What makes one recording engineer better than another, and how can you improve your recording engineering skills? In this introduction to a new series on recording techniques, David Mellor outlines an engineer's role in the studio, and explains why a good engineer is so important.

Studiomaster P7 Multitrack Mixing Console

Studiomaster have at last entered the in-line console fray with this well-specified and attractively-priced desk. RM checks it out.

Yamaha to the Fore: 4-Track Examined

Sony DTC M100

David Mellor compares the new Sony DTC M100 Digital Audio Tape recorder with the studio industry standard - the Sony DTC 1000ES.

Once More for the Viewers at Home

The Rebis RA226 Sampler gets the H&SR treatment.

Southlands Studio

Paul Ireson goes in search of paradise and finds it in the newly renamed and refitted Southlands Studio in Chiswick, London.

Protecting Your Home Studio

A little inside information, courtesy of the local police, could help prevent you losing your treasured equipment to thieves.

Zoo TV

MT goes backstage at U2's multimedia spectacular and discovers the technical realities behind Eno and the band's vision. Engineer Dave Lemmink unveils the system that redefines stadium rock

The techno punk duo on U2, sampling theft, virtual reality, CDI, and getting the machines to rock.

It's the most oft-quoted specification of them all, yet frequency response is also one of the most confusing aspects of music machine performance. Paul White reveals the facts behind the figures.

Shure & Beyer Headset Mikes

4-track Recorder/Mixer

Preset/Programmable Digital Drum Machine

Technics attempt to marry the home-organ drum machine and the digital percussion computer. Success or failure? Dan Goldstein tells all.

Using System Exclusive Bulk Dumps

Have you ever wished you could save your SPX90 effects programs to disk or into your MIDI sequencer for instant recall at the right point in your music? Using the power of MIDI’s System Exclusive Bulk Dump commands, Mike Collins explains how it can be done.

EQ Tutorial

Perfecting your sound with a little equalisation

Father of the electric guitar, inventor of multitrack recording, Les talks about his life and his work.

In the concluding part of our in-depth interview with this French-Canadian engineer/producer, Mark Prendergast discovers how Lanois recorded the 'So' album with Peter Gabriel and more about his co-production with Brian Eno of U2's 'The Joshua Tree' and 'Unforgettable Fire' LPs.

Richard Buskin looks back at the illustrious past of the world's most famous studio and discovers why Abbey Road has remained a front-runner for so long.

Although still very young, keyboard player Guy Fletcher has a long list of album/single credits already under his belt for such artists as Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger and Dire Straits. Paul Gilby finds out how Guy landed such plum roles and learns more about the way Dire Straits make use of music technology in their recording.

A professional quality mixer for live or studio use at an astounding price. Suitable for 8-track, 4-track and stereo recording.

TAC Bullet Console

Is TAC's versatile Bullet a new big gun in the compact console market? Dave Lockwood reports.