Yamaha SPX90 Digital Sound Processor, 1985, made in Japan

Link: vintagedigital

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
- Reverb
- ER1 and ER2
- Delay
- Echo
- Flanging
- Chorus
- Phasing
- Pitch Change
- Freeze (Sampling)
- Reverb & Gate
- Gate
- Compressor
- Auto Pan
- Triggered Pan
- Delay Vibrato
- Parametric EQ

SPECIFICATIONS
Released: 1985
Quantization: 16bit Linear
Sampling Frequency: 31.25kHz
Frequency Response: 20HZ-12kHz
Dynamic Range: Reverb 75dB/Delay 81 dB
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