Over the last three decades John McLaughlin has done more than anybody else in popular jazz and rock music to explore the potential of the guitar, both acoustic and electric. Here he talks to Mark Prendergast about his eclectic career, pioneering use of guitar synthesizers, and the Synclavier.

Total Percussion Sound Module

From the R8 Human Rhythm Composer comes the Total Percussion Sound Module "humanising' without a sequencer? Simon Trask investigates Roland's latest beat box and a selection of sound cards.

(But Were Too Afraid To Ask!)

PART 11: Martin Russ explains how he overcame some puzzling MIDI problems on a Kawai R50 drum machine, and takes a SysEx eyes' view of the Alesis DataDisk.

A nostalgic look back at 1985 by the people who bring E&MM to you each month. Was it really that bad?

The story of a CD

Not many people would have the courage to give up a lucrative career in the jingles business in order to record and release their own CD. But that's precisely what Simon Renouf has done, and this is his story...

Digital Quality — Analogue Feel

Roland's acclaimed S770 sampler has been quietly growing in popularity, and the release of version 2.0 software and the floppy drive-only S750 should ensure that Roland samplers become still more popular. Wilf Smarties explains why.

Fender Facts

The true story, told at last!

"...comes back from Hammersmith."

What we saw at the big fair, including famous gear and famous people.

FRANKFURT REPORT

Trade shows often make the best stage for unveiling new equipment - did this year's Frankfurt show witness any revolutions? Simon Trask brings the news from Germany.

Vintage technology strikes back

Collector’s corner - including the A to Z of Analogue

A History of Wind Synthesizers

Could the wind of change be upon us? MIDI has already given guitarists and drummers the means to control electronic sounds, and the launch of the Akai and Yamaha wind controllers now allows woodwind and brass players to join in. John L. Walters takes a general look at the historical development of wind synthesizers, and the Akai and Yamaha products in particular.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly at Frankfurt's Musical Fiesta

Five pages of glorious colour on the exhibition to end all exhibitions - the annual Frankfurt Musik Messe. Dan Goldstein comes hotfoot from Germany to report on the latest developments on the hi-tech music scene. And there are a lot of them.

Learn to read the future in these pages...

News from the cutting edge of music and multimedia technology

Could You Be A Guitar Tech?

The CDP is a non profit-making co-operative formed by a group of professional composers and researchers at York University, whose intention was to create an affordable personal workstation — a ‘desktop IRCAM’ - on which to run powerful synthesis and signal processing programs. Richard Dobson reveals the power of this Atari ST-based system.

The Musical Instrument Digital Interface has revolutionised the way we write and record music. Martin Russ delves deep into MIDI's 10-year history, explains its many recent changes and additions, and looks ahead to see what the future will hold.

BMF REPORT

The excessive heat in London's Olympia gave the latest hi-tech gear a run in the "who's hottest" stakes at this year's British Music Fair. Simon Trask sweats it out.

special preview of the all-important Olympia equipment show-your best chance to see the latest in instrument technology

An interview with Edgar Froese and Christoph Franke during their recent UK tour

An interview with Edgar Froese and Christoph Franke, concert report and music pull-out "Choronzon" from the 'Exit' LP.

Sounds, samples, & software upgrades for the modern studio

New software, updates, sounds, and samples

The pick of 1983's equipment releases.

unbeatable coverage of all the new gear at the year's most important instrument show. Don't buy ANYTHING until you've read it.

A glimpse of the equipment you could well be buying in the forthcoming year