Electronic Drum Module and Super Pads

To complete their recent flurry of new products, the Cambridgeshire company have come up with a programmable drum synth module and a set of 'Super Pads' specially designed for it. Nigel Lord takes the system for a trial run.

The people who invented the electronic drum introduce MIDI — and a decidedly acoustic sound - with the advent of a new kit, the SDS9. Nigel Lord gives his verdict.

Sycologic Percussion Signal Processor

Nigel Lord reports on a plain but ingenious percussion-to-MIDI box that could revolutionise the way drums see their instruments - and the way synth voices are triggered. Packaging can be deceptive.

Worth its weight in microphones and Gaffa tape.

Roland strike a happy note with a new MIDI percussion device that doesn't fill the stage or empty your pocket. Nigel Lord and Alex Murray declare it a hit.

Dynacord Percuter S

Digital drums the Dynacord way. Or as Nigel Lord would put it, a better-than-average electronic drum kit at a higher-than-average price. Is the Percuter worth the extra?

Simmons SDS1000

Simmons successor to the SDS800 combines the best of analogue and sampling technology. Nigel Lord approves.

Dynacord Rhythm Stick

A guitar for drummers, a percussion controller for keyboardists, or a drum-kit for guitar players? The Rhythm Stick could be all of these things, as Nigel Lord discovers.

Electronic Drum Amplifier

Of the current crop of combo amps designed specifically for electronic percussion, this is one of the most promising. Nigel Lord puts it through its paces.

Human Rhythm Composer

Nigel Lord ruminates over the future of the drum machine as he checks out the budget version of Roland's flagship R8 Human Rhythm Composer. To be human or not to be human, that is the question.

This new series on drum machine programming is intended to provide an understanding of the drum patterns which form a wide range of music. Nigel Lord starts close to home with basic pop and rock patterns.

Atari ST Software

They gave us the first industry-standard sequencing software for the Atari ST in Pro24, now Steinberg are making a second bid for Atari domination with Cubase. Nigel Lord says "part two next month...

The second part in this series on drum machine programming concentrates on the use of the hi-hat. Nigel Lord looks at its role in humanising your drum patterns.

Haying abandoned the independence of Factory Records in favour of the relative safety of a major record deal, ACR are back in the limelight with a new LP. Nigel Lord asks questions of commerciality.

Atari ST Software

In the second half of this definitive review. Nigel Lord looks into the editing and scorewriting facilities of Steinberg's latest sequencing software.

Building on the patterns explored earlier in this series, adding expression is the theme of this month's drum programming column. Nigel "Reet" Lord changes his accent.

Five years ago The Blue Nile released an LP that has had the music biz desperate for more. Nigel Lord waxes lyrical over emotional songs and ill-defined technology.

From a new British company comes a new Atari ST software sequencer that looks set to rival Notator and Cubase for power and versatility. The virtuous Nigel Lord boots it up.

More experiments with accents form the basis of this episode of Ml's rhythmic soap opera. Nigel Lord beats a path for your drum machine.

The basis of this month's article on drum programming is swing - the rhythmic basis for music as diverse as jazz and hip hop. Nigel Lord swings out.

Steinberg Research are responsible for some of the most significant developments in computer music systems in recent years. Nigel Lord talks tech with Charlie Steinberg on a rare visit to Britain.

The funk is everywhere - and MT's regular drum programming column is no exception. This month Nigel Lord examines funk grooves and gives plenty of example patterns to assist your programming.

The use of samples is often frowned upon by rock audiences, but Jesus Jones have made them the basis of some of the most aggressive and innovative rock music around. Nigel Lord talks to Jesus.

In the early '70s reggae was the star of the pop charts; these days its profile is lower but its influence almost inescapable, Nigel Lord looks at programming Ja rhythm.

Multitrack Recorder

Already established in hi-fi, Sansui have made their musical debut in the form of a number of multitrack cassette machines, among them the WSX1. Nigel Lord reckons the "studio in a box" is finally here.