Roland JD800 Programmable Synthesizer

Already a strong contender for hot keyboard of the year, Roland's new JD800 puts analogue-style knobs and sliders back on the front panel of a modern digital synth. Julian Colbeck goes "wow"!

No hype, no waffle - just tomorrow's products today

Tomorrow’s hot products previewed

What to expect at the Big Show in June

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

MIDI Performance Effect

The arpeggiator is still regarded by many as "the poor man's sequencer", but Oberheim may be about to change that with a small grey box called Cyclone. Simon Trask blows hot and cold.

Ian Gilby collates the more interesting responses to his editorial request for manufacturers and retailers to look towards the 'video manual' as a complement to printed equipment manuals.

Paradise Studios

Synth players in search of Heaven need look no further than West London, where a recording studio puts the emphasis firmly on hi-tech musical equipment, but doesn't charge people the Earth to use it. Simon Trusk pays Paradise a visit.

BMF REPORT

The excessive heat in London's Olympia gave the latest hi-tech gear a run in the "who's hottest" stakes at this year's British Music Fair. Simon Trask sweats it out.

Another colourful selection of new and improved instruments, equipment and software.

och aye

Not quite a household name, but an American jazz fusion guitarist whose attitude to improvisation and performing with new technology is starting a quiet revolution. Dan Goldstein gets the lowdown.

through the year darkly with One Two

a life story

Leading The Field?

Casio caused a furore at February's Frankfurt Music Fair when they unveiled the world's first 'affordable' 16-bit sampling keyboard with onboard graphic editing display - the FZ-1. Mark Jenkins visits the Casio factory to bring you a comprehensive preview of this remarkable instrument.

Meat Beat Manifesto are to music what Andy Warhol was to art - but they've already been famous for longer than 15 minutes. Phil Ward follows them to a Peel session and to their studio in Swindon, and finds that Meat is not, in fact, necessarily murder.

Is the future Linear?

Does Roland's new LA synthesizer mean the end of FM is in sight? Martin Russ falls in love with the world's first ever Linear Arithmetic synthesizer whilst trying to find out...

Programmable 12-Voice Multi-timbral Polysynth

The world's most awesome analogue polysynth finally gets the attention it deserves, as Simon Trask finds out just what you can do with two Xpanders and a row of black-and-white keys.

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

Wavetable Synthesis

Many of today's popular digital synthesisers use variations on "wavetable synthesis". Chris Meyer explains what this mystical but powerful method is all about.

Your chance to check out some of the new products launched at January’s NAMM

Bootleg synths a killer?, New EX, Alligator PA, More scoops

Part 2, ARP to Buchla. Buchla? Yep, Buchla

Stones Guitar Man Jimi Barber talks to Tony Bacon

Akai's super-sampler carries on where their S612 left off. Paul Wiffen finds its ease of use belies its sophistication.