1990s Studio Gear Timeline
The 1990s marked the full dominance of digital technology in studio effects and recording. Advances in processing power made digital reverbs, delays, and multi-effects units standard tools, while computer-based systems began reshaping production workflows. At the same time, digital multitrack recorders overtook analogue machines, with the arrival of the Alesis ADAT in 1991 proving a game changer. Affordable and flexible, it brought digital recording within reach of countless studios. Though analogue effects and tape retained dedicated followers, the decade was defined by the rapid shift to digital systems and the new creative possibilities they unlocked.
1991
The Sugarcubes
Before embarking on a successful solo career, Icelandic singer Bjork was the lead singer and keyboard player for The Sugarcubes. Although the band didn’t reach the same level of success as Bjork did in her solo career, they did manage to make their mark with their hit song Hit and their album Stick Around For Joy which […]
Engineered by: Ed Thacker
Mixed by: Paul Fox, Ed Thacker, The Sugarcubes
Produced by: Paul Fox
1992
Pearl Jam
Even Flow, the second single from Pearl Jam’s debut album Ten, remains one of the band’s most iconic and beloved songs. Released in 1992, the song’s driving guitar riff, propulsive rhythm section, and emotionally charged lyrics helped to establish Pearl Jam as one of the most important and influential rock bands of the 1990s. The […]
Engineered by: Dave Hillis
Mixed by: Tim Palmer
Produced by: Rick Parashar and Pearl Jam
1992
Made In U.S.A.
RSP Technologies are better known as Rocktron, but for a short time they produced the RSP Technologies brand, aimed more at studios. The RSP Technologies Intelliverb was something of a sleeper, but from all reports it is a very good reverb, and their current prices would support that.
1992
Made In U.S.A.
A mainstay of both the live sound and studio environments, the Summit Audio DCL-200 has helped shape the sound of countless concerts and albums for decades, as well as holding down the fort in many of the best dance clubs around the world.
1992
Made In U.S.A.
The Ensoniq ASR-10R Advanced Sampling Recorder is a groundbreaking digital sampling rack unit that sets a new standard in workstation integration. With its revolutionary 24-bit dynamic effects processing and the ability to monitor, sample, and resample through onboard effects, the ASR-10R transforms sampling into an expressive and musical experience.
1992
Made In U.S.A.
The Alesis ADAT recorder when it arrived in 1992, literally changed the world overnight for studios and home musicians alike, by bringing digital recording to an affordable level for small studios and musicians.
1992
Made In Switzerland
In the dynamic world of broadcasting, professionals demand excellence in their studio equipment. The Studer D780 R-DAT recorder rises to meet these exacting standards, ushering in a new era of efficiency and precision.
1992
Made In China
The dbx 1046 provides 4 channels of smooth classic dbx OverEasy® or Hard Knee compression that are perfectly suited for use on individual tracks of your multitrack recorder.
1992
Made In U.S.A.
The Eventide H3500 is capable of creating affects you have never heard before (1992) and is fully MIDI controllable with click less, real-time MIDI control. The Eventide H3500 incorporates all the effects of the Eventide H3000-SE, plus the Mod Factory dynamic presets, and the Eventide HS322/395 Sampler card.
1992
Made In Japan
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.
1992
Made In Japan
After the digital reverb, digital delay and then a modulation processor, what could Sony release next? A dynamic filter, which lacked the appeal of the first three effects in the DPS line up. The Sony DPS-F7 is suited to keyboard players more so than studios, as it generates rather interesting effects for keyboards including vocoder and synthesiser. Having said that, creative engineers could find great use for this effect in their racks.
1992
Made In U.S.A.
Ensoniq were a keyboard manufacturer back in the 1980s, but their legacy seems destined to be their first multi-effect processor, the Ensoniq DP/4. Using their experience from keyboards and samplers, Ensoniq developed their first effects processor in 1992 towards the end of their keyboard era, and to this day, the Ensoniq DP/4 is still sought being after.
1992
Made In Japan
Compact and versatile, the Fostex MC102 Keyboard Mixer Recorder combined a twelve-channel line mixer with a high-quality cassette recorder in a rackmount unit, making it an ideal all-in-one solution for quick demos, song sketches, and simple multitrack recording in the early 1990s.
1992
Made In Switzerland
The Studer D827 MCH is a high-end digital multitrack recorder built on Studer’s renowned tape deck technology. It features a modular design, allowing in-field upgrades from 24 to 48 tracks. Standard features include a TC/RT chase synchroniser, MADI and AES/EBU interfaces, and extensive remote-control options. Advanced A/D and D/A converters ensure superior sound quality, with optional noise shaping DSP technology preserving 18-bit performance on 16-bit DASH media.
1992
Made In U.K.
The Drawmer 1960 is a two-channel unit with each channel comprised of a completely natural sounding "soft knee" vacuum tube compressor and an extremely low noise microphone pre-amplifier with switchable 48-volt phantom power. Upon its release in 1993, it was THE mic pre to have!
