What is one? Who has one? How can you get one? All these and more dealt with expertly by Bob Henrit

In depth.

make mega-francs across the channel

How to sound like Phil Collins in two easy moves: (1) enter this simple competition to win the superb Gatex four-channel expander/noise gate, and (2) buy yourself a set of drums and start practising!

Live Aid

Gig of the century, report of the millenium by Jim Betteridge

All the snippety little secret bits of musicians' gossip that no-one else would print

the music papers and how to get your name into them

Drawmer LX20 expander/compressor

Drawmer noise gates and compressors have become the undisputed industry standard in the field of sound recording, and their latest unit looks set to make it a hat-trick. The dual channel LX20 offers comprehensive compression/expansion facilities at a budget price. Engineer Gareth Stuart assesses its performance.

PCM Keyboard

Synth With PCM Drum Pads

Demo Tape Discipline

the final chapter reveals the tricks of the mix

A subjective and selective round-up of drum machines, old and new, by Mark Jenkins.

From the profound to the downright silly, we wind up a year's chit-chat

This, however, is the bit where we tell you gossipy tittle-tattle you've never heard before.

Part 6: It's A Wrap! Composer/musician Robin Lumley packs away the manuscript paper, switches off the Steenbeck viewer and submits his final thoughts on writing music for films in this concluding episode of his series.

Mixing

Simon Croft takes up from Steve Howell and gives his views on creative remixing.

Now it's time to learn the easy four-chord turnaround: write great pop songs, make money etc.

What in the name of Prince is Reverb and how can it help your music?

and what can it do for you, your sound, and your music?

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.

Recognising Europeans

...on the making of their video

Always eager to expand their experiences. Mainframe duo Murray Munro and John Malloy talk to Ian Gilby about the processes involved in the shooting of the promo video that accompanied their recent Polydor single release.

Robert, Jezz & Co

Turbo-charged recording techniques

Behind the scenes on the tour of one of the world's most popular live bands