The multitrack cassette recorder provides an excellent platform for learning the essential skills of multitrack recording. David Mellor explains how to get the best out of them.

Seven years old and still going strong, Ultravox discuss writing, recording and performing with Dan Goldstein. They also explain why they've got four OSCars...

Paul Ireson beats a path to the door of Roland's new flagship drumbox and finds a groovy kind of love.

J.L. Cooper PPS-1

Looking for an alternative means of syncing MIDI instruments to tape? David Mellor tries out a low-cost solution from J.L. Cooper Electronics - the PPS-1.

Another program to get MIDI dashing around between your DX21 and BBC micro. Crikey blimey.

EffectsCheck

Two little boxes to let your MIDI gear do more than you ever thought possible — Curtis Schwartz reports

Electronic Drums

Pick up sticks; the latest electronic kit from Roland doesn't come with its own voices but Nicholas Rowland discovers its MIDI converter may have other uses in the studio.

The distinctly eighties phenomenon of remixing is playing a significant part in the development of today's popular music. Tim Goodyer discusses the art of remixing with Norman Cook.

Could the arrival of new storage media such as magneto-optical disks change the way we perceive music?

Universal Editor/Librarian Software

Total Percussion Sound Module

From the R8 Human Rhythm Composer comes the Total Percussion Sound Module "humanising' without a sequencer? Simon Trask investigates Roland's latest beat box and a selection of sound cards.

Making new music from old. Simon Trask talks to the musicians and DJs who made a No. 1 hit from a drum machine and other peoples' records.

Jim Betteridge leans on producer David Motion

Tascam Porta Two

Gareth Stuart has been bouncing, syncing and generally laying down tracks with Tascam's new mid-priced 4-track Ministudio. Find out what he thought of it.

Add-ons for small computers are getting more and more professional in their facilities, their quality and their presentation, as Chris Jenkins discovers.

As more musicians finally begin to wake up to the benefits of using a dedicated master keyboard, Paul Ireson checks out two recent examples from Orla, the DMK7 and DMK8.

A special report on the proceedings at this year's UK Electronica festival. Words by Tony Mills; pictures by Alf Annison, Stuart Catterson, Tony Mills and Chris Jenkins.

A sound-sampling keyboard for £1800, and new software from Octave-Plateau, among other things.

Subharmonic Synthesiser

This subharmonic synthesiser promises to do for your bottom end what an aural exciter does for your top.

Budget Beats

A beat on the cheap?

Confused by MIDI - or even been hiding from it in the hope it might go away? Your prayers are answered and your fears dispelled by Bob O'Donnell in the first of a series that takes MIDI from the top.

Pinning Down Blancmange. Chris Jenkins attempts the implausible and gets his just dessert

Northern electronic music exponent Ian Boddy answers questions from Tim Goodyer about the recording of his new album, live performance, and music synthesis.