It's called a studio; it could be called a workstation; but actually it's a serious keyboard. Nicholas Rowland identifies a product with several possible identities and several possible markets. Have Ensoniq weighted in vain?

Yamaha's new MIDI datafiler currently enjoys the honour of being the cheapest of its kind on the market. Ian Waugh gets on with the filing.

MIDI Merge Box

Two into one will go...

How do you learn your favourite songs? Sheet music? Records? Tapes? No way, Jose. Today's musician uses MIDI song files. David Hughes reviews songs-on-disk from hands on MIDI software.

MIDI Merger

From the humble origins of their Pocket Merge, Anatek have refined a powerful eight-way MIDI merging system that could become essential to the serious MIDI studio. Vic Lennard merges with the elite.

(Sometimes)

Just as MIDI has made it as easier to produce great music, so it has facilitated the production of worthless garbage. Paul D. Lehrman explains the problem and how to avoid it.

MIDI Patch Transmitter

This latest add-on for the popular MIDIVERB and MIDIFEX lets you control the effect patch selection remotely by hand. Tony Hastings wishes he had thought of the idea first.

Computercheck

"Wow! Space Invaders!" says Jeremy Vine. Naff off, I'm a fully musical MIDI-capable micro, says the 520ST.

Mark of the Unicorn's first piece of hardware is a combined 8x8 MIDI interface/network and smpte synchroniser for the Apple Macintosh. Kendall Wrightson investigates.

The unique demands on the BBC Radiophonic Workshop have placed it in the forefront of developments in high technology music. Their latest development- a new style of MIDI suite - is an innovation not only in terms of the technology that's employed, but also in the geography’ of the working environment. Richard Elen takes an exclusive first look at the new studio.

MIDI-To-CV Convertor

Kenton Electronics are well-known for their quality internal MIDI retrofits for analogue synths. Paul Ireson gets converted to their new stand-alone MIDI-to-CV interface.

Why they won't work and how they do

MIDI mergers - can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. Don Erskine looks at the uses and misuses of mergers and concludes that two into one will go.

MIDI Saxophone

The latest MIDI wind controller comes from Switzerland and uses a conventional sax body. Michael Andreas checks out the traditionalists' alternative.

Last month we explained the development and requirements of VCA-based mixer automation systems. This month, Graham Hinton scrutinises three retrofittable automation systems - the Twister PAC, MegaMix, and J.L. Cooper MidiMation - and asks 'How good are they?'

MIDI Keyboard Controller

'Walk tall, walk straight and look the world right in the eye' - as Val Doonican once said. Now you can with Roland's portable MIDI keyboard controller, designed for those with a severe case of guitar envy. Nicholas Rowland discusses the angle of the dangle

Midi File Converter

Roland's MRM500 software offers unprecedented file compatibility between software sequencers and their MC-series sequencers. Vic Lennard asks if it's too good to be true.

Disk Recorder / Sequencer

Mark Jenkins gets to grips with this unassuming dual channel MIDI sequencer from the States and unearths some interesting facts...

MIDI Interface

Famed for playing its part in the MIDI Chapman Stick, IVL's pitch-to-MIDI system is now opening the world of MIDI to the pedal steel player. Vic Lennard picks his words.

MIDI Patchbay

Audio Architecture's Function Junction range of MIDI patchbays offers up to 16 x 64 MIDI routing with MIDI merging, sophisticated MIDI processing and mother keyboard emulation. Kendall Wrightson investigates.

MIDI Foot Controller

With both hands fully occupied on stage it seems a shame to use your feet for nothing but standing on; Rick Davies tries using his for controlling MIDI equipment.

MIDI Mixer

MIDI has been slowly creeping into mixing desks for some time now, but this American mixer goes all the way. Vic Leonard mixes with MIDI.

The amazing musical instrument interface

Macintosh Midi Interface

For those with large MIDI setups, 16 channels just isn't enough; Opcode's Studio 5 offers the Mac muso up to 240 independent channels, plus MIDI patchbay and processing facilities. Mike Collins approves.

Digital Metronome

Heard the one about the silent metronome? Simon Trask investigates a MIDI-driven metronome that uses light instead of sound to keep you to the beat.