How To Get The Most From Your Sampler

Simmons SDX Drum Sampler

Lurking inside this angular-looking monster is a versatile computer system that will turn what is ostensibly an electronic drum kit (albeit a state-of-the-art 16-bit sampling one) into a formidable MIDI workstation. Ed Jones test drives Simmons' powerful, new SDX system.

Been puzzled by references to just intoned or even tempered scales, or wondered exactly what the DX7II's "microtonality" is all about? Robert Rich has the answers.

The World's Best Singers

nominated and described by Sade, Anne Pigalle, Helen Terry, Tracy Thorn (Everything But The Girl), Julie Roberts (Working Week)

Printing the Part

David Ellis concludes his survey of music-transcribing devices. Among the products featured this month are units from Fairlight, New England Digital, Con Brio and Xerox.

Following on from our look at KCS last month - Clive updates us on the new version for the Mac

Richard Dean tells how to get all the wires in the right places.

4 Channel Multitrack Tape Deck

Now it can be told. Martin Sheehan tells reporters of his secret life with a Teac A3440.

Casio's first foray into the digital drum machine market, the RZ-1, offers all the usual rhythm features plus one extra - the facility to sample four of your own sounds. Mark Jenkins finds out if it matches his expectations.

Alesis 3630 Compressor/Limiter & Alesis RA100 Reference Amplifier

Alesis made their name on high-quality, low-cost digital effects units, and their latest products offer the same affordable quality on two basic analogue units — a compressor and an amplifier. Dave Lockwood conducts the field test.

Reading MIDI Implementation Charts

In spite of MIDI's promise of compatibility between hi-tech musical equipment, few of us have found this to be the case. Vic Lennard takes his second look at MIDI Implementation charts and how they can solve your MIDI problems.

The start of another series, in which Chris Meyer reveals just how useful the new MIDI Sample Dump Standard can be in everyday applications.

Did you know...?

Studio Test

Jim Betteridge on Seck... drugs and Rock'n' Roll?

An intriguing insight into just what is required of the home recordist when setting out to cut your first disc.

Electronic Percussion System

The company that pioneered the electronic drum kit bring us the next generation of electronic percussion. Nicholas Rowland investigates Zone Intelligence and tracker balls.

Boss DR550 Dr. Rhythm

In 1980, the original boss DR55 Dr. Rhythm gave many people their first introduction to programmable drum machines. In 1990, the new DR550 is set to make musicians on a tight budget equally happy by providing their first taste of excellent 16-bit sampled drum sounds. Paul Ireson beats a path to his local music store's door.

does it work?

Continuing our new series for DIY fans, Martin Russ shows how you can go about adding extra MIDI Ins, Outs and Thrus to a MIDI interface.

One Two listens to Stratists Jeff Beck, Adrian Belew and Richard Thompson. Plus a Hendrix compilation.

is video nasty?