Having been out of the limelight for a while, Robin has again donned his producer's cap and set to work with new artists 3AM and Robin Clark. Here he talks of his involvement with them and his attitude to the home recording revolution.

the music papers and how to get your name into them

Akai S01 16-bit Sampler

At last, a sampler that's affordable, expandable and approachable.

Martin Russ dishes up another concoction of MIDI hints and tips.

Why the Thompson Twins, Genesis and Tears For Fears have plumped for plastic.

Take one of the most influential electronic composers of the current generation, a Fairlight, an entire library of vocal recordings from all over the world, and a few more-than-talented guest musicians, and you have the recipe for Zoolook, Jean-Michel Jarre's latest album. Here he talks about its creation.

Tips on miking up drums.

An exclusive look inside Genesis' private studio retreat deep in the heart of Surrey.

A large mixing console can have literally thousands of knobs and switches. David Mellor explains how to use every last one of them - almost! Part 1 of 2.

Total Percussion Sound Module

Sequencer owners rejoice! Roland have taken the 16-bit PCM sounds from their popular R8 drum machine, put them in a convenient rackmount case, and added extra slots for ROM and RAM cards to produce a beat-box par excellence. David Brenton reports.

One day you're a keyboard player writing songs with an unknown Bradford singer. The next - one of those songs goes to Number One. Phil Ward goes on the road with John Beck, for whom exactly that happened with Tasmin Archer, and experiences the fulfilment of some great expectations.

Keyboard programmer Paul Wiffen brings you the latest developments on the Sequential sampling system: the new 2002 rack-mount, and the superb Digidesign visual editing software. He also takes a look at the Prophet 2000 and passes on some useful tips for using its 'mapping' function to the full.

Continental Touring: Pitfalls & Problems

Paul White again, with the first in a new series on ensuring your immaculate recording isn't ruined by a mediocre mix. This month: what not to do with mixing desks and outboard processors.

Part 1: Introduction To PA

Portable DAT Recorder

Derek Johnson gets acquainted with a DAT machine that's small but perfectly formed.

Studio Test

Richard Walmsley on another contender for the 'small is beautiful' stakes

Mixing

Simon Croft takes up from Steve Howell and gives his views on creative remixing.

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.

Tony Horkins meets the crue-d crowd, and gets a lesson in manners

German producer Zeus B Held - the man behind the name - shares sampling secrets and delaying tactics with Tim Goodyer.

Ripping Yarns from Perth popsters

Ultravox: New improved formula