Buying Tactics

how much for what

Sampling Synthesizer

The DSS-1 offers 12-bit sampling, high fidelity samples, integral dual digital delay and EQ, plus the most comprehensive synthesizer section of all the midrange samplers. Review by Mark Jenkins.

The Micro Guitar

Tony Mills uncovers some software for—guitarists! Whatever will they think or next?

With the summer shows out of the way and the forthcoming new products all unveiled, Martin Russ looks into the crystal ball and plots out his version of where the world of synthesis might be heading...

SOS Online

Paul Gilby reports on activities on Europe's new electronic communications system for musicians.

Hard Disc Sampler

standing for Hard Disc, as in rack mounted sampler. This device has so much memory, even Lemmy could remember what band he played for. Alastair Gavin indulges.

Martin Russ checks out this update to the popular ST Replay sampler.

Bananas and Softsels

Advice for those with unusual computers

polyphonic sampling for a grand

Another digital reverb from Alesis, a waveform digitizing pad for the Roland S50 sampler, Passport's multitrack software for the Atari ST, exclusive news of the world's first ever 8-track recorder to use standard cassettes, and more...

Stuart Gillan steps out in search of The Cure

Last month we gave you advice on choosing a computer for musical applications; as a follow on, this month Mike Barnes provides a comprehensive rundown of available music software for the Atari, Macintosh, IBM PC, and Amiga computers.

Details of a new German computer musical instrument, MIDI software for the Apple Macintosh, and Passport's latest Commodore 64 music packages.

easy note doodling

Show Reports

what we saw

Largely misunderstood, MIDI's running status protocol can be used effectively to streamline a MIDI system - as long as you know how to take advantage of it. Vic Lennard stretches his legs.

Sample editing was never so simple thanks to this Mac package

Akai S900 Sampler

Akai's first foray into the sampling market, the S612, was a resounding success. Their new sampling system, aimed more at studios, is considerably more advanced yet still a respectable price. Eventually it will incorporate a multitrack event recorder and harmonic synthesis module, but just released is the first system component - the S900 rack-mount sampler. Mark Jenkins checks it out.

A new British company, Logitech, have just announced the world's cheapest pitch-tracking sampler. If you've a CV synth you'll be quids in — or will you? Paul White reports.

Flying in the face of fashion, Oberheim's new Matrix-6 polysynth utilises traditional analogue voicing and offers some of the most powerful and versatile sounds around. Keyboards man Paul Wiffen checks out its pedigree.

Systemcheck

The Greengate goes loopy

digital grand

Sampled Grand Piano