FM goes weeny

Synthcheck

The professional successor to the Six-Trak meets Curtis Schwartz

Jay Chapman delves deep into the murky waters of MIDI's often ignored Mono Mode in pursuit of multi-timbral expression!

MIDI Message Monitor/Generator

This British "black box" has so many useful MIDI applications that many people will be buying two. Tim Goodyer asks "what the hell's a Patch Commander?".

Korg EX800

Korg's Poly 800 resurfaces as a keyboardless expander the EX800 for use as part of a MIDI system-full review.

Roland Mother System

Roland's innovative MIDI set-up; Mother Keyboard, Planet-P piano voice module, Planet-S synth module, and the impressive Super Jupiter... an in-depth test.

Vesta Kozo's latest offering is a MIDI to CV conversion box, the MDI-1, primarily designed to allow control of that company's rack-mount sampler from a MIDI keyboard, though its usefulness doesn't have to end there - as Ian Gilby discovered.

Digital Reverb

Digital reverberation continues its advance. Simon Trask puzzles over a unit that combines improved facilities and a lower price tag than its predecessor.

Pitch-to-MIDI conversion without the complication of a free-standing conversion unit; Simon Trask finds new freedom in Casio's guitar controller.

Kawai SX-240

Kawai's SX 240 portable keyboard appeals to the eye but what about the ear?

Sequential Multi-Trak

A six voice poly with a built in six track digital recorder and at £1,500 it's already creating enormous interest. We report on the Six-Trak's big brother.

QSC MX3000a

Powerful studio amp

Once you've got your sequencer up and running you're gonna need some extra sound sources. Paul Wiffen guides us through the MIDI Expander jungle

Synthcheck

Excellent sounds plus a sequencer for under a grand. Tony Mills gets very worked up

Understanding MIDI Implementation Charts

The best way of finding out what a new instrument can do is to look carefully at its MIDI Implementation Chart. Jay Chapman acts as your MIDI interpreter and takes you on a guided tour.

New products from the recording world.

The Siel System

A detailed look at Siel's new DK600 keyboard Interface, and Expander.

Clever keyboard clacked

Synthcheck

Small, digital and reviewed by Curtis Schwartz

RhythmCheck

The widest variety of sampled voices for the least money vet — Tony Reed tries out Roland's latest MIDI drum box

Confused by MIDI - or even been hiding from it in the hope it might go away? Your prayers are answered and your fears dispelled by Bob O'Donnell in the first of a series that takes MIDI from the top.

Syco's Analogue to Digital Interface is less than half the price of its nearest competitor. But does it match the quality? We investigate.

MIDI Guitar Controller

Casio's first truly professional MIDI guitar boasts an onboard synthesizer and claims to have the fastest pitch tracking of any MIDI guitar. Rowland Jones bought one to find out!

Akai X7000 Sampling Keyboard