Another selection of new products to whet your appetite, plus news from the world of hi-tech music.

Digidesign, pioneers of low-cost professional digital audio tools, have broken the multitrack barrier, pushing the Macintosh to its limits to offer four to 16 tracks of (relatively) affordable hard disk recording. Paul D. Lehrman can hardly believe his eyes...

Last month we looked at how you can use a domestic format like S-VHS to shoot footage good enough for use in a video demo. But getting the right footage is only half the battle as Paul Wiffen and Darrin Williamson found out. This month we follow them through the editing stage.

Looking for a new synthesizer keyboard or module? Confused? You won't be, after you've read this! Julian Colbeck presents a complete survey of all current instruments, plus a look at the past, present and future of the synth market.

Richard Buskin looks back at the illustrious past of the world's most famous studio and discovers why Abbey Road has remained a front-runner for so long.

This month we're offering a chance to win a day out at Abbey Road Studios. Five runners up will receive CDs of The Beatles' Abbey Road.

This month David Mellor presents a guided tour of Steinberg's ubiquitous sequencer program.

Emu's eagerly awaited new keyboard has arrived! Martin Russ examines the Proteus Master Performance System and discovers that the good design extends far beyond the exterior...

Zenon Schoepe gets to grips with the VCA automated desk that some British console manufacturers have not been looking forward to!

Although Michael Nyman's name and music became known through Peter Greenaway's extraordinary films, Prospero's Books may see not just the peak but also the end of their creative partnership. But Nyman has other strings to his bow, as Mark J. Prendergast discovers.

Dave Lockwood presents the ultimate guide to microphone basics — how they work, how to choose the right mic for a given application, and how to use them.

The Multiverb Alpha is the latest and greatest in ART's series of studio multi-effects processors. Dave Lockwood checks it out.

Korg's Wavestation synthesizer has won a small but devout following since its introduction 18 months ago. Paul Ireson wonders whether new sounds and effects on the updated Wavestation EX will broaden its appeal.

Paul Ireson listens to the first of AMG's Producer Series of sample CDs.

The Lexicon name is synonymous with high quality effects and extensive MIDI control. Martin Russ finds the LXP15 well up to scratch.

The ultimate DI sound is the Holy Grail for recording guitarists. Dave Lockwood test (over)drives a black box that moves a step closer to the goal.

More hints and tips from the software publishers themselves. This month: C-Lab; Steinberg; Opcode; Passport; Dr. T's.

Could the arrival of new storage media such as magneto-optical disks change the way we perceive music?