MIDI-SMPTE Converter

As the price of SMPTE synchronising devices continues to fall, more and more home studios will be availed of their sophistication. Simon Trask checks out the latest breakthrough to find out it's not only cheap but British.

Nomad's first product is a low cost SMPTE reader/generator that allows MIDI drum machines, synths and sequencers to sync to tape easily. David Mellor puts it to the test.

Our regular column devoted to readers' hints and tips about their recording equipment, instruments, software and playing techniques.

SMPTE Synchroniser

Still on the sync track... Chris Jenkins sets the pace with a SMPTE/MIDI converter designed to give all the higher functions of SMPTE tape synchronisation without the higher price-tag.

Tired of scoring out your music by hand? Simon Trask investigates a computerised alternative and discovers it may try to muscle in on the composition.

J.L. Cooper PPS-1

Looking for an alternative means of syncing MIDI instruments to tape? David Mellor tries out a low-cost solution from J.L. Cooper Electronics - the PPS-1.

For a company that is usually in the forefront of musical technology development to be so late in introducing their SMPTE/MIDI processor is quite remarkable. Is the Yamaha MSS1 worth the wait, or is it just a case of 'me too' marketing techniques? David Mellor champs at the timecode bit.

Sampling Percussion System

Not just a sampling drum machine, more a solid state tape recorder! As things start to heat up at the top end of the drum machine market, David Mellor gives E-mu's successor to their popular SP-12 a thorough pounding.

Synchronisation Explained

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