Mac and the men tell Chris Maillard why their new album will have no strings attached

Rotterdam's master of electronic listening music talks to Simon Trask about presets, sampling, hardcore rave, Warp Records, and the value of spontaneity...

808 State - Absolutely Gorgeous

Dance music with direction

Jon and Helena Marsh in their natural habitat

Belgian sampling innovators Front 242 have been accused of encouraging a fascist following - where does the sampling stop and the politics begin? David Bradwell brings news from the front.

Techno music, the true successor to late seventies synth-pop, translates the desolation of post-Motown Detroit into electronic dance rhythms. Simon Trask listens to the programmer's tale.

Building his career on productions of Jennifer Warnes, Malcolm McLaren and the Communards, Stephen Hague has found his greatest success with The Pet Shop Boys. David Bradwell talks shop.

Forsaking guitars and drums for a wall of keyboards and racked modules, Sub Sub turned a home studio into a hit factory. ‘Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use)’ peaked at Number 3 and took everyone by surprise - except Phil Ward, who heard the single pre-release and contacted the band immediately.

Key man in Genesis discusses his writing and recording with the band, his solo work, and playing Genesis music live.

Wrexham's master remixers spill the beans

One Dove: Recording Their Debut Album

'Brotherhood' by New Order

Sound On Sound's record review with a difference! Mark Prendergast begins the first of a regular feature that talks about and to the people responsible for one of the more interesting vinyl releases around. This month: 'Brotherhood' by New Order.

Mark Prendergast takes a look behind the scenes at the recording of New Order's fifth LP, 'Technique'.

Beat Box Hits

Or, the much-maligned art of drum machine programming. Tony Reed talks to the experts, and Richard Walmsley dissects some classic tracks.

Everything you ever wanted to know about anything, but were afraid to ask...

A Gibson / A Fairlight

so simple even an Australian could do it

five stars pick their fave sounds

Vince Clarke, Jon Lord, Steve Levine, Bill Nelson, John Foxx... five heroes of the keyboard nominate their favourite synth tracks and sounds

... Don't stop! The beat on the street has never been so neat. Rappers in the charts, dancing on the streets — and our man Nick Smash with the way it all began

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

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