HISTORY OF DEMETER AMPLIFICATION

1980

Our first product, the Red Box FET Direct Box was introduced. Designed by James Demeter, Rob Robinette and Phil Van Allen. Total production run of 15. This was a nice sounding unit utilizing a Jensen DBE transformer. One cool feature was that it had a built-in battery tester that showed battery status every time it was plugged in.

First prototypes of the NRS (single coil HUM reduction system) developed.

1981

The company is named Innovative Audio Systems.

The first prototype of the Tube Direct Box was built. Designed by James Demeter with a chassis designed by Phil Van Allen. The sound was so awesome we stopped building the Red Box FET Direct. The unit featured a Jensen DBE and had the highest input impedance ever on any direct box. It transformed 27 meg ohms to 150 ohms. Used by everyone from Lyle Lovett to AC/DC to George Massenberg. Over 3,000 have been built. Still in production.

VTBP-201 Tube Bass Preamp is built for Lee Sklar. The preamp featured the first tube preamp with a true low impedance output.

The first HUM reduction (noise-free single coil pick-up) systems are installed in artist's guitars at Carruther's Guitar.

BEQP-1 Onboard Bass EQ is built for Alfonso Johnson. Still in production. Over 2,000 built.

Phil Van Allen returns to school. All future design work is carried out by James Demeter.

1982

VTBP-201DB Bass Preamp is introduced. The unit featured for the first time in musical amplification equipment: polypropylene caps, metal film resistors and a fully regulated B+ voltage of 250 volts as well as DC to the tube filaments. The basic bass preamp design was perfected. Used by everyone from Clint Black to Tool to Stanley Clarke. The standard by which all other bass preamps are compared. Over 4,000 are in use.

1983

MB-2 Midboost/Fat Control for guitar is introduced and is included with the NRS for Stratocaster guitars. Over 3,000 built.

TRM-1 Tremulator is built for Ry Cooder (it would be the only true tremulo pedal built for the next 7 years). An authentic tremulo effect with range and depth never achieved before. Used by REM, Rolling Stones, Duane Eddy, Sonny Landreth, and any guitarist with good taste in tremulo. Over 8,000 produced.

1984

All tube effects loop added to VTBP-201DBL Bass Preamp.

MB-2T Tyler Midboost/Fat Control is produced for Jim Tyler of Tyler Guitars. Still in production.

1985

TGA-3 Guitar Amplifier is introduced. The first three channel guitar amplifier with a stereo effects loop. Only 200 produced. Used by Bonnie Raitt, Mike Ward (Wallflowers), Sonny Landrith, and others. Out of production.

First prototype of the Tube Microphone Preamp is built.

First prototype of the SSC-1 Silent Speaker Cabinet is built.

Boost feature is added to the VTDB-2 Tube Direct Box.