Categories
Effect Rack Multi-Effects Processor

Eventide H3000-D/SE

Classic studio rack effect processor

Eventide H3000-D/SE audio demos

Eventide H3000-D/SE photos

Eventide H3000-D/SE manuals

Eventide H3000-D/SE specs

Year of release1994
PresetsMany banks of 100s
Sound generation methoddigital
MIDIin, out, thru
Sound expansion capabilitiesn/a
EffectsYes
Controlsbuttons
Outputsstereo input & output XLR pairs
DisplayLCD

Eventide H3000-D/SE links

https://www.eventide.com

Categories
Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Oberheim OB-Xa

Classic polyphonic analog synthesizer

Classic synth widely used in many genres / styles of music of the early-to-mid 1980s.

Oberheim OB-Xa audio demos

Oberheim OB-Xa photos

Oberheim OB-Xa manuals

Oberheim OB-Xa factory patches

Oberheim OB-Xa specs

Year of release:1980
Polyphony:4-6-8-voice
Sound generation method:analog
Keyboard:61-key
Preset memories32
MIDI:no
Keyboard modes:single
Sound expansion capabilities:no
Sequencerno
Arpeggiatorno
Effectsno
Touch sensitivityno
Aftertouchno
Display:no
Accessories:sequencer (DSX)
Footswitches: Sustain, Hold, Program Advance
Foot Pedals: Filter, Vibrato
Power90-130 or 180-240 Volts AC, 50-60 Hz, 50 Watts
Dimensions40″ (101.6cm) wide, 20″ (50.8cm) deep, 6″ (15.24cm) high
Weight45 lbs. (20.41 kg)

Oberheim OB-Xa links

https://oberheim.com

Categories
Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Rev. 2

Classic polyphonic analog synthesizer

The super-classic Prophet-5 rev. 2, from the late 1970s / early 1980s.

Used by so many famous acts of the late ’70s up until the mid ’80s and beyond (check out for example the famous oscillator sync sound used by “The Cars”).

Super warm sounds, beautiful strings, pads, bass etc. but also incredibly good for special FX, thanks to the strong modulation capabilities on board.

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Rev. 2 Audio Demos

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Rev. 2 photos

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Rev. 2 manuals

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Rev. 2 factory patches

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Rev. 2 specs

Year of release:1978-79
Polyphony: 5-voice
Sound generation method:analog
Keyboard:61-key
Preset memories40
MIDI:no
Keyboard modes:single
Sound expansion capabilities:no
Sequencerno
Arpeggiatorno
Effectsno
Touch sensitivityno
Aftertouchno
Display:yes, 7-segment lcd
Accessories:sequencer
Dimensions
Weight

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Rev. 2 links

sequential.com

Categories
Digital Drum Machine Drum Machine

Sequential Circuits DrumTraks

Digital Drum Machine

Sequential Circuits DrumTraks audio demos

Custom patterns

Factory patterns

Factory songs

Sequential Circuits DrumTraks specs

Year of release1983
InstrumentsBass, Snare, Rim, Tom 1, Tom 2, Crash Cymbal, Ride Cymbal, Closed Hi-Hat, Open Hi-Hat, Claps, Tambourine, Cowbell, Cabasa
PatternsMax of 99, max of 100 measures
SongsMax of 99, max of 100 steps each
Tempo
Displayseven-segment lcd
MIDIIn, Out, Thru
Power
OtherCassette interface, Clock interface, MIDI
Dimensions
Weight

Sequential Circuits DrumTraks photos

Sequential Circuits DrumTraks manual

Sequential Circuits DrumTraks links

https://www.sequential.com

Categories
Effect Rack Digital Reverb Processor

MXR 01

Digital Reverb Processor

The MXR 01 Digital Reverb, a classic unit from the early-mid 1980s.

MXR 01 audio demos

A Casio CZ-1000 synthesizer was used as the sound source for all seven audio demos below.

MXR 01 photos

MXR 01 manual

MXR 01 specs

Year of release1984
Preset storage7 user settable presets
Sound generation methoddigital
Frequency response150 Hz – 10 kHz
MIDIn/a
Sound expansion capabilitiesn/a
EffectsSeveral types of reverb
Reverb time0.1 sec. to 24 sec.
Dynamic Range75dB (typical)
InputMono, 20k balanced bridging +6dB max.
OutputStereo, 100 ohms +6dB max.
Controlsbuttons
Connections1/4″ RTS phone jacks (balanced)
9 terminal barrier strip
Displayseven-segment, red
Power115V, 25W (US & Canada)
230V, 25W (Europe)
Dimensions1.75″ high EIA rack, 9″ deep
ProtectionMains transformer internally thermal limited

MXR 01 links

https://www.jimdunlop.com/products/electronics/mxr/

Categories
Sampler

Ensoniq Mirage

Sampler

Ensoniq Mirage audio demos

Ensoniq Mirage photos

Ensoniq Mirage manuals

Ensoniq Mirage specs

Year of release:1984
Polyphony:8 voices
Sound generation method:sampling
Preset memories2×3
MIDI:In, out, thru
Sampling2 to 6.5 seconds (per keyboard half).
Playback frequency10KHz to 33KHz
Sound expansion capabilities:sampling; diskettes
Sequenceryes, 333 notes
Arpeggiatorno
Velocityyes
Keyboard61-keys, with velocity
Aftertouchyes, polyphonic aftertouch
AccessoriesDisk library
Dimensions40.5″ (103cm) wide x 4″ (10cm) high x 13.5″ (34cm) deep
Weight24.75 pounds (10.8 kilograms)

