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The Yamaha SPX90 was released in 1985 as an affordable multi-effects processor for the masses. It remains today a true classic digital effects processor.
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The Yamaha SPX90 is still in use today, in studios around the world, both professional and personal and has become a classic primarily for the Symphonic preset.
When it was released way back in 1985 no one would have expected it to become a classic, probably not even Yamaha themselves who continued to release better specified models year after year. Regardless of the improved noise floor, wider bandwidth and stereo inputs of the later models, it is the Yamaha SPX90 that remains the sought after Yamaha effects processor.
The Yamaha SPX90 is an amalgam of advanced acoustical research and digital technology designed to provide musicians and home recording enthusiasts with a wide range of exciting effects.
The Yamaha SPX90 Digital Multi-Effect Processor utilizes highly refined LSI (Large Scale Integration) technology to create natural reverberation. Not only is its assortment of 30 preset effects comprehensive enough to suit most studio and performance applications, the SPX90 also allows you to create up to 60 additional effects and store them for instant recall.
The SPX90 can create effects far beyond mere reverberation, though that in itself is of a truly superior quality. A variety of echo, delay, and special effects – each with comprehensive parameter and adjustments – can be accessed at the touch of a switch. And as the Yamaha SPX90 is MIDI-compatible, it can be programmed to apply separate reverberation effects to a variety of MIDI compatible instruments.
The SPX90 Digital Multi-Effect Processor will prove extremely useful in a variety of applications: acoustic electric, PA, MIDI instrument, and home recording systems.
The Yamaha SPX90 is equipped with a selection of 30 outstanding preset effect programs. The Yamaha SPX90 offers incredible sonic flexibility, as each effect type comprises its own set of parameters. These parameters can be adjusted to suit your tastes and the tonal characteristics of your music equipment.
The Yamaha SPX90 offers incredible sonic flexibility, as each effect type comprises its own set of parameters. These parameters can be adjusted to suit your tastes and the tonal characteristics of your musical equipment. We therefore recommend that you examine each preset effect program, and observe how these parameters affect the sound. You will soon discover many new and exciting applications for the Yamaha SPX90’s preset effect programs.
Programs & Parameters
The preset programs in the SPX90 fail into the following types: REV (Reverb), ERI and ER2 (Early Reflections), DELAY, ECHO, MOD (Modulation), GATE, PITCH, FREEZE, PAN, VIBRATO and PEO (parametric equalizer). Each of these program types has a specific selection of programmable parameters.
“Parameters” indicates the separate, individual functions that make up each effect. There are two types of parameters in the SPX90: “invisible” parameters (non-programmable, fixed-value parameters) and programmable parameters (those you can edit, or modify).
Effects Available
Released: 1985
Quantization: 16bit Linear
Sampling Frequency: 31.25kHz
Frequency Response: 20Hz-12kHz
Dynamic Range: Reverb 75dB/Delay 81dB
THD: Below 0.03%
Memory:
Presets: 1-30
User Memory: 31-90
All parameters except input level can be memorized.
Dimensions: 480mm x 45.2mm x 285mm
Weight: 3.2kg
Vocals Dry
Rev 1 Hall Reverb
Rev 3 Vocal Reverb
Brass Dry
Rev 1 Hall Reverb
Drums Dry
Stereo Flange B
ER1 Type Hall Reverb
ER1 Type Plate Reverb
ER2 Type Hall Reverb
ER2 Type Random
Gated Reverb Type Hall
Gated Reverb Type Plate
Gated Reverb Type Random
Pitch Change C
Rev 1 Hall Reverb
Rev 1 Hall 2 Reverb
Rev 1 Hall 3 Reverb
Rev 1 Hall 4 Reverb
Rev 2 Room Reverb
Rev 3 Vocal Reverb
Rev 4 Plate Reverb
Reverb Gate
Reverse Gate Type Hall
Reverse Gate Type Plate
Reverse Gate Type Random
Reverse Gate Type Reverse
Stereo Flange
Guitars Dry
Autopan
Chorus A
Chorus B
Delay LR
ER1 Hall Reverb
ER1 Plate Reverb
ER1 Reverse Reverb
ER2 Plate Reverb
Pitch Change A
Pitch Change B
Pitch Change C
Pitch Change D
Rev 1 Hall Reverb
Rev 2 Room Reverb
Rev 3 Vocal Reverb
Rev 4 Plate Reverb
Stereo Echo
Symphonic
Acoustic Guitar
Rock Guitar
Guitar Clean
Pop Guitar
Picky Guitar
Jazz Guitar
Rock Guitar Solo
Blues Guitar Solo
Bass Guitar
Strings
Vocal
Piano
Piano Solo
Community Score
USERS
(4 Reviews)
By Jota
One of the first reverb rack units that I ever used, it sounds fantastic, and it have the most useful chorus effect ever.
By Simon Alexander
When the SPX came out in 1985, I grabbed one straight away. It was roughly half the price of a Rev 7 and did a similar job, but with a few additions of pitch shifting and a crude short sampling mode that I can’t remember if the option to control by midi was available. The reverb and multi effects were the main attraction for me and it did those very well. Infact when put in comparison to the Rev 7’s reverb, it’s very close indeed. I still have two SPX’s in my studio today and occasionally they get used on percussion sounds, but are only relegated to secondary use because I have a lot of other reverbs to choose from. As a general summary, they are well worth the money they go for today.
By Anonymous
My first piece of outboard gear was a Yamaha REV7, and the SPX90 was the second. The SPX I still have and use, and it has been at the heart of some of my best mixes. Sure some of the programs are “grainy” or “bright” but many of them sit perfectly and the Symphonic is worth the price of this unit alone. (The REV7 was traded to a friend for a 1968 sparkle-top Rhodes Suitcase, and while I miss the reverb, I was the winner in that trade, no question.
By Luca Marenco
Lovely old-looking rack, it has a bunch of warm-sounding, old-school reverbs which, summed with its other delays and psychoacoustic effects make a good unit even nowadays, specially if you search those old ’80/’90 warm, soft sound. I recommend it for genres like Rock, Funk, Electronic and for some cool sounding Jazz; its too hot-sounding for stuff like metal. Overall a good fx (also cheap!) to have in your rack.
The Yamaha REV500 delivers extraordinary reverb depth and resolution for ambiance that can only be described as “alive”.
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ALL IMAGES ARE THE COPYRIGHT OF VINTAGE DIGITAL AND CAN NOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION
COPYRIGHT © 2014-2020 VINTAGE DIGITAL | ECOMMERCE WEBSITE BY RETAIL LABS
ALL IMAGES ARE THE COPYRIGHT OF VINTAGE DIGITAL AND CAN NOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION