Crossing the Great Divide

Sold on the 3-Minute Song

Erasure's fifth album sees the duo of Vince Clarke and Andy Bell going from strength to strength, delivering electro-pop at its finest. But the doyens of synthesizer pop recorded Chorus with almost no MIDI instruments at all. Vince Clarke tells Paul Ireson how he made a hit album with 10-year old technology.

For all of you that have ever thought, 'If only I could build my own 24-track studio, I'd have it made', we present this cautionary tale.

Instrumental music doesn't sell, the UK dance scene is totally bereft of life, and dance bands never produce decent albums. Wrong, wrong, wrong — and 808 State are back with proof. Nigel Humberstone talked to Manchester's finest during the recording of Gorgeous, their third album.

Virgin veterans XTC are under pressure to pull off a Pop success with their latest album, Skywalking. So is it open season on Andy Partridge? Chris Maillard takes aim...

A Series By Warren Cann.

This month, we go ever deeper into the mind of that unfathomable entity, the drummer...

The Next Logical Step

This 4 track MIDI sequencer is a step in the right direction for Casio but have the budget restrictions limited its appeal?

Our regular readers' demo page is packed with invaluable tips on how to record the perfect demo.

Smile please! Tony Reed raps with the Cockney Translator about schooltime chronicles, writing styles, and the pressures of success

Naked truths from a pop idol

Rhythmcheck

Linn take a massive leap into the future and come up with the ultimate drum machine. Bob Henrit is astounded

Having fun with digital delays.

Hints, Tips & News From The World Of Music Software

More hints and tips from the software manufacturers themselves. This month: C-Lab and Steinberg.

Software Surplus

Something to play with in your pocket

The amazing musical instrument interface

Sequencercheck

Casio get further into the pro market, Chris Jenkins gets into their newie

multimedia workstation

A 'home' keyboard with attitude, or does the WX2 have ideas above its workstation

Linn 9000

Linn's new 9000 combines drum machine and MIDI recorder-making it the heart of your set up.

DAT Recorder

Tascam's latest machine has all the features we have come to expect of a professional DAT recorder. Dave Lockwood assesses its performance.

One band's mission to save rock and roll - with technology. On the spot: Phil Ward

Korg i3 Interactive Music Workstation

When is a home keyboard not a home keyboard? When it's Korg's new interactive music workstation.

At the controls with one of Britain’s freshest guitar bands