A major new series describing the design and construction of a high quality modular effects rack. This first instalment deals with the Sub Rack assembly, Power Unit and the first module: the Pro-Gate.

The Design Laboratories Prologue

MIDI-CV converter and retro synth

On this month’s RE:MIX mixed-mode CD...

The words behind the sounds on this month’s CD

A New Reverb Standard

Hot on the heels of their impressive DPS-D7 digital delay comes the latest single effects unit from Sony. As the DPS-R7 reverberates, David Mellor adjudicates.

Steve Howell continues our beginner's guide to synthesisers by describing how sounds are shaped by amplifiers and envelope generators.

Drawmer DL251 Spectral Compressor

This sophisticated compressor has a choice of hard- or soft-knee compression and has a built-in spectral enhancer.

Worthwhile reading on electronics, computing and synthesisers.

Janet Angus reports on Dave Foister's varied activities at the Guildhall.

Prick Up Your Ears

Stephen Bennett offers his views on the quality of recordings, studio monitoring, and domestic hi-fi.

Then After A Few Years I Think I'll Be A Producer

making a career of knob twiddling

Every sussed studio should have one - which?

Alesis 3630 Compressor/Limiter & Alesis RA100 Reference Amplifier

Alesis made their name on high-quality, low-cost digital effects units, and their latest products offer the same affordable quality on two basic analogue units — a compressor and an amplifier. Dave Lockwood conducts the field test.

Well-known Brookside character Pete Wylie's latest outpouring, 'Sinful' is dissected by Tony Reed.

You can Run, but you can't hide — They're back again, Run DMC live at Hammersmith. Old Fogey Jim Betteridge covers his ears

One way to discover more about recording.

Miking applications for this novel transducer that will turn your electric bass 'acoustic'!

Paul Nash relates the saga of Holly Community Centre Studio.

'Are Friends Electric?' and 'Cars' will go down in the musical history books as classics of their genre but the writer of those hits, Gary Numan, has yet to match his early successes. Mark Jenkins met up with him during sessions for a forthcoming album at Rock City studios, Shepperton, only to discover that the Numan of today is finding it tough to get airplay for his recent work...

The how of the Banshees, transcribed by Richard Walmsley

Stealing a bit of someone else's playing is the way to swing a dance record. But rather than just lifting a drum loop, wouldn't it be nice if you could invite the drummer to play directly into your sequencer? Well, maybe you can. Wilf Smarties explains how.

Here at last!

cheap SMPTE coding

The Universal Answer?

Ian Gilby asks the question.

Where do you go to learn more about the subjects covered in this magazine? The answer is the Gateway School of Recording & Music Technology. Ralph Denyer investigates.