The line between man and machine is blurred; today there exists an entity whose purpose is to make music. Simon Trask discovers that its sights are locked on the dance charts and it absolutely will not stop.

The man who took the credit for production on Pink Floyd's superlative 'Dark Side Of The Moon' album has since had ten years of album success with his own creation: The Alan Parsons Project. Richard Elen managed to track him down to London's Mayfair Studios, to discuss the appliance of music technology in his recordings.

Keyboard player Tony Banks has been the foundation stone of Genesis' music for almost two decades now but has not experienced the same level of success in his work outside Genesis as past and present members of the band, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Peter Gabriel. With two solo albums and numerous film scores behind him, Banks is set to bounce back into the limelight with a fresh, new solo project. Brian Jacobs poses the questions...

'Can you benefit from something that doesn't make a noise?' asks Paul Gilby in his in-depth review of this interesting MIDI trigger device from the pioneers of the electronic drum. It might not generate sounds of its own but this unit certainly makes possible some marvellous effects when MIDI'd up to synthesizers. Check it out.

Dave Lockwood reviews this aptly named add-on audio triggering unit for C-Lab's highly popular Creator/Notator sequencing system.

Asia's illustrious keyboard player

In a rare interview, Asia's illustrious keyboard player talks synths, samplers and Mellotrons with David Etheridge.

Songwriter/musician Nick Graham gets to grips with the MC500

Multi-sampling & Overdubbing

Keyboard programmer Paul Wiffen draws to a close his popular series on the merits of sampling techniques with a close look at two means of extending your sample playback range.

Magneto-optical Disk Recorder

Akai's DD1000 Magneto-optical recorder applies state-of-the-art technology to four-track dedicated digital editing. Vic Lennard sees the light at the end of the sample.

Dead or Alive's Tim Lever surrounds himself with new technology as the band prepare for world domination. Tim Goodyer gets the word on writing, recording and performing.

A mixer from Simmons? Why not? The application of MIDI control to audio mixers is resulting in a radical departure from traditional designs, as Tony Hastings found out when he road-tested the SPM8:2 recently.

Yamaha QX7 sequencer / TX7 expander

The latest additions to Yamaha's 'X' range - the QX7 keyboard recorder and TX7 expander look to be some of the most interesting yet.

In which sir Richard loses a band but begins a solo career, and applies his multifarious talents to the world of commercials. He also has a voice like a Nightingale (when the tapes are speeded up sufficiently). All this and more...

As Britain’s brightest electro-poppers climb back up the charts against all the odds, Tim Goodyer talks to Larry Steinbachek about beat, music composition on a QX1, and facing the world with a new voice.

A Series By Warren Cann

This month we look at the importance of backing up data, and explain how to produce more authentic drum patterns.

Felton Pilate's success spans "traditional" funk to the rap revolution - just now he's writing, producing and playing keys for Hammer. Nick Batzdorf raps tech with the Hammer man.

Keyboard composer/player and leader of Hungary's top rock band, LGT

'Brotherhood' by New Order

Sound On Sound's record review with a difference! Mark Prendergast begins the first of a regular feature that talks about and to the people responsible for one of the more interesting vinyl releases around. This month: 'Brotherhood' by New Order.

One of the seventies' most original instrumental bands, Jade Warrior almost ceased to exist four years ago. Now a new album and some rare live appearances look like reestablishing them for good. Interview by Dan Goldstein.

Rhythm Workstation

The drum machine's reply to the keyboard workstation is Korg's S3 Rhythm Workstation. Simon Trask looks at the first of a new breed of drum machine, sequencer and effects processor.

An eponymous debut single took Living in a Box high in the singles charts. In a rare interview with this publicity-shy band, Tim Goodyer found technology an essential part of their success.

In the '70s, Can paved the way for a generation of experimental electronic musicians. Simon Trask talks to Holger Czukay and Michael Karoli amidst the CD rerelease of their entire back-catalogue and a new LP for '89.

CTS Studio 4

Simon Trask spends a day in the shadow of Wembley Stadium, visiting a new dedicated keyboard studio successfully functioning within the confines of an established studio complex.