If you're a frustrated synth programmer looking for an outlet to use your talents, you could become a soundtrack writer for computer games. Matthew Vosburgh meets one of Britain's best.

The whizz-kid that made a number one hit out of a spoken-word soundtrack and a sampler with 19' is now The Wizard, courtesy of a new signature tune for 'Top of the Pops'. Tim Goodyer meets the man, the Synclavier, and the passion for new technology.

Intrepid reporter/cameraman Ralph Denyer ventures into the wild suburban jungle of East London to capture the rarely heard thoughts of this lesser-spotted songbird and re-mix producer who has recently taken delivery of his very own Synclavier system.

The words "Stock, Aitken & Waterman" have adorned 50 hit singles in the last two years. Tim Goodyer finds there are two secrets to their success: determination and new technology.

Romford's finest get the Jim Betteridge treatment. The soul heart of Rain Or Shine laid bare!

Chas de Whalley gets down with the Scottish Sultan of Soul, Steve Harvey

Who you (the readers) voted as best musician, and what you (still the readers) voted as best gear. We shake the world.

Blah blah blah

If the major record companies won't give you the deal you know you deserve, you could do worse than to do it yourself. David Bradwell investigates the pros and cons of pressing your own single.

This low-cost program for the Atari ST uses Artificial Intelligence techniques to take all the hard work out of programming FM synths and allows you to create new ‘musical’ voices quickly and easily. David Hughes enters the edit zone...

An IM Investigation

If you're thinking of working abroad read IM's complete guide to hassle avoidance

More cuttings from the sharp end of the Biz

A Thorne in the side of Tony Mills

Go straight to this page if you like a good gossip.

Goes Chrimbo Crazy

A special seasonal waft of your favourite news and gossip column, this time drifting through the whole magazine and including mini-interviews with the likes of China Crisis and jokes from the likes of us. The fun starts here.

Lookout... it's coming this way!

sequencer for the PC

For many people, the definitive sequencing software for the PC has yet to be written. Could this be it?

It's the biggest! It's the best! It's the 1986 British Music Fair! Our man on the inside, Tony Mills tracks down the hottest gear of the year

Back on the master tape trail with tireless tracker Trynka. Stars watch out! You've been found out...

The last of our backroom boys. Say bye-bye with guitarist Mitch Dalton.

Mark Fishlock investigates the industry's point of view when it comes to evaluating demos.

This month we scrutinise contracts, paying particular attention to the sanity clause.