Introduction

[sabianq]

Hey all,
So I Haven't seen any one mention the single most important piece of gear that totally changed how we listen to (and now) record music.

in 1965 a gentleman named James Russell invented the single most important piece of gear affectionately called the Compact Disk. however, the CD was not manufactured in mass until 1980 (the mass production of the CD enabled the beginning of the movement to hi-def recordings in the home).

Thanks to James Russel, we now have a great medium for storing and listening to music (and DATA).

The Compact disk lead the way for the DVD and Blue-ray medium.

If it wasn't for this digital medium, we would still be in the Analogue tape world.

[tech1]

What about the phonograph?? It was the precursor to the modern record player/turntable (still in use by D.J.'s!). Invented in 1877, it sure has the longest life of any music technology gear.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonograph

[sabianq]

What about the phonograph?? It was the precursor to the modern record player/turntable (still in use by D.J.'s!). Invented in 1877, it sure has the longest life of any music technology gear.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonograph

I thought the thread was gear that changed music within the last 25 years.

While at Winter NAMM this year, Sweetwater took the opportunity to interview audio professionals from around the industry regarding 25 products from the past 25 years that greatly influence audio and music production.

[tech1]

My bad

[wfhscoyotes]

Are we excluding mic's from this? Because i'm pretty sure the SM57 dropped a bomb on the dynamic mic industry.

I gotta give props to Casio. Aint nothin like a crappy ol' casio synth.

[Smithcok]

I think it would be that little clip they invented to put on a mic stand and hold your beer in safety.

Definately.

[perthaudio]

My 2 bobs worth: (1982-2007)

SSL consoles (studio)
CMI Fairlight - If you don't know what this is google it.
Sony digital multi-track recorders
Alesis hard disk recorders (ADAT)
Midi hardware
Lexicon PCM series delays and the Prime time 93.
IBM PC and it's clones.
Carver PWM power amps (pro touring)
Midas consoles (live)
Philips / Sony CD recorders
Eventide H-3000 harmonizer
DX7 Synth
Roland GR3000 Guitar Synth
Line Arrays (Dynacord) (live sound)
Turbosound TMS series concert cabs
Firewire Interface
SPDIF Interface

[Dave Burris]

1. Shure SM58
2. DBX 160
3. Gibson Les Paul
4. Maestro Echoplex
5. Arp 2600
6. Moog Minimoog Model D
7. Fender Rhodes
8. Sennheiser MD421
9. DeltaLab DL2 Acousticomputer
10. Lexicon Super Prime Time
11. Hammond B3 & Leslie
12. MXR Phase 90
13. Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face
14. Vox Wah Wah Pedal
15. Heil Talk Box
16. Chapman Stick
17. Linn Drum
18. Eventide Clockworks Harmonizer

Ok. I'll stop now!

[Nick Nash]

The wheel. Before that I had to carry my rack cases from place to place.

[davidryle]

After having suffered through the analog tape years (kudos to Les Paul for that multi-track idea), in recording I'd say the most ingenious device was the merging of MIDI with computer sequencer packages. I used to use Master Tracks Pro because it was all I could afford at the time, but Cubase, Cakawalk and other sequencer software were changing the way "synchronised" synthesizers were behaving. I used to have to build my own circuitry to get the horribly small and slow computers to trigger the various different square, pulse and inverted pulse triggers to my vintage stuff. These nice sequencer packages with Sequntial Circuits, Roland and Korg stuff made all the difference!

-David Ryle

[cdanddvdpublisher]

The air guitar. Man, I look so cool when I do that in a convex mirror.

[romanowski_studios]

How about the Avalon 737sp? and while we are at it, how about Cakewalk/Sonar and their developement of recording in 64 bit? and Rolands developement of V Vocal? And not to leave him out but how about Chuck Suraks work with the folks at Kurzweil? Thank you.

[soupbone]

I'd have to say the home computer. Also digital based recording in general. As a tack-on, cheaper but still good sounding large and small diaphram mics, and studio quality cheap dynamic mics. Now anyone and everyone can puttogether a home studio and make descent sounding recordings, whereas 20 years ago, you'd have to go to a studio and drop $500-$1000 for a three song demo that was still a craps shoot for sound quality, and that was generally unmastered as well. Now you hear songs on the radio that go gold and platinum that are recorded in small makeshift studios in a persons home (even if they are remixed and mastered in a large studio, the majority of the work can be done for fairly cheap at home).

[Golophei]

DX7IIFD/E
Ensoniq ESP
EMU Proteus series
Digitech Vocal Harmonizer
RX5

Roland VG8 Virtual Guitar Processor

Voyetra Sequencer Plus
Digital Performer
Giga Sampler

Yamaha Music Laptop
Akai MG14
Alesis Adat
Mark of the Unicorn

DAT
MP3
Internet
Internet User Forums

[Stundek]

The air guitar. Man, I look so cool when I do that in a convex mirror.

In that case - I'm a fan of the Philson. He was a true revolutionary.

http://www.mirrorimage.com/air/

Who would've thought it: A cigarette holder and a Refreshment Tray all on the one compact, easy-to-use unit.

http://www.mirrorimage.com/air/page04.html

Now, I'm not a guitar player, but even a keyboard player/drummer like me can dream of being Eddie Van Halen/Edge/whoever.

And whilst I'm about it - has anyone made mention of the Yamaha CS-80 - the King of the Polysynth? Not to mention Arturia's cut-price VST? And whilst I'm on the subject.....how about the advent of VST's and plug-ins, in general?

http://www.arturia.com/evolution/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LabRbmuqcKE