Neatly sidestepping the monotonous beats and cliched melodies that typify too many dance acts, this Swiss-American collaboration are making refreshing music. Simon Trask and Heinrich Zwahlen share a technical obsession.

One man in search of perfection. Dave Burrluck gives his verdict on the state of the axe

Advanced Multi-Effects Processor

Pete Harris, engineer, producer and programmer talks to Paul White about working in the Zomba empire.

Software for the Atari ST

Continuing the theme of computers and composition, Ludwig is Hybrid Arts' contribution to the growing selection of algorithmic composers currently available. Ian Waugh walks the dog.

How To Keep Noise At Bay

Radio drama relies heavily on the skills of the sound engineer as you can well imagine. Janet Angus spoke with one of its leading exponents, John Rowland, aboard The Barge Studio to discover what special techniques are involved.

Dynamix Powermix II Powered Mixer

Atari Sequencing Software

Son of Cubase: this stripped-down version of Steinberg's powerful sequencer retains many of its best functions. Nigel Lord and ST, and Cubase makes three.

Emagic Logic Audio

Direct-to-disk software for Mac

Back to nature with Boris Blank. Tony Reed listens intently to technical talk about dripping water, talking drums and mountain ranges.

Digital Sonic Modulator

Following hot on the heels of the DPS-D7 and R7 digital delay and reverb units comes a third dedicated processor in Sony's DPS series — the DPS-M7. David Mellor wonders whether this marks the end of the line for multiple effects units.

News, gossip, funny pictures, ink.

We've waited patiently for Roland's super sampler - but now it's here, and every bit as hot as expected. Simon Trask asks if Roland have set a new standard in digital samplers.

With Richard Burgess And John Walters

Richard Burgess and John Walters talk about the make-up of Landscape.

The assembled masses of the IM review department wax lyrical over their selected favourites from this year's music fair.

Part two of this series on combining live instrument performances and MIDI recording looks at a typical session in the studio of Ollie Crooke and Simon Thomas.

Simon Croft puts this British built mixer through its paces.

New products from the States

With the increased use of direct-injected sound sources like drum machines on modern recordings, the role of the humble noise gate has gradually shifted from a purely corrective to a creative one. Sound engineer Dave Lockwood discovered even more creative applications when he tested this American four-channel expander/gate from US Audio.

Bono's boys give away a few secrets from the Fire department, Adrian Deevoy and Philip Bashe team up and get close to the Edge

Digital Mixing Processor

A fully automated, digital mixer with built-in multi-effects and full MIDI control for under £3,000? Hard to believe. David Mellor visits the Yamaha research and development centre in London to try out this amazing innovation in the flesh and discovers that the DMP7 is no fantasy!

New Gear & Hot Tips

It's been available for well under a year, but already, Roland's latest MicroComposer is establishing itself as something of an industry standard. Steve Howell gives a comprehensive user's eye view...