ExpanderCheck

An idea whose time has come — a sample-based expander. Tony Reed slaps it around

At last, someone has come up with a sample-playing device that specialises in reproducing bass voices - from a double bass to a Moog synth. Brian Devereux reports.

Looking for a be-bop bass without hassle? Matt Isaacson looks at a box of bass sounds that may help you with the bottom end of your music without tying up your favourite synth or sampler.

Why use an expensive sampler for playing bass sounds when you can take advantage of the Pro MIDI Bass and free your sampler for more worthwhile tasks? Mike Collins lets his fingers do the walking.

Studio bass sounds from keyboard or sequencer with this miniature master of multi-sampling.

Emu Proformance Sampled 16-Bit Piano Module

The sound of a grand piano is, after the human voice, perhaps the most versatile, familiar and evocative sound in music — and it's certainly the most imitated, most recently by the Emu Proformance. Tony Hastings continues the search for the perfect piano module.

Roland Mother System

Roland's innovative MIDI set-up; Mother Keyboard, Planet-P piano voice module, Planet-S synth module, and the impressive Super Jupiter... an in-depth test.

Piano Sound Module

On the face of it, this low-cost sound module looks like it could be a useful addition to the MIDI synthesist's armoury. Tony Crowle checks its suitability.

Piano Module

E-mu Systems' latest expanders are dedicated to the sounds of the piano - drawing on samples from the popular Proteus, how can they fail? Simon Trask tinkles the ivories.

Jez Ford takes a look the EMT-10 sister unit, the EMT-1

Jez Ford raps his bits round this excellent budget price sound expander from Yamaha

Multimedia Music System for PC & Macintosh

Do Korg's new Mac and PC add-ons represent a sound investment?

A novel 'backing band in a box' comes under Paul White's critical gaze.

Sample Expanders

For those without the time or the inclination to sample come two expanders dedicated to sampled horns and strings. Simon Trask finds out if Kurzweil's dedication has paid dividends.

Jez Ford grabs this expander from 360 Systems by the MIDI lead and puts it to the test

E-MU Classic Keys

Analog Keyboard expander

Korg Audio Gallery Music System For Apple Mac And Windows

Roland SC88 Sound Canvas

Most powerful Canvas yet

Depth of colour

Digital Phase Modulation Synthesizer

Roland P55 Piano Module

Close your eyes and you could be tickling those ivories...

Korg's PSS-50, your portable backing band

Yamaha MU5

Pocket waveform power