The 1980s

Updated 2 years ago

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1980s Playlist

Highlights:

Technology for parties on a beach slowly develops, from electricity to vacuum tubes to DAT machines, along with the requisite discovery of LSD.
Goa, India develops as a hippy haven. Electronic music takes off.

Technologies

1980
Roland releases TR-808, the most widely used drum machine in popular music, with the DCB protocol and DIN interface
Yamaha releases GS-1, the first FM digital synthesizer
Kazuo Morioka creates Firstman SQ-01, the first bass synth with a sequencer

1981
Roland releases TB-303, a bass synthesizer that lays foundations for acid house music
Toshiba’s LMD-649, the first PCM digital sampler
MTV launched

1982
Sony and Philips introduce compact disc
First MIDI synthesizers released, Roland Jupiter-6 and Prophet 600

1983
Introduction of MIDI
Roland releases MSQ-700, the first MIDI sequencer; the TR-909, the first MIDI drum machine; and the MC-202, the first groovebox
Yamaha releases DX7, the first commercially successful digital synthesizer

1985
Akai releases the Akai S612, a digital sampler

1986
The first digital consoles appear

1987
Digidesign markets Sound Tools

1988
Akai introduces the Music Production Controller (MPC) series of digital samplers

1989
Digital Audio Workstation

* * *

1980

Roland releases TR-808, the most widely used drum machine in popular music
Roland introduces DCB (Digitial Control Bus) protocol and DIN interface with TR-808 1980
Yamaha releases GS-1, the first FM digital synthesizer
Kazuo Morioka creates Firstman SQ-01, the first bass synth with a sequencer

1981

Roland releases TB-303, a bass synthesizer that lays foundations for acid house music
Toshiba’s LMD-649, the first PCM (Phase Change Memory) digital sampler

MTV launched

1982

Sony and Philips introduce compact disc
First MIDI synthesizers released, Roland Jupiter-6 and Prophet 600

June 25, 1982 – Bladerunner premiere

1983

DJs Laurent and Fred Disko first to play Goa music in Goa, followed closely by Goa Gil.

Goa Gil: A Tribute to a Psychedelic Trance Pioneer and Icon

Goa Gil: A Tribute to a Psychedelic Trance Pioneer and Icon

1951 - October 26, 2023 Goa Pioneer Goa Gil on Wikipedia Rolling Stone India Gil and Albert Hofmann!! "October 2023 will long be remembered as one of the heaviest most profound and sad periods in the multi generational, global community that is psychedelic trance. Following on the heels of Oct 7, our world is yet rocked again by the passing of one of our most enduring icons. It's not a hidden secret that I've had some rather vocal opinions about Goa Gil over the years, but one's opinions and hot takes are just that... the ramblings of a singular experience. The weight and impact of man who has profoundly affected so many for so long surely transcends the soap box of a malcontent such as myself. Goa Gil was truly the definition of a living. legend. One whos influence and dedication to the music and the scene touched countless dancers and hearts around the world. The dance floor and healing holistic experience we all bask in would not be how it is today if not for his dedication to openness and the discipline of meditation through dance We owe much of who we are today regardless of where our musical styling lay to the bedrock and foundation that one our undeniably greatest pioneers laid down so many years ago." - Lawrence Chavoya Dear Global Community, Words are inadequate for what we wish to communicate with you. It is with heavy hearts that we share with you news of Shri Mahant Managalanand Puri aka Goa Gil has left his worldly body in the comfort of his home. Babaji was cared for in his final days by his family, devotees & friends. In his final days Babaji wished to send his love and blessings to all and wanted to thank everyone for the love and support he has received over the years. He was at peace and was ready for his onward journey. We thank you for your respect and support during this sensitive period. If you wish to know more about the current situation, give dakshina or donate to his final expenses, please check the link below.https://www.gofundme.com/f/goagil meets Goa Gil December 17, 2005 by Machinelf Goa Gil will be playing in New York City over New Year’s 2005. When he answered our questions via email, he added various pictures and icons. The following is the email received from him “as is.” Goa Gil is a living legend who needs no introduction; he is a living embodiment of GoaTrance and was in many ways goa trance/psy-trance's obstetrician. <SNIP>\ hi jeff, namaste and greetings from kalifornia !!! here are the answered questions !!! please keep the whole thing intact as one thing, and please do not edit, or remove, any of the answers or the questions !!! so here you go: In a message dated 12/5/2005 2:16:05 P.M. Pacific SA Daylight Time, machinelf@tranceam.org writes: When I was selling advertising for the Mayor of New York's financial company Bloomberg LLC in 1998-9, I would pop your Spiritual Trance CD in the rental cars as I was driving around Texas. I think the music made me not want to do work that felt so inherently meaningless, so I eventually left for an extended period of (I'll use a euphemism here!) technobohemianism. I know it wasn't like I was Manson listening to the White Album, but I've always wanted to ask you, did you program that message in yourself or was the big ole Trance Rorschack Blot? the spiritual trance cd... that is quite a long time ago.. more than 10 years !!! it is the ...

Introduction of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
Roland releases MSQ-700, the first MIDI sequencer
Roland releases TR-909, the first MIDI drum machine
Roland releases MC-202, the first groovebox
Yamaha releases DX7, the first commercially successful digital synthesizer

1984

1985

Oral history of The World nightclub (Interview magazine)

Akai releases the Akai S612, a digital sampler

Texas Club Scene in the Late 80s Playlist

1986

The first digital consoles appear

Chapora Fort Full Moon Party 1986
“We were three ex-soul boys from Croydon who fancied ourselves as bom-again hippies and what we found at the ruins of the old Portuguese fort was probably the biggest shock of our young, sheltered lives. South American drug dealers with girlfriends who looked like Vogue models, Ibizan jet-set types, spaced out old heads and cool looking Italians, all dancing to instrumental Euro-disco, hi-NRG, and early house. It was like Miami Vice, the Star Wars bar room, Woodstock, and Apocalypse Now all rolled into one. We looked on in horror, disbelief and wide-eyed excitement. Life was never quite the same again.”

Watchmen 1 1

September
Watchmen issue #1

1987

Digidesign markets Sound Tools
DAT (Digital Audio Tape) quickly becomes Goa Gil’s preferred method of DJing

1988

Here is a wonderful archived recollection by Kelly Cole of New York nightlife in the late 80s and early 90s. Also there is No Sleep: NYC Nightlife Flyers 1988 to 1999

Akai introduces the Music Production Controller (MPC) series of digital samplers

Chromium Picolinate became a fad. “Turns fat into muscle!!”

Here is a wonderful archived recollection by Kelly Cole of New York nightlife in the late 80s and early 90s

1989

DAW (Digital Audio Workstation )

December 17, 1989 – Simpsons Premiere

1990-1992

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