. MIDI THRU Connector: Outputs MIDI data received at the MIDI IN terminal unmodified which permits MIDI chaining to other MIDI equipment. MIDI IN Connector: Accepts MIDI data from a MIDI keyboard or other MIDI equipment. INPUT/OUTPUT Connectors: Both electronically balanced XLR and 1/4″ TRS type connectors are provided. TRS jacks also accept standard 1/4″ mono phone plugs.

Specifications

Input
- Nominal level: +4 dBm
- Impedance: 10 kohms
- Level control: Volume, gain +10 dB to -90 dB
- Mono/stereo switch: Mono – channel L + R activated, stereo – channel L & R activated
- Mixing: In stereo mode, channel L & R are mixed and sent to the A/D converter
- Parametric EQ:
  - Low: 50–700 Hz ±15
  - Mid: 350–7 kHz ±15
  - High: 2 kHz–20 kHz ±3 bands
- Level monitor: 8 points LED (pre-A/D)
A/D Conversion
- Sampling frequency: 31.25 kHz
- Quantization: Linear 16-bit
- Bandwidth: 20 Hz to 12 kHz
- Number of channels: 1
Signal Processing
- Factory presets: 30
  - Reverb-1 – Large Hall
  - Reverb-2 – Small Hall
  - Reverb-3 – Vocal Plate
  - Reverb-4 – Percussion Plate
  - E/R – 1 – Early Reflection-1
  - E/R – 2 – Early Reflection-2
  - Others – Delay (number 7) to Live
  - Reference (number 30)
  Reverb time (RT): 0.3 to 10.0 seconds, on mid-band
- Initial delay: 0.1 to 100.0 milliseconds
- First reflection delay time: 0 to 100.0 milliseconds
- High-frequency RT (F1): Mid RT x 0.1–1.0
- Low-frequency RT (F2): Mid RT x 0.1–2.4
- Diffusion: 10 steps
D/A Conversion
- Number of channels: 2
- Sampling frequency: 31.25 kHz
- Quantization: Linear 16-bit
- Bandwidth: 20 Hz to 12 kHz
Output
- Number of channels: Electronically balanced x 2 (phone jack), electronically balanced x 2 (XLR type)
- Nominal level: +4 dBm
- Impedance: 600 ohms
- Maximum level: +18 dBm
- Mixing: Direct signal, reverb signal
- Output phase: Channel R (reverb signal) can be alternated
Memory
- Presets (ROM): 1–30
- User memory (RAM): 31–90 (non-volatile)
- Function: All parameters except input level and parametric EQ can be memorised
- MIDI Control: MIDI channel, program number
Electric Characteristics
- Dynamic range: Reverb: > 78 dB, Delay: > 84 dB
- Distortion: Direct: 0.03%, Reverb: 0.1%
- Bandwidth: Direct: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, Reverb: 20 Hz to 12 kHz
- Residual noise level: Reverb: < –60 dBm, Delay: < –66 dBm
Dimensions: 480mm x 89.9mm x 342.5mm
Weight: 5.3 kg

TRY OUR ‘MY EFFECTS RACK’ FEATURE TO TRACK WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR EFFECTS RACK NOW, AND THOSE ITEMS YOU WISH TO ADD.

93 Add to My Effects Rack Remove from My Effects Rack

View Your Effects Rack

The details provided above are drawn from historical documents like advertising brochures or user manuals. They’re shared without bias or review. This info is given solely for your consideration, helping you gauge its usefulness to you.

User Reviews

Audio Samples

Alternatives

Plugin Alternatives

Classic Tracks

Famous Racks

User Reviews

GREAT UNIT, SUPER AFFORDABLE TOOL

By Alex

Sound Quality 70%

Build Quality 80%

Usefullness 80%

Mojo/Funk 70%

Reliability 80%

Owned the unit from 2010. Despite the evolution of technology, the REV7 is still relevant for numerous applications, giving the user instant musical & smart solutions such as : Early Reflection, Spring, Gate Reverb & more. Those are my favorite patches. I also would recommend any synth lover to try the chorus patches, especially the one called Symphonic.

MY FIRST DIGITAL REVERB

By Anonymous

Sound Quality 30%

Build Quality 100%

Usefullness 15%

Mojo/Funk 25%

Reliability 90%

I bought one of these brand new back in the late 1980s and it was far better at the time than my trusty old spring reverb for percussion, but, even back then I found it to be quite noisy. By modern standards it’s quite harsh with a brittle sound. My favorite sounds was the flanged reverb, small rooms, and echo. These days I would probably not use one even it was given to me.

GRITTY AND FUNKY

By Martin Jones

Sound Quality 75%

Build Quality 75%

Usefullness 70%

Mojo/Funk 85%

Reliability 80%

When I had my Yamaha Rev7 is was quite useful for snares and other instruments where a less than pristine reverb was required, I particularly liked it on brass and snares.

VALUABLE DEVICE

By Anonymous

Sound Quality 90%

Build Quality 100%

Usefullness 90%

Mojo/Funk 80%

Reliability 90%

Do not forget that this is not only a reverb that goes well with a snare drum … I love the symphony patch on synths, guitars and voice!

STILL WORTH A LOOK

By Simon Alexander

Sound Quality 80%

Build Quality 80%

Usefullness 75%

Mojo/Funk 75%

Reliability 70%

Since the first day it came out, I have been a huge fan of the Rev 7. Back in 84, there was nothing in that price bracket and when it was released, it made a huge impact. At the time, I was working for a major music retailer in the UK and we had just seen the release of the Roland SRV 2000, and now Yamaha had brought out a “budget version” of their Rev 1.

In comparison to the Roland, I think the Rev 7 is better suited for percussive and gated Reverbs. This is not to say it cannot do beautiful vocal plates or be used to fill a huge string sound, but I use mine for shorter reverb effects. Naturally, with any multi effect unit, some effects are better than others, but I have to say, all in all, the Rev 7 isn’t bad at all.

Like most 80’s gear, its a little noisy, but nothing to get overly concerned about. You can find Rev7’s going very cheap now and most of them still work, but need a new EL backlight fitted which costs very little. I replaced all mine and it takes about 30 mins or so to do. Two of my Rev 7’s developed power supply issues with Voltage regulators blowing with age. Generally they are reliable, but don’t forget its 34 years old now !