Dom Foulsham continues our series on the digital ins and outs of sampling, and talks to some arch sampling professionals about the tricks of their trade. Discover how to get a convincing crash cymbal; how to break the rules creatively and stay legal; and 20 things to do with a redundant manual. Read it and weep, Jive Bunny

Even the biggest sample library never seems to have quite enough drum sounds. The solution? Roll your own. Craig Anderton passes on some hot hints and tips on how to get the best possible drum sounds out of your sampler.

A colourful bonanza of newly released and forthcoming new products.

Sampling module

Roland follow up their successful S50 sampler with a more highly-specified rack-mount alternative that includes sample display capabilities. Bob O'Donnell monitors its performance.

In engineering and production - as in musicianship - flexibility and adaptability are precious qualities. Martin Rex has covered artists as varied as Neneh Cherry, Fela Kuti and Michael Nyman - Ollie Crooke listens.

If you own several samplers or just want to transfer S900 samples into your mate’s FZ1, then this program will make life considerably easier. David Mellor creates some designer sounds with the Atari ST version of Digidesign’s universal sample editor.

AES Show Report

Forthcoming new products from the hi-tech music recording field.

Games Feature

Now that computer games are available on CD, they’re no longer restricted to naff sound effects and music. We talk to games producers Ocean and composer Debbie Wiseman about the arrival of serious sound for games...

Recording acoustic instruments is a fine art, but electronic instruments present their own set of problems. Craig Anderton explains how to do it properly.

From the Midlands' techno culture comes the hardcore sound of Rhythmatic. Simon Trask investigates one of the bands on the ground floor of Britain's fastest-growing musical movement.

16-Bit Stereo Sampler

Akai's S1000 is without doubt the industry standard professional sampler, so why try and improve on the best? Paul Wiffen finds that SMPTE cue listing, AES/EBU real-time output, and built-in effects are a good start (with hard disk recording to follow).

Software for the IBM PC

Generic sample editors have been giving Atari ST users a lead in sample editing for a while; now IBM PC users have the chance to get ahead. Dennis Miller has a vision.

The CDP is a non profit-making co-operative formed by a group of professional composers and researchers at York University, whose intention was to create an affordable personal workstation — a ‘desktop IRCAM’ - on which to run powerful synthesis and signal processing programs. Richard Dobson reveals the power of this Atari ST-based system.

Synthesis Software

CAD meets synthesis inside the Apple Mac. Robert Rich fires up a program that allows you to design your sounds on computer before transferring them to your sampler.

Atari ST Software

Using your sampler as a synthesiser is wonderful in theory but frustrating in practice - until Virtual Wave, that is. Vic Lennard waves hello to Resotek's ST software.

A plethora of new hi-tech products to whet your appetite.

Your chance to catch up on the latest releases from the world of hi-tech music and recording.

Although expensive, digital audio workstations are a pointer to the kind of features we can expect to see on the next generation of 'affordable' hi-tech instruments. Craig Anderton takes a look at one of the very latest workstations to appear, the AudioFrame.

Sample Editing Software For The ST

Martin Russ edits, analyses, time corrects and synthesizes as he explores the features of the Steinberg's Avalon software.

Read all about the Emu Systems Proteus, the new Alesis MIDI Disk recorder, Yamaha MT3X multitracker, and lots more!

The SmpteTrack software for the Atari ST is one of the most expensive ST sequencers around, but is it one of the best? David Mellor dons his pith helmet and hacks his way through the computer jungle to find out.

Exclusive news from UK Electronica, plus all the latest in the world of MIDI music

A colourful round-up of what's new in the hi-tech recording arena.

A look at some forthcoming products from the world of hi-tech music and recording.