Part 1. Regular contributor Tony Hastings recounts a personal tale of how a lucky break resulted in his first commission in the lucrative world of advertising jingles and soundtracks.

pop under the hammer

Previous episodes of MT's definitive drum programming series have covered rhythms from around the globe. Nigel Lord takes stock and considers some patterns that belong only to the beatbox.

All the musical ideas, playing prowess and flash hardware in the world won't make your band sound good - unless you get the most out of rehearsals. Trevor Gilchrist offers some clues.

is there a future in teaching music

Bananas and Softsels

Advice for those with unusual computers

A Punter's Eye View

Musician, ‘superstar’ and SOS contributor Tony Hastings has a right old go at equipment manufacturers and music shops.

White Eat, white light, and what gear from the Wobbly Ones.

How to be an engineer, what happened at these two trade shows and why John Lennon would turn in his grave

Commodore Sound Studio

How To Actually Set About It

Producer/Composer Robin Lumley details what's involved in writing and recording your first piece of music for a TV commercial.

Another module for the Tantek rack from the drawing board of Paul Williams.

I.M. caught Rick Wakeman after Arthur and before Liszt

Phil Walsh with some tips on buying second hand gear

Sequencer survival guide

How To Be A Non-Musician

An invaluable guide for the anti-instrumentalist.

MIDI Percussion Voice Generator

Simon Trask confronts a technological puzzle. Why have Korg put 19 digital drum voices in a box that contains no sequencing software?

building your own recording haven

With the New Miracle Ingredient - STG

Accompaniment Software

This popular auto-accompaniment program is gaining in features and sophistication with every upgrade. Martin Russ plays with himself...