trying to get on telly could be the most frustrating experience of your musical career; we pinpoint the pitfalls

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.

Digital drum machines may rule the waves in the R&D labs, but one obsolete analogue device is still the record producers' first choice. Tim Goodyer dissects the appeal of Roland's classic TR808.

Digital Synthesiser

After being quiet for a while, Kurzweil are stirring up quite a storm with their latest synth. MT grabbed one for review only to find it had been sold to New Order - consequently, Nick Batzdorf reports from the US.

Including a special Yamaha news update.

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!

Everything you ever wanted to know about samplers... 48 models compared! Paul Gilby surveys the current sampler market, exposes the 'spec wars', dispels the 16-bit myth and explains in simple terms how sampling really works, before telling you what to look out for when buying secondhand.

We review the new Oberheim Xpander in conjunction with the Oberheim Performance System.

through the year darkly with One Two

An easy-to-follow project to fit separate outputs to your Dr. Rhythm to increase its versatility.

Sounds, samples, & software upgrades for the modern studio

Software, sounds and samples

An in-depth dissection of electro-pop; how to create it, how to adapt it but not how to dance to it.

A special 10th anniversary Diary hot from the lips of Adrian Deevoy

Playing Live

Electronic music live - a special focus

Reel-to-reel rabbit from the tittering typewriter of Adrian Deevoy

Featuring Irish surrealist Salvador Dooley

Start here to avoid disaster and achieve applause. We bring you clues from experienced hands.

From the profound to the downright silly, we wind up a year's chit-chat

Gossip calypso - giving out the musicians' gossip that no-one else would touch with an ear'ole.

PEOPLE, GEAR, EVENTS, GOSSIP

including the bmf, pet shop boys and the latest competition winner

Ann Owen just adds water and stirs with this jamming package for the Commodore 64 and Amiga

all the singer needs to know, part 1

Nominated by Adrian Belew, Bill Nelson, Roddy Frame, Ted Nugent, Robert Smith, Dierdre Cartwright

Better Lyrics

More from the world of pine cladding and deep-pile carpet