Ray Staff - Disc Cutting Engineer at Trident Studios.

An essential part of a release you can be proud of is a good master tape — and today's sophisticated equipment means that you may be able to do at home what was once the province of mastering studios. Craig Anderton explains.

Accessit Exciter

Aural Excitement on a budget.

Why isn't everybody happy with 16-bit sampling? Why are 20 bits better than 16? Kendall Wrightson looks at the technology in the latest generation of analogue-to-digital convertors.

Already assured their place in history for inventing the Portastudio, Tascam have also given us a one-inch 24-track machine and now the "Midistudio'. Tim Goodyer visits Japan to find out more about this revolutionary company.

Hi-Fi Video

An overview of a new generation of band-friendly hi fi video

The System

In this month's system feature, we focus on sequencing with a human touch: DX7 and SH101 in perfect harmony.

Equipment

Tascam 238S 8-Track

Dave Lockwood checks out the first ever Dolby S cassette multitracker in this exclusive review.

Guest producer Sadia joins the ongoing 'digital vs analogue' debate.

National Sound Archive

Where can you go to listen to your selection of over one million records and tapes, old and new? Read David Etheridge's revealing article on the NSA to find out...

Fostex Model 20

Who needs a 3-track mastering machine? Fostex think you do so read all about the Model 20.

Conclusion

The Teac 80-8 tape machine, Tascam Model 5 mixer and dbx DX-8 noise-reduction unit: last month we examined them individually, this month we look at them in combination.

Mike Collins investigates the magic behind Enigma Studios, a MIDI-based recording facility in London's East End.

Portastudio Review

Gary Cooper records his verdict

Personal Multitracker

The intrepid Nicholas Rowland continues his search for the ultimate in personal multitrackers; armed only with a blank cassette and a bedroom's worth of gear, he tackles Tascam's latest budget baby.

Wireless MIDI Piggyback

Tired of being tied down by MIDI cables? With the aid of a radio mic system, MIDIman's unique TransMIDI lets you transmit MIDI data over the airwaves. Paul Ireson gets a taste of freedom.

Microvox Mimic Digital Sound Editor

High-spec sampler for the CBM 64

Are they a viable and cheap alternative to Eqs in the studio. Curtis Schwartz takes a look at a cross section of products available

Teac V-700

Teac's cassette deck - demo quality?

Vince Clarke reveals trade secrets.