Hats off to helpful manufacturers, plus E&MM new recruits.

More congratulation, criticism and query from the E&MM postbag.

PPG distribution, Akai Active Audio Club, DX Owners' convention... If it's news, it's here.

A real advance in the field of accessible polyphonic sound sampling. Tim Goodyer finds out if the 612's beauty is more than price-tag-deep.

At last, a detailed appraisal of Yamaha's state-of-the-art MIDI system. FM rack, digital keyboard recorder and master keyboard come under David Ellis' careful scrutiny.

Technics attempt to marry the home-organ drum machine and the digital percussion computer. Success or failure? Dan Goldstein tells all.

Simon Trask confronts a technological puzzle. Why have Korg put 19 digital drum voices in a box that contains no sequencing software?

The Californians introduce a followup to the inventive but mixed-bag SixTrak. Simon Trask checks it out.

The quick-reference equipment guide to end all equipment guides. In this, the Checklist's inaugural month, polysynths, expanders and controlling keyboards come under the E&MM microscope.

Session player, freelance producer and 1-Level keyboardist Duncan Bridgeman discusses what it's like to live in a recording studio for 11 months of the year. Interview by Dan Goldstein.

First the BBC, then Shakatak, now a solo album: Bill Sharpe's list of Famous People is an impressive one. Dan Goldstein makes further enquiries.

Tim Goodyer reviews a selection of albums and singles from the current release list.

Readers and their music; another collection of demo cassettes examined by Tim Goodyer.

Severed Heads mainman Tom Ellard in conversation with Dan Goldstein - no one in the modern music industry is safe.

Robert Moog, the man who set the synth ball rolling in the first place, on the receiving end of questions from German journalist Henning Lohner.

An add-on for last month's Time Machine project that allows direct synchronisation of the Yamaha RX15 and MC202.

A utility program enabling storage of MCS1 sound samples on a BBC disk drive, among other things. Jim Grant and Tim Orr take us through it step by step.

More on filters and envelopes from the educational pen of Steve Howell.