Symetrix 544 Expander/Gate

Gates are invaluable, expanders are indispensable... and four in one are irresistible.

Over a 25 year period, Tom Hidley has designed and built more than 400 of the world's top recording studios. Recognised as an undisputed 'master' of his craft, his acoustic design concepts have changed the face of studios and the music that is made within their walls. In a rare interview, he talks openly about his design philosophy and his most current 'ground-breaking' project to Paul Gilby.

Everything you wanted to know about distortion

E&MM's latest piece of MIDI software is a program that intercepts MIDI communication between instruments and displays it on a computer monitor for all to see. Introduction by Jay Chapman.

Leslie Bunder talks to Steve Morris from top Indie band New Order

IN THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN

From indie rock to sampled success - this band have used technology to change their sound and get themselves into the charts. David Bradwell talks technology, samples and football to Beloved people.

Passport AudioTrax

MIDI and hard disk recording on the Mac for only £260? It sounds too good to be true, but Paul Wiffen pinches himself and finds he is awake!

MIDI Remote Controller

Lexicon's MRC unit is much more than a fancy remote controller for their PCM70 and LXP1 signal processors - it also provides analogue-like controls for easy editing of DX synth parameters and manipulation of virtually any MIDI controller data. Martin Russ checks out the power behind the buttons.

When you come across a hi-tech band who won't even use commercial synths for fear of being imitated, they must have something special to protect. Simon Trask pays a visit to Leeds to check out the mysterious Nightmares on Wax.

The MT guide to CD-ROM

Entertainment format of the future, or simply a handy digital storage medium? Ian Waugh writes the (Yellow) book on CD-ROM.

Yamaha DX Keyboards

Dave Bristow, Yamaha’s keyboard consultant, explains how to play and programme these new FM synthesisers

MIDI Processor

This American MIDI processor is possibly the most sophisticated processor currently on the market. Matt Isaacson tries out its bewildering array of facilities.

Martin Russ orchestrates his way through two fascinating ST programs from French software house, Digigram.

As Mr Fingers and Fingers Inc, Chicago-based Larry Heard was instrumental in creating the house music movement. Simon Trask talks tech with him on the release of his first LP on a major label.

Sampling Percussion System

Not just a sampling drum machine, more a solid state tape recorder! As things start to heat up at the top end of the drum machine market, David Mellor gives E-mu's successor to their popular SP-12 a thorough pounding.

Three 4-tracks

Is it possible to get expensive sounds from inexpensive equipment or is the poor person's multitrack merely an expensive toy? David Mellor looks at three entry-level recorders - Tascam Porta 05, Fostex X30, and Yamaha MT2X - and asks 'Which one would you choose?'.

The life of (Terry) Riley

American pitch-to MIDI

Atari ST Software

One emerging trend in software sequencing is that of endowing your computer with musical "intelligence". Ian Waugh contends that machines can have feelings too.

The second, and final part of Jay Chapman's Monitor program for E&MM's own BBC-MIDI interface. This month's instalment gives the program listing and explains how it was written.

Envelope Generators - Part 2

MIDI Programmable Mixer

A programmable mixer that will find a good home in a home studio.

Software for the Apple Macintosh

A computer program that teaches you how to use your gear? Jim Burgess checks out a package for the Apple Macintosh that threatens to make the users' manual a thing of the past.