Computercheck

A roundup of all the available music software including Island Logic, Greengate and MusiCal.

news from the front

after the break, news from the front

Since introducing the world to the delights of pure synth-pop in 1981, Vince Clarke has continued to demonstrate his mastery of the popular song form through the medium of synth technology. Paul Ireson investigates.

Music System Software

A software package for the CBM64 sets out to utilise the SID chip but involves MIDI along the way. Simon Trask investigates the consequences, now that Island Logic have given way to Firebird.

In which five of E&MM's writers pick their fave things of the year. If your personal preferences aren't there, don't take it out on us.

The good, the bad and the ugly

UMI 2B Software

The 1B version was good, but Simon Trask has spent a month with its successor, and reckons it deserves its reputation as the most professional sequencing package designed round a home computer.

Jay Chapman takes a bold step for novice programmers, as he presents a Pascal program that converts musical note values into a language computers can understand. Don't worry if it leaves you standing.

Our regular monthly exploration of upcoming new products.

ROLAND CM32L, CM32P, CM64 & LAPC1 Sound Modules

Roland's CM32L, CM32P, CM64 and LAPC1 modules are a selection of their more familiar expanders re-configured and re-packaged with the computer synthesist in mind. Modulating with Ian Waugh.

The second and final part of this series on computer composition examines the differences between human composers and their electronic counterparts. Ian Waugh keeps the score.

Why is a MIDI?

Qualifying for the Music Industry

Planning a career in the music industry? Then you may like to know more about the Music Information Technology course at City University, London. Mike Barnes reports.

Steinberg Pro 16 Sequencer

It’s been a while coming, but now the Commodore 64 has a software package to rival the BBC’s UMI. Simon Trask checks out an incredible MIDI sequencer, and lists what it can do.

Mammoth Electro Fest: Simmons' contender, the UP5, Yamaha's RX15 drum machine, new Digisound chips for the Drumulator, Quicksilva's Drumkit program for the BBC micro...

Martin and Andy plot "It's Called A Heart" 45

Vocal music on computers?

Richard Niles searching for the source of his inspiration.

the science of synchronisation explained

The Music 500 receives an AMPLE voicing and sequencing program to tempt junior programmers into getting their feet wet.

On the hour, every hour.

Over the last few years musicians have consistently been more excited over the latest MIDI hardware developments than they have over MIDI software. Whilst other micros have come and gone, the Atari ST and Macintosh micros have quietly become the established computers for making music with MIDI. Ed Jones reveals why with a look at Steinberg's Pro-24 (V2.1) and Mark Of The Unicorn's Performer (V2.2) programs.

In The Kitchen Of Sound

new album, new gear, know how

A new studio standard?

A Guide to Computers and Communications for the Musician.

Believe it or not, your computer can do considerably more than just go wrong! The burgeoning world of telecommunications offers the musician access to international 'electronic mail' and 'bulletin board' systems, free music software, information databases, help and sound advice. Richard Elen begins a new series that explores how today's top musicians are taking advantage of such systems and tells how you can join in.