ALESIS DATADISK MIDI Data Recorder

The latest MIDI data recorder to appear is the Alesis Datafiler SysEx recorder, which allows you to record system exclusive info direct to disk. Filing with Vic Lennard.

If you were stranded on a desert island with only a solitary keyboard to occupy your time, what would be the instrument of your choice? The professionals make theirs in this anniversary feature.

A kit setup for the Alesis HR16 joins the more usual selection of readers DX and D50 patches in this month's Patchwork.

Vic Lennard considers the trials and triumphs of storing your synth patches as SysEx files within the sequences they're intended for, and concludes that MIDI really is your friend after all.

As Mr Fingers and Fingers Inc, Chicago-based Larry Heard was instrumental in creating the house music movement. Simon Trask talks tech with him on the release of his first LP on a major label.

Mike Collins investigates the magic behind Enigma Studios, a MIDI-based recording facility in London's East End.

A review of PA Decoder's D50 ROM Vol II joins patches for the Ensoniq ESQ1, Kawai K1 and Korg DW6000 in this months' selection of readers' sounds.

Ex-OMDers Paul Humphreys and Martin Cooper are back with new material and plenty to say on OMD, songwriting, sampling and going independent

System Exclusive messages promised to make MIDI a flexible and powerful communications standard; instead it seems to have caused MIDI havoc. Vic Lennard takes an Exclusive look.

MIDI/Audio Delays

MT's Charter for those suffering delays on the MIDI line.

Scott Davidson utilises the power of MIDI to provide the instrumental foundation for Bros' music, both on stage and in the studio. Julian Colbeck takes notes...

Programmability has changed the way we make music; but should the music now make changes to programmability? Vic Lennard recalls happy memories.

A review of ESQ1 cartridges from Executive Audio joins readers' patches for it and the Roland D50 and Yamaha TX81Z - all in this month's Patchwork.

Another instalment of our column devoted entirely to Steinberg software, written and compiled exclusively for SOS by Steinberg's experts.

trash can

Rhodes Model 760

A keyboard for the gigging pianist? David Mellor tinkles an ivory or two.

The Tokyo Expo is normally a fairly low-key domestic affair, but this year several major new products were unveiled for the first time ever. Our man in Japan, Paul Wiffen, was there to report on some of the hi-tech instruments that will be vying for your money in the coming year; including Yamaha's new mega-synth, the SY77

Pick a number, any number... With modern equipment sounding more and more like car number plates and less and less like instruments, it could be time to return to naming gear rather than numbering it.

MIDI Patch bay

Do you need a MIDI patchbay in your studio? Or a MIDI merger? Or both? Vic Lennard discovers that the XR400 solves more problems than he suspected. How's the software-reviewers elbow, Vic?

Pocket Filter, Pedal & Merge

What's the size of a fag pocket, comes in enough varieties to ease almost any studio problem and isn't covered by British drug laws? Vic Lennard investigates a new line in MIDI effects.

MIDI Merger

From the humble origins of their Pocket Merge, Anatek have refined a powerful eight-way MIDI merging system that could become essential to the serious MIDI studio. Vic Lennard merges with the elite.

Southlands Studio

Paul Ireson goes in search of paradise and finds it in the newly renamed and refitted Southlands Studio in Chiswick, London.

Hitsound Sampling CDs

Paul Ireson checks out the first three volumes in the Hitsound Sampling CD library: Pure Gold Synth; Old Gold Synth; and Guitar.