Synclavier

The updated Synclavier with new software. We take it for a test run.

Jonathan Sorrell is one of a handful of session programmers working with the world's most sophisticated sampling keyboard - the Synclavier. Paul Gilby discovers how it came about.

PART 1: New England Digital's Synclavier is the world's most expensive musical instrument, bar the odd 300 year old Stradivarius. But more than that, it can be a recording studio, a post-production system, a music engraver, a scientific research tool... and more. The Synclavier is at the leading edge of musical technology. David Mellor sets out on a voyage of discovery.

PART 2: David Mellor explores the sampling capabilities of the world’s most expensive musical instrument - the Synclavier.

Paul White and Geoff Twigg delve deep into the mysteries of one of the world's most expensive keyboard instruments, and uncover some fascinating developments.

David Mellor concludes his exploration of the world's most expensive musical instrument with an interview with a musician who can actually afford one, Simon Franglen.

PART 1

As Fairlight fight for survival the mighty Synclavier undergoes a dramatic upgrade. Chris Meyer takes us on the first of three tours of the new state-of-the-art Synclavier.

A British playwright looks into the future and sees a composer locked away from the world with a machine that makes music for him. John Walters talks scripts and Synclaviers.

New England Digital: A Company Philosophy

Most people have heard of the Synclavier but little is known about the company that produces it: New England Digital. Paul Gilby met up with its Vice-President, Brad Naples, who supplied us with a fascinating insight into the philosophy behind the development of this highly advanced digital recording system they call 'the Synclavier'.

This French-born synthesist describes his experiences with the Synclavier and other digital instruments

Real Time Performance System

Paul Wiffen heads off into dreamland to sample the delights of New England Digital's latest improvement package for what's arguably the world's most prestigious computer music system. Not surprisingly, he gives it the thumbs up.

PART 2: SEQUENCING AND NOTATION

In the second part of MT's look at the powerful Synclavier system, Dan Rue and Scott Wilkinson embark on their very own fantastic journey into the heart of the beast to consider its sequencing and notation abilities.

PART 3: DIRECT-TO-DISK AND SYNTHESIS

In the final part of our look at the latest models of the state-of-the-art Synclavier, Scott Wilkinson homes in on the Direct-to-Disk recording system.

A Real-time Performance System

PART 3: What is it like to sit down at the Synclavier - the world's most expensive instrument - and create a piece of music? David Mellor finds out and tells the whole story.

Ken Freeman, Tony Mansfield and Martin Ware

In a world of divided people, music is regarded as being one of the great equalisers - but that's only as long as you've got the cash for the gear. How equal are you?

bang wallop

Ian Burden of Human League outlines beginner's tips and a future strategy for electronic music.

Computer synth rental

SMPTE codes for the home studio and yet more software for the Synclavier, among other things.

Remember the South Bank Show's electronic music special not so long ago? David Ellis will probably never forget it.