Back in 1985, Propaganda made an astonishing debut with 'Dr. Mabuse' and the classic album 'A Secret Wish'. After years of silence, a split with ZTT records, and the departure of three-quarters of the original line-up, Michael Mertens is back with a new-look Propaganda, and feeds the party line to Nigel Humberstone.

Hints, Tips & News From The World Of Music Software

More hints and tips from the world of music software.

David Mellor straps on his vintage Stratocaster and plugs into the effects unit of the future.

who does it where to whom and with what

Programmable Polysynth with Sequencer

The Californians introduce a followup to the inventive but mixed-bag SixTrak. Simon Trask checks it out.

Hints, Tips & News From The World Of Music Software

This month, helpful hints for users of Steinberg and Dr. T's software.

The marriage between MIDI and SMPTE is now complete, but the burning question remains: how will musicians and engineers benefit from it? Chris Meyer traces the link from its source to its users.

Shredder goes to New Orleans for hot news from America's major instrument show... scoop

Hugh Padgham has worked with some of the best contemporary artists - The Police, Genesis, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates, and Phil Collins, to name but a few - and has earned his place in the recording industry history books through his sensitive, innovative, and inspired sound engineering and production work. How did he do it? Brian Jacobs finds out...

Ben Duncan goes through one of his phases...

Having been out of the limelight for a while, Robin has again donned his producer's cap and set to work with new artists 3AM and Robin Clark. Here he talks of his involvement with them and his attitude to the home recording revolution.

Looking for an editor to help you plumb the depths of your LA sounds? David Hughes uncovers a real gem of a program for the Atari ST that makes light work of editing Roland D10, D20, and D110 synths, and can even be used with the MT32.

Lock your sequencer to audio and video with a little help from Chris Smith's definitive guide

Worth its weight in microphones and Gaffa tape.

Software for the Atari ST

Tired of using pencil and paper to write out your music? Fancy a hi-tech fix for your next composition? Ian Waugh scores a line (or five) with a new graphics-based music notation package from French company SARO.

Ian Gilby reviews a truly ingenious programmable patchbay that takes all the hard workout of MIDI equipment routing in the studio - the Sycologic M16 MIDI Matrix.

Paul White and Dan Goldstein on how to beat the problems of venturing into a professional studio for the first time. If you’re new to recording, the advice is unmissable.

Behind The Design Of The Soundcraft DC2000 Moving Fader Console

Digital Drum Machine

Following hard on the heels of the R100, this junior beat box from Kawai threatens to outshine its big brother, as Simon Trask finds out.

A self-contained analogue drum synth from ultimate Percussion.

8-Track Tape Recorder

Since its dramatic drop in price, the C278 is an attractive proposition to the private user who puts quality before frills.

A survey of trendsetters

Synthcheck

Paul Fishman goes to town on Crumar's new baby

Keyboard Technique

Helpful hints to improve your keyboard technique.

M.P.C. Percussion Roundup

The MPC percussion system: DSM1/2; DSM 8 Auto Tom; DSM 32 x 4 drum synth; Programmers Rhythm Sequencer.