Innovations: 1970 - 1989

The music products industry has produced many technical innovations over the years.   It has also been influenced by innovations created outside the industry.  Sample sounds of some key innovations from 1970 to 1989.

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Linn LM-1
Drum machine, 1979

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Roland TR-808
Electronic drums, 1980

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ARP 2600
Monophonic analog synthesizer, 1970

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Minimoog
Monophonic synthesizer, 1971

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E-MU Emulator
Digital sampling keyboard, 1981

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Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
Analog polyphonic synthesizer, 1978

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Yamaha CP-70
Electric grand piano, 1983

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Yamaha DX-7
Polyphonic synthesizer, 1983

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Roland D-50
Digital polyphonic synthesizer, 1987

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Korg M-1
Digital polyphonic workstation, 1989

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MIDI Controllers
Roland MP401 MIDI Interface introduced in 1983
Roland GR-700 Guitar Synthesizer introduced in 1984

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Live Electronic Orchestra (LEO)
Don Lewis’ instrument that inspired MIDI, 1974