It's a sad fact that keyboard players have always had to pay more for the privilege than their guitar or drum playing associates. Tim Goodyer asks what can technology do to redress the imbalance?

The techno punk duo on U2, sampling theft, virtual reality, CDI, and getting the machines to rock.

Once leader of the seminal Weather Report, Joe Zawinul recently took his current project, The Zawinul Syndicate, on the road. Simon Trask talks with an acknowledged master of the synthesiser.

MIDI/Audio Delays

MT's Charter for those suffering delays on the MIDI line.

He's big in Japan, massive in America, and beginning to conquer Europe with his own brand of ethereal synthesized 'mood music'. Mark Jenkins talks to the phenomenon that is Kitaro.

Mint Jam Studios

A new breed of studio is emerging, ignoring the major record companies and putting their own product out there... Mint Jam is one of them

Atari ST Software

With software synth editors challenging the instruments' own front panels for attention, Quinsoft have brought the popular Alesis Quadraverb an editor of its own. Ian Waugh looks in on the Quaddy.

One of the consequences of MIDI recording is the loss of musical performance. In the first of a short series, Ollie Crooke and Simon Thomas look at the performance applications of MIDI controllers.

(But Were Too Afraid To Ask!)

Martin Russ continues his detailed investigation into the inner secrets of MIDI's most powerful messages.

The sound of an acoustic piano is perhaps the most important single timbre in pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. Julian Colbeck looks at contemporary MIDI alternatives to the real thing.

Universal Patch Editor/Librarian

Dr. T's universal patch editor/librarian makes the journey from Atari to Mac picking up a host of new features en route, as Kendall Wrightson discovers.

Waldorf Sound Cards 1-3

The first three cards in the Waldorf Microwave sound library, reviewed by Paul Ireson.

Hints, Tips & News from the World of Music Software

More hints, tips and update news from the world of music software.

No Rhythm

Part 10: No rhythm. Dave Stewart explains ways of making music Without That Insistent Backbeat.

Playing Keyboards With Elton John

Elton John goes on tour this month to promote his new album The One; Julian Colbeck took the opportunity to talk to keyboardsman Mark Taylor about equipment, entertainment, and Elton.

Where everything clicks

Your questions answered

Tuned Percussion

Part 7: Tuned percussion. Dave investigates the enormous creative potential of sampled sounds within music, and offers his rendition of 'Subterranean Homesick Blues'.

Having helped to create Britain's Northern techno scene, Unique 3 claim it doesn't actually exist. Simon Trask listens to this and other enigmas from one of the country's most creative dance outfits.

D'Cuckoo are hardly your average MIDI band: they build their own instruments; they're all women, and they play "post-industrial cyber-tribal world-funk". Paul Tingen investigates.

When inspiration strikes and you're out of reach of a sequencer, Anatek's latest Pocket unit can save your soul, if not your life. Vic Lennard picks a pocket.

Ryuichi Sakamoto was a founder of the YMO before becoming one of David Sylvian's favoured partners. Now, fresh from a Japanese and a series of film scores he tells Tim Goodyer about his latest LP.

After inspiring a generation of experimental musicians to explore synthetic soundscapes, Tangerine Dream found new relevance in 1990's ambient house movement. Simon Trask enters the Dream state.