Volume 1 - Drums

If you're bored with your sampler's factory disks or simply can't find a decent snare drum to sample, then Syndromic Music's 'Star Samples' may well prove the ideal solution. Mark Jenkins assesses their range of sampled sound cassettes.

Mark Jenkins reviews this handy set of power-packed sampled percussion pads.

Korg's very latest keyboard is non other than a touch-sensitive, sub-£1000, 8-voice FM synthesizer! Mark Jenkins managed to catch a sneak preview.

A subjective and selective round-up of drum machines, old and new, by Mark Jenkins.

Mark Jenkins pins down the expert synthesist/programmer best known for his work with Peter Gabriel, and discusses the release of his eighth solo album - 'Metropolitan Suite'.

Sampling Synthesizer

The DSS-1 offers 12-bit sampling, high fidelity samples, integral dual digital delay and EQ, plus the most comprehensive synthesizer section of all the midrange samplers. Review by Mark Jenkins.

Disk Recorder / Sequencer

Mark Jenkins gets to grips with this unassuming dual channel MIDI sequencer from the States and unearths some interesting facts...

Mark Jenkins reckons he knows his onions when it comes to hi-tech gear, so we asked him to concoct a tasty little number with this new French sampling drum machine - a cross between an RX11 and SP-12.

Leading The Field?

Casio caused a furore at February's Frankfurt Music Fair when they unveiled the world's first 'affordable' 16-bit sampling keyboard with onboard graphic editing display - the FZ-1. Mark Jenkins visits the Casio factory to bring you a comprehensive preview of this remarkable instrument.

Mark Jenkins brings you a round-up of the current state of the digital reverb market.

Is it an electronic tuner? Is it a portable metronome? No, it's the world's smallest 8-track MIDI sequencer. Mark Jenkins explores its inner workings and draws his conclusions.

As synthesizer prices continue to plummet and the number of features increases, Korg introduce a colourful range of low-cost 8-voice, multitimbral, aftertouch and velocity sensitive performance synths. Mark Jenkins straps one on...

Philip Glass is best known for his work as a minimalist classical composer, but recently he's been completing work in fields as diverse as opera, piano recitals, film and synth ensembles. Mark Jenkins talked to the minimalist maestro during a fleeting visit to London for his latest opera, 'The Making Of The Representative From Planet 8'.

He's big in Japan, massive in America, and beginning to conquer Europe with his own brand of ethereal synthesized 'mood music'. Mark Jenkins talks to the phenomenon that is Kitaro.

Portable DAT Recorder

As the market prepares itself for an influx of DAT recorders from the giants of the hi-fi world, Mark Jenkins takes a brief look at a new portable offering from Technics, the SV260.

Royal Engineer

Mark Jenkins meets David Richards, the sound engineer behind Queen's latest album 'The Miracle'.

Since the members of Ultravox went their separate ways, Billy Currie's solo career has taken him from band leader, through studio owner, to record label boss for the release of his second solo album. Interview by Mark Jenkins.

Cities in Concert Paris, La Defense

Jean-Michel Jarre recently trod the boards in magnificent style in Paris to mark the occasion of Bastille Day - report in full from Mark Jenkins.

Robert Fripp Lays Bare His Legendary Effects Rack

A rare interview with this virtuoso King Crimson guitarist and much admired 'guest soloist'.

Akai EWI 3020/3030

Wind controller and sound modules