Guitarcheck

An instrument to put the Shadow in the shade? Paul Trynka has his doubts

Inside the Yamaha GS1 & GS2

This month's Advanced Music Synthesis explains why these digital synthesisers are 'very expensive and very good'

The Perfect Beat

Is this the ideal way to programme rhythm patterns into your drum machine? Paul Ireson gives Roland's updated drum-to-MIDI convertor a good bashing!

An Alternative To Tape

From the analogue to the digital era, magnetic tape has been the prime production medium for recorded music for several decades. David Mellor examines new developments in recording and speculates where they might lead.

Back To Basics

Jay Chapman takes a side step from his regular foray into MIDI and presents this 'back to basics' article especially for the many new readers who have picked up on the series since it first began.

The Input Channel

A guided tour through a typical in-line channel strip.

E-mu Emulator IV

State-of-the-art sampling

Micro Electronic mNemonic Teaching Aid

Digital Reverb

In the beginning was the Midiverb; the Midiverb begat the Midiverb II and the Midiverb II. Nigel Lord checks the latest incarnation of Alesis' standard-setting reverb.

John Harris draws on personal experience to reveal some of the problems encountered when recording TV pop music programmes.

Zoom 9120 Advanced Sound Environment Processor

From the company that brought you effects units you could wear, comes a very serious reverb processor — that you can't wear!

Emulator III Sampling Keyboard

If there is one company which has made its name on sampling that company is E-mu Systems. The term 'Emulator' is now synonymous with sampling and now the third instrument in this distinguished series is on the market. Paul Wiffen checks it out and finds E-mu bang up to date.

Synthcheck

Paul Fishman does his Bit

Sounding good with what you've got

John Harris subjects this Japanese rack to the English inquisition.

Paul White again, with the first in a new series on ensuring your immaculate recording isn't ruined by a mediocre mix. This month: what not to do with mixing desks and outboard processors.

Studio or stage? As technology advances, the traditional distinction between "recording technology" and "keyboard technology" becomes more and more confused - as this years recording show displayed. Report by Simon Trask.

In the third part of our continuing series on the basics of MIDI, Bob O'Donnell concentrates on sequencers, their capabilities and their place in a typical MIDI studio.

Sound Workshop

Paul White shows how you can explore classic mic techniques using basic equipment.

This month's Masterclass looks at the way equalisation can be used to creatively enhance your music.

There has been an enormous upsurge of interest in African music of late. Artists as diverse as Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads and Brian Eno have acknowledged its inspiration on their work. But there is little information around that explains the fundamental concepts behind it and how a musician can incorporate the sounds and ideas into their own work if they wish to. Kofi Busia suggests a few ideas.

A contemporary composer drawing inspiration from the classics

Your kindly editor investigates ways in which the newcomer to recording might spend his money effectively rather than just quickly.

A super-screened distribution board that protects against mains transients, ground loops and short circuits - ideal for every electro-musician