Classic Recording Studio Equipment

Vintage Digital

Yamaha REV5

Yamaha REV5 Digital Reverberator

The Yamaha Rev5 was a digital effects marvel upon release. It skillfully emulated natural and plate reverberations, granting precise control and superior sound quality. With a 44.1 kHz sampling frequency, it delivered clear, transparent sound across the 20 Hz to 20 kHz spectrum. This was groundbreaking in its time.

Details

Back in its heyday, the Yamaha Rev5 Digital Reverberator was a game-changer in the world of audio effects. With a collection of 30 preset effect programs, this piece of equipment allowed us to explore, customize, and store our sonic experiments in 60 RAM user memory slots. Those initial programs from 1 to 30 covered everything from classic reverb to early reflection, delay, modulation, gated reverb, and pitch change effects. But the real gems were the programs numbered .91 through .99, which presented a novel concept of “combination” programs. They essentially transformed our single Rev5 unit into a versatile suite of effects.

What made the Yamaha Rev5 truly exceptional was its fine-tuning capabilities. Each effect program had its own individual three-band parametric EQ parameters, enabling sound engineers and musicians to achieve that precise tonal balance they craved. Beyond that, the Rev5 unveiled a world of “internal parameters” that handed us complete control over the effect sound. For instance, when it came to the REVERB programs, we had access to a total of 12 parameters. These parameters allowed us to sculpt soundscapes with incredible precision, making sure the effect was just right.

The Yamaha Rev5 was ahead of its time in terms of MIDI compatibility. It featured a MIDI IN terminal that let us select effect programs effortlessly. But what really turned heads was the switchable MIDI THRU/OUT terminal. In OUT mode, we could transfer our edited programs stored in the internal RAM to a MIDI data recorder or other data storage devices. This kind of flexibility was groundbreaking for its era.

Convenience was at the heart of the Rev5’s design. The electronically balanced input and output terminals could be adjusted to match either -20 dBm or +4 dBm line levels, ensuring a seamless fit with a wide array of sound equipment.

The Yamaha Rev5’s sampling frequency was another standout feature. With a boosted rate of 44.1 kHz, it provided a complete, accurate frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This meant cleaner, more transparent effect sound and a broader range of control, something we marveled at during that time.

The Yamaha Rev5 also upped the ante with expanded control parameters and the inclusion of individual digital program EQ settings alongside a master EQ. This allowed us to fine-tune our sound not just broadly but with a level of detail we’d never experienced before.

From a historical standpoint, the Rev5’s MIDI In terminal for program selection and the versatile switchable MIDI Thru/Out terminal were significant advances. The industry was evolving rapidly, and this piece of equipment was at the forefront of that change.

Looking back, the Yamaha Rev5 Digital Reverberator was more than just a piece of gear; it was a testament to innovation and a vital tool for sound professionals. It offered a wide range of effects, precise control, and forward-thinking MIDI integration, making it a cornerstone of many studios and live performances during its era. Whether you were a musician, producer, or audio engineer, the Rev5 was your ticket to unlocking a world of sound possibilities.

Specifications

Released

  • Quantization: 16 Bit
  • Sampling Frequency: 44.1kHz
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Dynamic Range: Reverb: 78dB, Delay: 84dB
  • THD: Below 0.03%
  • Presets: 1-30, 91-99
  • User Memory: 31-90
  • Dimensions: 480mm x 90mm x 343mm
  • Weight: 5.5kg

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The details provided above are drawn from historical documents like advertising brochures or user manuals. They’re shared without bias or review. This info is given solely for your consideration, helping you gauge its usefulness to you.

Yamaha REV5

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Review

by Abdul Hye

Sound Quality 70%
Build Quality 80%
Usefullness 85%
Mojo/Funk 60%
Reliability 75%

I can keep this my own program and for its needs also, specifically for its complexity on different types of music today, although
Rev 5 is a vintage.

PERFECT

by Do Van Phung

Sound Quality 70%
Build Quality 80%
Usefullness 85%
Mojo/Funk 70%
Reliability 85%

OK good!

REV 5 A BARGAIN?

by Simon Alexander

Sound Quality 70%
Build Quality 60%
Usefullness 80%
Mojo/Funk 60%
Reliability 50%

As in my other reviews on this site, I have written a detailed review on my experience over the years with the Rev 7 from its first appearance (when I first bought mine) to its usability today and how it has stood up against modern compatible reverbs.. as with all these things, some of which can be down to personal taste and different applications to which we use reverberation in music.

 

As time passes, I have seen a huge reduction in price and desirability in early hardware reverb units. This is now quite apparent with the big lexicons and certainly at the lower end of the market such as the SPX range and Roland’s early SRV range. Having used pretty much most of the reverbs on the market from the early eighties to the mid 90s, I now find myself buying the odd units that I don’t have because they are simply too cheap to pass by. The Yamaha Rev 5, now falls into that category and if you can find a good working one you can pay as little as $200 or less!

 

For this kind of money, I would challenge anyone to find better value for money. In terms of its usefulness, It needs no introduction or qualification but there are a few things that I would like to mention to anyone that is about to do the same as I have just done.

 

Most people that have used or heard a Rev 7 and SPX (I hope) will already know their sonic qualities. The Rev 5 (in my opinion) offers some subtle improvements in various parameters and better overall bandwidth than its predecessor. Moving on from the techie stuff, I’m still a fan of its predecessor rather than saying the rev five is an obvious replacement. To my ears, the later rev five is certainly cleaner, and the earlier reflections are somewhat improved, but it’s a personal preference as to whether they are better or not? I certainly am happy to have both units for different options.

 

From a technical point of you, one thing that I have discovered, is there is a definitive fault in the two digit LED failing on quite a few units that have come up for sale! Indeed, my own unit had a failed LED display and I managed to buy a complete unit that was already being scrapped on eBay and managed to salvage the parts to get mine going! If you can find a good working one, then they are well worth the money., but check out the LED and the LCD display (although that is very simple to replace) before you buy one.

A CLASSIC REVERB

by Steven

Sound Quality 85%
Build Quality 80%
Usefullness 90%
Mojo/Funk 75%
Reliability 85%

I really liked my time with the Yamaha Rev5, it has many useful reverbs and the highly regarded Symphonic patch that is so revered on the SPX90. I probably should have kept it as I now miss it, so that has gotta mean something.

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