It's the most oft-quoted specification of them all, yet frequency response is also one of the most confusing aspects of music machine performance. Paul White reveals the facts behind the figures.

Simmons SDX Drum Sampler

Lurking inside this angular-looking monster is a versatile computer system that will turn what is ostensibly an electronic drum kit (albeit a state-of-the-art 16-bit sampling one) into a formidable MIDI workstation. Ed Jones test drives Simmons' powerful, new SDX system.

Lookout... it's coming this way!

Your chance to check out some of the new hi-tech and recording equipment launched at last month's Frankfurt Music Fair.

Beating Like This

...Beating Like This. In the third part in our series on creative drum programming, Chris Meyer and Matt Isaacson take a detailed look at the various trigger-to-MIDI converters now available.

Stage Piano

Are they a viable and cheap alternative to Eqs in the studio. Curtis Schwartz takes a look at a cross section of products available

A synth is only as good as its sounds - and that goes for any synth controller too - sax, violin, guitar... Ollie Crooke And Simon Thomas look at sound programming for MIDI controllers.

The fourth part of Jay Chapman's guide to Yamaha FM. This month, he broaches the delicate subject of programming sounds from scratch.

Kawai's latest synthesiser combines samples with sounds created using additive synthesis. Simon Trask investigates what could be a new dimension in synthesiser technology.

Software writer Jay Chapman introduces us to DX7ED, a patch editing program for Yamaha's FM poly, the BBC B, and E&MM's own BeeBMIDI interface.

Guitar Construction

This month we explain the unusual terms of guitar construction in plain language.

How to prevent Drive Unit damage.

Basscheck

An ideal semi-pro instrument

The Secret World Tour

A behind the scenes look at how Gabriel steamed up Earl's Court with his hot new stage show.

Ben Duncan explains instability... and he should know!

Yamaha DX Keyboards

Dave Bristow, Yamaha’s keyboard consultant, explains how to play and programme these new FM synthesisers

MIDI Composition via Computer

The tale of two songwriters on opposite coasts of America, using different computers and musical instruments, writing and producing a single without face-to-face collaboration until the final mixdown. Al Hospers reveals what happened.

Turning a collection of samples into a usable keyboard patch is one of the most important aspects of sampling. Tom McLaughlin puts samples on the map.

Warwick 'Thumb' Bass