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

Roland's DJ70 repackages the guts of an S750 as a DJ-oriented sampling keyboard with a glut of time-saving features. Wilf Smarties welcomes the unit that redefines user friendly sampling.

Emu's new Proteus 3 is to hi-tech music what Phileas Fogg is to convenience foods. Nigel Humberstone tries a taste of authentic sounds from around the world.

In part one of this two-part article, Martin Russ looks at how the right software can make the difference between a studio full of lonely synths, samplers and other gadgets, and a powerful integrated setup.

It's slim, dark and sexy, flashes alluringly in a rack and has multiple uses - it's Yamaha's latest sound processor, the EMP700. Derek Johnson opens up the black magic box.

Your sequencer could be having more of an effect on your music than your synths do. Wilf Smarties wonders whether you should be giving your MC50 a co-writing credit...

When Paul D. Lehrman was asked to use his technological expertise to help create a radio quiz show, he rose to the challenge — and discovered it was just about the best fun he could have standing up.

MAXplay opens a window on a world of MIDI applications, including MIDI analysers, harmonisers, editor/librarians and much, much more. Kendall Wrightson investigates.

Casio's DA7 is one of the cheapest DAT recorders on the market, yet it is still a suitable machine for mastering. David Mellor reveals its better features and finds ways round a couple of problems.

Instead of recording their latest opus in expensive pro studios, the Mission have been laying tracks in a rural barn. It might seem they've fallen from grace; Robert Michael finds it ain't necessarily so.

GEM's newest synth, with its polished sound and presentation, could be set to dispel the company's homely image. Martin Russ discovers the multi-faceted GEM S2.

In this month's instalment, Warren Cann circumnavigates his drum machine in search of the perfect song map.

Fostex's new 24-channel 12-group 2412 mixer packs big console features into a compact frame. Dave Lockwood tries it on for size.

A course in recording provides a way of breaking out of the classic Catch 22 — you can't get studio work without experience, and can't get experience without work. Tim Hurrell reports on the Manchester School Of Sound Recording and what their 1-year course has to offer.

Elton John goes on tour this month to promote his new album The One; Julian Colbeck took the opportunity to talk to keyboardsman Mark Taylor about equipment, entertainment, and Elton.

We're giving away one of Novation's outstanding MM10 mini keyboards — no QY10 owner should be without one.

Your chance to gain a place on Manchester School of Sound Recording's 1-year Certificate Level course.

Two years after the launch of the original Boss DR550 drum machine, a mere £26 extra buys you a DR550 MKII with almost twice the number of sounds. Derek Johnson approves.

Hands On's OnSTAGE package frees your ST from its monitor, and turns it into a gigging sequencer. Derek Johnson checks it out.

Kenton Electronics are well-known for their quality internal MIDI retrofits for analogue synths. Paul Ireson gets converted to their new stand-alone MIDI-to-CV interface.

Paul White evaluates this compact and cost-effective means of adding sequencer-driven mute automation to any mixing console.

Groove guru Wile Smarties reports on the latest sample CDs.

This month, helpful hints for users of Steinberg, Opcode, and Dr. T music software.

20 Things You Probably Never Knew About CD.