As close to the cutting edge as you can get without needing stitches...

Carlsbro Sound Centres

Multitrack Disk Recorder

Roland's S750 and S770 amply demonstrated their pro digital expertise; now the DM80 offers four or eight tracks of truly cost-effective hard disk recording. Wilf Smarties welcomes Roland's newest techno tool.

A Short History of British PA

British PA

The Mellotron: A Historical Perspective

Dealer of the Month

Former Yazz and Dina Carroll producer Nigel Lowis lets off steam about short termism.

DREAM MACHINE: Washburn status bass

the washburn status bass: a designer label at a supermarket price

A Preview

A guide to some of the new gear to be released at this year's APRS show.

Martin Russ looks at solutions to the perennial problem of where to put all those keyboards that MIDI musicians accumulate.

Exclusive news from UK Electronica, plus all the latest in the world of MIDI music

The Mellotron

Once considered an instrument no keyboard player should be without, more recently regarded as a mechanical monstrosity, the Mellotron was definitely an early sampler, but was it the first? Dave "Crumbly" Crombie reminisces.

news from the front

Peter Gunn

Jim Betteridge plays 'Hunt the Aled Jones sample.'

Steve Waye

Chris Maillard and Steve Waye look at the problems faced by solo artist

You can Run, but you can't hide — They're back again, Run DMC live at Hammersmith. Old Fogey Jim Betteridge covers his ears

The readers' synth sound page goes from strength to strength, with the Yamaha DX7, Korg Mono/Poly, Sequential Pro-One and Casio CZ101 among the featured instruments. Plus a review of a DX7 ROM that contains 512 sounds.

A colourful bonanza of newly released and forthcoming new products.

While we're used to the constantly-changing face of the music industry, it may surprise you to learn of certain changes afoot in the news trade. Tim Goodyer tells a warning tale of the near future.

Basscheck

It's made out of wood, in England; it hasn't got a tremolo unit, but it has got a body and a headstock. Dave Burrluck marvels

The Diary of Samuel Deevoy takes yet another turn for the perverse

An expert's opinion better than an exploding onion

From Jamerson to Joy Division, Chic to Kaye, this is the place of the bass.

gossip column