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a first time guide, and some of the problems that still exist

One persistent area of hi-tech confusion surrounds multitimbrality. Vic Lennard explains what it is, what it's for and what's wrong with it.

Steinberg Pro16 MIDI Sequencer

Tony Hastings takes you through the recording of a song using the facilities of the Pro 16 MIDI Sequencer software from Steinberg Research.

Groove M4CV MIDI-to-CV Convertor

Old analogue synths never die — they just gather dust until you can find a reason to kick them into life again. As Chris Ankin discovers, the Groove M4CV MIDI-to-CV convertor could be just such a reason.

Software for Sinclair Spectrum

John Harris and Shirley Gray dissect Electromusic Research's latest software package for the Sinclair Spectrum.

Synthcheck

The latest in the ridiculously successful FM series gets its algorithms examined by Tony Mills

A Matrix 6 in a rack-mounting box. Simon Trask investigates the multi-timbral delights of Oberheim's latest offspring.

big and sequenced

Akai are quickly becoming the name to look out for when it comes to hi-tech products (their hi-fi's not bad either!) and this keyboard-based successor to their S612 sampler certainly reinforces that opinion. Julian Colbeck checks out its attractions.

The end of our quest to make Yamaha's revolutionary DX synths easier to comprehend and program. Jay Chapman performs the closing ceremony.

In the second part of this exclusive MT interview, the man behind the Prophet 5 and MIDI discusses MIDI, user interfaces and programming. Simon Trask listens in on the thoughts of Korg's R&D.

Following in the footsteps of their successful budget CZ models, Casio add touch-sensitivity for the professional user. Simon Trask evaluates the results.

ExpanderCheck

It's FM, it's got mono-mode, it's cheap(ish), and it's wonderful. Martin Moody relates to Yamaha's new MIDI expander

Guitar Synth

Is it a guitar? Is it a synthesiser? Steve Shepard straps on Casio's combination of hi-tech sounds, MIDI facilities and old-fashioned guitar playability.

Commodore Sound Studio

Yamaha smash new price barriers with their latest FM synths - the DX100 and DX27. Mark Jenkins assesses their performance as stand-alone keyboards and as compact MIDI expanders.

Instead of following other keyboard manufacturers sheep-like into sampling machines, Oberheim have come up with a unique device which doesn't sample but replays disks from several other samplers. Paul Wiffen investigates.

Roland Alpha Juno-1

If you're not an FM fan, but are looking for a low-cost polysynth that can double as a MIDI expander, you won't need to look further than Roland's new Alpha Juno-1 according to Mark Jenkins.

The Next Logical Step

This 4 track MIDI sequencer is a step in the right direction for Casio but have the budget restrictions limited its appeal?

SynthCheck

Ensoniq's new baby gets a warm welcome from Tony Mills.

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.

Guitar-to-MIDI Converter

Paul White, who's owned almost every Roland guitar synth built, puts the new GK1 synth driver and GM70 "brain" under test. Is this the first pitch-to-MIDI system that really works?

As MIDI's failings become all too apparent to thousands of musicians, Roland take the bull by the horns and come up with four processing units to make life easier. Simon Trask gives them a trial run.