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Average Price: $200
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$100
$501+
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Description
Experience the sonic versatility of the Yamaha SPX90 Digital Multi Effects Processor, a staple in the world of studio recording and live performances. This effects processor is renowned for its legendary reverb algorithms, offering musicians and audio engineers a vast array of soundscapes at their fingertips. Perfect for both digital and analog setups, the SPX90 integrates seamlessly into any audio environment, enhancing the depth and texture of your sound.
The processor is equipped with 30 preset and user-editable effects, including reverb, delay, modulation, and pitch change, providing a comprehensive toolkit for creative sound manipulation. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate through settings, allowing quick adjustments during live performances or recording sessions. This unit is particularly favored for its durability and reliability, ensuring consistent performance in various scenarios.
Ideal for musicians seeking to elevate their sound, the SPX90's advanced modulation capabilities offer unparalleled flexibility, adapting to the needs of any genre. Whether you're crafting ambient soundscapes or adding depth to a live band mix, this effects processor delivers professional-grade quality every time.
Key Features:
- 30 preset and user-editable effects including reverb, delay, and modulation
- Legendary reverb algorithms for rich, immersive sound
- User-friendly interface for easy navigation and adjustments
- Advanced modulation capabilities for versatile sound design
- Seamless integration with both digital and analog setups
- Durable construction for reliable performance in diverse environments
Product specs
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | SPX90 Digital Sound Processor |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1980s |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Multi-Effect |
FAQs
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What types of effects does the Yamaha SPX90 offer?
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The Yamaha SPX90 provides a range of effects including reverb, delay, chorus, flanger, phaser, and pitch change, making it versatile for various audio processing needs.
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Is the Yamaha SPX90 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Yamaha SPX90 is suitable for live performances due to its robust build and diverse effect options, which can enhance live sound mixing.
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How does the Yamaha SPX90 connect to other audio equipment?
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The Yamaha SPX90 connects via standard 1/4" jacks, allowing integration with most audio setups, including mixers and amplifiers.
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Can the Yamaha SPX90 be used in a home studio setup?
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Yes, the Yamaha SPX90 is well-suited for home studio setups, providing a variety of effects to enhance recordings and mixes.
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Does the Yamaha SPX90 have MIDI capabilities?
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The Yamaha SPX90 includes MIDI functionality, enabling control and automation of its effects parameters through external MIDI devices.
Videos
Robert Baker
The Most Iconic Gear Of The 80s (1985 Yamaha SPX90) Ep1
The Most Iconic Gear Of The 80s (1985 Yamaha SPX90) Ep1
Robert Baker
Yamaha SPX90
hovercraft Artifact
Yamaha SPX90: The Secret To An 'MBV’ Shoegaze Reverb Sound
These Things Make Noises
Yamaha SPX 90
Vintage Digital
Reviews
PROS
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Unique sound capabilities not found in other units
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Symphonic preset enhances movement in mixes effectively
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Notable usage on famous albums adds to its appeal
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Clean up effect for distorted signals when used correctly
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Offers a wide range of effects including reverb, modulation, and compression
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MIDI compatibility for advanced control options
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Direct analog bypass preserves original signal quality
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Particularly enhances rock snares, drums, and analog synths
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Affordable price for a versatile multi-effect unit
CONS
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Requires careful signal chain placement to avoid cleaning out desired distortion
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Limited by a 16bit, 31kHz DAC/ADC, affecting sound quality
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha SPX90.
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 33 Ratings
344
Amazing
Fantastic digital reverbs and modulation. Have used this on a number of records now.
Preferred Settings + Usage:
Hall reverb for around 10 seconds.
557
It's awesome! ...Trust me
It's awesome and it was used on both of my favorite albums, Loveless and Nevermind. Zakk Wylde used it on No More Tears, which is my favorite Ozzy album, and one of my favorite songs, so this was a no brainer for me.
Personally using it, it seems to clean up almost all the distortion if you put a pedal before it, so you have to put the pedal after it. Strangely, I prefer using it as a chorus for my piano and just playing my guitar with a distortion pedal and no other effects.
