Classic Recording Studio Equipment

Vintage Digital

Sony DPS-M7

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.

Details

The Sony DPS-M7 is a digital sonic modulator developed with the wealth of digital and audio technology accumulated over the years by Sony, innovator of the highly acclaimed Digital Reverberator Sony DRE -2000 and Sony MU-R201.

Quality-conscious design with high-performance A/D and D/A converters
The Sony DPS-M7 converts an incoming analog signal to a digital signal and outputs the signal again after passing it through various effect processes and reconverting it into an analog signal. The determining factor for the sound quality is the conversion mechanism that adopts the 18-bit oversampling stereo A/D converter and the 49.152 MHz clock advanced pulse D/A converter, which results in highly accurate effects with little deterioration of quality.

User-friendly and comfortable operation
The large size backlit LCD of 40 characters‘ by 2 lines enables smooth operation while viewing the operating condition in real time. Since the LCD also has an on-line manual function (in English), information necessary for operation can be displayed.

Abundant preset memories
The Sony DPS-M7, in its preset memory, has a hundred variations of effects created by musicians, sound mixers and acoustic engineers around the world . This will therefore enable you to select and replay the desired effects for a particular purpose immediately.

Creation of any kind of sound
The EDIT function allows you to change the preset effects or create original effects. Aside from the present preset memory of 100 effects, the Sony DPS-M7 also has a user memory in which up to 256 effects can be freely saved. Using this memory will enable more varicolored play effects.

Wide range of effects
To obtain various effects, the Sony DPS-M7 processes signals with seven blocks consisting mainly of the modulation block, plus the input block, pre-effect blocks 1 and 2, post effect block, envelope block and output block. One of the 20 algorithms available in the modulation block can be used. One of the 5 algorithms available in pre-effect 1 and 2 blocks can be used.

One of the 4 algorithms in post-effect block and one of the 3 algorithms in the envelope blocks can be used. (Algorithms “OFF” are excluded.)  Variegated effects matching the input source can be obtained by combinations of the seven blocks and combinations of the algorithms in the blocks.

Remote control is possible
Remote control of the Sony DPS-M7 panel operation is possible by means of the separately available remote controller (Sony RM-DPS7).

Two I/O terminal systems
The Sony DPS-M7 is equipped with XLR connectors (balanced type) and phone jacks to which musical instruments, recording equipment and PA (public address) equipment can be connected.

Linkage with MIDI equipment
Since the Sony DPS-M7 Sonic Modulator is equipped with MlDl functions, memory numbers of this unit can be selected with program change signals of the MIDI device such as a keyboard. Moreover, since effect level, etc. can be controlled by key touch and control change signals, the unit is highly effective as an effector of digital musical instruments. Automatic performance is also possible by controlling with computers having the MIDI interface and with a MIDI sequencer.

Specifications

Released

Quantization: 18 Bit
Sampling Frequency: 48kHz
Frequency Response: 10Hz-22kHz
Signal to Noise: > 97 dB
Dynamic Range: > 97 dB
THD: Below 0.0035%

Preset Memory: 100 effects
User Memory: 256 Effects

Dimensions: 482mm x 44m x 320mm
Weight: 5kg

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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.

Sony DPS-M7

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MASSIVE MODULATIONS

by Stephen Parsick

Sound Quality 95%
Build Quality 80%
Usefullness 80%
Mojo/Funk 100%
Reliability 70%

Like all units from the DPS 7 range, the M7 suffers quite a bit from the over-indulgence of Sony’s engineers — it’s nice to have the option to tweak 300 parameters of a preset but is it really useful (or helpful, for that matter)? For this very reason, I stick with the numerous well-programmed presets on board which are truly impressive (the “Black Coral” chorus is one of the most useful and impressive-sounding choruses on synthesisers) and tailor them to my needs.

There is plenty of other useful stuff to mine it for and I’d be surprised if even the most demanding user wouldn’t find something to suit his applications. The build quality is very decent although huge LCDs, encoders, switches, and some electronic components might not exactly be built to last. It produces a lot of heat when in use so make sure there is ample space between this and the other units in a 19″ rack. I had some component part die on a D7 which resulted in ugly noises, and it was quite costly to repair. Also, the 7 series seems to eat away on CR2032 cells so be prepared to have a battery holder clip installed rather than the type of 2032 that is soldered to the main PCB directly.

INTERESTING BUT…

by Steven

Sound Quality 90%
Build Quality 90%
Usefullness 70%
Mojo/Funk 60%
Reliability 90%

Like the Sony D7 I had this for a short time, the effects are good, chorus is nice etc but I did not find it a particularly inspiring box of tricks as I had hoped and again the user interface is awful to use.

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