Ensoniq Mirage Multi-Sampler

Manufacturers of keyboard samplers are now turning their attentions to the studio market by offering enhanced rack-mount versions of their products. Mark Jenkins waited anxiously at Heathrow for the first device to hit our shores - the budget-priced, 8-voice multi-sampler from Ensoniq. Read his report.

tasty tips from britain's cut-up kings - if it moves, sample it!

...while Annabel Scott listens to words of wisdom from a Transatlantic keyboardist of a very different kind - Saga's Jim Gilmour.

FRANKFURT PREVIEW '85

A special preview of some of the new goodies that'll be on show at the Frankfurt Musik Messe - Europe's premier music fair - when it gets under way in the second week of February.

Mark Prendergast talks with trumpeter, composer, and synthesist Mark Isham about new technology, David Sylvian, Van Morrison, Windham Hill, and his solo career as one of Hollywood's more interesting film soundtrack composers.

New Orleans

A special report from the New Orleans trade show

It's the biggest! It's the best! It's the 1986 British Music Fair! Our man on the inside, Tony Mills tracks down the hottest gear of the year

ITs Guide To The British Music Fair

After five years in the wilderness, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are back with a new LP and tour. Tim Goodyer talks to Andy McCluskey about the value of technology.

The shape of things to come

Tony Reed goes back to the future for the Frankfurt forecast

Fast Facts for Free

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly at Frankfurt's Musical Fiesta

Five pages of glorious colour on the exhibition to end all exhibitions - the annual Frankfurt Musik Messe. Dan Goldstein comes hotfoot from Germany to report on the latest developments on the hi-tech music scene. And there are a lot of them.

Is what Yamaha do. Our brave and selfless editor finds out how, first hand.

Where everything clicks

Your questions answered

The first of three personal views of a nation that's revolutionised the development and manufacture of hi-tech musical equipment. Hugh Ashton checks out the gear and the music.

Drumcheck

Bob Henrit models the modules of the separated Simmons

Portable Keyboard

Budget polysynth or home organ accessory? Casio attempt to find another gap in the market with Spectrum Distortion synthesis. Nicholas Rowland finds it's not too far from old-fashioned analogue.

Portastudio Review

Playing with Time

MCS stands for MIDI Controlled Sampler, E&MM's most exciting build-it-yourself project yet. Tim Orr gets the ball rolling with a discussion of the effects this Powertran unit can be used to produce.

Could you squeeze an eight-channel programmable MIDI mixer into a 1U-high rack-mounting unit? Simmons could, and their endeavours could appeal to all kinds of musicians, as Rick Davies reveals.

Secrets of samples and songs

Paul Ireson reports from Frankfurt on Europe's biggest music fair.

Discover that this means different things to different people — from free gear for life (perhaps) to a half-price plectrum (maybe)

Synthcheck

Fingers on the joystick. Tony Mills at the controls

From Schoolhouse To Multitrack