Instrumental music doesn't sell, the UK dance scene is totally bereft of life, and dance bands never produce decent albums. Wrong, wrong, wrong — and 808 State are back with proof. Nigel Humberstone talked to Manchester's finest during the recording of Gorgeous, their third album.

Peavey DPM2 & DPM3SE Plus

Peavey's DPM3 synth now has a little brother in the DPM2, and the DPM3 itself has been upgraded with new features that increase its powers dramatically. Martin Russ looks at a dynamic duo.

Yamaha's QX1 Sequencer, KX88 Master Keyboard, TX816 Modules

Yamaha's professional FM sequencer master keyboard and FM modules.

Part five of our series on basic MIDI applications turns its attention to MIDI-controlled effects; Bob O'Donnell patches in the 19" rack-mounts with maximum delay.

A User Report on the Yamaha DX9

Almost entirely overshadowed by its immensely popular elder brother, the DX9 deserves a better deal. Or at least that's what Steve Howell claims in this special user report.

The machines that stole the musicians' feel from your music are the same machines that you can now use to restore it - once you know how. Travis Charbeneau investigates the subtleties of the human touch.

Software for the Atari ST

If you're looking for an easy approach to programming your new Korg M1 workstation, this Atari ST program could be for you. Vic Lennard goes to work with a mouse.

Dave Hastilow fishes around for some new angles on recording technique — in the field or at home. Or in the river.

Parallel Effects Processor

Just four effect

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.

PART 3: DIRECT-TO-DISK AND SYNTHESIS

In the final part of our look at the latest models of the state-of-the-art Synclavier, Scott Wilkinson homes in on the Direct-to-Disk recording system.

The most talked about Amiga software ever is finally in the shops. Was Microillusion's program worth the wait? Phil South waxes lyrical about the first professional integrated music sequencing and editing program to take full advantage of the Commodore Amiga's powerful multitasking features.

MIDI Remote Controller

Lexicon's MRC unit is much more than a fancy remote controller for their PCM70 and LXP1 signal processors - it also provides analogue-like controls for easy editing of DX synth parameters and manipulation of virtually any MIDI controller data. Martin Russ checks out the power behind the buttons.

Yet another selection of recently announced new products to whet your appetite!

After inspiring a generation of experimental musicians to explore synthetic soundscapes, Tangerine Dream found new relevance in 1990's ambient house movement. Simon Trask enters the Dream state.