HISTORY TIMELINE OF AUDIO

By: Jordan Ray

1976

Dr. Stockham of Soundstream makes the first 16-bit digital recording in the U.S. at the Santa Fe Opera.

Credits.

http://www.aes.org/aeshc/docs/audio.history.timeline.html

1978

The first standard for the use of 14-bit PCM adaptors with VCR decks is embodied in Sony's PCM-1 consumer VCR adaptor.

1980

Sony introduces a stereo cassette tape player called a "Walkman“ that could fit in the palm of your hand.

1981

Philips explains the Compact Disc (CD).

1982

Sony releases the first CD player, called the CDP-101.

1983

Fiber-optic cable is used for long-distance digital audio transmission, linking New York and Washington, D.C.

1984

The Apple Corporation markets the Macintosh or Mac computer.

1986

R-DAT recorders are introduced in Japan.

1985

Dolby makes the Spectral Recording system.

1987

Digidesign markets "Sound Tools," a Macintosh-based digital workstation using DAT as its source and storage medium.

1990

Dolby makes a 5-channel surround-sound scheme for home theater systems.

1991

Ampex makes 499 mastering tape.

1992

The Nagra D is made as a battery-operated field recorder using Nagra's own 4-channel 24-bit open-reel format.

1993

Mackie creates the first "affordable" 8-bus analog console.

1994

Yamaha creates the ProMix 01, the first payable digital multitrack console.

1995

The first "solid-state“ audio recorder, the Nagra ARES-C, is created. It is run on batteries recording on PCMCIA cards using MPEG-2 audio compression.

1996

Experimental digital recordings are made at 24 bits and 96 kHz.

1997

DVD disc and players are introduced.

1998

MP-3 players for downloaded Internet audio are now created.

1999

Audio DVD Standard 1.0 agreed upon by manufacturers.