Yamaha SPX990

Yamaha SPX990 Multi-Effect Processor

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.

Yamaha SPX990 Multi-Effect Processor Details

Epoch-making new effect like the main effect programs include multi-tap delay which can determine each level of time and balance, the round pan and intelligent pitch which can add harmony through internal recording on specific keys and scale. The temp, stereo echo and temp, quad echo also add new attractive effects to the Yamaha SPX990.

With a sampling frequency of 44.1 kHz, the Yamaha SPX990 delivers full, flat frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz for exceptionally clean, “transparent” effect sound and direct digital interfacing capability making it compatible with the most up-to-date sound system.

The preset effect programs can be edited, re-titled and stored in any of the 80 RAM memory locations. Individual 3-band parametric EQ and dynamic filter parameters are provided for each effect program for precise tonal tailoring.

In addition to the basic effect and EQ parameters, the Yamaha SPX990 offers a list of “internal parameters” which provide exacting control over the effect sound. The Yamaha SPX990 is also MIDI compatible, with a MIDI IN terminal that allows MIDI selection of effect programs and a switchable MIDI THRU/OUT terminal.

When switched to OUT, edited programs stored in the internal RAM can be dumped to a MIDI data recorder or other data storage devices. Programs thus stored can be reloaded, when necessary, via the MIDI IN terminal.

As an extra touch of convenience, the Yamaha SPX990’s analogue input and output terminals can be switched to match -20dBm or +4dBm line levels, providing compatibility with a broader range of sound equipment. Convenient external data storage is provided by a card slot that accepts optional RAM cards that can be used to store effect programs.

Advanced Hardware for Superior Sound
The latest 20-bit analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue conversion technology- sampling at 44.1kHz. Frequency response extends all the way from 20 Hz to 20 kHz; dynamic range is an extraordinary 106dB; noise and distortion are negligible.

Stereo Configuration with Balanced Inputs and Outputs
A true 2-in/2-out stereo configuration that allows stereo sources to be processed without disrupting the original stereo image. Stereo inputs and outputs are all electronically balanced, with XLR and TRS phone jack connectors.

Preset, Internal, and Card Memory
180 memory locations “on board”. 80 of these are read-only memory. The remaining 100 are writable memory locations. Plug-in memory cards hold an extra 100 effect programs each.

Three-stage Effect Configuration
In addition to the main effects, the Yamaha SPX990 provides programmable pre and post effects that can be used to refine and polish your sound.

In-depth Programming Power
The Yamaha SPX990 has 4 programmable pre-effects, 36 programmable main effects, and 3 programmable post effects.

Tempo-based Delay Time Programming
Delay time parameters can be programmed in terms of tempo or note length. Delay time can also be entered via a footswitch or MIDI clock data.

Superior Pitch Precision
The Yamaha SPX990 achieves faultless pitch tracking through a new dynamic waveform analysis technique. In addition to the simple parallel pitch tracking the SPX990’s “intelligent” pitch change creates appropriate harmony based on a specified key and scale type.

External Parameter Control
The Yamaha SPX990 allows two selected parameters from each program to be assigned to two external MIDI controllers.

MIDI Control
The Yamaha SPX990 allows MIDI selection of all programs, and real-time control of up to two selected effect parameters at the same time.

4 Pre-Effects
1. 3-band PEQ *1, 2. Compressor *1, 3. Harmonic Driver *1, 4. Compressor, Dist. and EQ *3 *1= 2 IN – 2 OUT, *2 = 1 IN – 2 OUT, *3 = 1 IN, 1 OUT

36 Main Effects: Reverb, Early Reflections, Delay and Echo, Modulation
REVERB: Reverb *2, Filtered Reverb *2, Stereo Reverb *1, Echo Room *2; EARLY REFLECTIONS: Thin Early Reflection *2, Fat Early Reflection *2, Gate Reverb *2, Reverse Gate *2; DELAY and ECHO: Delay L, C, R *2, Echo *2, Multi Tap Delay *2, Stereo Echo *1, Tempo Mono Echo *2, Tempo Stereo Echo *1, Tempo Quad Echo *1; MODULATION: Flanger *1, Dual Flanger *1, FM Chorus *1, AM Chorus *1, Phaser *1, Symphonic *1 *1= 2 IN – 2 OUT, *2 = 1 IN – 2 OUT, *3 = 1 IN, 1 OUT

Main Effects continued: Pitch Change, Pan, Complex Effects, Freeze
PITCH CHANGE: Mono Pitch Change *3, Dual Pitch Chance *2, Triple Pitch Chance *2, Stereo Pitch Change *1; PAN: Auto Pan *2, Triggered Pan *2; COMPLEX EFFECTS: Chorus and Reverb *2, Symphonic and Reverb *2, Flanger and Reverb *2, Reverb (L) / Reverb (R) *1, ER (L)/ Reverb (R) *1, Echo (L) / Reverb (R) *1, Chorus (L) / Reverb (R) *1, Pan (L) / Pan (R) *1; FREEZE: Freeze *3 *1= 2 IN – 2 OUT, *2 = 1 IN – 2 OUT, *3 = 1 IN – 1 OUT

3 Post Effects
1. 3-band PEQ *1; 2. Compressor *1, Harmonic Driver *1 *1 = 2 IN – 2 OUT

Specifications

  • Electrical Characteristics
    • Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.5 dB
    • Dynamic Range: Above 100 dB (Typical 106 dB)
    • Harmonic and Noise Distortion: Below -82 dBm (Typical -88 dBm)
    • Distortion: Below 0.005% at max. level 1 kHz
  • Input
    • Number of Channels: 2 (Phone Jack)
    • Nominal Level: +4/-20 dBm (Switchable)
    • Highest Input Impedance: +24 dBm (Switchable at +4 dB), 20k ohms
  • Output
    • Number of Channels: 2 (Phone Jack)
    • Nominal Level: +4/-20 dBm (Switchable)
    • Highest Output Impedance: +18 dBm (Switchable at +4 dB), 150 ohms
  • A/D and D/A Conversion
    • A/D Conversion: 20 bits
    • D/A Conversion: 20 bits
    • Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz
  • Memory
    • Preset Program: 1 – 80
    • User Memory Program: 1 – 99,00
    • Optional Memory Card: 1 – 99,00
  • Connectors: Input L/R (XLR x 2, Phone jack x 2) Output L/R (XLR x 2, Phone Jack x 2) MIDI IN, THRU/OUT (DIN 5P x 2) Trigger (Phone Jack x 1) Bypass or INC/DEC (Phone Jack x 1)
  • Dimensions: 480mm x 46mm x 324.4mm
  • Weight: 4.6kg

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

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.

Yamaha SPX-990

ONE OF THOSE TOOLS…

by Wombat

Sound Quality 90%
Build Quality 95%
Usefullness 90%
Mojo/Funk 80%
Reliability 100%

Just ask yourself : Why can the SPX990 be found in 8 on 10 studios? Why can it be found in 8 out of 10 PA-systems ? No more comment.

ELEKTRAGEN

by Carlos

Sound Quality 65%
Build Quality 80%
Usefullness 65%
Mojo/Funk 50%
Reliability 90%

This one is still worth using today. Holds up better than your VST’s, just wish it had more knobs to tweak. Reverb is digital sounding but warm enough.

Review

by Anonymous

Sound Quality 85%
Build Quality 80%
Usefullness 80%
Mojo/Funk 50%
Reliability 75%

Review

by Shabeerali

Sound Quality 100%
Build Quality 100%
Usefullness 100%
Mojo/Funk 100%
Reliability 100%

Used it? Leave your rating and review.

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