One of the main problems when assessing a piece of musical equipment 
is to express in words what it actually sounds like; rather like describing a
colour to a blind man. There are obvious ways in which we get around
 this problem, but when it comes down to it there's nothing to replace 
actually hearing the thing. Because of this our reviews are written to point 
you in the direction of a piece of equipment, but not to make your mind
 up for you. It should be stressed that you must always listen to the
 instrument before buying it.

It was because of this basic flaw in the reviewing process that we 
re-launched our sister publication, Electronic Soundmaker, with a 
cassette mounted on the front cover. The tape features a large 
proportion of the equipment reviewed in the magazine, so you know
 before going into the shop whether or not you like the sound of the 
instrument.

Read about it in IM, hear it in Electronic Soundmaker and make your 
own mind up.