the development of synth electronics

Ampcheck

Putting the balls back into electronic drums. Messrs Henrit and Francis begin the quest

In the first instalment of a two-part article, UK synthesist Ian Boddy gives budding EM performers the confidence and advice you need to take your show on the road.

Simmons

Another in our series that looks at hi-tech companies and design personnel working in the field of music and recording technology. This month Paul Gilby talks to Jim Cooper, President of J.L Cooper Electronics and the MIDI Manufacturers Association.

Just the ticket? How to do it yourself explained by Richard Walmsley

Goldsmiths' College, University of London

Goldsmiths' College in London was the first higher education institute to set up its own electronic music studio and offer a course. That was back in the late 1960s. Today, it has an even wider range of specialist courses and a much better equipped complex of studios to offer prospective students the training facilities necessary for a longterm career.

MultiKlone Kit

Just because an electronic drum kit is (very) cheap, doesn't mean to say it isn't worth hearing. So says Paul White, who's played with the best of them.

A ten preset voice electronic piano with touch sensitive keyboard and separate bass section.

They look like Bose, they sound like Bose, but they're made in Britain and they're a lot cheaper. Paul White investigates.

While other manufacturers dabble in new resynthesis technology, Korg stick with multi-sampling for their new digital piano. Simon Trask puts fingers to ivories to find out if their approach works.

Richard Mitchell explains his use of electronic music for film.

Roland RD1000 Piano

How does Roland's new SAS resynthesis system go about imitating a grand piano? Dan Goldstein digs deep inside the RD1000 and its modular counterpart, the MKS20, and submits a glowing report.

Sydney Music Conservatorium

Music technology Australian style. To prove that there's more to the Australian music scene than the Fairlight, Jonathan Puckeridge pays a visit to the Sydney Music Conservatorium.

Worth its weight in microphones and Gaffa tape.

Can computers improve or even replace current styles of notation?

Electronic Drum Kit

A British-built electronic drum kit for under £500. Sounds good, affirms reviewer Paul White.

We all like to daydream from time to time, so try this: envisage a world in which high technology had become the province of the drummer rather than the keyboard player. Tim Goodyer's imagination runs riot.

Part 1 looks at the early growth of this vitally important area of music today.

Cassette magazine

A potted history of this popular electronic music cassette magazine, by its co-founder Dennis Emsley

It's the biggest! It's the best! It's the 1986 British Music Fair! Our man on the inside, Tony Mills tracks down the hottest gear of the year

Mammoth Electro Fest: Simmons' contender, the UP5, Yamaha's RX15 drum machine, new Digisound chips for the Drumulator, Quicksilva's Drumkit program for the BBC micro...

Frankfurt Fair Preview