Mark Prendergast talks with trumpeter, composer, and synthesist Mark Isham about new technology, David Sylvian, Van Morrison, Windham Hill, and his solo career as one of Hollywood's more interesting film soundtrack composers.

From Charlie Parker to writing his own software, jazz saxophonist and technophile Steve Coleman has a unique insight into music. Simon Trask tunes in.

If you can't imagine how Steve Hillage, Derrick May and The Orb would sound making music together, you can buy their forthcoming LP and find out. Simon Trask talks to the man behind the guitar and the project.

Here’s your ticket to Amsterdam, Vince will meet you at the studio and show you all his favourite classic synths. A dream? No, a reality, thanks to Ian Masterson and Music Technology. Ian gets an exclusive guided tour around Erasure’s secret analogue powerhouse, just for you. You can almost taste the Amstel beer

Wendy Carlos still loves digital synthesis. Through her pioneering soundtrack work on movies like Tron, and her synthesised interpretations of the classics, she has done as much as Jarre, Kraftwerk and Eno in making synthesisers both respectable and popular. She also used to be Walter Carlos. Daniel Rue investigates

Dieter Meier is a writer, painter, performance artist and an ex-professional gambler; he's also the face and voice in front of one of the most influential bands of the '80s. Tim Goodyer joins the Swiss race.

Someday, all home studios will be built this way - an exclusive survey

In a career spanning 30 years, including stints with Art Blakey and Miles Davis and a string of hit fusion albums, Lonnie Liston Smith has seen the changing role of the jazz pianist at first hand. In London for a rare live outing, Lonnie talks keyboards while Simon Trask clicks his fingers, shuts his eyes and goes "yeahhh"

Getting into DJing

How to mix records, what gear to buy, and how to get work

a history of progressive rock - is there a new day dawning for the dinosaurs?

An IM Investigation

If you're thinking of working abroad read IM's complete guide to hassle avoidance

The acid house explosion has turned Roland's TB303 Bassline into one of the most sought-after pieces of analogue technology. Simon Trask looks at the machine behind the myth.

Kenton MIDI Retrofits

With analogue technology enjoying a renaissance, there's a growing demand for MIDI updates to old equipment. Vic Lennard talks to Kenton Electronics about the Ins and Outs of retrofitting.

The world's leading hi-tech music magazine celebrates its tenth anniversary this issue. Tim Goodyer considers the role MT has played in shaping the industry and the music.

Roland VP330

Roland's VP330 Vocoder Plus not only helped to put vocoders on the map, but has since become a classic keyboard in its own right. Gordon Reid says "synths that make you go Hmmm".

A straightforward guide to producing Dance Mixes using budget equipment.

Richard Attree looks at the computer as musical instrument, and the implications thereof.

...or, Andy Duncan's search for the self raising drum kit.

Or, when does a drum kit stand on its own 12 feet?

Your sequencer could be having more of an effect on your music than your synths do. Wilf Smarties wonders whether you should be giving your MC50 a co-writing credit...

Drum Machine

Two years after the launch of the original Boss DR550 drum machine, a mere £26 extra buys you a DR550 MKII with almost twice the number of sounds. Derek Johnson approves.