This UK company's stereo noise gate offers many of the functions contained in top class gates but at a budget price. Martin Sheehan assesses its value.

Roland SBX80 S.M.P.T.E./MIDI Sync Box

Where all the hottest scoops hang out

MSX Software

Is the Japanese computer standard a dead duck, or will the latest music and video software from Toshiba and Pioneer save the day? Annabel Scott has the answers.

Talks guitars, amps and playing to Tony Bacon

Conclusion of the survey.

Clever keyboard clacked

Brian’s younger brother talks to Tim Goodyer about Erik Satie, the state of pop, and being related to somebody more famous than you are.

Microphones

It's the microphone's turn to have all its technical terms translated into understandable language.

Stoking up the soul train

GuitarCheck

Dave Burrluck is pleasantly surprised by yet another pair of Japanese clones

The Fishman guide to DIY synths

Everything you ever wanted to know about the MIDI standard but were afraid to ask - Paul Overaa explains all

... Don't stop! The beat on the street has never been so neat. Rappers in the charts, dancing on the streets — and our man Nick Smash with the way it all began

In seeking bands with a buzz going for them the IM team travelled to Nottingham to meet Terrapin and Carlo Santanna (no relation).

The Synergy gets an overhaul and becomes the Synergy Plus, Passport and Syntauri fight it out, and more.

Founder of Ultravox, John Foxx talks here about his new projects, new album and his return to the live stage.

'Hymn' music to play — we've linked the music to an exclusive interview with Midge Ure and Billy Currie on E&MM cassette, discussing and playing the instruments for this new Ultravox single

The second of a series of new style kit projects that enable musicians to build and customise effects units with the minimum of technical difficulty