It's been available for well under a year, but already, Roland's latest MicroComposer is establishing itself as something of an industry standard. Steve Howell gives a comprehensive user's eye view...

Tony Zemaitis

Apart from Patti, what have Clapton and Harrison got in common? Guitars, custom built by Tony Zemaitis.

scurrilous gossip from the musician fraternity

Summertime Blues

The Case of the Disappearing Band

Rugged adventures recording Balinese music

Just as it was about to fade from popular memory, Kawai's PCM/DC synthesis is revived in the new Spectra synth. Ian Waugh asks if it's been missed or simply missing.

Yamaha REV5 Reverb

Is there room at the top for yet another digital reverb unit? Mark Badger thinks so — provided it's 16-bit, has a 20kHz effect bandwidth, analogue and digital parametric EQ, can stack two reverb effects and goes by the name of REV5!

does Canada score again

The First In-depth Appraisal of Emu's Morpheus Synth Module

Sounds, samples, & software upgrades for the modern studio

Disks, gadgets, samples and bits for the computing musician

Is the future Linear?

Does Roland's new LA synthesizer mean the end of FM is in sight? Martin Russ falls in love with the world's first ever Linear Arithmetic synthesizer whilst trying to find out...

a life story

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

Exclusive news analysis

Looking for a reasonable raita, an affordable axe, a cheap tubular bell? Read on!

(But Were Too Afraid To Ask!)

PART 5: Martin Russ delves into the reasons why MIDI Controller messages are able to do what they can do and provides some practical examples.

Rudi Cazeaux explores the nature of sound and presents some basic guidelines for synthesizing the various standard groups of acoustic instruments.

Equipment

Will there be a rush to purchase Siel's new CMK 49 computer gizmo? We pass judgement.

Atari ST Software

They gave us the first industry-standard sequencing software for the Atari ST in Pro24, now Steinberg are making a second bid for Atari domination with Cubase. Nigel Lord says "part two next month...

Peter Gabriel at Selhurst Park

Commodore's Amiga computer is the beneficiary of this impressive - and colourful - sequencing package. Ian Waugh welcomes the illusion.

Frankfurt 86

The Frankfurt show seen from a diagonal position

The Benefits Of Hiring Equipment

Hire companies may provide your only means of obtaining equipment for a gig or session, or give you hands-on experience of potential purchases. Zenon Schoepe looks at what you get for your money.