Frankfurt Review

Hot news on hot products.

American noise merchants mellowing out

Thomas Dolby is back after a four year break, without the mad professor image but with an excellent new album in Astronauts & Heretics, his most personal recording to date. Paul Tingen spoke to him about the long road from solo synthesist to globe-trotting collaborator.

Chas de Whalley encounters his old pal Huey Lewis to discuss the merits of self-production

Two software packages that offer a generic approach to sound creation on Yamaha's four-operator FM synths. Ian Waugh boots up Dr T's 4-Op Deluxe and the Soundbits 4X4.

Processor

Philip Bashe and Don McLeese stop a lone Stone stateside

Gary Cooper asks embarrassing questions. Dan Smith (Fender's Guitar Chief) has the answers — or has he?

Keith Emerson On Korg. Gordon Giltrap On MIDI Guitars Peter Oxendale On Sampling

From their initial sampled success with 'E=mc2' Big Audio Dynamite have gone on to further explore the use of dialogue and sound effects in pop music. David Bradwell talks technology and photography with keyboardsman Dan Donovan.

Music Computer and Software

1984's most eagerly-awaited electronic music product is finally making its way into dealers' showrooms. David Ellis has been taking a look at the micro itself, Yamaha's exclusive FM sound chip, the controlling keyboard and the first batch of software.

Forsaking guitars and drums for a wall of keyboards and racked modules, Sub Sub turned a home studio into a hit factory. ‘Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use)’ peaked at Number 3 and took everyone by surprise - except Phil Ward, who heard the single pre-release and contacted the band immediately.

His time with Rainbow, Whitesnake and Ozzy Osbourne has made Don Airey a rock institution (rather than putting him in one). Tim Goodyer talks to him about music and machinery.

The art of packing high tech facilities into micro musical instruments is reaching a peak. We take a look at some of the latest innovations to emerge and a few that we can hope to see in 1984.

John Harris subjects this Japanese rack to the English inquisition.

All the news you can eat. And then some

Mac Audio Utility

While most musicians flounder attempting to play one instrument, Phil Collins has his cake and eats it. Tony Horkins pieces together the multiple talents and discovers the complete musician

Hundreds of affordable and useful gift ideas for the musically minded. Indispensable reading for the Santa Claus in your life

Talks guitars, amps and playing to Tony Bacon

Chas de Whalley gets down with the Scottish Sultan of Soul, Steve Harvey

the music papers and how to get your name into them

When you come across a hi-tech band who won't even use commercial synths for fear of being imitated, they must have something special to protect. Simon Trask pays a visit to Leeds to check out the mysterious Nightmares on Wax.

It's a knockout with Stewart/Hall