IM again breaks new ground — this time with a discussion about amplification between a guitarist, a soundman and an amp manufacturer.

Never mind avoiding presets and programming your own patches... how about rebuilding the whole damn synth? Richard James - aka Polygon Window, Caustic Window, Diceman, Soit PP, Blue Calx, AFX and The Aphex Twin - isn’t happy with his hardware till he’s had the toolbox to it. Phil Ward enters the twilight zone of the lad from Cornwall who’s spearheading the ambient onslaught.

Our final modification to this inexpensive 'pressure zone microphone' makes the unit suitable for more professional applications.

Studios & Recording

Moving upmarket? David Pickering Pick presents this user report on Allen & Heath's Saber console.

Another month's worth of hot products.

Lion Rock’s main man and individualist deckmaster

This month's overview of all the new products worth adding to your Christmas list!

Etcetera

Another low-cost digital reverb from Alesis, a SMPTE/EBU to MIDI event synchroniser, new DX ROM/RAM cartridges, and a visual editor for Akai's S900 sampler are all amongst the forthcoming crop of new products.

Digital Signal Processor

The latest signal processor from Yamaha may be aimed primarily at guitarists but the small studio owner might prefer to look at it as an adaptation of the SPX90. Rick Davies finds out it has a few new twists as well as a slimline price tag.

The IC voltage amps

Noise Problems

Just when you thought noise was a thing of the past... Gremlins are back - in a studio near you.

News from the front

good news bad news

This hardware/software system attempts to bring the sophistication of automated mixing to your existing recording setup. Chris Many put his feet up and lets the machines do the work.

Digital Space Echo

When Roland made the most popular tape echo unit in the world they called it Space Echo - now they've revived it in digital form. Gordon Reid listens to echoes from the past.

Thomas Dolby explains his new strategy

Steinberg Cubase Score Sequencing & Score Printing Software For Macintosh

Glimpse some of the forthcoming and recently released new products from the hi-tech and recording fields.

Dual Reverberation Devices

Sneak Preview

Next year's new gear - Mag gives sneak preview

Gallien-Krueger's micro monsters

Studio Test

Jim Betteridge enthuses, or could it really be John Bull

first part in a guide to successful monitoring of your on-stage sound