Another round-up of new products, plus news from the world of hi-tech music.

A lightweight multi-timbral module, with 28-voice polyphony and 192 sounds, which also acts as a MIDI Interface for your computer — where's the catch? Paul Wiffen looks hard but just can't seem to find it.

On completion of a new solo album and the soundtrack to the latest screen version of Wuthering Heights, Ryuichi Sakamoto finds himself centre stage yet again. Paul Tingen talks to the Renaissance Man of modern music.

The sound of an acoustic piano is perhaps the most important single timbre in pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. Julian Colbeck looks at contemporary MIDI alternatives to the real thing.

Yet another stratospheric studio name finds its way into the more modest recording setup; Paul White appreciates DDA's design for mixing.

David Mellor takes an acknowledged classic effects unit for a road test.

As if by magic, your S1100 can become a hard disk recorder, courtesy of Akai's latest upgrade. David Mellor leads his favourite sampler along the upgrade path.

Nitzer Ebb are using the tools of technology to recreate their abrasive, challenging sound in a live context. Nigel Humberstone talks to the man who helps to put the show on the road.

Dedicated PC users will welcome the introduction of this new, high-quality sound card to further enhance PC music-making possibilities. Brian Heywood investigates.

When Julian Colbeck went back to Bach to find musical inspiration, little did he think he'd end up recording a whole album.

Roland's S750 and S770 amply demonstrated their pro digital expertise; now the DM80 offers four or eight tracks of truly cost-effective hard disk recording. Wilf Smarties welcomes Roland's newest techno tool.

Many hi-tech musicians see tape synchronisation as a necessary evil. Dave Lockwood ponders the pitfalls and muses on the mysteries of timecode.

An £1,800 Spirit Studio desk and Reading Festival tickets up for grabs in our Spirit Of Rock'n'Roll competition!

This month: hints on creating more exciting song arrangements.

More words of wisdom re your ST from Martin Russ...

...while Kendall Wrightson reflects on a Mac world...

...Brian Heywood reports on the latest PC developments...

...and Phil South has a hard time with his Amiga.

One of the Mac sequencing front-runners, Master Tracks Pro, has benefited from ongoing upgrades and is now into its fifth life. Mike Collins gets to know a Pro.

Nigel Humberstone checks out Yamaha's latest miniature marvel — a drum box with a difference.

Paul Ireson listens in to new Wavestation sounds from Voice Crystal.

Derek Johnson gets acquainted with a DAT machine that's small but perfectly formed.

Groove guru Wilf Smarties reports on the sample CD scene.

This month, helpful hints for users of C-Lab and Opcode software.

It has come to our attention that some of you have bad back-up habits. You know who you are...