Ensoniq Mirage links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ensoniq_Mirage

Categories
Digital Polyphonic Synthesizer Mini-Key Synthesizer Synthesizer

Roland JD-Xi

Interactive Analog/ Digital Crossover Synthesizer

Roland JD-Xi audio demos

Roland JD-Xi photos

Roland JD-Xi manuals

Roland JD-Xi patches

Roland JD-Xi specs

Year of release2015
Polyphony1129 voices (Digital Synth/Drum Kit: 128, Analog Synth: 1)
(Max. polyphony of the Digital Synth parts: 64 voices)
Sound generation methodVirtual Analog
Keyboard37 mini keys (with velocity)
Part multitimbrality4 Parts
(Digital Synth Part: 2, Drums Part: 1, Analog Synth Part: 1)
Preset memoriesDigital Synth Tone (SuperNATURAL Synth)
Analog Synth Tone
PCM Drum Kit
* For an analog synth tone, the oscillator, sub-oscillator, and filter sections consist of analog circuits.
MIDIin, out
Sound expansion capabilitiesn/a
Sequenceryes, 4-part pattern sequencer
Arpeggiatoryes
Effectsyes
Effect1 (Distortion, Fuzz, Compressor, Bit Crusher)
Effect2 (Flanger, Phaser, Ring Mod, Slicer)
Delay: 2 types
Reverb: 6 types
Velocityyes
ControllersPitch Bend/Modulation Wheel
Vocal functionsVocoder
Auto Pitch
Auto Note
Displayyes
ConnectorsHeadphones Jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone type
Output Jacks (L/MONO, R): 1/4-inch phone type
Input Jack (LINE(MONO) / Guitar Input): 1/4-inch phone type
MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT)
USB COMPUTER Port (USB Hi-Speed AUDIO/MIDI)
(Use a USB cable and a computer with a USB port that support Hi-Speed USB.)
DC IN Jack
MIC Input Jack: XLR type, unbalance
Power consumption1,000 mA
AccessoriesOwner’s Manual
AC Adaptor
Microphone
DimensionsWidth: 575 mm (22-11/16 inches)
Depth: 245 mm (9-11/16 inches)
Height: 85 mm (3-6/16 inches)
Weight2.2 kg
4 lbs. 14 oz.

Roland JD-Xi links

https://www.roland.com/global/products/jd-xi/

Categories
Desktop Virtual Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer Virtual Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer

Access Virus A

Classic desktop VA synthesizer

Access Virus A audio demos

Access Virus A photos

Access Virus A manuals

English

German

Access Virus A specs

Year of release1997
Polyphony12 voices
Sound generation methodVirtual Analog
Keyboardn/a
Waveform memory
Preset memories
MIDIin, out, thru
Sound expansion capabilitiesn/a
Sequencerno
Arpeggiatoryes
Effectsyes
Velocityyes
Display
Aftertouch
Displayyes
Options
Power consumption12V 1A power adapter
Dimensions
Weight

Access Virus A links

https://www.virus.info

Categories
Effect Rack Digital Delay Processor

Lexicon PCM41

Classic digital delay rack processor

Lexicon PCM41 audio demos

A Roland Juno-60 was used to play the demos below – first dry, then wet.

Lexicon PCM41 photos

Lexicon PCM41 manual

Lexicon PCM41 specs

Year of release1980
Presetsn/a
Sound generation methoddigital
MIDIn/a
Sound expansion capabilitiesn/a
EffectsDDL (Digital Delay Line) up to 800 milliseconds, doubling, flanger, vibrato, VCO modulation
Controlsbuttons
OutputsMono input & wet + dry outputs 1/4″ pairs
Displayno
Power consumption20W
DimensionsStandard 19″ relay rack mount (483 mm)
1-3/4″ high (44 mm) by 11″ deep (280 mm)
WeightNet, 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg); shipping 8 lbs. (3.6 kg)

Lexicon PCM41 links

https://lexiconpro.com

Categories
Effect Rack Multi-Effects Processor

Yamaha SPX90

Digital multi-effect processor

Classic digital multi-effect processor from the mid-1980s. Great Yamaha effects including many types of reverbs, delays, chorus, flanger, pitch-shifting, and the “Symphonic” ensemble effect.

Yamaha SPX90 audio demos

A Roland Juno-60 was used to play these demos – first dry, then wet.

Yamaha SPX90 photos

Yamaha SPX90 manual

Yamaha SPX90 specs

Year of release1985
Presets30 ROM, 60 RAM
Sound generation methoddigital
MIDIin, thru
Sound expansion capabilitiesn/a
EffectsSeveral types of reverbs, delays, chorus, flanger, pitch-shift, compressor etc.
Controlsbuttons
OutputsMono input & Stereo outputs 1/4″ pairs
DisplayLCD green
Power consumption20W
Dimensions(W x H x D)
480mm x 45.2mm x 285mm
(18-7/8” x 1-3/4” x 11-1/4”)
Weight3.2 kg ( 7 lbs)

Yamaha SPX90 links

https://www.yamaha.com