When IBM - the Big Blue - conquered the business computer market, music was the last thing on their corporate mind. Yet in 1990, the PC is gaining ground as a music machine. Ian Waugh reports.

DrumCheck

Bob Henrit of Argent has a go on the new Arbiter Auto-Tune kit.

Analysis, comment, discussion... hey, Rock'n' Roll

A Guide to Recording, Electronic Music and Popular Music Courses in Britain

The first ever published guide to all Recording, Electronic Music and Music Courses available in Britain today.

Five From America

A clutch of books for the beginning or serious recordist.

Two of the industry's brightest names cast their minds back and reminisce to RM about the birth of the PA system.

Sorry! I mean drums (what else?) Peter Randall puts Premier in perspective with a review of their new Soundwave kit.

scurrilous gossip from the musician fraternity

Everything you never wanted to know

HIGHLIGHTS OF LESTER BANGS' RAMONES INTERVIEW, 1980

Sample CDs

First they were sampling off other peoples' records, now they're selling records to sample off. Tim Goodyer listens while Simon Harris, Pascal Gabriel, Norman Cook, Ed Stratton and Coldcut put the case for sampling CDs.

Compusonics digital home recording system should be with us by the end of the year. This is a first report on a system that could be the death knell of the portastudio.

A Guide to Computers and Communications for the Musician.

Believe it or not, your computer can do considerably more than just go wrong! The burgeoning world of telecommunications offers the musician access to international 'electronic mail' and 'bulletin board' systems, free music software, information databases, help and sound advice. Richard Elen begins a new series that explores how today's top musicians are taking advantage of such systems and tells how you can join in.

News from America compiled by Simon Braund

Battery Studios

Jive Records' own Battery Studio complex has to accommodate acts as diverse as Schooly D, Mark Shreeve and Samantha Fox. David Bradwell raps technology.

Qualifying for the Music Industry

Planning a career in the music industry? Then you may like to know more about the Music Information Technology course at City University, London. Mike Barnes reports.

Vintage technology strikes back

The Mellotron lives on

the history of the music that gave birth to rock 'n' roll

Part 2. Richard Elen concludes his guide to computers and communications for musicians with details of how to join and log on to two musicians' networks: PAN and Esi Street. There's also an extensive glossary of terms to help newcomers to this exciting field understand what it is all about.

New technology has already brought the music industries of East and West closer together, but how has that affected the music itself, and what will happen as the two cultures get closer still? Gary Larson gives his viewpoint.

Amps: Exclusive 'Groove Tubes' Boss quizzed on Replacement Valves

The recession hits America but the show goes on - hot news of the latest hi-tech music and recording developments. Vic Lennard is the MMAN from NAMM.