Day-to-day use takes its toll on recording equipment, so proper maintenance and servicing is essential to get the best from your studio toys. David Mellor takes a look behind the scenes of Fostex's service department.

Casio SZ1

Another sequencer first, this time for Casio, seeking to extend their grip over the budget end of the pro synth market. Simon Trask reckons the foray has been worthwhile.

Can't quite stretch your budget to a 688 MIDIStudio? Richard Aaron checks out Tascam's appealingly priced new 8-track portastudio.

Fostex Model 20

Who needs a 3-track mastering machine? Fostex think you do so read all about the Model 20.

Sequencer

Latest in their line of cost-effective gear is Cheetah's MQ8 sequencer. Simon Trask investigates a budget sequencer that incorporates some of the features of the Zyklus MIDI Performance System.

10-Track Recording Package

Combine two 6-track cassette recorders, one synchroniser and a 12:6:2 mixer, and what have you got? A rather appealing multitrack demo studio from Sansui. David Lockwood reports.

Apple Mac/IBM PC/Atari ST Software

As technology tears down barriers, people rebuild them. Ian Waugh investigates a composition program that delivers all the traditional elements of music at the touch of a button.

Software for the Atari ST

This is the first British pro music software to be released for the Atari ST range of computers, and the first to really make full use of the Atari's GEM graphics operating system, according to the manufacturer. Martin Russ checks out their claims.

8-Track Digital Recorder

It's finally here, it's available and it works!

An Alternative To Tape

From the analogue to the digital era, magnetic tape has been the prime production medium for recorded music for several decades. David Mellor examines new developments in recording and speculates where they might lead.

Offering 256 tracks, direct screen manipulation of events, and the facility to alter any type of data whilst your sequence keeps playing, RealTime looks set to make a big name for itself very quickly. Martin Russ took a real shine to it - will you?

Your kindly editor investigates ways in which the newcomer to recording might spend his money effectively rather than just quickly.

4-Track Recording

PART 4: David Mellor takes a first step into the wide world of multitrack recording with an explanation of cassette-based 4-track techniques.

Ben Duncan looks at this cassette recorder to see if it can cope with life in the studio.

Hints, Tips & News From The World Of Music Software

Hints, tips and news about your favourite music software.

NAMM veteran Craig Anderton with news from the biggest and best music show in the US.

Software for the Atari ST

The first release from a British company called System Exclusive is a 128-track sequencer for the Atari ST. Simon 'ST Trask (and his assistant, 'Mouse') find it both powerful and flexible.

Emagic Notator Logic 1.2

Commodore's Amiga computer is the beneficiary of this impressive - and colourful - sequencing package. Ian Waugh welcomes the illusion.

Fostex’s SMPTE reading/writing, MIDI syncing, auto-locating, remote transport control unit recently underwent a serious internal re-examination. Ed Jones assesses the newly implemented features and describes their practical application.

There can be few musicians who've amassed such a huge collection of synthesisers as the ex-Buggles keyboardist. Paul Wiffen talks to him about his machines, and finds he still finds a use for most of them.

The saga goes on outlining the hazards that befall anyone trying to get an ounce of sense out of a record company.

The pick of 1983's equipment releases.

Cheap images, part two

Vestax MR66 6-Track Recorder and RMC88 Studio Mixer

Put these two together and you have a flexible recording and mixing system.