Gig Tactics

musicians' union chief interviewed

The original Emulator brought sound-sampling out of the labs and onto the stage. The new model looks likely to repeat that success, and to transform sound sampling from precision recording into something like art.

Naked truths from a pop idol

The new album, and the bits what made it.

Yamaha DX21

Synthesist Ian Boddy casts an eager eye over Yamaha's low-cost DX21 polysynth and discovers some little publicised aspects of its performance...

Programming your own DX sounds is not so difficult when there's someone to guide you. Kevin Stratton, product specialist with Yamaha USA, explains how to create vocal-like sounds and reverb with this FM synthesizer.

GuitarCheck

Dave Burrluck dons swimming trunks and picks up his surfboard to review this reissue of famous sixties favourite, the Fender Jag

Oasis On Stage

Auto-Accompaniment — With Style

Martin Russ gets inside version 4.1 of Band-In-A-Box — now with user styles!

Crowded House's Woodface album won widespread acclaim for the sheer quality of its songs. Paul Tingen quizes main man Neil Finn on perfecting the three-minute pop song.

As MIDI expands its influence, guidelines for improved compatibility between instruments are emerging. Vic Lennard examines the new General MIDI spec and Roland's proprietary GSS system.

The most recent polysynth from the Roland stable replaces the long-serving Juno 6 and 60, and adds MIDI compatibility, more program memories, and polyphonic portamento. Geoff Twigg reports.

Dom Foulsham continues his series with a guide to the ever-expanding world of sample CDs: what to look for, how to find it, and how to get the best out of the off-the-shelf loop. I know we said the series was concluding last month, but we were wrong, OK? Think of it as a bonus.

At last - the instrument with a name on everybody's lips receives an in-depth examination of its European version. Man-on-the-spot is Paul Wiffen.

Maybe we should have called it thingz 'n' stringz

Kurzweil K250

Sampling with the Kurzweil 250. Will it knock out the Fairlight?

Linear Arithmetic Synthesiser

Is this the synth to topple the DX7 from its throne? Will Linear/Arithmetic Synthesis become the programmer's new catchphrase? Will Simon Trask die of a broken heart? Find out in our exclusive review.

sampling secrets

An Active Bass Guitar

An Active Bass

gear-speak from all the band's men

A novel 'backing band in a box' comes under Paul White's critical gaze.

Al Jarreau's band itemised and analysed by Jim Betteridge

Cheap Electrics

Guitars from Sakura, Vox, Westone, Hondo...