The original hurdy-gurdy man takes Tim Barr on an ambient perambulation through his current project, System 7

MIDI Fader Controller

Want an easy way of manually switching Programs or mixing 16 channels of MIDI volume? This baby will let you do both... and much, much more.

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.

Fritz McIntyre - the key is simplicity

Portable Midi Master Keyboard

Paul Ireson gets to grips with a mini master keyboard that's just right for QY10 users.

Tim Barr catches up with the Detroit techno pioneer

What happens when you press your sequencer's "stop" button and why does such a simple operation sometimes cause so much trouble? Vic Lennard offers a few troubleshooting tips and reveals that there's probably more to it than you think.

Live Music For The Hi-Tech Musician

At home with Chris Hughes

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

Meat Beat Manifesto are to music what Andy Warhol was to art - but they've already been famous for longer than 15 minutes. Phil Ward follows them to a Peel session and to their studio in Swindon, and finds that Meat is not, in fact, necessarily murder.

If you can't imagine how Steve Hillage, Derrick May and The Orb would sound making music together, you can buy their forthcoming LP and find out. Simon Trask talks to the man behind the guitar and the project.

UK chart success may have been elusive of late but Howard Jones' continued popularity in the States has brought its rewards — an SSL-equipped 48-track home studio. Interview by Paul Tingen.

Confronting the "difficult third album" syndrome has presented fewer problems for Inner City mentor Kevin Saunderson than the "more of the same" second album syndrome. Simon Trask discusses musical ideologies, pop trends and advancing technology.

Roland JD990 Synthesizer

Is Roland's Super JD module simply the best synthesizer they've ever made? Read the review to find out...

Eccentric Swiss pioneers Yello follow 1989's Flag with another long playing sound fantasy. Simon Trask talks to Boris Blank about his old Fairlight and his new Baby.

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.

Stephen Hague has demonstrated considerable talent as a producer of classy electronic pop, riding the faders for the Pet Shop Boys and New Order. But his recent work on albums by Robbie Robertson and Siouxsie & The Banshees shows that he has more strings to his bow. Paul Tingen lends an ear.

As close to the cutting edge as you can get without needing stitches...

Michel Huygen/Neuronium

This Spanish synthesist explains the working methods and motivation behind his psychotronic musical landscapes.

All the news you can eat. And then some

AFM/AWM Synthesiser

On from the revolutionary DX7, on from the souped-up DX7 II, on even from the mighty SY77, comes the SY99. Simon Trask takes the new Yamaha flagship on her maiden voyage.

Doepfer MAQ16/3 MIDI Analogue Sequencer

Ensoniq TS10 Performance Composition Synthesizer

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.