Part 6. In this final episode Martin Russ returns to base camp, and completes his exploration of the MIDI programming jungle with a de-briefing for his fellow travellers.

ATARI/P&G/CONTRIVER/MCS/MARCONI/KRAFT Trackballs

When you entrust your music to the sophistication of a computer and software, you may find yourself needing something more reliable than a mouse to control it. Vic Lennard has the balls - track balls.

Mixing Desk

As more mixer manufacturers turn their attention to the home and pre-production studios, the cost-effective quality mixer becomes a reality. Tim Goodyer discovers that there's even room for luxury.

The Roth-less band with a Hagar at the helm. Michael Smolen meets the headman

As well as writing, singing and playing on his new single 'When A Heart Beats', Nik Kershaw also took the credit for its production. In an interview with Nick Webb he displays a rarely seen side of his character and discusses his knowledge of recording studio technology and approach to songwriting.

Vintage technology strikes back

The retro-lover's playground

how to liven up your music by being open to improvisation

Ensoniq EPS Sample Editor

Perhaps its because the auto-looping functions on Ensoniq's EPS sampler are so effective that computer-based sample editing software for the machine is so thin on the ground? Matthew Newman checks out Gelva Software's first offering.

From his involvement in the infamous Frankie Goes To Hollywood sessions, Andy Richards has become an accomplished producer and programmer in his own right. Nicholas Rowland listens to a rationalisation of technology.

Speakers break sound barrier, Fender replace guitar range, Rama amps to shatter prices and more!

Don Larking guides you through the various equipment that goes to make up a home studio.

Synthesiser Expander Module

Looking for a digital complement to analogue gear or another expander to take the pressure off the rest of your rack? Ian Waugh discovers sonic flexibility at a price you can afford.

Today's news, tomorrow's news - the future lurks in these pages

Drawmer DL251 Spectral Compressor

This sophisticated compressor has a choice of hard- or soft-knee compression and has a built-in spectral enhancer.

The first of our new series on the very live issue of sampling, taking all the technicalities into account. Dom Foulsham begins with an examination of the law as it currently effects all involved. An indispensable guide, if you're concerned about clearance and want to avoid that nasty little rubber glove

Are record producers losing their touch now they've regained their influence? Are DJs better-equipped to make music that moves? Simon Trask gets the answers from an objective source - one of Britain's top remix DJs.

Goldsmiths' College, University of London

Goldsmiths' College in London was the first higher education institute to set up its own electronic music studio and offer a course. That was back in the late 1960s. Today, it has an even wider range of specialist courses and a much better equipped complex of studios to offer prospective students the training facilities necessary for a longterm career.

Atari ST Software

Using a Roland MT32 or any Roland CM modules and looking to get into sequencing on an Atari? Ian Waugh reckons that there's a particular piece of software you should check out.

Continuing our series that looks at hi-tech companies and design personnel working in the field of music and recording technology, Paul Gilby talks to Marco Alpert, Director of Marketing & Sales for E-mu Systems of America - the company behind the Emulator and Emax samplers.

Wendy Carlos still loves digital synthesis. Through her pioneering soundtrack work on movies like Tron, and her synthesised interpretations of the classics, she has done as much as Jarre, Kraftwerk and Eno in making synthesisers both respectable and popular. She also used to be Walter Carlos. Daniel Rue investigates

New products from the States

SynthCheck

Ensoniq's new baby gets a warm welcome from Tony Mills.

Jay Chapman takes a bold step for novice programmers, as he presents a Pascal program that converts musical note values into a language computers can understand. Don't worry if it leaves you standing.

Farther along with Spirit's Randy California.