Designer of the revolutionary Prophet 5, prime mover behind MIDI and now one of Korg's chief designers, Dave Smith's career is unique in hi-tech music. Simon Trask conducts the exclusive MT interview.

In the second part of this exclusive MT interview, the man behind the Prophet 5 and MIDI discusses MIDI, user interfaces and programming. Simon Trask listens in on the thoughts of Korg's R&D.

Niki Patriarchaea & Yale Del Fabbro AKA Red Sun

Tangerine Dream have been at the forefront of electronic music long enough to be regarded as an institution. Mark J. Prendergast talks to Paul Haslinger about the TD experience.

...Is one of Britain's most inventive jazz keyboard players, with a myriad of different strings to his performing bow, and an unusually open-minded approach to new technology. Simon Trask listens to what he has to say.

Dave Crombie's review of the Prophet 5 synth leaves us speechless.

Polyphonic Portamento

Atari ST Software

This ST music analysis program was designed for educational use, but it also has the power to compose music to order. Tim Goodyer discovers one of pop's best-kept secrets.

Your chance to catch up on the latest releases from the world of hi-tech music and recording.

Sequential Circuits

IT's guide through the MIDI jungle

Part 9 - Hammond to Hanert.

The MIDI 1.0 specification, reprinted in full.

keyboards through the ages

Instruments and Equipment

David Ellis begins a two-part excursion into the E&MM archives to discover a myriad of bizarre musical instruments that somehow never quite made the big time. How many of them can you remember?

The Musical Instrument Digital Interface has revolutionised the way we write and record music. Martin Russ delves deep into MIDI's 10-year history, explains its many recent changes and additions, and looks ahead to see what the future will hold.

With the predominance of the workstation synth, and the rise and rise of essentially preset instruments, what has become of the 'traditional' synthesizer? Paul Hazel turns the spotlight on Roland's JD800 and Korg's Wavestation, two recent instruments which answer the question — but in very different ways.

explaining what MIDI can do for you

If you're looking for the sound of the Minimoog without the limitations of pre-MIDI gear, the MIDImoog could be for you. Tim Goodyer puts the 1989 version of Moog's classic synth through its paces.

in, out, in, out, in, out...

A list of "classic" analogue synths could not be complete without Oberheim's OBXa. Peter Forrest reminisces about an instrument that won the hearts of many musicians.

Possibly the most timely and influential synthesiser development of the 70s was the Prophet 5. Dave Crombie takes a look back at the polysynth that was modelled on the Minimoog.