Why the Thompson Twins, Genesis and Tears For Fears have plumped for plastic.

And what news there is. A special preview on the Frankfurt fair, lifting the veil on 1987's most important gear.

Digital Multi-effects Processor

In the multi-effects processor wars, Digitech's DSP 128 Plus distinguishes itself with comprehensive facilities and little sound colouration. Ian Waugh treats himself.

One of the pioneers of the German electronic music scene, Hans Joachim Roedelius's use of electronic keyboards to treat sound, create atmospheres, and provide sonic backdrops has evolved through collaborations with the likes of Conny Plank, Peter Baumann and Brian Eno. Mark J. Prendergast discovers more about the man and his music.

John Harris draws on personal experience to reveal some of the problems encountered when recording TV pop music programmes.

certain weird inventions in the name of music

One Dove: Recording Their Debut Album

Atari ST Software

Recently we looked at the theoretic applications of fractal maths in music. This month Ian Waugh composes a complex number with this ST software...

Janet Angus talks to Robin about practically everything.

Sampling and the law: where do you stand when you plug your record deck or CD player into your sampler? David Bradwell investigates the legal position and the attitudes of the music industry.

The final part of the saga.

The gear piles up in your home studio, and you realise you can't manage another mix without a decent desk - but how can you afford it? Nigel "Mixmiser" Lord puts Fostex' budget desk through its paces.

Vocals

Paul White discusses how to use reverb in the context of a mix, this month focussing on lead and backing vocals.

Multitimbral Synth Expander

The latest box out of the Roland stable to incorporate the D50's L/A synthesis. Simon Trask examines how a multitimbral expander designed with the home organ market in mind will find its way into pro studios.

FM Synthesiser

Yamaha call It "Easy FM" - it's the latest and most friendly presentation of FM synthesis to date. Ian Waugh takes the easy option.

shrugs and knock 'n' knowall

Wrenched from video filming (with a ballerina no less) and quizzed on gear and blushes.

Software for the Atari ST

When the conventional approaches to composing music wn't deliver the goods, this Atari ST program may help provide the inspiration. Ian Waugh investigates computer-generated music.

From his Vox Continental days with Elvis Costello, to a regular spot on Jonathan Ross' The Last Resort, and now on to film scores, Steve Nieve has retained an objective approach to technology.

New gear revealed. Plus on-the-spot report of how Yamaha in Japan treat the musicianly public.

Digital Multi-effects Processor

Following the success of their Midiverbs and Microverbs, Alesis have developed a unit capable of providing no less than four audio treatments simultaneously. Ian Waugh practices his four-play.

Take four musicians with a love of acoustic instruments, a fascination for high technology and some considerable talent, and you've got Frazier Chorus. Louise Swann and Stephen Hillier listen to songs from the English coast.

There's more than one way to a living out of music. Nicholas Rowland talks to the Pync Brothers about writing and recording music specifically for use in TV and radio advertising jingles.

Synthesiser Expander Module

Looking for a digital complement to analogue gear or another expander to take the pressure off the rest of your rack? Ian Waugh discovers sonic flexibility at a price you can afford.

Wendy Carlos still loves digital synthesis. Through her pioneering soundtrack work on movies like Tron, and her synthesised interpretations of the classics, she has done as much as Jarre, Kraftwerk and Eno in making synthesisers both respectable and popular. She also used to be Walter Carlos. Daniel Rue investigates

With the summer shows out of the way and the forthcoming new products all unveiled, Martin Russ looks into the crystal ball and plots out his version of where the world of synthesis might be heading...