One man in search of perfection. Dave Burrluck gives his verdict on the state of the axe

With algorithmic composition sotware finding commercial use at last, the question has to be asked "will it write a tune?". Greg Truckell takes a close look at the applications of M.

From providing the backbone of Santana's Latin beat, Michael Shrieve has moved into electronic percussion and out again. John Diliberto listens to the drummer's tale.

Looking at Mixers

16/8/2 mixer review

applications throughout the world

fresh words

and The Sample Of Doom

common sense and uncommon synths

Richard Walmsley enquires into a smooth operation

Star of recording studio and airshow in conversation with Tim Goodyer. Is pop about to lose a hi-tech innovator, and display flying gain a star aviator?

Roland's top of the range sampler is the last of those announced at Frankfurt to reach the marketplace, but its 16-note polyphony, 512K memory, and built-in visual editing software could well give it an edge over existing £2000 samplers. Paul Wiffen takes up the case.

The chief engineer at the Old Smithy, one of the Midlands' most respected studios, passes on a few pearls of wisdom.

The gossip that's hot from the team that's not

To Call It A Drum Machine Would Be An Insult!

The pace of change never slackens at the Nippon Gakki factory. The piano makers turned motorbike manufacturers roar in with a new digital rhythm machine, the RX5. Review by David Mellor

The new Human Rhythm Composer goes where no TR808 has gone before, into previously uncharted territories of feel and nuance.

Japan's most respected technopop pioneer has recently finished an album that breaks new ground for him - it involves live musicians. He discusses his new LP and his other projects with Paul Tingen.

Atari ST Software

When Yamaha launched their latest flagship synth, the SY77, they knew it was only a matter of time before it received software support. Ian Waugh goes editing with Steinberg.

Omar: comin' to ya, on a dust road

Richard Elen visits the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop and hitches a ride through 21 years of past and present music and effects production from Quatermass to Blake's 7.

what the record companies think they want

Britain’s fastest-rising rock band discusses music and visuals

Digital Sampling Keyboard

The competition is tough for Roland's upmarket sampler. Paul Wiffen discovers if 16 voices, a fine keyboard, and direct monitor connection are enough to put it at the top of the tree.

Programmable Digital Drum Machine

Is it worth spending nearly a grand on a non-sampling digital beat-box in 1987? Trevor Gilchrist, after testing the RX5, comes to the inevitable conclusion that it is.

ICMC '85

Ron Briefel recovers from the hi-tech overkill of Digicon to report on a more intellectual Vancouver event, the International Computer Music Conference.

Equipment

producer of Sade, Everything But The Girl and more speaks acoustic-wise