Using Sequencers with Modular Systems

Steve Howell looks at different methods of triggering modular sequencers from click-tracks on tape.

Digital drum machines may rule the waves in the R&D labs, but one obsolete analogue device is still the record producers' first choice. Tim Goodyer dissects the appeal of Roland's classic TR808.

Percussion Sounds

Steve Howell investigates conventional drum-kit sounds and how to synthesise them, using even the most basic of instruments.

Used effectively, quantisation can do much more for your sequenced music than simply cleaning up a sloppy playing technique. Craig Anderton supplies some helpful guidelines...

The beat doesn't come much harder than from this respected London funk outfit. In the wake of their debut LP Tim Goodyer gets the hard facts about rhythm from a box.

portastudios - get side tracked with a four-track

Self confessed synth merchant Dave Stewart reveals how to do away with drummers.

Steve Gray, Keith Levene and Nick Rhodes

Whatever happened to MTC?

'Whatever happened to MIDI Timecode?' asks Chris Smith of XRI Systems.

Building on the patterns explored earlier in this series, adding expression is the theme of this month's drum programming column. Nigel "Reet" Lord changes his accent.

Wilf Smarties kicks off our regular look at new sample CD releases.

Software for the Atari ST

If you're currently using a software sequencer you'll almost certainly remember the days of drum machine programming as sublimely simple. Ian Waugh investigates a program that returns to basics.

Simple complex, very dire straits

Digital Rhythm Composer

What the world has been waiting for - Roland's first-ever digital drum machine. Exclusive review by Dan Goldstein.

"It's surprising how little you need to imply a great deal."

Yamaha RX21

Strip a digital drum machine down to its bare essentials, and you have Yamaha's bargain-basement percussion offering. The price is low but there are a few sacrifices, as Simon Trask discovers.

Richard Fowler passes on a few hints and tips tor Alesis HR16 owners

After some 30 months, Nigel Lord's seminal On The Beat series draws to a close. Over the months, it has covered programming skills and a wide range of drumming and percussion styles, and proved popular with amateurs and pros alike - it will be copied but never bettered.

Digital Drums

Ian Waugh hits on an interesting idea from Yamaha: a sub-£100 set of drum-pads-in-a-box which can be used to play any MIDI instrument.

Hip-Hop

Once an underrated underground movement, hip hop has turned out to be one of the most influential musical developments of the last decade. Nigel Lord takes the rap in MT's regular drum programming series.

Fiat Lux