Hi Energy wizard Mike Stock collides with Chas de Whalley during a sweaty get-down-and-shake-it interview

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.

Dead or Alive's Tim Lever surrounds himself with new technology as the band prepare for world domination. Tim Goodyer gets the word on writing, recording and performing.

Janet Angus discovers the secret of Peter's success in producing big selling dance music.

A look behind the scenes at some of MT's own out-takes: quotes from the famous, letters from the punters and photographs from the "rejected" file. So we all make mistakes...

Music U.K.'S P.A. Test

Carlsbro P.A., EV Mikes & Evans Echo

Eight top pop players and producers discuss the necessity of notation. Richard Walmsley chairs the debate

The Mix's terrestrial bulletin board

How To Get Signed

Snatching that elusive deal — how four recent signings did it, and how you can too. Instant success story by Richard Walmsley (£3.5m advance, eight album deal)