How to speak Musician

Understand record company executives, outwit shop assistants and grunt to roadies on their own level with our dictionary of musical terms.

Why the Thompson Twins, Genesis and Tears For Fears have plumped for plastic.

The Mellotron

Once considered an instrument no keyboard player should be without, more recently regarded as a mechanical monstrosity, the Mellotron was definitely an early sampler, but was it the first? Dave "Crumbly" Crombie reminisces.

Arp Pro Soloist, Korg Sigma & Roland SH2000

In the early days of analogue synths, reconciling electronics and expression was hard work. Gordon Reid looks at the beginnings of pressure sensitivity.

Roland VP330

Roland's VP330 Vocoder Plus not only helped to put vocoders on the map, but has since become a classic keyboard in its own right. Gordon Reid says "synths that make you go Hmmm".

Mark J. Prendergast explores the recording process that surrounded Peter Gabriel's new album 'Passion' and takes a peep inside Gabriel's Real World studio complex.

A Real-time Performance System

The Secret World Tour

A behind the scenes look at how Gabriel steamed up Earl's Court with his hot new stage show.

Cool notes, hot gossip and tepid talk

Steve Hackett, Bernard Szajner

The world of music is being invaded by computers whether you like it or not. So what can they offer the musician? Mark Badger takes a sideways glance at the development and application of this burgeoning new technology.

The new SID chip for the Commodore

the music papers and how to get your name into them

The titchy bitchy bit

The Multi-Instrumentalist

Taking over where the TX816 left off, this DX7II in a rack is the very latest in a long line of powerful FM synth expanders. Mark Badger puts it in perspective.

Six of our favourite drummers choose 30 of their favourite drum tracks.

DREAM MACHINE: roland space echo

the roland space echo lives - with the help of a little modern technology

Oasis On Stage