Sounds, samples, & software upgrades for the modern studio

New software, updates, sounds, and samples

A cornucopia of new ideas

N.A.M.M. Winter Market at Anaheim

A special guitar report from the N.A.M.M. show

This month, Electronic Dream Plant to Elka.

Akai S1000PB 16bit Stereo Sample Player with SWM and Workstation Disks

Do you find the idea of sampling your own sounds unappealing? Why not settle for a high quality replay-only sampler like the Akai S1000PB and spend the money you save on more library disks? Paul Ireson checks out the machine and Akai's newly launched set of Workstation and SWM disks.

The all-but-forgotten guitar synth is due to return to music shops with a vengeance this summer, in the shape of Roland's GR700/G707 system and a breathtaking new British design, the SynthAxe. Paul White puts both instruments through their paces.

News from America compiled by Simon Braund

Just when you thought all DDLs were the same, Ibanez come up with a budget model that still manages to incorporate a maximum delay time of over three-and-a-half seconds. Review by Paul White.

JHS Tubeman

Guitar DI/Preamp with wider applications

fuzz, chorus/flange, and compressors from Arion, Boss, DOD, Ibanez, Korg, Ross and Tokai the beat goes whizzz

Guitarcheck, Basscheck

The latest offering from the Manson family, and a beautiful instrument from the country's classiest axe-builders

the experts help

Guitar Tricks

quick ways to flash licks

Siouxsie and the Banshees, Van Halen, Cocteau Twins and some of last month's better albums, reviewed musician-wise.

Drumcheck

Bob Henrit draws a line between the Maxwin and the Professional and finds a good-looking, clean-sounding kit

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

Accessorycheck

An air raider arrayed by Dave Burrluck

Clive Grace gets pretty damned excited over the revolutionary Chapman Stick