Rhythm Sound Module

Fascinating rhythm

Bargain Basement, or 'Firewood Special'?

The Final Frontier?

Is what digital reverb is all about recreating. But how do the mechanics of reverberation work, and what relation do today's digital techniques bear to the real thing? Paul White reports.

George Duke, Ross Middleton, Salvator Mulligan

twenty years after they invented heavy metal the seminal sabbs are back

Just as it was about to fade from popular memory, Kawai's PCM/DC synthesis is revived in the new Spectra synth. Ian Waugh asks if it's been missed or simply missing.

Yamaha DX5

Merely two DX7s in a box, or a valid addition to the Yamaha range of FM digital keyboards? Simon Trask takes the mid-price algorithm through its paces, and comes to mixed conclusions.

"It's surprising how little you need to imply a great deal."

News and new products.

There has been an enormous upsurge of interest in African music of late. Artists as diverse as Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads and Brian Eno have acknowledged its inspiration on their work. But there is little information around that explains the fundamental concepts behind it and how a musician can incorporate the sounds and ideas into their own work if they wish to. Kofi Busia suggests a few ideas.

Software Surplus

Disk Recorder / Sequencer

Mark Jenkins gets to grips with this unassuming dual channel MIDI sequencer from the States and unearths some interesting facts...

Ian Waugh discovers how well this program can create respectable sounds on the Archimedes

64-Note Polyphonic Synth Expander

A convenient arrangement

Pearl's Ice Queen kit

Sampling Drum Machine/Sequencer

After last month's In Brief preview, Paul Wiffen gets his hands on a first production model of Sequential's new all-in-one drum machine, sampler and sequencer. Is it the master of all trades?

Ben Duncan presents philosophies on the effects of music.

Freelance engineer Steve Hall offers some guidance.