Released in 1980

Aphex Model 602 Aural Exciter

Released in 1980, the Aphex Model 602 Aural Exciter was the first version available for purchase, offering studios the renowned harmonic enhancement and spatial clarity previously only accessible by rental. It became a staple for adding presence, detail, and vibrancy to professional recordings.

Released in 1980

360 Systems Model 2800 Programmable Equaliser

The 360 Systems Model 2800 Programmable Equaliser was a fairly unique product at the time of its release in 1980, with its tactile controls and programmability. Using a Z-80 microprocessor and CMOS memory storage, the 360 Systems Model 2800 Programmable Equaliser was able to store up to 28 user created EQ curves.

Released in 1980

Publison DHM B2 Stereo Digital Audio Computer

The Publison DHM B2 out of France is a stereo audio computer, which allows dual digital delays and dual pitch shifting effects, it preceded the Publison Infernal Machine.

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 1980

dbx 165 Compressor/Limiter

The dbx 165 is a professional single channel compressor/limiter that features the new dbx Over Easy compression curve. The dbx Over Easy compression curve permits extremely smooth, almost inaudible compression due to the gradual change of compression ratio around the threshold, instead of the customary sharp threshold.

Released in 1980

EMT 244 Digital Reverb

The EMT 244 Digital Reverb, released in 1980, was a compact, affordable alternative to the EMT 250. Known for its simple design and high-quality 13-bit digital processing, it became a studio favourite for its natural, detailed reverb. Its legacy endures as a sought-after piece of vintage gear for its reliability and sound.

Released in 1981

AMS DM2-20 Tape Phase Simulator

The AMS DM2-20 tape phase simulator is the result of extensive research into the requirements and needs of the recording industry, for accurate simulation of tape phasing. Unlike other units of this kind, which solely mix the delayed signal with the original, the DM2-20 uses two independent delay lines to allow true ‘over the top‘ tape phase simulation.

Released in 1981

Roland SDE-2000 Digital Delay

Roland’s first digital delay, the Roland SDE-2000 was a big hit when it arrived, guitarists took to it like a duck to water, as too did home recording studios. It may have had limited bandwidth with the relatively low sampling rate of 26kHz, but that did not stop the success Roland enjoyed with the SDE-2000, but it did kill off the Space Echo, for a while at least.

Released in 1981

AMS DMX15R Digital Reverb

The AMS DMX15R was designed as a digital reverb add-on for the AMS DMX 15-80S digital delay system. However, it is uncertain if this product was ever mass-produced, and if it was, it remains extremely rare. It is more likely that the AMS DMX15R was eventually developed into a standalone digital reverb unit (AMS RMX 16) that did not depend on the AMS DMX 15-80S to operate.

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

TASCAM 44 4-Track Tape Recorder

The TASCAM 44 is a 4-track ¼-inch reel-to-reel recorder designed for professional mastering, editing, and video sync applications. It supports 7½ and 15 ips tape speeds, offers full servo-controlled transport with quartz-referenced motors, and delivers wide frequency response up to 22 kHz, low wow and flutter, and high signal-to-noise ratio.

Released in 1981

AMS RMX 16 Digital Reverberation System

There have been many digital reverbs over the years, but few are as revered as the AMS RMX 16, which you will still find in studios the world over, some 40 years later. That in itself is enough to indicate just how good this reverb unit is, but it is also the only ‘old’ digital reverb that is being remade now.