Released in 1988

Alesis Midiverb II Digital Effects Processor

For anyone holding out on buying the original Alesis Midiverb, the Alesis Midiverb II was enough to convince them it was time to jump on board, including Tommy Emmanuel.

Released in 1988

Yamaha TX16W Digital Wave Filtering Sampler

With its unique Dynamic Digital Filtering system, 32-point stereo sampling at rates of up to 50 kHz, voice layering capability, and a robust 1.5 MB internal memory (expandable to 3, 4.5, or 6 MB), the Yamaha TX16W stands out among other samplers in its class. It offers all these features in a sleek rack-mountable unit with a built-in 3.5″ floppy disk drive.

Released in 1988

Akai S950 MIDI Digital Sampler

Akai S950 MIDI Digital Sampler features a 48kHz Sampling Rate and up to 99 Mult samples which allow you to reproduce the beautiful sounds of acoustic instruments.

Released in 1988

Roland E-660 Digital Parametric Equaliser

The Roland E-660 is a versatile two-channel digital equaliser with eight filters for precise sound adjustments, offering flexible configurations and intuitive controls, along with delay capabilities and extensive connectivity options.

Released in 1988

Alesis Microverb Digital Reverb

The Alesis Microverb represents a clear breakthrough in signal processing technology, utilising the Alesis R.I.S.C architecture. The Alesis Microverb provides clean quiet: professional digital reverberation with the cost and simplicity of spring units. The entire digital processing system is contained on a single chip, developed by Alesis.

Released in 1988

TASCAM 238 Syncaset Recorder

TASCAM, in 1988, pulled off the impossible by releasing the TASCAM 238 Syncaset and cramming 8 tracks onto a single cassette tape, and somehow they got it to work without compromising sound quality.

Released in 1988

Sony MU-E041 Parametric Equaliser

The Sony MU-E041 is a professional-grade parametric equaliser featuring four-band EQ with independent control, boost/cut level switch, and transformerless balanced input/output circuits.

Released in 1988

Lexicon 480L Digital Effects System

For many engineers, the Lexicon 480L is the pinnacle of digital reverbs and has never been bettered, not by Lexicon or anyone else. The Lexicon 480L came along in 1988 and has remained in place at most studio around the world as it simply cannot be replaced by a plugin according to those who own them and love them.

Released in 1988

Yamaha SPX900 Professional Multi-Effect Processor

The Yamaha SPX900 was the first SPX processor to feature full bandwidth, 20Hz to 20kHz. In doing so Yamaha put to rest the REV series of processors. As digital technology improved over time, Yamaha moved forward with just the one series of processors and given the success of the SPX series, the REV series was dropped and all efforts were put into SPX series.

Released in 1988

Alesis QuadraVerb Digital Effects Processor

By 1988 Alesis were on a roll, and with the release of the Alesis Quadraverb, they took things to the next level and continued to dominate the market for home recording. The Alesis Qudraverb’s party trick of course, was that it could use up to four different effects, reverb, delay, pitch and equaliser, simultaneously. And it did so with 20k bandwidth!

Released in 1988

Akai S1000 MIDI Stereo Digital Sampler

The Akai S1000 is a legendary sampler known for its CD-quality sound, advanced editing features, and full MIDI integration. Its flexibility and compatibility with AKAI S900 disks made it a studio favourite, solidifying its status as an industry-standard tool for producers and musicians.

Released in 1988

Akai AR900 Midi Digital Reverb

Akai could have gone down the path of trying to compete in the lower end of the multi-effects market with the likes of Alesis, but instead aimed to produce a high quality dedicated reverb, with the Akai AR900 being the end result.