900
An Excellent budget Multi-FX, Good Reverbs, Excellent Chorus, and some pretty intresting creative effects
Bought for less than 80€, its a good multi-effect unit sporting 60Presets, MIDI compatibility, Mono In and Stereo Out, Effects features Reverbs (Hall, Room, Plate and Vocal), Modulation (Chorus A, Chorus B, Symphonic, Phaser and Flanger), Delay, Pitch Change (also with MIDI note control) Freeze, Echo, compression and more! It sports a 16bit, 31kHz DAC/ADC with direct analog bypass, his low sample rate make him very cool sounding on Rock snares and drums (hall, vocal and plate reverbs) and on analog synths (chorus and symphonic) I've also found it very good on Violin and strings with the Symphonic program
41029
I regret selling mine last year. There's a gritty quality to the delays and modulations that has a place even though it doesn't sound 'good' - and as you say, the early reflections on their own still hold up well today.
Artist usage
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Jeff used a Yamaha SPX90, according to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, of his 2002 rig.
At his home in Tokyo he works only with that NEC computer, running an eight-track sequencing package called Come On Music, with the DX7 as his only MIDI keyboard, a small mixing console, and a Yamaha SPX90 effects rack - the last moving him to one of his only spontaneous remarks about equipment: "It is very good, the SPX."
You can see the Yamaha spx90 around 0:09 min mark in the attached video.
In a 1986 issue of Japanese Keyboard Magazine, there are multiple photographs of Tony Banks' rig from the Invisible Touch tour. Among these images is a picture showcasing Tony's rack synths and effects, where the Yamaha SPX90 can be seen underneath the Roland MKS-80.
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Used for the lead vocals on "Angel Dance", as is visible in the input chain sheet provided by tracking and mixing engineer Mike Poole in this December 2010 Sound on Sound article.
Poole was organised enough for this interview to supply a copy of his assistant Gordon Hammond's input chain sheet, reproduced on the left.
Auction for Alan Wilder's Yamaha SPX 90.
Kenny Hickey used the Yamaha SPX90 Digital Multi Effects Processor during tours and for the recording of the "October Rust" album, as shown in a user-uploaded photo on Tumblr.
If you ever see Mike's rig, you'll see he carries a Yamaha SPX-90 in a single space rack.
The VIVIsectVI era practice-setup as drawn by Dwayne Goettel.
"I used those with a variety of rack effects like the Yamaha SPX 90, and TC Electronic 2290, and Eventide H3000 in a stereo set up. A little later I also used a Roland GP-8. Slightly off topic, my Dad liked the sound of many of my presets on the GP-8 so I went to Guitar Center and bought him one. I copied all of my presets into it and he used it extensively on his 1988 tour. The clean sound that you hear him soloing with is him playing his blonde Performance Guitar through the GP-8."
This can be seen as part of the rack-mountable equipment in the studio in this video.
Warren described his live rig his Guitar World interview, April 1987: "The output of [Marshall 100-watt amplifier's] preamp section goes into a control board for the effects I’m using, which are a Lexicon PCM-41 delay, a PCM-42 delay, and the Yamaha SPX90."
Ratt only seemed to have custom-made midi or relay switchers on stage instead of pedalboards. As you can see, Warren and Robbin had some similarities in their rigs, with SPX90 being one of them.
Album Usage
The Yamaha SPX90 has been featured on the following albums:
Gift
The Sisterhood (2022)
Maps and Trails
Sergey Golovin (2016)
Pop
U2 (1997)
My Life
Mary J. Blige (1994)
No More Tears (Expanded Edition)
Ozzy Osbourne & Ozzy Osbourne (1991)
VIVI SECT VI
Skinny Puppy (1988)
No Rest for the Wicked (Expanded Edition)
Ozzy Osbourne & Ozzy Osbourne (1988)
![Yamaha SPX90 as heard on Rage For Order (Remastered) [Expanded Edition] by Queensrÿche (1986)](https://images.equipboard.com/uploads/album/image/46270/rage-for-order-remastered-expanded-edition.jpg)
Rage For Order (Remastered) [Expanded Edition]
Queensrÿche (1986)
Hybrid
Michael Brook (1985)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Yamaha SPX90, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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