Bristol, capital of the West, is alive and well.

With the summer shows out of the way and the forthcoming new products all unveiled, Martin Russ looks into the crystal ball and plots out his version of where the world of synthesis might be heading...

Tascam M2600

Cosmopolitan eight-buss console

The page that new bands and A&R people rush to first in your soaraway Making Music.

Synthesiser Expander Module

Looking for a digital complement to analogue gear or another expander to take the pressure off the rest of your rack? Ian Waugh discovers sonic flexibility at a price you can afford.

Chas de Whalley gets down with the Scottish Sultan of Soul, Steve Harvey

S900 owner David Mellor receives a package in the post from Akai, which rekindles his enthusiasm in the sampler which was one of the first to combine a wealth of facilities with a reasonable price. Will the Version 2.0 software update bring the Akai into line with the latest samplers on the market or has it become old technology - just after its first birthday?

Tony Reed chats to Chris and Cosey, a duo who've taken the DIY ethic further than most

Editor and Staff For Sale — shock, horror, probe

Later with Jools Holland

Behind the scenes at TV’s premier music show

Atari ST Software

Already proven on the Macintosh, Passport's popular scorewriting program makes the transition to the humble ST. Ian Waugh likes the score and goes back for more.

Breakdowns...

...and how to avoid them. Or at least, how to tell what's gone wrong, quickly.

Mackie LM 3204

16 stereo channel rackmount mixer

interacting with the future

Your passport to future worlds

A half-page of wit from Adrian Deevoy. Or should that be...

The MIDI Bank Select Message Explained

Atari ST Software

If you've been forced to treat your Casio VZ as a "preset" synth because of its programming system, VZ-ED could bring it back to life. Gordon Reid witnesses the VZ resurrection shuffle.

Sessionmen Special

Part two of studiotime, with bassist Paul Westwood and guitarist Tim Renwick.

What is a MIDI Merger and why do you need one if you use a computer-based MIDI sequencer? Martin Russ helps BT's funding by receiving long telephone calls from frantic MIDIphiles.

Opcode Vision

Sequencing software for Mac

All You Need To Know About Making Your Own Records

Some musicians and bands decide to take their future success into their own hands, by putting money into producing their own records. Tony Batchelor and Sue Silutoe take the mystery out of making your own CD, vinyl or cassette release, from initial Session Tape to final product.