Released in 1977

Sony PCM-1 Digital Audio Processor

The Sony PCM-1, launched in September 1977, was Sony’s first consumer PCM processor, setting the standard for digital audio devices despite its high price of 480,000 yen and limited sales of around 300 units worldwide.

Released in 1978

Sony PCM-1600 Digital Audio Processor

The Sony PCM-1600 was the first commercially available professional 16-bit digital audio processor for two channel mastering with the first machines delivered in April of 1978.

Released in 1980

Sony PCM-1610 Digital Audio Processor

The genuine advantage of the Sony PCM-1610 digital audio processor is its enormous potential to deliver drastically improved sound. Whereas analogue recorders are saddled with performance limitations of one form or another, unlimited quality improvement is possible using digital technology.

Released in 1980

Sony PCM-10 Digital Audio Processor

The Sony PCM-10 Digital Audio Processor is a rather elusive piece of audio technology.

Released in 1980

Sony PCM-100 Digital Audio Processor

The Sony PCM-100 Digital Audio Converter is a rather elusive piece of audio technology.

Released in 1981

Sony DRE 2000 Digital Reverberator

The Sony DRE 2000 was Sony’s first digital reverb and they headed straight for the heart of Lexicon with a complex and very advanced system, that also proved fragile. These reverbs are hard to find on the used market, partly because those who have them hang onto them, and partly because many of them have died, proving to be too expensive and difficult to fix.

Released in 1981

Sony PCM-F1 Digital Audio Processor

The Sony PCM-F1 is a groundbreaking digital audio processor that delivers superior sound quality, versatility, and portability, setting new standards in the digital recording industry.

Released in 1982

Sony PCM-3324 DASH Multitrack Digital Recorder

The Sony PCM-3324 stationary-head 24-channel digital audio recorder, when used with the optional RM-3310 synchroniser/auto locator/remote control, offers an ideal combination of digital performance and convenience, in addition to all the prime functions of analogue recorders.

Released in 1984

Sony DFX-2400 Sampling Rate Converter

The Sony DFX-2400 is a 16-bit sample rate converter that adjusts varispeed recordings and converts frequencies between 30kHz and 50kHz to standard rates. It supports AES/EBU and SDIF-2 formats for seamless digital audio integration.

Released in 1985

Sony PCM-1630 Audio Processor

The Sony PCM-1630 was used for mastering audio CDs in the mid 1980s and onwards, by most of the major record labels around the world. It was an essential part of early digital audio disc production and was responsible for hundreds of classic albums being put to CD.

Released in 1986

Sony MU-E311 31 Band Equaliser

The Sony MU-E311 was part of Sony’s complete range of professional audio products, matching the aesthetic, sound quality and build quality of the Sony MU-R201 stereo digital reverb.

Released in 1986

Sony MU-R201 Stereo Digital Reverb

The Sony MU-R201 was released following the comparatively high-priced Sony DRE-2000 and marked Sony’s initial foray into stereo processing for their reverbs. Although it gained limited traction in the western market, it achieved popularity in Japan. Despite this, Roger Nichols was an ardent proponent of the MU-R201 and employed it extensively in his mixing, including some of the Steely Dan mixes.