Beating The Block

Rowland Jones on how to beat writer's block when composing.

Paul White explains the basic principles of tape recorders to help you make better recordings.

Software For The 64

Hardware, software and evening wear for the 64

8-track Recorder

The 8-track war hots up. Now Tascam have an 8-track cassette to compete with the Toa MR8T. We know that eight tracks on compact cassette are possible, but who does it better, Tascam or Toa? David Mellor decides.

Peter Maydew

Half price Teac plus all the latest products

Mike Skeet reveals everything you need to know to get your final master tape ready for mass duplication.

The CLARION Home Studio — Best yet cassette?

With features like stereo, mono and separate outputs for external processing, real-time and step-time programming, MIDI compatibility, and interchangeable drum sounds, the budget-priced MD8 should theoretically cost a lot more than it does. Tony Wride sees if it lives up to expectations.

Tascam 238S 8-Track

Dave Lockwood checks out the first ever Dolby S cassette multitracker in this exclusive review.

A User Report on the Yamaha DX9

Almost entirely overshadowed by its immensely popular elder brother, the DX9 deserves a better deal. Or at least that's what Steve Howell claims in this special user report.

The ZX Spectrum Beepquencer

Pros & Cons of Backing Tape Formats

Software listings that enable owners of our BBC Micro MIDI interface board to view the internal workings of the Yamaha DX7 on screen, with a cassette available from E&MM for the finger-sore.

Putting It Together

The nitty gritty of choosing appropriate recording and sequencing equipment for use in a school environment.

Creative Sound on the BBC B

Book/software package for the BBC

Compact discs represent a superb source of high quality sounds for the samplist too lazy to sample their own. What's more, products like this D-55T CD player make the task even easier with their programmable auto-loop function. Paul Gilby explains...

Studios & Recording

For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen, before we go to Paradise by way of page thirteen.

Dan Goldstein sifts through the stack of independent vinyl that landed in the E&MM offices following our appeal, and finds each record has a different tale to tell.

An essential part of a release you can be proud of is a good master tape — and today's sophisticated equipment means that you may be able to do at home what was once the province of mastering studios. Craig Anderton explains.

Multitrack Recorder

Already established in hi-fi, Sansui have made their musical debut in the form of a number of multitrack cassette machines, among them the WSX1. Nigel Lord reckons the "studio in a box" is finally here.

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

More controversy and heated discussion on the subject of blank tape levies.