cooling out in the South of France

Hull heroes hassled

Upbeat pop from down under

DREAM MACHINE: Washburn status bass

the washburn status bass: a designer label at a supermarket price

Stephen Hague has demonstrated considerable talent as a producer of classy electronic pop, riding the faders for the Pet Shop Boys and New Order. But his recent work on albums by Robbie Robertson and Siouxsie & The Banshees shows that he has more strings to his bow. Paul Tingen lends an ear.

One of America’s leading session players takes a breather between TOA equipment demonstrations, and takes Tim Goodyer into his confidence over MIDI and a few of the behind-the-scenes goings-on in its administration.

Vintage technology strikes back

The Mellotron lives on

History Of Producers

Just who are these people who get their names on record sleeves and their sounds in your speakers?

return of the solo

Why does Stan file his fingers? Phil Bashe get the facts from The Man behind Slap'n' Pop...

a story of psychedelia

Dealer of the Century

The pride of the North, Kitchens are celebrating their centennial.

What goes twang, thump and pank? Probably Mark King, bass player and vocalist in Level 42, then again it might just be his right thumb. We discuss digits, strings and things.

Al Jarreau's band itemised and analysed by Jim Betteridge

Oceanic interviewed

Merseyside's pop trio on presets, jingles, Nirvana and 2 Unlimited

RETROSPECT: the beach boys

celebrating sweet surfurbia - from good vibrations to kokomo

Paul White talks to Tony Visconti about his career, his production methods and his plans for the future.

Touring With Nik Kershaw

Drummer Mark Price tells what it's really like to be up there on stage. Did anyone say terrifying?

Ben and Trace talk dirty

It's down the shop/in the paper/round your mate's, but what should you look for, and how d'you know if it's a good 'un?

A Series By Warren Cann

If you use a drum machine or programme drum parts on your sequencer, chances are you need help. Warren Cann explains why in this introduction to his new series on drum programming.

Burlesque bourbons and funny folk

ART Multi-fx Processor

As even the most modest MIDI studio becomes a powerful tool for the creation and recording of music, sound processing becomes a more essential part of it. Tim Goodyer checks out ART's latest multi-fx processor.

DATA: Martyn Ware/new album/Synclavier keyboard/digital technique... HARD COPY

the great acoustic guitar revival