Possibly the most timely and influential synthesiser development of the 70s was the Prophet 5. Dave Crombie takes a look back at the polysynth that was modelled on the Minimoog.

Studio Test

Jim Betteridge enthuses, or could it really be John Bull

US successes return to Blighty with the formula for Stateside MOR safely intact. Interview by Jonathan James

Software for Commodore 64

Mark Jenkins supercharges the studio with this latest hi-tech recording software for the inexpensive Commodore 64 micro.

Yamaha QY300

The Walkstation grows up

Digital Drums

Intriguing cries of "hit me" from the recording studio have been traced to Yamaha's new DD11 percussion controller. Simon Trask asks, can it be beaten?

why USA musicians favour big computers

Paul White takes a look at what's involved when you start taking on paying customers in your studio.

Visions of Arcadia

Via engineering and production work with Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Robertson and U2, Daniel Lanois has unmistakenly imprinted his personality on the sound of the Eighties. Recently he released his own solo album, ‘Acadie’; Mark J. Prendergast runs through the tracks.

The band called it music, the press called it confrontational noise, and the public bought it and danced to it. Stephen Hillier talks to the men behind Renegade Soundwave.

Neville Unwin attempts to shed some light on contemporary production and arrangement.

SY-DP50

On Technic's hybrid Preset/Programmable digital drum machine the SY-DP50.

Yesteryear's Gear: Roland Juno synths

classic analogue synthesizers for today's acid sounds

Gig Tactics

famous names relate horror stories

A chat with keyboard person Mick MacNeil about technology, touring and techniques.

Gajits Breakthru Sequencer For Atari ST

We put this value for money Atari sequencer through its paces.

Preset/Programmable Digital Drum Machine

Technics attempt to marry the home-organ drum machine and the digital percussion computer. Success or failure? Dan Goldstein tells all.

Computer Drums

obtaining the best from MIDI sequencers

Effects

And as the cheap bitter slaps rhythmically against the stage, our two intrepid reporters bring news of the Bell Modular effects system. No bolds hard.

Human Rhythm Composer

And the beat goes on - not least with Roland's latest drum machine, the R70. Simon Trask checks the pulse of the company that gave us the TR808, and are now giving it to us again.