David Yorath is one of those fortunate people who have turned their hobby of recording into a career. Paul White caught up with him at his studio.

Why is a MIDI?

US successes return to Blighty with the formula for Stateside MOR safely intact. Interview by Jonathan James

Drumcheck

An abundance of features and digital sounds. Bob Henrit gets down to some serious TOMfoolery

Tascam 388

A ‘portable’ 8 track recorder/mixer

Equipment news

MIDI Percussion Controller

The indisputable leader of the gang

Sequencercheck

The return of the Microcomposer, featuring Tony Mills

The Next Logical Step

This 4 track MIDI sequencer is a step in the right direction for Casio but have the budget restrictions limited its appeal?

Exclusive guide to recording electronic music

Master Keyboard Controller

Two new master keyboards from Elka change Deborah Parisi's mind about the merits of silent keyboards.

Chris Jenkins looks at a master keyboard of a very different kind, from the people who brought you drum machine and sampling add-ons for home computers.

drummer Tony Thompson fuses influences

Another month's worth of hot products.

From providing the backbone of Santana's Latin beat, Michael Shrieve has moved into electronic percussion and out again. John Diliberto listens to the drummer's tale.

Intrepid reporter/cameraman Ralph Denyer ventures into the wild suburban jungle of East London to capture the rarely heard thoughts of this lesser-spotted songbird and re-mix producer who has recently taken delivery of his very own Synclavier system.

Loop Create software for the Greengate DS:3.

New looping software for the Greengate DS:3.

Away from the fickleness of the pop music world, Cabaret Voltaire have been quietly breaking the barriers of underground electronic music. Interview by Dan Goldstein.

Muzik Processor

The Muzix 81 Processor is likely to change your mind about the potential of micro's sound sampling abilities. We preview this product from a Hungarian company who intend to breach the walls of the UK music industry.

Akai S900 V2.0 & ASK90 and Steinberg Soundworks

Already a well-established sampler, the Akai S900 is on the receiving end of a series of software and firmware updates from Akai and Steinberg. Chris Jenkins boots them up.

The first of our Systems features focusses on making music with the DX7, Jupiter 6, Drumtraks and MSQ700.

The vintage advantage

Human Rhythm Composer

Since the days of the TR808, Roland have set standards for many other drum machines; now they're concentrating on the human angle. Simon Trask tests the "Human Rhythm Composer".