The downward price spiral and what it means to the musician.

Read all about it. From Yamaha’s £180 sampling keyboard to the latest American reverbs, from Korg’s ’86 catalogue to a break-in at E&MM. If it’s news, it’s here.

Make new penfriends through the pages of the magazine. Write to us about sampling, vocoders, megalomania, and the sorry state of contemporary music.

Dan Goldstein talks to chief Twin Tom Bailey about the virtues of playing pop and the dangers of relying too much on technology. But there’s more to this man than meets the eye.

Roland’s latest analogue poly offers no earth-shattering innovations, but is still a welcome addition to the synth market’s ever-expanding lower end. Or so says Simon Trask, anyway.

A nostalgic look back at 1985 by the people who bring E&MM to you each month. Was it really that bad?

The world’s best-known builder of modular studio effects has just introduced its entry in the sampling steeplechase. But will it fall at the first hurdle? Paul White has the answer.

A six-voice version Matrix 12 for £1700? Yes, it’s true. Oberheim’s polysynth for the masses gets a rapturous welcome from a penniless Simon Trask.

One of America’s leading session players takes a breather between TOA equipment demonstrations, and takes Tim Goodyer into his confidence over MIDI and a few of the behind-the-scenes goings-on in its administration.

This month, E&MM’s unique equipment round-up turns its attention to the rhythmic world of drum machines and electronic drum kits.

Obscure orchestra leader, Simon Jeffes intrigues Paul Tingen with stories of self-discovery in Japan, and finding music in one note.

A new software package for the Commodore 64 that puts step-time sequencing, recording and scorewriting in an elegant perspex box. Ian Waugh finds it transparently appealing.

Tim Goodyer, Dan Goldstein and Simon Trask compare notes on current musical goings-on. LP and single releases, readers’ demos, live gigs and videos get what’s coming to them.

Three chances to win a slice of a £1400 musical instrument cake, in our biggest, easiest-to-enter competition ever. Just the thing to wile away the hours of post-Christmas apathy.