Lyricon-blowing John Walters, of Landscape fame if not fortune (yet), undertakes the western world's most comprehensive guide to the history, construction and playing of the Lyricon wind synthesiser.

Beat Box Hits

Or, the much-maligned art of drum machine programming. Tony Reed talks to the experts, and Richard Walmsley dissects some classic tracks.

Your chance to send in patches for your favourite effects units.

Hot news from music's ivory towers

The Art Of Arranging

Ian Gardiner gets out the manuscript paper and tells you how to spread those blobs around

Wild man Bill Collins looks at the Simmons SDX system and gives us a few drum patterns to try out

As sound-sampling becomes accepted as a technique, what will musicians do with their machines after the novelty has worn off? Chris Meyer takes a sideways look.

More News, more Stories

7/4

There is life outside of 4/4. We dissect those funny times like five and seven and quarter past four on a Thursday.

Rhythm Composer

Beat crazy. As yet another drum machine arrives on the market, Nicholas Rowland wonders if it's time to get away from the present format.

In the dog-eat-dog world of professional recording studios, the Strongroom has proved that you don't necessarily need an SSL mixing desk to stay in business! Paul Calderon pays a visit to this thriving centre of creativity.

Brave Brave Baldies

Famous rock star people will go a long way to conceal their gleaming domes. These are the tricks, follicle fans.

Nyle Steiner and Sal Gallina Interviewed

As wind synthesis gains momentum we sent Nick Armington and Lars Lofas out to track down and talk to the men responsible for the design of the Yamaha WX1 and Akai EWI.

Simple sampling, superb sounds, certain sales

Musical Arrangement For Recording

PART 3: David Mellor looks at arranging tricks and techniques with an eye to achieving a better recording.

bang wallop

Software for the Atari ST

Following the success of C-Lab's Creator sequencing software for the Atari ST, the company have updated it and added a sophisticated scorewriting program. Simon Trask takes note.

Peter Gabriel at Selhurst Park

Gossip, Fibs, Stuff And Nonsense

oh really?

Sampling and the law: where do you stand when you plug your record deck or CD player into your sampler? David Bradwell investigates the legal position and the attitudes of the music industry.

Could You Be A Guitar Tech?