The Sony DPS-R7 was a high-end digital reverb processor that built upon Sony’s earlier successes with the DRE-2000 and MU-R201, incorporating advanced digital and audio technologies into a powerful and versatile unit. Highly regarded for its sonic quality and flexibility, the Sony DPS-R7 offered studio professionals a range of reverberation options previously only possible through much more complex or expensive systems.
Signal quality was at the heart of the Sony DPS-R7’s design. It converted incoming analogue signals into digital form for internal processing, and then reconverted them to analogue on output. This process was handled by an 18-bit oversampling stereo A/D converter paired with a pulse D/A converter operating at 40.96 MHz, ensuring exceptional clarity and minimal signal degradation throughout the effect chain.
Ease of operation was made possible through a large backlit LCD, capable of displaying 40 characters across two lines. This display not only showed the unit’s real-time status during operation but also included an integrated on-line manual in English, giving users direct access to functional instructions as they worked.
The Sony DPS-R7 came equipped with 100 factory-preset effects, designed by musicians, sound mixers and acoustic engineers around the world. These presets offered instant usability for a wide range of musical and production contexts. Users seeking further creative control could access the EDIT function, which allowed for modification of factory presets or the creation of entirely new ones. Beyond the built-in presets, the Sony DPS-R7 featured user memory that could store up to 256 custom effects, offering an expanded canvas for original sound design.
Internally, the Sony DPS-R7 was structured around a reverberation block supported by an input block, a pre-effect block, a post-effect block and an output block. Within the reverberation block, stereo input and stereo output processing could be carried out using one of five available ST-ST algorithms. Alternatively, monaural input to stereo output processing was possible using any two MONO-ST algorithms. The pre-effect block offered a choice of six different algorithms, while the post-effect block included seven. By combining these blocks and selecting from the available algorithm sets, the Sony DPS-R7 was capable of producing a wide spectrum of reverb-based effects adaptable to virtually any input source.
Remote operation of the unit was supported through the optional Sony remote commander, which was sold separately. In terms of connectivity, the unit was outfitted with both balanced XLR connectors and standard phone jacks, allowing it to be integrated with musical instruments, PA systems or professional recording equipment.
For digital integration, the Sony DPS-R7 supported full MIDI connectivity. It could receive program change signals from other MIDI devices, enabling control from a keyboard or other digital instrument. Additionally, the unit could be controlled via MIDI sequencers or PCs with MIDI interfaces, enabling automated performance and composition workflows. Through a blend of quality, usability and creative depth, the Sony DPS-R7 secured its place as a significant digital reverb processor in professional studios worldwide.
Features
- Developed with Sony’s advanced digital audio technology following the DRE-2000 and MU-R201
- 18-bit oversampling stereo A/D converter and 40.96 MHz pulse D/A converter for high-precision processing
- Large backlit LCD with 40 characters by 2 lines for real-time monitoring
- Built-in on-line manual viewable directly on the display
- 100 factory preset effects created by professional musicians and engineers
- EDIT function for customising presets or creating original effects
- User memory supports storage of up to 256 user-created effects
- Reverberation block with five ST-ST and two MONO-ST algorithms for stereo and mono processing
- Pre-effect block with six selectable algorithms
- Post-effect block with seven selectable algorithms
- Modular block architecture allows flexible effect combinations tailored to the input source
- Optional remote commander available for external control
- XLR balanced and phone jack connectors for integration with various audio systems
- Full MIDI support for program change control and automation via keyboards, PCs or MIDI sequencers
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How much did this unit lust for?