The Dynamic Beatbox

You just can't argue with a drum machine offering 233 16-bit sounds, two stereo outputs, 16-voice polyphony and a mammoth memory all for £299 — unless perhaps you're a busker, as Kendall Wrightson discovers.

Drum Machine

With more machines appearing every month, there's no denying that it's boom-time for the beatbox. Simon Trask rocks to the rhythm of this latest offering from Alesis.

The Video Age

Boss Dr Rhythms

Two new Doctors, but will they make you feel good?

Drum Machine

Possibly the most requested review in recent years, Cheetah's MD16 drum machine is finally here and ready for inspection. Simon Trask gives it a good beating.

Our colourful round-up of whats new in hi-tech music and recording.

MIDI Processors

An interactive drum sequencer and a keyboard to guitar chord convertor are the first new products to emerge from revitalised synth pioneers Oberheim Electronics. Kendall Wrightson gets on the case.

As Mr Fingers and Fingers Inc, Chicago-based Larry Heard was instrumental in creating the house music movement. Simon Trask talks tech with him on the release of his first LP on a major label.

Garage Studio

RM reader Martin Smith talks about the trials and tribulations of building a serious home studio in his garage.

Neatly sidestepping the monotonous beats and cliched melodies that typify too many dance acts, this Swiss-American collaboration are making refreshing music. Simon Trask and Heinrich Zwahlen share a technical obsession.

Clint Boon and the Farfisa beat

Jon and Helena Marsh in their natural habitat

Michel Huygen/Neuronium

This Spanish synthesist explains the working methods and motivation behind his psychotronic musical landscapes.

Digital Percussion Synthesiser

The ability to modify its selection of drum and percussion sounds is the strong suit of this expander from Kawai. Vic Lennard reports on the continuing beatbox boom.

Into The Nineties

Games Feature

Now that computer games are available on CD, they’re no longer restricted to naff sound effects and music. We talk to games producers Ocean and composer Debbie Wiseman about the arrival of serious sound for games...

Turning their backs on pop notoriety to meet electronic experimentation head on, Sheffield's LFO are taking dance music into new areas. Simon Trask gets a new perspective on nostalgia.

Interactive Drum Pattern Sequencer

If your drum patterns sound uninspired it could be because you lack the subtle touch of the human drummer. Simon Trask looks at an electronic aid to drum programming.

Ensoniq EPS16 Plus Sampling Workstation

Ensoniq have transformed their 13-bit EPS sampling workstation with the addition of dynamically controlled 24-bit digital multi-effects, a much improved 16-track MIDI sequencer and full 16-bit sampling. The result is the EPS16 Plus. But does it pass? Kendall Wrightson invigilates.

808 State - Absolutely Gorgeous

Instrumental music doesn't sell, the UK dance scene is totally bereft of life, and dance bands never produce decent albums. Wrong, wrong, wrong — and 808 State are back with proof. Nigel Humberstone talked to Manchester's finest during the recording of Gorgeous, their third album.

Warren Cann looks at the updated version of the MPC60, the most notable result of Roger Linn's collaboration with Akai.