From the immortal pen of Ben Duncan comes the penultimate part of this epic reference work.

Sampling Keyboard

Simon Trask again, this time experiencing the simple delights of the budget Roland sampler. It's easy to use, but has the low cost brought too many compromises?

Walls have Ears...

DIY soundproofing and acoustic treatment for walls.

The final part of the saga.

Bits & Pieces

PART 9: It is easy to list all the glamorous' items required for a home studio - synths, sampler, mixing console, tape machines, etc - but the small things are important too. In this final part of the series, David Mellor gathers together all those essential bits and pieces.

Cables

The Principles Of Soundproofing

A collection of CDs which should be the sampler's delight are the stars of this month's Patchwork. If your music needs a boost from Ed Stratton, Coldcut or Pascal Gabriel, check out these disks.

Reader Marek Bokowietz has constructed a complete electronic drum kit from E&MM's own percussion modules, the Syntom, Synbal and Synclap.

Jay Chapman continues his 'back to basics' description of MIDI with a light-hearted pot-pourri of handy hints and tips.

Building A Rack

Part 4: Building a 19" rack. There is only so high a temporary stack of equipment can get before it becomes a danger to life and limb. David Mellor explains how to give your rackmount gear a happy home.

MIDI Router

Midi routing systems have come a long way since the humble passive thru box. Kendall Wrightson explores a sophisticated example of the species.

The BMF Goes Up In...

Read today the Bob Dylan story a friend will tell you in the pub next week.

Today's news, tomorrow's news - the future lurks in these pages

The Syn-D-Kit

Do you turn pale at the thought of forking out for a Simmons SDS9? Do you go green with envy when friends show off brand-new Ultimate Percussion kits? Paul White's design for a build-your-unswer electronic drum hit could bring a bit of colour to your cheeks.

Production Tips & Techniques

Mahogany Rush — talks amps with Tony Bacon

Effects

And as the cheap bitter slaps rhythmically against the stage, our two intrepid reporters bring news of the Bell Modular effects system. No bolds hard.

IBM PC Software

The gap between audio and video technologies closes - a recent crossover is software that allows you to generate fractal images from your music. Ian Waugh's PC gets psychedelia.

A subjective and selective round-up of drum machines, old and new, by Mark Jenkins.

Last month, David Mellor explained how loudspeaker drive units work and how manufacturers sometimes try to pull the acoustic wadding over our ears. Part 2 tells the story of how the loudspeaker works as a system, the reason for crossovers, and gives a couple of hints on how to make BIY (bodge-it-yourself) cabinets.

The Fishman guide to DIY synths

Eight-note poly keyboard with 10 presets, 10 programmable memories and an arpeggiator

Composition Centre

Announced over a year ago, the all-American DPM3 has finally landed on our shores. Martin Russ takes the wraps off Peavey's much publicised first foray into the hi-tech keyboard market.

Time to Play

Nottingham's Time Recording give an independent label's-eye view from the front line of dance music. Simon Trask checks his Swatch...