SHURE BETA 57 & BETA 58 MICROPHONES

New lightweight, low handling noise, extended range microphones from Shure. Beta 57 designed for instrument applications, Beta 58 for vocals. Both feature ultra-uniform super-cardioid pickup pattern that rejects more unwanted side and rear sounds than a regular cardioid. Quality stuff, as abused by Roger Daltrey and John Otway (see FrontLines). £184 each.

INFO: HW International, (Contact Details)

WASHBURN AB40 ACOUSTIC BASS

Long-scale, full acoustic bass which can be played without amplification if desired. Onboard active EQ combined with Washburn acoustic pickup system. Maple body with spruce top featuring "sound slots" in place of usual f-holes. Rosewood fingerboard has 24 frets. Available in traditional natural or sunburst finishes.

INFO: Washburn, (Contact Details).

AKG D90S & D95S MICROPHONES

New budget series of microphones, designed for either live performance or home recording. D90S has satin finish metal case and frequency range of 70-18,000Hz. D95S has same frequency response, but hypercardioid polar pattern to allow it to be used on stage at high feedback levels, and dark, non-reflective case. D90S, £49; D95S, £59; both exc VAT.

INFO: AKG Acoustics, (Contact Details)

YAMAHA PSS380 KEYBOARD

Improved 49-note stereo keyboard, replacing PSS270. Features digital synth, 100 PCM rhythms and dual voice effect. Auto-accompaniment and intro/fill features. Also transpose facility and 3-track song memory.

INFO: Yamaha-Kemble, (Contact Details)

CASIO CSM1 DIGITAL SOUND MODULE

Rack-mounted sound source and preset rhythm machine. Allows musicians to expand sounds available to them, without having to buy a completely new keyboard. Four channels, 16-note polyphony, 26 melody voices, 2 bass voices, 49 percussion sounds, 23 sound effect voices. Each voice has pre-programmed effects such as vibrato, sustain and delay. MIDI connection.

INFO: Casio Electronics, (Contact Details)