Throughout the hi-tech revolution, the major instrument manufacturers have made our dreams come true - or have they? Does the industry look after the musicians?

From the chart success of 'Bass (How Low Can You Go)' to an album and a 24-track studio in his lounge - Simon Harris talks sounds and samples with Tim Goodyer.

The record company A&R man is your enemy, right? After all, it's only him that stands between you and a record deal. But technology has changed his job and your relationship with him.

The non-musician has taken a lot of stick from his educated counterparts, yet he's contributed a lot to musical progress. What separates musicians and non-musicians?

Keyboard Mixer

What's impressive, essential to any multikeyboard setup and normally costs a fortune? Answer: a mixing desk. Tim Goodyer looks at a budget desk with a more-than-budget spec.

As musical equipment evolves, so does the music that is made with it. But what of the musicians - how is their evolution determined by a microchip?

As we move into a new decade, Tim Goodyer looks back at the '80s and forward to the '90s - where can we hope to see the hi-tech music industry take us next?

In a world of divided people, music is regarded as being one of the great equalisers - but that's only as long as you've got the cash for the gear. How equal are you?

The pop charts, who wants 'em and needs 'em? Tim Goodyer glimpses a world without pop charts and the marketing that accompanies them.

The new videola music and video format is taking music video into the next decade. T-Cut K talks to one of the genre's most technology-conscious acts about the medium and the message.

Technolust or techno paranoia - when does the love of technical development turn into fear of your gear becoming outdated? Tim Goodyer takes a short course in techno-psychotherapy.

A hot new discovery from one of Britain's oldest universities threatens to revolutionise music broadcasting. Tim Goodyer's exclusive on a development that could change the world - literally.

Been to the flicks recently? Impressed by the sound system? Thought not. Tim Goodyer looks at the current plight of cinema sound and some of the digital alternatives.

With so many musicians using computers, what is the role of computer networking? Does it have anything to offer the musician, and if so, why isn't it more commonplace?

When Norman Cook walked away from The Housemartins he walked into hi-tech record production and remixing: now he's topped the charts with Beats International. Tim Goodyer talks to a computer convert.

Software for the Atari ST

If you and your studio are in business together, money management can be a big problem. Tim Goodyer checks out a useful accounts program and a host of studio utilities written with the musician in mind.

Drumtrax 1 Sample Tape

If you're looking to expand your sampler's vocabulary of drum sounds or your D50 library, Patchworks' Drumtrax sample tape and PA Decoder's D50 Rom Volume III should be worth checking out - start here.

To mime or not to mime, that is the question. Just when does miming stop being a convenient practice in presenting music TV programs and start to have an effect on the music itself?

After spending four years recording The Seeds of Love, Tears for Fears are back and touring the world. Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal talk tears and technology with Dan Rue and Tim Goodyer.

They say everyone's got one good song in them, it's writing a second that determines whether the first was luck or not... But just how good a guide to the quality of music is the ability to repeat it?

In 1985 Propaganda produced a seminal electronic music album - then they vanished. Five years on they've returned to pick up where they left off. Michael Mertens talks to Tim Goodyer about technology and the German tradition.

Cash: where does it come from and where does it go? Tim Goodyer looks into the flow of money in the music biz and asks if pop music is worth the money spent on it.

ART Multi-fx Processor

As even the most modest MIDI studio becomes a powerful tool for the creation and recording of music, sound processing becomes a more essential part of it. Tim Goodyer checks out ART's latest multi-fx processor.

Responsible for establishing artists like Yazz and Lisa Stansfield, Coldcut also have a reputation for being one of the most innovative production teams around. Tim Goodyer learns about their new LP and the future of computer graphics.

Given that an open mind is the key to getting the best from hi-tech musical gear, too many of us could be guilty of limiting our music and our enjoyment. Tim Goodyer asks "how narrow is your mind"?