An extended review of new products including many of those unveiled at February's Frankfurt Music Fair.

The scope of MIDI control has expanded beyond that of simply allowing one synthesiser to control another. Chris Meyer explains how you can now shape a whole mix using the five-pin DIN plug.

The long-awaited new box from Alesis gives the user access to up to four simultaneous high quality effects.

Don't touch those Level and Pan controls - you may be able to solve your mixing problems more easily than you think. Robert Rich explains how the timbre of a sound affects its performance in the mix.

Freelance engineer Steve Hall offers some guidance.

Keyboard Mixer

What's impressive, essential to any multikeyboard setup and normally costs a fortune? Answer: a mixing desk. Tim Goodyer looks at a budget desk with a more-than-budget spec.

Know anything about bias, test-tones or calibration? If you use a tape recorder then you should! In the first of two parts, David Mellor explains the need for tape recorder line-up procedures and unravels the mystery behind this arcane science which can have a profound affect on the quality of your recordings.

Read all about the Emu Systems Proteus, the new Alesis MIDI Disk recorder, Yamaha MT3X multitracker, and lots more!

DDA Interface Console

Yet another stratospheric studio name finds its way into the more modest recording setup; Paul White appreciates DDA's design for mixing.

MIDI-Controlled Mixing System

unbeatable coverage of all the new gear at the year's most important instrument show. Don't buy ANYTHING until you've read it.

Digital Rhythm Module

If you've ever wanted to trade some of your drum machine's sequence memory for sound memory, the DRM1 could be the beat box for you. Matt Isaacson sounds it out.

The CDP is a non profit-making co-operative formed by a group of professional composers and researchers at York University, whose intention was to create an affordable personal workstation — a ‘desktop IRCAM’ - on which to run powerful synthesis and signal processing programs. Richard Dobson reveals the power of this Atari ST-based system.

MIDI Mixer

This new 24-input desk has an in-line tape monitor section doubling as additional line inputs and the benefit of MIDI muting. Dave Lockwood sounds it out.

The Input Channel

A guided tour through a typical in-line channel strip.

Yamaha ProMix 01

Groundbreaking digital mixer

The most comprehensive review of Europes biggest Music Fair

For a company that is usually in the forefront of musical technology development to be so late in introducing their SMPTE/MIDI processor is quite remarkable. Is the Yamaha MSS1 worth the wait, or is it just a case of 'me too' marketing techniques? David Mellor champs at the timecode bit.

JL Cooper PPS2 MIDI/Tape Synchroniser

This compact device from time code pioneers JL Cooper makes light work of your MIDI-to-tape sync needs.

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