"There's No Need to Read the Small Print so Just Sign Here, Ok?"

the ins and outs of music-biz contracts

The omnipresent Steve Howell passes on a few tricks of the trade. This month he examines ways in which you can transform a dry, lifeless synth sound into something soft and manageable.

Two New Developments From Sycologic

We take a brief look at two new bits of hardware - an analogue-to-MIDI interface and an expansion board for the DX7 - from Syco Systems' research wing, Sycologic.

The psychology of piano-playing.

Processor

Studio Sound Techniques

Making tape loops.

Martin Russ dishes up another concoction of MIDI hints and tips.

There's an awful lot of hi-hi-history involved, y'know

Poe shaped ex-Pere Ubu person pontificates

A rundown on the various 'head' formats available on tape recorders and the reasons for their existence.

Casio discover MIDI

A rare and exclusive chat with the boffin who gave birth to the beatbox. Tony Horkins programmes the questions.

Accepted as the synchronisation standard in the television and broadcast industry, this digital timecode is fast making inroads into the recording studio at all levels. Kendall Wrightson puts it all in perspective with the start of this series.

Someone whose career in music began before the invention of the tape recorder will have witnessed a revolution in music technology. Peter Ridsdale shares the experiences of a man who has spent a lifetime composing for pictures.

An interview with, the BPI's Producer of the Year.

Culture Club producer Steve Levine discusses his attitudes to modern music-making, and how the new interface makes his life easier.

Aphex Tubessence

Microphone Tube Preamp

Stuart Gillan steps out in search of The Cure

Studios & Recording

Three pages of news including Bowie synthesisers and goodies from APRS.

We talk to synth punk band Attrition. Will they wear you down?

Generally regarded as 'The Bible' of the recording world, David Mellor reviews this handbook of recording techniques and equipment produced by the Association of Professional Recording Studios.

How to play jazz guitar and live.

MIDI and SMPTE

Two industry standards settle their timing differences and agree to work together. Chris Meyer checks it out and discusses proposals for the MSMPTE.

Computer Music System

Gerry Queen brings us an exclusive preview of what will be Britain's first custom-designed computer music system - from the people who brought you the OSCar monosynth. It's capable of combining analogue, digital and sampled sound sources, and it's cheap.