There is a vast array of equipment on the market at present, and 1981 should bring major innovations at affordable prices. On the keyboard side we are seeing many digital/analogue hybrids, the Prophet 10 from Sequential Circuits features two 61-note keyboards, with 10 complete voices, each keyboard having its own programmer so two completely different sounds can be played at once.

The Roland Jupiter 8 is an 8 voiced programmable unit with a 64 patch storage capability, with one of its special features being an arpeggiator. Oberheim also have some new models in this field, these are the OB-SX, available in 4 or 6 voice configurations. The OB-SX is a preset version of their very popular OB-X.

Going down market slightly, the Moog Opus 3 is worth checking out, with full polyphonic capabilities including Strings/Organ and Brass. It is still able to produce strong polyphonic or lead synth tones.

Introduced into the UK are two new models from Korg, the LP-10 is an electric piano with six way EQ, 3 preset tones which can be mixed and also an inbuilt speaker system. Korg have also introduced the BX3 which is the big brother of the CX3 single manual organ. The BX3 has two 61 note keyboards, full drawbar principles and features an electronic rotary speaker effect.

A very useful unit around at present is the Sescom CT-1A. This is a cable tester in a small pedal type unit allowing you to pinpoint faults in XLR, phono or jack cables.

The guitar manufacturers keep on maintaining the huge quantities of models that we see in our music stores.

Several companies are using famous names, pickups and hardware to expand their ranges. You can now buy "Handbuilt Guitars" from Mighty Mite, there are two models, a lead and bass variation with a one piece mahogany body, solid maple neck with brass bridges/nuts and fittings.

Westbury also feature Di Marzio pickups on their ever increasing range of guitars. Pignose, once known only for their small practice amp have added the 150R Crossmix to their range, the 150R has two complete channels which can be preset to different tones and volumes, allowing the player to switch from channel 1 to channel 2 or being able to crossmix both channels together.

Since Vox amplification was bought over a year ago by Rose-Morris it has been given a new lease of life particularly with a very widely accepted range of FX pedals. The pedals, of which there are seven, come in a newly designed V shape and are very competitive in price.

Morley have increased their pedal scope, a very interesting unit is the Electro-Pik percussion pedal, this allows control of both decay and timbre, the attack can also be manipulated allowing drawn bow effects such as violin, cello and even flute and synthetic sounds are available. The Morley pedals will all act as volume pedals too.

Finally this month, if you are interested in sound and communications equipment encompassing Amps/Mics/Speakers/PA/Studio Equipment and much more, then take a trip to the Sound 81 International Exhibition at the Cunard International Hotel from the 17th-19th February 1981.