Add-ons for small computers are getting more and more professional in their facilities, their quality and their presentation, as Chris Jenkins discovers.

Chris Jenkins looks at a master keyboard of a very different kind, from the people who brought you drum machine and sampling add-ons for home computers.

John Renwick guides us through the Cheetah Series of keyboards

As the world of musical synthesis shrinks ever more into a 19" black box format, where do we find the MIDI master keyboard to persuade these expander modules to give up their sounds? Since the big manufacturers currently seem reluctant to give us soundless MIDI keyboards, is there a small company we can turn to who can supply us with the equipment we need? David Mellor lets the cat out of the bag.

Synth Expander

The long-awaited, rack-mounting, multitimbrol, budget analogue synth expander from Cheetah has arrived. Simon Trask turns on and trips out.

With features like stereo, mono and separate outputs for external processing, real-time and step-time programming, MIDI compatibility, and interchangeable drum sounds, the budget-priced MD8 should theoretically cost a lot more than it does. Tony Wride sees if it lives up to expectations.

Controller Keyboard

As synth and sampler expanders become more popular, the demand for an affordable master keyboard increases. Simon Trask puts Cheetah's latest - and best test.

Sequencer

Latest in their line of cost-effective gear is Cheetah's MQ8 sequencer. Simon Trask investigates a budget sequencer that incorporates some of the features of the Zyklus MIDI Performance System.

Sampling Module

After much pre-publicity, Cheetah's first venture into the world of samplers is here. It's 16-bit stereo, reads S900 disks and is reviewed by Vic Lennard.

Drum Machine

Possibly the most requested review in recent years, Cheetah's MD16 drum machine is finally here and ready for inspection. Simon Trask gives it a good beating.

Cheetah MK5 MIDI keyboard

A master MIDI keyboard for under £100 may sound like a joke to you, especially when it is sold by Boots, but Jay Chapman quickly stopped laughing when he plugged it in. Find out why...

Digital Drum Machine

Competition is fierce in the budget drum machine arena. Nicholas Rowland takes a look at the British answer to the Japanese and American machines that have been in the limelight recently.

Digital Wave Synthesiser

Cheetah's latest synth had already been axed and revived before the public got a glimpse of it. Simon Trask gets his hands on one of the cheapest, oddest and most intriguing modules on the market.

Drum Modules

Repackaging a powerful and popular drum machine as a rackmount and adding drum triggers is sure to attract more interest to it. Nigel Lord explores the new Cheetah MD16.

Cheetah MS6 Multitimbral Analogue Synthesizer

Seems like everyone has been waiting to get their hands on this low-cost 6-voice, multitimbral, analogue synth expander. Martin Russ looks at the affordable face of technology.

Once a recording studio was a large room lined with futuristic acoustic tiles and filled with impressive equipment; now it could be the corner of a bedroom - it's all a matter of size.

Within hours of the '91 Frankfurt Musik-Messe closing its doors, this preliminary report was on its way to be printed. Tim Goodyer is the exhausted messenger.

Paul Ireson on this year's International Music Show.

A real mother and a real steal

Our regular monthly exploration of upcoming new products.