Every news bulletin tells us more about "the recession" - but how badly is it affecting the music biz? Ian Waugh reports from the front line at the International Music Show.

Synthesiser Expander Module

Looking for a digital complement to analogue gear or another expander to take the pressure off the rest of your rack? Ian Waugh discovers sonic flexibility at a price you can afford.

This month's round-up includes new products launched at the APRS and NAMM shows.

Bill Collins' first of his regular looks at the special need of micro-based Rhymists

Brian Heywood puts the new Aries PC through its paces

Hex's Matt Black reveals the secrets of getting started and getting in sync with video, graphics and music

Paul Ireson reports from Frankfurt on Europe's biggest music fair.

BMF Report

This year's British Music Fair left the confines of Olympia in favour of a stadium atmosphere. Simon Trask goes walkabout at Wembley.

Looking back over ten years' worth of magazines, it seemed that there were certain moments worth reliving - here are the edited highlights.

(But Were Too Afraid To Ask!)

PART 4: Martin Russ provides some solid examples of how to utilise the hidden power of MIDI’s SysEx commands to reprogramme synths on-the-fly and to store snapshots of all your synth and effects patches on disk.

Take your beat to the streets.

Everything you ever wanted to know about anything, but were afraid to ask...

After five years in the wilderness, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are back with a new LP and tour. Tim Goodyer talks to Andy McCluskey about the value of technology.

MIDI Master Keyboard

Akai's new MIDI master keyboard boasts a weighted six-octave keyboard and new terminology for its features. Simon Trask decides MIDI control is more than a simple matter of feel.

Interested in hi-tech higher education? Chris Kempster reports on the MIDI studios and recording courses available to students at Salford College Of Technology.

Frankfurt Musikmesse 1989

Rain, sub-zero temperatures and sleazy hotels - who'd go to Frankfurt if it wasn't for the trade show? Simon Trask finds more than warmth and shelter at the Musikmesse.

The annual pilgrimage to Europe's largest music fair is over for another year. Vic Lennard brings hot news of the latest hi-tech developments, innovations, launches, lunches...

British Music Fair Show Report

This year's British Music Fair attracted hordes of equipment-hungry punters eager to see what the future of music might hold. Simon Trask was there asking the same question.

Oceanic interviewed

Merseyside's pop trio on presets, jingles, Nirvana and 2 Unlimited

MIDI Master Keyboard/Piano Sound Board

Take a well-facilitated MIDI master keyboard and add a piano module and you have the basis of Akai's MX1000 - a "dumb" controller with a voice. Simon Trask plays and listens.

Paul Wiffen goes stateside to find out what new products we can look forward to from the U.S of A

Your chance to check out some of the new hi-tech and recording equipment launched at last month's Frankfurt Music Fair.