What was to be a 2-part series has now grown. This second part covers the creative use of effects when mixing.

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...

Back To The Future

The future of the synthesiser: experimenter's toy or street-cred home organ?

Soundproofing Doors And Windows

Songwriters's Special

Lorna Read Explains 'How To Sell Your Songs'

Equipment

Man Jumping sticksman Simon Limbrick talks about tuned percussion, sampled percussion and technology on the stage. Nicholas Rowland tunes in to the rhythm of technology.

Continuing our new series for DIY fans, Martin Russ shows how you can go about adding extra MIDI Ins, Outs and Thrus to a MIDI interface.