Three pages of forthcoming new products to tempt you to dig deeper into your pockets later on this year.

Tony Wride checks out a device which can relieve many of the MIDI-induced headaches associated with even the most modest MIDI system.

With so many low-cost MIDI-equipped units around, the days when you could make do with a Thru box and a few cables are long gone. A MIDI patchbay is now an essential purchase, and one of the best is the MX8 MIDI Patchbay/Processor from Digital Music Corp. Tony Hastings checks it out.

The 8-track war hots up. Now Tascam have an 8-track cassette to compete with the Toa MR8T. We know that eight tracks on compact cassette are possible, but who does it better, Tascam or Toa? David Mellor decides.

Here's a program that will banish your lack of inspiration forever! Version 2.0 of Intelligent Music's 'M' (for Macintosh and Atari computers) is considerably more than an isochronic pulse sequencer. Ed Jones puts on his thinking cap and delves deeper...

In this lengthy article, Craig Anderton explains all the features found on sequencers, from the simple to the esoteric. It is intended for those who are trying to make an intelligent purchasing decision about a sequencer and don't fully understand all the options that are available.

As Korg prepare an armada of new products to invade the music shops, Tony Hastings investigates the M1 Music Workstation - the flagship that looks set to blow a lot of the competition out of the water.

Sampling keyboards have come a long way in the last three years, and as a result, the visual editing software available has rather fallen behind the specifications and features of current machines. Until now that is, with the advent of Alchemy from Blank Software, boasting a whole bunch of features new to computer-based sample editors. Paul Wiffen investigates.

Martin Russ explores how the user interface influences the 'feel' of a program.

Another useful page of hints and tips for Dr.T's music programs, written and compiled exclusively for SOS by Dr.T themselves.

The third instalment of our column devoted entirely to Steinberg software, written and compiled exclusively for SOS by Steinberg's experts.

Casio's first truly professional MIDI guitar boasts an onboard synthesizer and claims to have the fastest pitch tracking of any MIDI guitar. Rowland Jones bought one to find out!

Part 4 of our series for FM synth owners, in which Martin Russ gives away even more secrets of FM programming. Operators at the ready!

For the price of a stamp and a little brain ache you could be the future owner of this fabulous SECK mixing desk - ideal for live or studio work.

Steinberg's Pro24 sequencer for the Atari ST has been around for over two years now, and has firmly established itself as the 'industry standard' ST sequencer against which all others are judged. Just when it looked like being overshadowed by some of its competitors, Steinberg released Version 3.0 of the program complete with some significant new features and enhancements. Pro24 owner David Hughes deliberates over the upgrade.

The page that brings you industry news, inside views, and juicy hot gossip!