Multitimbral Synth Expander

The latest box out of the Roland stable to incorporate the D50's L/A synthesis. Simon Trask examines how a multitimbral expander designed with the home organ market in mind will find its way into pro studios.

Emu Proteus 3 World

Emu's new Proteus 3 is to hi-tech music what Phileas Fogg is to convenience foods. Nigel Humberstone tries a taste of authentic sounds from around the world.

Shareware & Public Domain software

Mountains of useful programs can be yours for nothing! Well, it's a public service, innit? declares Ian Waugh.

One day, all PA columns will be like this... Jim Betteridge checks out Simple Minds' little bash at the Milton Keynes Bowl

A look at the UK contingent in Europe's prestigious music show

Instruments & Equipment

Sounds, samples, & software upgrades for the modern studio

New software, updates, sounds, and samples

Tony Reed chats to Chris and Cosey, a duo who've taken the DIY ethic further than most

Yamaha's classic CS80 makes a welcome appearance alongside the CZ101, Bit 99 and DW6000, and more ROMs for the DX7 complete this month's selection of readers' sounds.

To mime or not to mime, that is the question. Just when does miming stop being a convenient practice in presenting music TV programs and start to have an effect on the music itself?

Vestax MR66 6-Track Recorder and RMC88 Studio Mixer

Put these two together and you have a flexible recording and mixing system.

This month, we've devoted all of our news pages to two special show reports; from Chicago's NAMM fest, and London's APRS — the products which'll be making next year's news...

Look no backing tapes! Sigue Sigue Sputnik play live without the aid of a safety net, Jim Betteridge fumbles for his ear plugs.

A look at some of the new products revealed at the Musik Messe '83

A big Austrian event that focuses on electronic music.

BassCheck

Dave Burrluck on Staccato's affordable, hi-tech instrument

The first of three personal views of a nation that's revolutionised the development and manufacture of hi-tech musical equipment. Hugh Ashton checks out the gear and the music.

One man in search of perfection. Dave Burrluck gives his verdict on the state of the axe

The newest of the new percussive sounds emerge as our Eddie chats to cosmic Frank Perry, who applies lateral thinking to work out what to turn into an instrument next.

ATARI/P&G/CONTRIVER/MCS/MARCONI/KRAFT Trackballs

When you entrust your music to the sophistication of a computer and software, you may find yourself needing something more reliable than a mouse to control it. Vic Lennard has the balls - track balls.

Everything you didn't want to know and couldn't be bothered to ask

Tape Machines

Question: What do you do when your synth blows a fuse and you blow your top? Answer: You take it along to London's new Synthesizer Service Centre set up by skilled repairmen Ron Lebar and David Croft. Matthew Newman reports.