With the predominance of the workstation synth, and the rise and rise of essentially preset instruments, what has become of the 'traditional' synthesizer? Paul Hazel turns the spotlight on Roland's JD800 and Korg's Wavestation, two recent instruments which answer the question — but in very different ways.

a guided tour with Hull's high flyers

Rag Bags and Hotch Potch

Another grab-bag of micro-goodies from IM&RW's computer hack (or is that hacker?) Tony Mills

GuitarCheck

Dave Burrluck finds there's still a streak of originality to be found in the world of Strat copies

Another session in front of Maharishi Day and his all seeing wang bar.

Sounds, samples, & software upgrades for the modern studio

New software, updates, sounds, and samples

Ben Duncan explains the language of the specification sheet

find out what the small print means

Show Reports

what we saw

thump, boom, and so on

Communicate Studios

Our boy Pat Hunt takes the 2.30 to Epsom Downs and wins by a nose

Busking

The much maligned art in theory and practice. Feature and acoustic guitar by Adrian Deevoy

As David Steel had his battlebus, as Boadicea had her chariot, as Rob had his 68 bus this morning, so Genesis have Edwin Shirley's trucks... and many others have followed suit. Antony Freeman finds out why.

Digital Sampler

In the final instalment of this three-part review, Simon Trask takes a look at the most important aspect of Roland's super sampler - the sampling itself.

Software for the Atari ST

The elite of ST scorewriting software is C-Lab's Notator and Steinberg's Cubase; their prices reflect this status. Ian Waugh makes the French connection and finds a cost-effective alternative.

Accepted as the synchronisation standard in the television and broadcast industry, this digital timecode is fast making inroads into the recording studio at all levels. Kendall Wrightson puts it all in perspective with the start of this series.

The phenomenal rise to success of Gary Stevenson came about through his dynamic production work on the first Go West album. Ralph Denyer extracts the details of the saga and discovers what Gary has planned for the future.

Tape Recorder

An ES&CM exclusive... At home with top synth pioneers Tangerine Dream, in their own recording studio - a three page special.

Total Percussion Sound Module

Sequencer owners rejoice! Roland have taken the 16-bit PCM sounds from their popular R8 drum machine, put them in a convenient rackmount case, and added extra slots for ROM and RAM cards to produce a beat-box par excellence. David Brenton reports.