When you come across a hi-tech band who won't even use commercial synths for fear of being imitated, they must have something special to protect. Simon Trask pays a visit to Leeds to check out the mysterious Nightmares on Wax.

Still struggling to programme your drum machine? Wish you could see what your rhythms looked like? Martin Russ thinks this ST program could banish those drum box blues for good.

Basscheck, Guitarcheck

Six-stringed and headless. Dave Burrluck goes and does it again

all the singer needs to know, part 1

understanding technical terms

Life after Limahl

Interconnect

Studio 'earthing' techniques.

Digital Parametric Equaliser

The advantages of programmability and the power of MIDI spread further into the studio environment. Vic Lennard checks out Roland's programmable parametric equaliser.

Software for Commodore 64

The addition of a MIDI module allows this software package for the Commodore computer to control external synthesizers amongst other things. Ian Waugh reports.

From the immortal pen of Ben Duncan comes the penultimate part of this epic reference work.

Musik Messe Frankfurt Report

Every year without fail, hi-tech instrument manufacturers congregate in the huge exhibition halls of frankfurt to show off their very latest creations. Paul Ireson brings you the edited highlights of this year's show.

The final part of the saga.

Where everything clicks

Your questions answered

If the major record companies won't give you the deal you know you deserve, you could do worse than to do it yourself. David Bradwell investigates the pros and cons of pressing your own single.

Legal raves demand state-of-the-art audio-visual technology, and Fantazia are the experts. Dave Arcari reports from the dance floor

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.

Multi-fx Processor

Their LXP1 brought luxury reverb within reach of home studios, now Lexicon's LXP5 offers a variety of new effects to the studio on a budget. Robert Rich reads the lexicon of fx.

Garage Studio

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

Don't delete those unsatisfactory samples until you've tried resampling them. Tom McLaughlin explains how you can turn a bad sample into a good one.

Beat Box Hits

Or, the much-maligned art of drum machine programming. Tony Reed talks to the experts, and Richard Walmsley dissects some classic tracks.