Concept
History
Vestax commenced its business in 1977 in Shibuya, Tokyo as the Shiino Musical Instruments design office to engage in the manufacture and sales of guitars and component amplifiers.
Since the foundation, trying to combine rapidly improving technologies with humanity, the company has been creating new product categories, such as world’s first stereo signal, pre-amplifier for use with musical instruments, compressor/limiter, voice changers for Karaoke, table-top Multi Track Recorders, table-top CD players for professional DJs, digital space commanders, DJ mixers, digital controlled turntables, active audio, vinyl cutting machines, computer audio digital interfaces, and many more.
Over the years, the company has expanded its business areas and its name was also changed to "Vestax Corporation" in 1987. However, its history is described a series of visionary product developments, and creation and establishment of their market.
70s
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- 1977
- Foundation of Shiino Musical Instruments Corporation (SMIC), a design, manufacturer and sales company of high end, quality and unique musical instruments. PACO, a specialized stringed instrument store is opened later this year.
- 1978
- Begins production of guitars, component amplifiers and the first pre-amplifier for use with musical instruments. Establishes overseas export of products.
- 1979
- Establishes the Guitar Salon, a specialist acoustic guitar store in Tokyo. Releases Component MI (Musical Instrument) amplifier system.
80s
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- 1980
- Becomes a member of and participated in the NAMM show for the first time. Also becomes an authorized manufacturer for the American Roadrunner Corporation in Japan. Opened the first US based office. Commences production of rack mounted effect units.
- 1981
- Participates in the Frankfurt Music Show in an effort to increase international presence and overseas export opportunities. Opens Omachi factory in Nagano prefecture Japan as a production base of guitars. Increases production of component guitars and pedal effectors.
- 1982
- Changes its company name to Shiino Vesta Fire Corporation (SVFC). Opens "Loop 7", a studio for personal recording and soon becomes the lead in the market. Commences OEM manufacturing for TEAC (Tascam).
- 1984
- Starts production of multi track recorders and opens a new multi track recorder specialty shop in Tokyo ? "MTR Paco". Releases a monitor speaker, "VS-1P" which is awarded in the U.S as the best monitor speaker later this year.
- 1985
- Exhibits digital keyboards in the Frankfurt Music Show. Establishes Vesta Fire USA for entry into the musical electronics and new markets.
- 1987
- Changes its company name to Vestax Corporation. Organizes an All Japan open DJ battle contest. Launches upon expanding its DJ mixing market.
- 1988
- Begins OEM production of musical electronic products for AKAI, YAMAHA and TEAC. Opens "DJ PACO", a specialized DJ equipment store in Tokyo Japan.
- 1989
- Establishes Vestax Europe LTD. in London. Exploiting the new market, makes debuts of PMC-30 with detachable fader systems and 7 inch size mixer PMC-05, both of which are the world’s first mixers with their specific feature. Introduce the MTR to Abbey Road Studios in the UK.
90s
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- 1991
- The PMC-20 receives the BEST MIXER OF THE YEAR award in the UK. Establishes of Vestax Musical Electronics Corporation in California. Begins sales of CD players and wireless systems for professional use. Supplies CD listening systems for Tower Records.
- 1992
- Opens Pro Audio shop "Paco PROFESSIONALS" in Tokyo. The monitor speaker, VS-1P and wireless system, VT9000PRO were selected as the official PA equipment for the Albertville Olympic Games in France.
- 1993
- PMC series receive the "Best Mixer of the Year" awards for 3 consecutive years.
- 1994
- The PMC-40 and PMC-60 and Vestax CD players were chosen as the official PA equipment for the Lillehammer Olympic Games in Norway. The HDR-4 and HDR-6, hard disk recorders, are developed and released by Vestax Musical Eloctronics Corporation. Releases MD listening systems and Turntable series.
- 1995
- Starts manufacture in Huizhou and Shenzhen, China. Opens up the Vestax web site.
- 1997
- Introduces the first ACTIVE AUDIO product, the Vestax AA-88, which is received an award for good design in Japan later this year. The PDT-5000 wins the "Best Turntable of the Year" in the UK.
- 1998
- The PMC-17A wins the "Best Mixer of the Year" award In the UK. Resumes activities in the Musical Instruments production business with OEM manufacture of AKAI guitars and the production of D’Angelico guitars.
- 1999
- PDX-alS is awarded as the "Best Turntable of the Year" in Europe. Its successor the PDS-d3S is selected as a official turntable by "HOME" and "FABRIC", super clubs in London, UK. Releases a vinyl cutting machine, VRX-2000.
2000s
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- 2000
- Debut of the VRX-2000 vinyl cutting machine at the PLASA show in London UK. PMC-170A is given an award for the BEST MIXER OF THE YEAR and the good design. The PDX-2000 wins the Best Turntable of the year award in the UK as well as an award for the good design in Japan.
- 2001
- Opens "Vestax TO THE CORE", a complete DJ and street culture lifestyle store, in Shibuya, Tokyo. At DJ MAG Awards; PMC-07Pro and PMC-270 receive the Best Mixer, PDX-2000 the Best Turntable and VRX-2000 the Most Innovative Product award.
- 2002
- Releases a rotary mixer with the world’s highest standards of sound quality, R-1 Premium. The PMC-05ProII wins the best mixer award in DJ MAG. Founder and President Mr. Hidesato Shiino retires from the position to Honorary Chairman and Mr. Toshihide (Toshi) Nakama takes over.
- 2004
- Collaborating with the scratch king, DJ Q-Bert, launches a revolutionary product, QFO with integrated functions of mixers and turntables.
- 2005
- Commences sales of a CD recorder, CDR-07 and PMC-08Pro.
- 2006
- Revives mushroom brands and commences sales of its guitar and bass series. Releases the first MIDI controller for digital DJs, VCI-100 and opens up a new market for PCDJs, partnering various software companies. VCI-100 wins an award of the good design in Japan later this year.
- 2008-
2009 - Releases audio systems (USB turntable, preamplifier, and speakers) under the GUBER brand for consumer uses. Aiming at expanding the market, releases MIDI controllers for digital DJs, VCI-300, VCM-100, and VCM-600. VCI-300 is awarded for its design in 2009.
- 2010
- Establishes a new product line, "Vestax for the people" in addition to the existing one, "Vestax" for professionals.
