Ensoniq VFX-SDII

Ensoniq's flagship workstation has recently received some very welcome updates — new piano samples, extra stereo outputs, multitrack sequence recording and step-time entry, and more. Paul Ireson satisfies his curiosity!

Memorymoog

Intended to be their finest moment, Moog's "ultimate" polysynth proved problematic and unreliable - yet it won many devotees. Steve Howell recalls the sound of analogue.

A CD standard 16-bit drum machine? Things have progressed a little from those 8-bit Linn Drum days, passing through 12-bit standards on the way, and now reaching the ultimate level in consumer digital fidelity. Whether excellence or overkill, Alesis have gone the whole way with the HR-16. David Mellor gives it the long-awaited ear test.

SamplerCheck

Paul Fishman gets weird — again

We hold a sample

Kurzweil PC88

Master keyboard with sounds

plugged in and turned on

resonator guitars

Emu Proteus Master Performance System

Martin Russ continues his in-depth look at Emu's new keyboard.

Prophet VS

Is Vector Synthesis the answer to every programmer's prayers, or another technological blind alley getting in the way of music? Peter Schlesinger takes a long hard look at the digital Prophet.

Turning a collection of samples into a usable keyboard patch is one of the most important aspects of sampling. Tom McLaughlin puts samples on the map.

Programmable Polysynth

Paul White looks at the first musical instrument product from a Japanese giant. Has Akai's poly got the sounds and the facilities necessary for it to make an impact on today's synth world?

Korg Audio Gallery Music System For Apple Mac And Windows

could your instruments stand Jam Science?

Italian-designed keyboards have received mixed success over the years. Elka's old Rhapsody string synth was a popular instrument in the seventies but their main polysynth, the Synthex, failed to set the world alight. That may well be about to change with the release of their impressive 9-voice, multi-timbral, DX7-soundalike, the EK44, and the 6-voice analogue EK22. Or is it? Mark Jenkins offers his views.

For The Korg Wavestation

Paul Ireson listens in to new Wavestation sounds from Voice Crystal.

Classical music on computer sequencers has been on the cards (disks?) for years now it's happened, but does it work? Ian Waugh boots up Bach, Handel, Mozart...

Atari ST Software

When you're on a limited budget it's important to get the most out of every piece of gear you own. Gordon Reid checks out budget software aimed at getting the best out of your FB01.

"A new synth, a new style of synthesis" could be Ensoniq's motto as they unveil their new VFX and its Transwave synthesis. Simon Trask previews the sound of things to come.

Programmable Polysynth

A cosmetic overhaul, some additional facilities and a price reduction for Siel's Opera 6 polysynth. Geoff Twigg reports.

Eight-note poly keyboard with 10 presets, 10 programmable memories and an arpeggiator