What is one? Who has one? How can you get one? All these and more dealt with expertly by Bob Henrit

An explanation of psychoacoustic signal enhancers and their possible applications.

A couple of guides to making it big in the music business get the critical twice-over from Making Music

Remove the sequencing facilities from your drum machine and what do you get? A damned good idea for a new product that's what! Paul Ireson checks out Akai's 16-bit sampled drum box - the perfect companion for your sequencer.

Drum Machine

Tragedy strikes... the good Dr Bateson has had to find a real job. However he still finds time to check out the Roland TR505 in its role as a studio drum machine.

Deutsche elektronische drummen

Tandy Minimus 7 monitors

These tiny speakers make handy near-field monitors due to their detailed sound and good imaging.

Acoustic Drums

Some people look upon the prospect of recording an acoustic drum kit with dread. It needn't be that daunting if you follow a few simple guidelines.

Sample CD

Breakin' down the beat

Puts the home in home recording.

Drum Machine

Two years after the launch of the original Boss DR550 drum machine, a mere £26 extra buys you a DR550 MKII with almost twice the number of sounds. Derek Johnson approves.

Dave Hutchins compares the traditional and modern methods of recording.

Bob Clearmountain Sample CDs

On a clear day you can usually tell the difference between sampled and real drums. But if the quality of the samples is high enough, will there come a time when you can't tell which is which? David Mellor listens to two new sample cds.

Accessorycheck

More preset voices for FM fans. Curtis Schwartz takes his ROMs home

Digital Rhythm Module

If you've ever wanted to trade some of your drum machine's sequence memory for sound memory, the DRM1 could be the beat box for you. Matt Isaacson sounds it out.

Mr A. Reader probes the percussionist.

Rhythmcheck

The half of the drum machine that goes 'bok' put in a box. Curtis Schwartz reckons it's not half bad

answers from top TV experts

Korg MR-16 MIDI Rhythm Sound Unit

Korg’s MIDI percussion module

Programmable Rhythm SR99

The EDC SR99 beat box

Rhythm Sound Module