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.  tory.timeline.html tory.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.