Page 12 – Vintage Digital

Released in 1988

Alesis Microverb

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 equalizer 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 any one else. The Lexicon 480L came along in 1988 and has remained in place at most studio around the world as it simply can not 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 Simultaneous 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 equalizer, simultaneously. And it did so with 20k bandwidth!

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.

Released in 1988

Akai PEQ6 Programmable Equalizer

Akai Professional Products released their Akai AR900 Digital Reverb along side the PEQ6 Programmable Equalizer with similar commercial acceptance. The Akai PEQ6 was targeted more towards the keyboard player rather than studios, and with it’s MIDI implementation is was perfect for that purpose too.

Released in 1988

Yamaha SPX1000 Professional Multi-Effect Processor

By 1988 when the Yamaha SPX1000 was released, Yamaha had pretty much established their place in recording studios the world over. Look at any modern studio effects rack and you will find Yamaha SPX1000s and it’s siblings, in studios the world over, such was the quality of these multi-effects processors.

Released in 1989

Alesis Microverb II

The Alesis Microverb II represents a clear breakthrough in signal processing technology. Utilizing the Alesis R.I.S.C. (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture. The Alesis Microverb II provides clean, quiet, professional digital reverberation with the cost and simplicity of spring units, in a highly compact enclosure.

Released in 1989

Tascam DA-50 Digital Audio Tape Recorder

The Tascam DA-50 Digital Audio Tape Recorder was the first US-legal DAT tape recorder with SCMS Copy protection, it was also a rebadged high-end TEAC or in Japan, Esoteric DAT recorder with some cosmetic changes to suit professional studio use.

Released in 1989

Tascam BR-20(T) Reel to Reel Recorder

The Tascam BR-20 Series are highly flexible and reliable professional stereo audio recorder/reproducers that use 1/4-inch-wide tape on 5, 7 and 10-1/2-inch reels, at two selectable speeds: 15 inch/s (38 cm/s) and 7.5 inch/s (19 cm/s). All models are switchable between NAB and IEC equalization.