Laurie Anderson, pioneer and populariser of avant-garde electronic music, and arguably the performance artist, recently brought her 'Empty Places' show to the UK. Interview by Mark J. Prendergast.

Mary Chain man in melody shock

Cross Wave Synthesizer

The onboard 8-track sequencer and sampled waveforms of the ESQ-1 make it a hard act for any manufacturer to follow. So what further features does Ensoniq's new SQ-80 synthesizer have that could possibly outshine its stablemate? Craig Anderton explores...

Filtering, Enveloping And Keyboard Sensing.

In the penultimate part of his series, designed to help you get the best from your sampling machines, keyboard programmer Paul Wiffen returns to his analogue roots to modify some samples.

Arranger

Lone arranger Richard Walmsley analyses the profession's pros and cons

Chas de Whalley talks to the other John Williams about his recent work with chart-toppers The Housemartins

Producing String Sounds

A new in depth look at building up complex patches

Ronald Alpier takes us through a music package for the Archimedes with a difference

The release of the M1R puts the M1’s hot sounds in a compact rack-mounting package that will undoubtedly appeal to musicians and studios already burdened by a surfeit of keyboards. Martin Russ looks beyond the surface appeal.

Vintage technology strikes back

including The A-Z of Analogue

There seems no end to the creativity of New York performance artist Laurie Anderson. In an exclusive interview, she talks about her music, her lyrics, and life as a 'Diva' for artist Jean-Michel Jarre.

Justifiably unwilling to be written off as just another funk act, Loose Ends talk tactics, technique and technology into Tim Goodyer's Walkman mic.

Over The Tracks With The Big Express

making The Big Express and strumming guitars

Sample Expanders

For those without the time or the inclination to sample come two expanders dedicated to sampled horns and strings. Simon Trask finds out if Kurzweil's dedication has paid dividends.

Equipment

Allen and Heath/Brenell release one of their beautiful Mod II mixers into the grateful clutches of Mel Lambert, who lets you know warrisallabout.

Scorewriting packages are becoming more and more popular Clive Grace looks at Dr T's top of the range offering

RCM Synthesis explained

In this second part of our in-depth review of the SY77 synthesizer, Martin Russ delves into Yamaha's ultra new synthesis method: Real-time Convolution and Modulation.

Editing, Looping & Splicing.

Keyboard programmer Paul Wiffen moves on to the process of manipulating the sample in this series designed to help make the best use of your sampling machine.

In an attempt to win tonight's star prize, the naugahyde lounge suite, Karlheinz answers more questions on his life and career.

Take two classically trained musicians, a studio full of hi-tech gear and a will to survive in the commercial world of music and you've got WBTM Music. Claire O'Brien learns how to be a musician and eat.

Digital Keyboard

How can the principles of Artificial Intelligence be employed to make a computer musical instrument sound like a grand piano? David Ellis delves deep into the workings of a £10,000+ Stateside keyboard.

TechTalk: Steven Randall

The man behind the Stepp DG1 guitar talks about his invention, the playing techniques required for it, and his views on what MIDI offers the guitarist, in conversation with Neville Marten.

Ralph Denyer gets gizmological with Kevin 'n' L

Initially, the consequences of RD's actions could be Kevin or L — there'LL be L to K. (2 down).