An ES&CM exclusive... At home with top synth pioneers Tangerine Dream, in their own recording studio - a three page special.

Zoom 9120 Advanced Sound Environment Processor

From the company that brought you effects units you could wear, comes a very serious reverb processor — that you can't wear!

Making their presence felt in the singles charts once again, New Order are celebrating eight years together with a new album and forthcoming tour. David Bradwell and Chris Williams investigate the Order of things.

From the chart success of 'Bass (How Low Can You Go)' to an album and a 24-track studio in his lounge - Simon Harris talks sounds and samples with Tim Goodyer.

MIDI Sequencer

Conflict between hardware and software sequencing intensifies - can dedicated sequencers still compete with the flexibility of a computer? Simon Trask experiences Brotherly love.

The blurred fingers of the guitar star focussed by the blurred gaze of Richard Walmsley

From a clothes and record shop to an electronics company to a sound system to an excellent album and charting single, London's Funki Dreds are on the move. Tim Goodyer talks tech to Soul II Soul's Jazzie B.

Producer of Style Council, The Jam and Comsat Angels explains his working techniques in the studio, production skills and the ins and outs of various effects.

Bob Dormon finds the Royal Academy moving with the times

Tim Barr catches up with the Detroit techno pioneer

David Kershenbaum lets rip on his affection for rhythmic mixes in a natter with Our Dread.

The world of music is being invaded by computers whether you like it or not. So what can they offer the musician? Mark Badger takes a sideways glance at the development and application of this burgeoning new technology.

Producer John Walters discusses how those noughts and ones will affect us musiciany beings.

League leader and Moroder man talks tech to Tony Mills

This month: Farfisa to Fuller.

With its ability to manipulate sounds and music, the digital sampler has probably caused more arguments than any other musical instrument to date. Peter Ridsdale takes an alternative view.

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.

From the Midlands' techno culture comes the hardcore sound of Rhythmatic. Simon Trask investigates one of the bands on the ground floor of Britain's fastest-growing musical movement.

Tracing past to future ventures with one of the world's keyboard greats, including: The first publication of his title music for ‘Inferno’, video and LP reviews and keyboard music to play

16-Bit Stereo Sampler

Akai's S1000 is without doubt the industry standard professional sampler, so why try and improve on the best? Paul Wiffen finds that SMPTE cue listing, AES/EBU real-time output, and built-in effects are a good start (with hard disk recording to follow).

Phil Brammer converses with one of the most controversial music dealers in the country - Dave Simpson of TCA

Which is better, analogue or digital? Elka back the horse both ways by providing synths of both persuasions, with modular versions of both, too. Paul Wiffen thinks they're onto a winner, whichever way you look.

AN ALBUM PRODUCED ENTIRELY ON A PERSONAL COMPUTER

Part 1. American, Paul D. Lehrman, documents how he recently recorded an album of synthesized Irish music entirely on an Apple Macintosh computer using the Southworth Music Systems 'Total Music' software.

Recording your own music is only the first step to getting it heard; to do that, you need to deal with A&R people at record companies. Paul Tingen meets them, and discovers why so few bands succeed in impressing them.

The co-producer of Level 42's last two records has also lent his keyboard playing skills to the likes of Grace Jones, Robert Palmer, Mick Jagger and Talking Heads. He discusses his roles as programmer, synth player and producer with Paul Tingen.