Is video a mystery to you? Would you like to dip a toe into its murky waters, or are you worried about getting out of your depth too quickly? In this new series David Mellor explains the essentials of synchronising audio to video, and finds out what it is like to upgrade a home studio to audio post-production standard.

At last! A new system that gives you hi-fidelity sound from a standard video recorder. Could it become the stereo reel-to-reel machine of the future? Judge for yourself.

From Canada comes Mandala, the first instrument capable of translating video images into MIDI data - and vice versa. Jim Burgess points some pretty pictures and assesses the implications.

...on the making of their video

Always eager to expand their experiences. Mainframe duo Murray Munro and John Malloy talk to Ian Gilby about the processes involved in the shooting of the promo video that accompanied their recent Polydor single release.

...On A Shoestring Budget

Having a problem getting your music listened to by film production companies? Paul D. Lehrman tells the tale of how he put together a showreel of his music without it costing him the earth.

Part 1: The Shoot

We all know how modern cost-effective musical instruments and recording equipment allow professional standard tapes to be produced at home. But does the similar trend in video gear mean that the average musician can now shoot his own promo? Paul Wiffen and Darrin Williamson thought so. This is their story.

Part 2: The Edit

Last month we looked at how you can use a domestic format like S-VHS to shoot footage good enough for use in a video demo. But getting the right footage is only half the battle as Paul Wiffen and Darrin Williamson found out. This month we follow them through the editing stage.

The unique demands on the BBC Radiophonic Workshop have placed it in the forefront of developments in high technology music. Their latest development- a new style of MIDI suite - is an innovation not only in terms of the technology that's employed, but also in the geography’ of the working environment. Richard Elen takes an exclusive first look at the new studio.

So You Want To Be A Screen Music Writer?

Producer/composer Robin Lumley continues this series designed to take the mystery out of writing and recording music for film and television.

How To Actually Set About It

Producer/Composer Robin Lumley details what's involved in writing and recording your first piece of music for a TV commercial.

Getting Started

This month film music composer Robin Lumley discloses his own route to fame and fortune in an effort to get you started on yours...

Part 6: It's A Wrap! Composer/musician Robin Lumley packs away the manuscript paper, switches off the Steenbeck viewer and submits his final thoughts on writing music for films in this concluding episode of his series.

An Introduction to the Art Form

Producer/jingle composer Robin Lumley commences a new series that explores the role and function of music in the visual world.

We've now reached Part 4 where Robin Lumley surveys the technology of syncing sound and vision.

Video for the musician

No television drama would be complete without a soundtrack, but how do you write them? Nicholas Rowland tunes in to the music channel.

Electric Productions

The last of the current series finds James Betteridge and some Geisha Girls involved. We have the negatives, Jim...

Hi-Fi Video

An overview of a new generation of band-friendly hi fi video

is video nasty?

What goes on behind the apparently calm world of soundtrack-writing, by Steve Howell, who's been through it all himself.

Ever tried to put music to pictures? Then the odds are you've discovered just how difficult it actually is. Chris Many explains "hit points" and "cues" and shares some of the secrets of the professionals.

who finds the bits for the pop films

David Mellor looks at the world of advertising, and how music is created and mated with the visuals in a TV commercial.

BBC launches major rock tutor series

Auntie Learns to Rock — BBC to screen Rockschool. What's it all about?