Since heralding in a new musical era in 1976 with the release of his innovative synthesizer-based opus, 'Oxygene', Jean-Michel Jarre has gone on to sell almost 34 million records worldwide. Currently embarking on a new album project, as well as planning a series of concerts to welcome in the new decade, Richard Buskin visited Jarre in his home studio to talk about the technology behind his music.

Sampling Percussion System

Not just a sampling drum machine, more a solid state tape recorder! As things start to heat up at the top end of the drum machine market, David Mellor gives E-mu's successor to their popular SP-12 a thorough pounding.

Electropop veteran Vince Clarke and latest partner, Andy Bell, discuss composing, sampling and singing following their debut album release. Tim Goodyer takes notes.

The jolly lads (and lass) currently blowing up a Gaelic gale with their drinking man's Folk have Adrian Deevoy reeling

MIDI Keyboard Controller

'Walk tall, walk straight and look the world right in the eye' - as Val Doonican once said. Now you can with Roland's portable MIDI keyboard controller, designed for those with a severe case of guitar envy. Nicholas Rowland discusses the angle of the dangle

Accessit Autopanner

A surprisingly useful little effects unit for less than the price of a good fuzz box... it's got to be a winner.

In depth.

From their excellent 1984 debut single 'Venceremos', Working Week have charted a unique course between fashionability and credibility. Simon Trask works out with Simon Booth.

MIDI-to-tape interfaces

Do you want to synchronise your sequencer to your multitrack? Or record MIDI data directly onto tape? David Mellor looks at two compact and versatile units from Musicsoft that allow you to do both.

Bedroom recordists Ad Lib engage in pillow talk with Paul Benson

Scarlet Party

John Renwick gives in to the temptation of the MTR Series III mixer

EMR's new interface

From the Midlands' techno culture comes the hardcore sound of Rhythmatic. Simon Trask investigates one of the bands on the ground floor of Britain's fastest-growing musical movement.

distortion, delay, described

Arrested whilst gigging with a bunch of jazz musicians in Paris, Sting talks to Paul Tingen about his new album, the inadequacies of high technology, and the future of The Police.

Selected releases

The Bahamas boy talks tunes and tides with Adrian Deevoy

Digital Sound Effects System

An exciting sound-sampling effects generator

The Dynamic Beatbox

You just can't argue with a drum machine offering 233 16-bit sounds, two stereo outputs, 16-voice polyphony and a mammoth memory all for £299 — unless perhaps you're a busker, as Kendall Wrightson discovers.

Following the success of the Octapad and Octapad II, Roland have come down-budget with a MIDI percussion controller to suit all pockets. Simon Trask scores a hit.

Brian Heywood reports on the latest PC developments.

Multiple Effects Unit

Everything you ever wanted to know about the MIDI standard but were afraid to ask - Paul Overaa explains all