Nigel 'Sticks' Lord's drum programming series goes offbeat

Don Airey, Martin Gore and Tony Hymas

Phil Collins explores the Octapads.

In part four of this series Bob O'Donnell deals with rhythm by linking a drum machine into the expanding MIDI system.

in, out, in, out, in, out...

Quietly but surely, synchronisation codes have become an essential part of MIDI recording, but what's all this SMPTE and FSK stuff really about? Chris Many looks at the different sync codes and why we need them.

Bokse US-8 Synchroniser

This British product solves a surprising number of interfacing problems between machines designed to run on different time code systems. Peter Roythorne investigates.

Time And Space - Zero-G Datafile One

As more sample CDs appear on the market, it becomes harder to produce something that stands out from the crowd. Tim Goodyer discovers a collection of dance samples that could become seminal.

Mark Jenkins reviews this handy set of power-packed sampled percussion pads.

At last! A new system that gives you hi-fidelity sound from a standard video recorder. Could it become the stereo reel-to-reel machine of the future? Judge for yourself.

What is a MIDI Merger and why do you need one if you use a computer-based MIDI sequencer? Martin Russ helps BT's funding by receiving long telephone calls from frantic MIDIphiles.

A crush on the wheels of industry.

Rhythmcheck

Never has the term 'drum machine' been so misused. Bob Henrit samples freely

Drumcheck

Eight pads, one reviewer. Bob Henrit puts one over the eight

Rod Argent, Andrew Clark, Michael MacNeil

Take one noise gate, add a drum machine plus a dash of imagination, then see what happens.

Video Manuals

An inside look at one of the most popular recording courses both in this country and abroad.

MIDI Percussion Voice Generator

Simon Trask confronts a technological puzzle. Why have Korg put 19 digital drum voices in a box that contains no sequencing software?

Key Ingredients For A Happening Dance Track

An insight into the sounds and structures that make up a successful dance record, by Edgar G. Roover.

beat in the bahamas

Such a simple thing, a tambourine line, yet it's one of the lines drum machines can't handle. The Sample Workshop's Tom McLaughlin explains how to make convincing samples.

Making A Foot Switch

Switched-on Phil 'the DIY-lithium crystals canna take it, cap'n' Walsh gets pedal powered