With its ability to manipulate sounds and music, the digital sampler has probably caused more arguments than any other musical instrument to date. Peter Ridsdale takes an alternative view.

would we lie to you

Drums and Percussion

Nowhere is the correct use of reverb more important than in the treatment of drum and percussion sounds. We reveal all — and we tell you a bit about reverb too.

How do you learn your favourite songs? Sheet music? Records? Tapes? No way, Jose. Today's musician uses MIDI song files. David Hughes reviews songs-on-disk from hands on MIDI software.

The theme of this month's edition of Patchwork is decidedly traditional, as Casio's CZ101 joins the ubiquitous DX7 and D50 as the subjects for readers' programming dexterity.

Big Country's Mark Brzezicki tells how

Yet another selection of recently announced new products to whet your appetite!

Personal Music System

Casio's curious Rapman is already regarded as a toy by many a music cynic - but it's captivated pros like Manu Katche and Peter Gabriel. Tom Robinson reviews it - and buys it.

all the gossip that's fit to hint

David Mellor offers advice to the studio newcomer on the original multi-effects unit.

Poolside Drums

When the London Sample Workshop decided to sample drums with real reverb, they chose a swimming pool to do it. Tim Goodyer gets in deep with the Poolside Drums.

Ingenious harmony processor

With the musical fraternity showing little interest in computer bulletin boards, the popularity of MIDI Song files could be well timed. Ian Waugh explains how to download music over the phone.

Behringer De-Noiser

Give your recordings a spring clean

Budget Beats

A beat on the cheap?

Thresholds and ratios explained

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.

Bob Dormon finds the Royal Academy moving with the times

Beyer's MCE81 condenser mic is their latest addition to a long line of sturdy, high quality studio and stage microphones. Gareth Stuart finds out just what it records best.

Acoustic Drums 2

To continue the saga of recording acoustic drums, this month we look at ways of treating the recorded sound.

Reverb Unit

A budget reverb unit for budget studios - although big studios might like it too. John Renwick plugs it in and gets a pleasant ringing in his ears.

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

What is a Noise Gate? What on earth is a MIDI Noise Gate? David Mellor supplies the answers and explains some standard and not so standard gating techniques, with special reference to the BSS Audio DPR 502 MIDI Noise Gate.

Rockfield has a long and colourful history stretching back to the era of hippies and free festivals. Paul White finds out what goes on there now.