Programmable Polysynth with Sequencer

CBS-Fender's 'budget' polysynth retails at £1700. Mick Jones finds out if it can hold its head above the competition.

You'll be hard pushed to find a UK studio that isn't choc-a-bloc with Japanese studio equipment, but have you ever wondered what they use? David Mellor takes a slow boat that bypasses China, and visits two Tokyo studios to find out.

Dave Crombie checks out the Oberheim 4-voice polyphonic synth.

Into the Seventies

A nostalgic look back at 1985 by the people who bring E&MM to you each month. Was it really that bad?

UK Fresh '86

Simon Trask leaves all that MIDI jargon behind to check out Britain's first major live hip hop event. How are the DJs and the rappers making technology tick?

NAMM Winter Market, Anaheim

Paul Wiffen, hotfoot from California, reports on the machines that made headlines at the US music industry's winter shindig...

Eastern Intrigue

A last visit to the land of micro-chips and rice crackers. Simon Trask pays an enquiring visit to the Yamaha organisation before waving a fond farewell to the rising sun.

Computer music at Goldsmith's College

The Alternative MIDI Controllers Session

Vital system updates

RETROSPECT: miles davis

what can a 63-year-old jazz trumpeter teach you about playing? rather a lot, actually

An in-depth dissection of electro-pop; how to create it, how to adapt it but not how to dance to it.

if your music feels lacklustre, dabble in dance rhythms from the dark continent

Part 3 of our series for FM synth owners, in which Martin Russ attempts to give away even more secrets of FM programming. Operators at the ready!

keyboard clues

Shop now for Christmas.

Nicholas Rowland guides us through the tricky process of choosing the best sequencer for our money

Boss DR550 Dr. Rhythm

In 1980, the original boss DR55 Dr. Rhythm gave many people their first introduction to programmable drum machines. In 1990, the new DR550 is set to make musicians on a tight budget equally happy by providing their first taste of excellent 16-bit sampled drum sounds. Paul Ireson beats a path to his local music store's door.

new series to improve your keyboard technique

The Chroma/Apple interface

Reg Webb

The tuition course that breaks the barriers

WAP Spells Tuition — Lorna Read Investigates Music Course

Cheap images, part two