This month’s information bulletin board

Gossip, chit-chat, bitching and backchat from the 'Biz. It's all here

Cassette Multitracker

When cassette multitrackers were new they said everybody should have one - now that there are machines like the X28 around, everybody can. Nigel Lord says small is beautiful.

The final disc in the Zero-G Datafile series joins Coldcut's Kleptomania in the growing library of sample CDs - Tim Goodyer checks them out, while Andy Neve loads The Sound Foundation's programming efforts into his Roland MKS70 in this month's Patchwork.

why drummer stephen morris prefers programming computers to bashing skins

If no news is good news this is baaad

...or, Andy Duncan's search for the self raising drum kit.

Or, when does a drum kit stand on its own 12 feet?

Show Reports

what we saw

As Britain’s brightest electro-poppers climb back up the charts against all the odds, Tim Goodyer talks to Larry Steinbachek about beat, music composition on a QX1, and facing the world with a new voice.

The Mechanical Copyright Protection Society

The second of an occasional series in which David Mellor takes a look at the organisations that help musicians and composers earn an honest crust in this hard world. This month: the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society.

Continental Touring: Pitfalls & Problems

Atari ST Software

Dr T's Multi Program Environment allows their KCS sequencer, Programmable Variations Generator and Copyist scorewriter to be used as part of an integrated system. Lorenz Rychner goes soft.

A look behind the scenes in one of the country's most respected voice-over studios.

Janet Angus talks to Robin about practically everything.

The cousin of Kevin tells Richard Walmsley of his life as a lone tone

Steinberg Research are responsible for some of the most significant developments in computer music systems in recent years. Nigel Lord talks tech with Charlie Steinberg on a rare visit to Britain.

Greater reliance on hi-tech instruments in the studio means there's more demand for people able to programme them. Paul Gilby spoke first to Karin Clayton about her recently formed agency that supplies programmers for studio sessions, and then to Fairlight programmer Simon Lloyd about his work.

Digital Piano

Just how close can technology come to matching a real concert pianoforte? Only one man can address this question: the maestro himself, Simon Trask

Guitar

Here’s your ticket to Amsterdam, Vince will meet you at the studio and show you all his favourite classic synths. A dream? No, a reality, thanks to Ian Masterson and Music Technology. Ian gets an exclusive guided tour around Erasure’s secret analogue powerhouse, just for you. You can almost taste the Amstel beer

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.

Upcoming systems music composer chats to Simon Trask about modern technology, Renaissance music and Belgian pop.

Garage Studio

RM reader Martin Smith talks about the trials and tribulations of building a serious home studio in his garage.