News on the forthcoming invasion of MSX home computers, the International MIDI Association, the Decillionix system and the Kurzweil digital keyboard.

Having helped establish the direction of British electronic experimental music in the early-'80s and helped guide it through the dance explosion, Cabaret Voltaire have released a new album. Tim Goodyer finds out why the tracks sound strangely familiar.

A facelift for Argents plus some interesting new software launches at the budget end of the market

What happened when the International MIDI Association talked software, plus more. Newscaster - David Ellis.

Software and Interface

David Ellis casts a critical eye over Passport Designs' first foray into the wonderful world of MIDI.

PC Scoring Software

The first in a major series of articles describing the design, construction and applications of the Programmable Digital Sound Generator, a music hardware add-on for the BBC Model B. Introduction by Alan Boothman.

Universal Patch Editor for Atari ST

Following on from the success of the Trackman sequencing software, Hollis Research have released a universal patch editor and librarian for the Atari ST. Ian Waugh finds the universe at his fingertips.

Composer & Drummer

This Sinclair ZX81 add-on will take control of your synth and drum machine.

Roland MPS & MUSE

Roland's first serious venture into software takes the form of composing packages for Commodore, Apple and IBM computers. Annabel Scott checks them out.

There's an awful lot of hi-hi-history involved, y'know

Possible answers to the question, 'which is the best micro for music?'

A look at Newcastle’s ‘open access' electro-music studio.

A visit to a massive show devoted solely to this innovative micro, and a look at some of the hardware and software on display there.

David Ellis digs deep inside Yamaha's MSX music computer, and finds it's capable of interfacing with more external hardware than its manufacturers seem willing to disclose...

TWO BOOKS TO DEMYSTIFY THE SYNTHESISER

Geoff Twigg and Neville Unwin cast a critical eye over two books aimed at taking the mystery out of synthesisers, and come to vastly differing conclusions.

words for the musician

The latest offering from Yamaha and Roland plus details of Atari's first sponsorship deal

Mark Jenkins' system

Japan's most respected technopop pioneer has recently finished an album that breaks new ground for him - it involves live musicians. He discusses his new LP and his other projects with Paul Tingen.

Setting the Scene

Part one of a survey of music-printing instruments.

A Gibson / A Fairlight

so simple even an Australian could do it