May MIDI Madness

Exclusive reviews of two avant garde music festivals that saw technology pushed to its creative limits, Ars Electronica at Linz and the International Computer Music Conference at IRCAM, Paris.

Lyricon-blowing John Walters, of Landscape fame if not fortune (yet), undertakes the western world's most comprehensive guide to the history, construction and playing of the Lyricon wind synthesiser.

A special report on the latest versions of these successful German instruments. Review by David Ellis.

Another collection of readers' own sound patches, with the Korg DW8000, Oberheim Matrix 6, Yamaha DX7 and Casio CZ range all featuring.

Cool notes, hot gossip and tepid talk

Exclusive news from UK Electronica, plus all the latest in the world of MIDI music

Readers' replies to the second half of our survey, analysed by David Ellis.

Continuing our series that looks at hi-tech companies and design personnel working in the field of music and recording technology, Paul Gilby talks to Marco Alpert, Director of Marketing & Sales for E-mu Systems of America - the company behind the Emulator and Emax samplers.

View from the rear; this month New Age gets the old boot

for Atari and PC (Windows) computers

Systems Music

Musical mathematics made easy

Ian Waugh unveils the secrets of a good old-fashioned analogue sequencer that generates MIDI data, courtesy of some good old-fashioned German R&D from manufacturers Doepfer, with a little help from their friends Kraftwerk. Vorsprung durch technik, as Ian says.

Using Sequencers with Modular Systems

In something of a break from tradition, Steve Howell begins a look at how using a modular synth can expand the horizons of the common or garden monophonic sequencer.

Name Your Poison

On the hour, every hour.

In part two of this short series, David Etheridge looks at the role of effects and unusual chords in New Age music.

The Virgin Guide To New Music

A special report on the proceedings at this year's UK Electronica festival. Words by Tony Mills; pictures by Alf Annison, Stuart Catterson, Tony Mills and Chris Jenkins.

Lillie Yard Studio

Where can you find a complete audio-video recording system, a Fairlight a separate programming suite and the biggest modular synth in the world? Matthew Vosburgh discovers heaven off the Earl's Court Road.

Martin Russ reveals the hidden features of Yamaha's budget digital multi-effector and explains how it can be coaxed into supplying more than one effect at once.