Philips DCC 900 Digital Cassette Recorder

Philips' new consumer tape format tested under studio conditions.

The Burman GX3 pre-amp — Gary Cooper hears a revolution — will he award high Marx

PART 3: What is it like to sit down at the Synclavier - the world's most expensive instrument - and create a piece of music? David Mellor finds out and tells the whole story.

A History Of Knobs

guitar controls: big ones, small ones, useful ones, icky-kacky ones...

Japanese Artist: World Musician

Despite the cult following for Yellow Magic Orchestra, collaborations with David Byrne on the Oscar-winning soundtrack to 'The Last Emperor', and a long-standing musical friendship with David Sylvian, the multi-faceted talents of Ryuichi Sakamoto are still not widely appreciated. Mark J. Prendergast attempts to rectify the situation...

Paul Gilby scrutinises the world's cheapest MIDI controlled stereo digital reverb, the MIDIVERB.

Aimed at the higher end of the market, Akai's latest reverb unit forsakes digital clarity in favour of more realistic sound treatment. Vic Lennard goes au naturel.

Simply Red: Two Shows In One

Live Music for the Hi-Tech Musician

Checking up on what's going down

Part 3 of the 8-track At Home review by Nobby Line

Learn to read the future in these pages...

A Guide to Computers and Communications for the Musician.

Believe it or not, your computer can do considerably more than just go wrong! The burgeoning world of telecommunications offers the musician access to international 'electronic mail' and 'bulletin board' systems, free music software, information databases, help and sound advice. Richard Elen begins a new series that explores how today's top musicians are taking advantage of such systems and tells how you can join in.

Effects Processor

David Hughes checks out the DSP16, the most affordable of Digitech's new crop of effects units.

Digital Piano

The piano has been plinking

The Tokyo Expo is normally a fairly low-key domestic affair, but this year several major new products were unveiled for the first time ever. Our man in Japan, Paul Wiffen, was there to report on some of the hi-tech instruments that will be vying for your money in the coming year; including Yamaha's new mega-synth, the SY77

Pete Hook — Bass Player, Songwriter and Producer

Although well known for his work as bassist with Joy Division and New Order, Pete Hook is a keen producer and owns a studio by the name of Swite 16.

Roland SRV330 Dimensional Space Reverb

Can Roland's latest gizmo really add another dimension to your recordings?

All the latest hi-tech goodies, brought to you in glorious technicolour.

Kurzweil K250

Sampling with the Kurzweil 250. Will it knock out the Fairlight?

Software and Hardware

Newer, cheaper models have brought the Apple Macintosh within the reach of an increasing number of musicians. Tim Tully presents an overview of hardware and software products for the computer that pioneered the Graphical User Interface.

Roland GR1 Guitar Synthesizer

What the world needs is a guitar synth that sounds good and behaves predictably. Does Roland's latest model pass the test?

An Active Bass Guitar

An Active Bass

How to prevent Drive Unit damage.