What goes twang, thump and pank? Probably Mark King, bass player and vocalist in Level 42, then again it might just be his right thumb. We discuss digits, strings and things.

Level 42 keyboardsman Mike Lindup takes a break from recording of the next album to talk to Tim Goodyer about Fairlights and Synclaviers, among other things.

funk and hi-tech facilities

Mark King, master bassist with a string of hit albums to his name as leader of Level 42, has reaped many of the rewards that pop stardom can bring — but satisfaction with the music industry is never guaranteed, as Paul Tingen discovers.

The co-producer of Level 42's last two records has also lent his keyboard playing skills to the likes of Grace Jones, Robert Palmer, Mick Jagger and Talking Heads. He discusses his roles as programmer, synth player and producer with Paul Tingen.

Creating The Future

Anyone can dream about the studio of the future, but it takes a unique talent to build it in the present. Wally Badarou's personal studio defies conventional ideas of studio design, substituting voice-controlled DMP11s for a large console, and putting the musician first. Paul Tingen listens in.

Mr Bassman, boom boom, thwack thwack, talks exclusively, dang dang, chacker chacker, to Making Music, thock thock, thwackadang

A Man With A Gift

In between tours with Ultravox and appearances on Live Aid, Midge Ure somehow found the time to discuss the writing and recording of his first ever solo LP 'The Gift' and his No1 single with Ian Gilby.

Mr Funk Bass shows you how

Vic Springer clashes paisley shirts with the psychedelic medics

shrugs and knock 'n' knowall

Wrenched from video filming (with a ballerina no less) and quizzed on gear and blushes.

Gary Hopkins lends an ear to the Caledonian Crooner

Talking Heads keyboard player Jerry Harrison talks to Nicholas Rowland about a forthcoming Heads LP and a solo project he calls The Casual Gods.

Is there life after Limahl? Yup. The four shy boys take turns to explain how they do it, and what they do it on.

Mensana — Computer Music Band

Is heavy metal really all mouth and trousers, or is there music in there too? Gary Moore's keyboardsman discusses technology and the changing face of rock with Tim Goodyer - quietly.

Omar: comin' to ya, on a dust road

Wrexham's master remixers spill the beans

Calum Malcolm: Going to Caledonia

Jim Betteridge takes a lesson in love

Level 42's Svengali gets his comeuppance

Wally Badarou gets together with Chas de Whalley and puzzles over their possible family relationship

Wishbone Ash, Shriekback, Friends Again, Nazareth, Level 42, The Cars... guitarists tell of FX set-ups the cars to shriekback, level 42 to wishbone ash - seven guitarists identify their effects: what's plugged where and why they like them