Jon and Helena Marsh in their natural habitat

Jim Betteridge leans on producer David Motion

And now the end is near, Adrian Deevoy pulls the final curtain

Recording your own music is only the first step to getting it heard; to do that, you need to deal with A&R people at record companies. Paul Tingen meets them, and discovers why so few bands succeed in impressing them.

Steinberg Pro16 MIDI Sequencer

Tony Hastings takes you through the recording of a song using the facilities of the Pro 16 MIDI Sequencer software from Steinberg Research.

Hughes & Kettner Tubeman Preamp

This dedicated guitar preamp benefits from hybrid tube circuitry, an integral speaker simulator and the ability to impersonate four quite different styles of amplifier.

Hot news from music's ivory towers

More cuttings from the sharp end of the Biz

Eden Studios

Paul Bacon takes up his fig leaf and descends to Eden

Food fans flip out! Forget recording — what do Pop stars eat while they're working? Lovable liquid-luncher and hardened drinker Trynka tucks in. Bon appetit!