A readable survey covering manufacturers from I to T.

It's the talk of Paris' hep musical set, Peter Gabriel set up a new record label for it and Ray Lema is one of its greatest exponents - Simon Trask discovers hitech ethnic music is about to make its mark on popular culture.

A new sampling delay line from the US comes under Paul White’s scrutiny. It features an extra-long sampling time and excellent modulation effects, but are they enough?

An instrument which has shaped today's electro-music

recording through the ages

tape decks through the ages

The World's Best Songwriters

four stars choose their favourite songsters - Fish, Vince Clarke, Edwyn Collins, Chris Difford

Drumcheck

Bob Henrit takes a look at two alternative brains for UP users

A gentleman and a scholar

Highlights from America's West Coast instrument expo. Hot scoops.

Part One: The Early Days

RETROSPECT: elvis costello

an appreciation of one of the decade’s great songwriting talents; could you match them?

scurrilous gossip from the musician fraternity

All the latest topical bulletins from the trade

if you’ve got plenty of feeling but your technique lets you down - try playing the blues

Virgin veterans XTC are under pressure to pull off a Pop success with their latest album, Skywalking. So is it open season on Andy Partridge? Chris Maillard takes aim...

Bits of old wood with rusty chrome and split plastic bits are analysed by our resident expert.

Fake art, let's dance

In praise of the man and his music

With their debut album just released and a single high in the charts, these are busy times for the Beatmasters. Tim Goodyer braves a tube strike to find out what technology has done for them (and what they'd like to do to technology).

Bob Henrit tours the Zildjian factory, looking at success cymbals

The new album, and the bits what made it.