SYSTEM: electronics/Technical terms/explain/full readout/graphics/buzzwords FILE FOUND: vocab engineer/Andy Honeybone

They've been a mainstay of electronic music for over 20 years, they're less expensive than ever before, and they still make sounds the digital machines can't. Analogue synthesizers have been receiving some digital assistance of late, but at heart they're still analogue synthesizers - and if you want to make them perform magic, you need to speak their language. Craig Anderton is your interpreter...

Having recently released his own independent LP, 'Oh Africa', we asked Sound On Sound reader Kofi Busia to write about his experiences. In this the third and final part of his story, he reveals his discoveries about the record industry and explains why he set up his own record label.

drum (non machine) triumph

Hip-Hop

Once an underrated underground movement, hip hop has turned out to be one of the most influential musical developments of the last decade. Nigel Lord takes the rap in MT's regular drum programming series.

Ensoniq ESQ1 Polysynth

The Mirage people announce a synth that uses analogue and digital technology, throws in a multitrack sequencer, and costs just over £1000. Paul Wiffen checks it out.

recorder

Beyer DT159 & DT329

Headset mics

The Changing Scene

Groove M4CV MIDI-to-CV Convertor

Old analogue synths never die — they just gather dust until you can find a reason to kick them into life again. As Chris Ankin discovers, the Groove M4CV MIDI-to-CV convertor could be just such a reason.

With DAT poised to make the leap from the professional recording studio to the high street, David Mellor looks at the benefits of the format to home recording.

Self confessed synth merchant Dave Stewart reveals how to do away with drummers.

What to do to get tip-top tapes from our master of the mastering, Steve Toke

Multitrack Disk Recorder

Roland's S750 and S770 amply demonstrated their pro digital expertise; now the DM80 offers four or eight tracks of truly cost-effective hard disk recording. Wilf Smarties welcomes Roland's newest techno tool.

Synthcheck

Fingers on the joystick. Tony Mills at the controls

Tuning Up — A Review of VCO Calibration Methods

Tuning and Calibration, Part 2

Roland RSS System

Three-D sound placement from two speakers - that's the secret of Roland's revolutionary Sound Space system. Vic Lennard looks at the technology and the theory.

all the singer needs to know, part 1

More bel canto from our Pop Prima Donna

Synthcheck

Mills and Boon. Tony Mills finds a love to last a lifetime

Part 5 sees software specialist Jay Chapman exploring the innermost secrets of 'channel voice messages' and more in his continuing analysis of the MIDI protocol.