Tone Generator

The recent launch of Yamaha's new flagship synth, the SY77, seems to have somewhat eclipsed the arrival of its sibling, the TG55 tone generator. Rightly or wrongly, the TG55 has taken something of a backseat whilst its big brother hogs most of the limelight. David Hughes assesses its star potential.

VALHALA INTERNATIONAL GOLD B101 & B102 M1/M1R ROM Cards

With so many disappointing sounds currently being sold as the work of "professional" programmers, it's reassuring to find a selection as good as Valhala's International Gold cards for the Korg M1.

Your questions answered

Andy McCluskey

Andy McCluskey reveals his dislike for synth programming and his penchant for the classics.

Software for the Atari ST

If you're looking for an easy approach to programming your new Korg M1 workstation, this Atari ST program could be for you. Vic Lennard goes to work with a mouse.

Paul Wiffen tinkers with the synth/workstation that has made the competition sit up and listen

On completion of a new solo album and the soundtrack to the latest screen version of Wuthering Heights, Ryuichi Sakamoto finds himself centre stage yet again. Paul Tingen talks to the Renaissance Man of modern music.

interface for the Macintosh

This new interface could be just the ticket for Mac users.

At home with Chris Hughes

The former Tears For Fears producer invites us in for a cuppa

Mac MIDI Interface/Processor

European Son

Omar: comin' to ya, on a dust road

Scottish band Danny Wilson were led by Gary Clark, who regards his debut solo album Ten Short Songs About Love as his finest work to date. From conception to birth, it was made entirely at home. Phil Ward drops in on the basement studio, and finds both album and proud father doing very well

A long-awaited replacement for Roland's discontinued M-64C RAM cartridge joins the Dangerous CD Company's Danger 1 sampling CD on the spot in this month's Patchwork.

Tell your Mac what it's hooked up to! Save the contents of all your MIDI devices with one mouse movement! Edit 47 different devices from the comfort of your armchair! Kendall Wrightson examines Opcode's new Mac system software and the latest in editor/librarians.

(But Were Too Afraid To Ask!)

PART 7: Martin Russ delves deeper into the secrets and applications of MIDI's System Exclusive messages.

Turning digital dreams into reality

Ian Boddy is one of this country's foremost independent 'electronic music' composers. David Hughes talks to him about the recording of his new CD 'Odyssey'.

The long-awaited inclusion of a protocol to allow MIDI control of multitrack tape machines is just one of the recent additions to the MIDI spec. Vic Lennard offers a MIDI update.

in Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe

Session player Julian Colbeck tells the tale of how he got the gig as support keyboard player for Rick Wakeman on the recent Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe world tour, and runs through the instrumentation he and Rick used on stage.

The release of Jason Rebello's first LP shows him to be more than the tasteful performer the jazz circuit already recognises. Simon Trask talks to one of Britain's leading jazz keyboardsmen.

Dave Stewart On Going It Alone In The Music Biz

The major record company route is not the only one to musical success. Dave Stewart has successfully avoided the majors and still manages to make a good living from his home-produced music. Here, he charts his musical history.

With some 17 solo albums to his credit, as well as two ballets, five collaborations with Jon Anderson, and film soundtracks that include 'Blade Runner' and the Oscar-winning 'Chariots Of Fire', Vangelis has continually explored the creation of musical forms via the integration of the acoustic with the electronic. Recently, he took time out to talk about his own work methods and express his views on the current technological scene. Richard Buskin asks the questions.

A Punter's Eye View

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

Roland D20 LA synthesizer

With its 8-track sequencer, rhythm composer, digital reverb and built-in disk drive, Roland's latest multitimbral LA synthesizer would be better described as a budget 'music workstation'. Paul Ireson reveals why ...