David Pallant

BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Plenty has changed since E&MM last ventured into the hallowed chambers of Maida Vale. Simon Trask reports from the studio that started it all, but now seems aloof from the modern music scene.

Hot-foot from a mammoth UK tour as part of John Miles' backing-band, this well-respected keyboardist gives his own impressions of life on the road with Korg's latest MIDI-equipped polysynth.

Adam Mosley chats about producing The Plot Thickens

Synth-pioneers Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark talk to Dan Goldstein about the twists and turns in their musical development, and how they managed to make their new album, Junk Culture, sound more acoustic through the use of computer instruments.

Budget effects or budgie faeces? Find out

Master Bits Sampling Collection 500, 600, 700 and 800

When your music cries out for the sounds of synths that you haven't got, your sampler can be your best friend. Tim Goodyer samples four CDs packed with the sounds of synths, drum machines and even samplers.

Digital Audio Production System

Today's high-end tools for the professional are tomorrows affordable tools for the musician in the street. David Mellor explores a Macintosh-based digital recording and editing system from a company best known for their analogue tape recorders.

Would you believe that the author of the mega-successful 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy' is a fanatical devotee of the Macintosh computer and a MIDI enthusiast to boot? Richard Elen listens as the man tells why...

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.

Volume 1 - Drums

If you're bored with your sampler's factory disks or simply can't find a decent snare drum to sample, then Syndromic Music's 'Star Samples' may well prove the ideal solution. Mark Jenkins assesses their range of sampled sound cassettes.

The Mix

The first of a 2-part series on creative mixing.

Have you always wanted a 24-track studio but could never afford the gear? Well now, maybe you can. David Mellor looks at a package of equipment that offers 24 tape tracks at a budget price.

Hitmakers Heaven 17 reveal how they've harnessed the hardware on How Men Are.

Yamaha's DX7 may well be a classic keyboard but its MIDI implementation and small onboard memory are starting to look decidedly limited compared to newer generation keyboards. What's needed is an upgrade, and the add-on E! board from America's Grey Matter Response is certainly that! Martin Russ enthuses over its features.

Producer Extraordinaire

The genius behind the 'Phil Collins drum sound' reveals how he got started in the industry, his production philosophy and life at The Townhouse.

Introducing a new direction in synthesis from Emu

E-mu's new module heralds a new direction in synthesis. Will it change the face of music?

How much do musicians really earn? The rich ones (ahem) the poor ones (definitely).

iPD Digital Synthesiser

Casio's latest synthesiser employs the successor to the company's own PD synthesis system - interactive Phase Distortion. Bob O'Donnell investigates a new phase in synthesis.

writing for MIDI

Don't delete those unsatisfactory samples until you've tried resampling them. Tom McLaughlin explains how you can turn a bad sample into a good one.

The use of samples is often frowned upon by rock audiences, but Jesus Jones have made them the basis of some of the most aggressive and innovative rock music around. Nigel Lord talks to Jesus.

Drum recording guide

From miking cymbals to mixing toms - all you need to know

Software for the Atari ST

Continuing the theme of computers and composition, Ludwig is Hybrid Arts' contribution to the growing selection of algorithmic composers currently available. Ian Waugh walks the dog.