for the Atari ST

Before you ask, it’s not a typo: HMM Piip Oy is the name of the Finnish manufacturer of this auto-composition software called John - and why not? If you still don’t believe a computer can write music, ask Ian Waugh.

Interactive music workstation

The workstation bites the bullet and goes all the way, with sophisticated auto-accompaniment to add to the i3's already copious features based on the X3.

RhythmCheck

Future perfect and future possibilities. Bob Henrit on Simmons' new trigger unit

and playing beyond the octave

is written music rock'n'roll?

splittable MIDI from Italy

Happy Hour

It's Housemartins again

Back To Basics

Back To Basics: Part 4. After a brief absence, Jay Chapman continues the series where he left off two months ago with a further explanation of how Real-Time commands are used by MIDI.

Apple Mac/IBM PC/Atari ST Software

As technology tears down barriers, people rebuild them. Ian Waugh investigates a composition program that delivers all the traditional elements of music at the touch of a button.

Largely misunderstood, MIDI's running status protocol can be used effectively to streamline a MIDI system - as long as you know how to take advantage of it. Vic Lennard stretches his legs.

Casio CZ101, Korg Poly 800, Roland SH101 and Yamaha DX100 synths feature in this month's edition of the readers' synth sound page. Keep 'em coming...

Improvisation Software

Auto-accompaniment software seems to be growing up, offering real interaction and creativity in place of tacky preset patterns. Martin Russ looks at Improviser, an ST program that does just what its name suggests.

Jez Ford grabs this expander from 360 Systems by the MIDI lead and puts it to the test

From America comes a set of unique MIDI percussion controllers that work by sensing the direction you shake them in. Rick Davies previews them.

Steinberg MusicStation

Entry-level music software

POLY MIDI 1

A budget sequencer

Casio discover MIDI

Electronic Musical Keyboard