1992
Made In U.S.A.
The world-renowned Summit Audio TLA-100A tube leveling amplifier has been regarded as a staple by studio and live engineers around the world for more than a quarter of a century.
1992
Made In U.S.A.
The Digital Domain VSP is a professional-grade jitter eliminator and digital audio control centre that reclocks digital signals with a new crystal-locked output, drastically reducing jitter and improving clarity, depth, and stereo imaging. Featuring six digital inputs and outputs, sample rate conversion, and flexible routing, it allows budget transports to perform at high-end levels.
1992
Made In Japan
Otari didn't just re-package an existing consumer recorder when it came time to build the Otari DTR-90 professional DAT machine. Instead, they applied the same formula as they have to all our professional audio products: They asked audio professionals what features they wanted. The result is a truly professional R-DAT that is destined to become the standard of the industry.
1993
The Cranberries
Linger is one of the most iconic songs by the Irish band The Cranberries, released in 1993 as the second single from their debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?. The song became a breakthrough hit for the band, helping establish their international success. It’s notable for its delicate combination of […]
Engineered by: Stephen Street, Aiden McGovern
Produced by: Stephen Street
1993
Made In Japan
Taking what they had learned with the R-880, Roland developed a new SRV reverb, the Roland SRV-330 and it is one of Roland's finest digital reverbs. The Roland SRV-330 is a fantastic reverb that offers a broad range of reverbs, from real space emulations to retro gear emulations, and they all sound fantastic with smooth tails and low noise.
1993
Made In Japan
With the Akai DR4d Version 4, Akai has taken affordable digital recording to the next level. Building on the power and flexibility of the original DR4, the DR4d Version 4 further expands your creative horizons with our new VirtualTracks and Stereo Ping Pong capabilities.
1993
Made In U.S.A.
The Langevin Dual Mono Mic Preamp is our refined version of the historic Langevin AM-4 console channel.
1993
Made In U.S.A.
The Universal Audio LA-2A Leveling Amplifier is true to the original design, Universal Audio's famed tube-amplified T4 electro-optical compressor.
1993
Michael Ruff
Michael Ruff is a highly respected American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist known for his soulful voice, sophisticated songwriting, and deep musicality. Throughout his career, he has worked with artists such as Chaka Khan, Bonnie Raitt, Rickie Lee Jones, and Lionel Richie. His own albums, including Speaking in Melodies and Once in a Lifetime, have earned […]
Engineered by: George Massenburg
Mixed by: George Massenburg
Produced by: Clair Marlo
1993
Made In Japan
The Roland SDE-330 digital delay was released at the same time as the SRV-330 and offers just as spectacular performance as it's sibling. Roland had by now made a number of digital delays, and the SDE-330 showed they had nailed the concept.
1993
Made In Japan
The Zoom 9050 is a rackmount multi-effects processor from the early 1990s, offering 55 high-quality effects with up to eight usable at once. It features a hybrid analogue/digital distortion circuit, Zoom Noise Reduction (ZNR), built-in tuner, MIDI support, and intuitive real-time control. Designed for both live and studio use, it remains a respected unit for its flexibility and sound quality.
1993
Made In Japan
The year of 1993 saw the arrival of the first challenger to the groundbreaking Alesis ADAT, and what a challenger it was too, with smaller tape size, and importantly better sound quality! It went on to become the biggest selling product in Tascam's history, selling more than 60,000 units!
1993
Made In Japan
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.
1993
Made In U.S.A.
This single channel Manley Mid Frequency Equaliser is the secret weapon for vocal, guitar, snare and all the other midrange instruments that are the meat of the mix.
1993
Made In Germany
The EMT 248 Digital Audio Processor served as a versatile solution for handling audio signal processing, rendering individual sound effects and processing units obsolete. The front panel of the device features program modules that offer quick access to a range of functions.
1993
Made In Japan
The TASCAM IF-88SD is a digital interface that provides eight-channel SDIF-2 inputs and outputs. It connects to a TASCAM DA-88 via TASCAM’s PW-SD1 and PW-SD2 cables to enable direct digital dubbing and word-clock synchronisation with DASH recorders, all without any analogue conversion.
1993
Made In U.S.A.
In designing the D.W. Fearn VT-1 preamp, no compromise in sonic quality, reliability, or ruggedness was permitted. Like the best tube equipment of the 1950s and ’60s, the VT preamp is built on a heavy-gauge aluminium chassis, utilising point-to-point wiring.
1993
Made In Japan
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.
1993
Made In Germany
The EMT 982 CD Player is a professional-grade device designed for high performance and reliability. It offers front-loading, built-in loudspeaker and headphone outputs, separate controls for track and cue settings, auto cue functionality, varispeed with digital display, and memory for up to 100 CD cue settings. Its compact 2U design and advanced features make it ideal for professional use.