The art of writing music for popular television in the last few years may have been single-handedly redefined by Jan Hammer. His upbeat, rocky soundtracks to the hit TV series 'Miami Vice' (along with a few of the chart hits used in the show) have now produced two albums of instrumental music. Ed Jones finds out how they were done.

In an exclusive interview, this longstanding keyboard hero and Miami Vice music maestro discusses keyboard technique, and what it’s like to achieve mass recognition after years of obscurity. Annabel Scott takes note.

Jan Hammer Talks Tech

Computer Musician in Rock

Another exclusive in which Beck reveals his true colours

Steve Rosen unravels more of the mystery surrounding Beck.

Whitesnake's Jon Lord talks gear & Technique with Gary Cooper

Keyboard player to Rainbow, Black Sabbath and now Ozzy Osbourne, Don talks to Tim Oakes about his keyboards, how to Bark At The Moon, and life on the road with a werewolf...

One of America’s leading session players takes a breather between TOA equipment demonstrations, and takes Tim Goodyer into his confidence over MIDI and a few of the behind-the-scenes goings-on in its administration.

Philip Bashe and Don McLeese stop a lone Stone stateside

Steve Cogan finds out just what Satan and Bugs Bunny have to do with this Cyberpunk band who swear by their ST

His time with Rainbow, Whitesnake and Ozzy Osbourne has made Don Airey a rock institution (rather than putting him in one). Tim Goodyer talks to him about music and machinery.

Over the last three decades John McLaughlin has done more than anybody else in popular jazz and rock music to explore the potential of the guitar, both acoustic and electric. Here he talks to Mark Prendergast about his eclectic career, pioneering use of guitar synthesizers, and the Synclavier.

What goes twang, thump and pank? Probably Mark King, bass player and vocalist in Level 42, then again it might just be his right thumb. We discuss digits, strings and things.

Paul Young's Royal Family

Guitarist Steve Bolton and bass player Pino Palladino explain the importance of being a Swedish Chef.

From Jamerson to Joy Division, Chic to Kaye, this is the place of the bass.

Continuing our series that looks at hi-tech companies and design personnel working in the field of music and recording technology, Paul Gilby talks sampling with Kim Ryrie, President of Fairlight Instruments of Australia.

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

...Including the A-Z of Analogue

Vintage technology strikes back

...Including The A-Z of Analogue

Portable Amp designed by Tom Scholz