Acoustic Drums

Some people look upon the prospect of recording an acoustic drum kit with dread. It needn't be that daunting if you follow a few simple guidelines.

The world's best known engineer

Ray Dolby's name appears on almost every recording device imaginable, yet few people outside the industry know much about this most famous engineer. In a rare interview he talks to David Mellor and explains the evolution of Dolby noise reduction.

Digital Drum Machine

Competition is fierce in the budget drum machine arena. Nicholas Rowland takes a look at the British answer to the Japanese and American machines that have been in the limelight recently.

Part 2: Martin Russ continues his trek through the MIDI programming jungle with an investigation of running status.

In depth question and answer session on the musician's worst nightmare.

Speakers break sound barrier, Fender replace guitar range, Rama amps to shatter prices and more!

news from the front

newsworthy items for your interest

Recording Electric Guitar

How to get the best in your studio from an electric guitar.

With algorithmic composition sotware finding commercial use at last, the question has to be asked "will it write a tune?". Greg Truckell takes a close look at the applications of M.

news from the musical front

How the LP went in for a transplant and came back a DAD

An explanation of the technology behind the new sound recording revolution: how the LP went in for a transplant and came back a DAD!

news from the front

Talking Heads keyboard player Jerry Harrison talks to Nicholas Rowland about a forthcoming Heads LP and a solo project he calls The Casual Gods.

Digital Drum Kit

First there were Ddrums... Nicholas "animal" Howland returns to his skin-bashing roots to test a Swedish electronic kit that aims to replace its acoustic relative.

Man Jumping sticksman Simon Limbrick talks about tuned percussion, sampled percussion and technology on the stage. Nicholas Rowland tunes in to the rhythm of technology.

MIDI Keyboard Controllers

As MIDI equipment becomes more and more sophisticated, the job of a MIDI controller keyboard becomes more and more demanding. Simon Trask takes the A train with Roland's latest MIDI controllers.

Drumcheck

Could this be the ultimate electronic kit? Bob Henrit thinks so

Emulator SP12

What happens when you give a drum machine the sound-sampling capabilities of an Emulator keyboard? Little short of a miracle, according to reporters Paul Wiffen and Annabel Scott.

Readers' replies to the second half of our survey, analysed by David Ellis.

Scottish band Danny Wilson were led by Gary Clark, who regards his debut solo album Ten Short Songs About Love as his finest work to date. From conception to birth, it was made entirely at home. Phil Ward drops in on the basement studio, and finds both album and proud father doing very well

Many people own one and even more would like to, for the E16 is the 16-track tape machine to aspire to. Gareth Stuart finds out why.

Control Room

A last look at how to extend the low bass response of your studio monitors.

Keyboard composer/player and leader of Hungary's top rock band, LGT

Steve Jansen & Richard Barbieri

Following a brief diversion in the form of last year's Rain Tree Crow project, Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri are once more pursuing their creative partnership. Paul Ireson reports on the recording of their latest album.