A large mixing console can have literally thousands of knobs and switches. David Mellor explains how to use every last one of them - almost! Part 1 of 2.

Building his career on productions of Jennifer Warnes, Malcolm McLaren and the Communards, Stephen Hague has found his greatest success with The Pet Shop Boys. David Bradwell talks shop.

Renowned best for his keyboard/synth excursions in the jazz-rock field, Dave and partner Barbara Gaskin achieved several chart hits with re-workings of classic pop songs like 'It's My Party' back in 1982. Together they are presently completing their first album for release on compact disc. David Etheridge took a look behind the scenes.

An interview with the man who helped start it all.

The saga goes on outlining the hazards that befall anyone trying to get an ounce of sense out of a record company.

MIDI Tape Recorder Interface

If the prospect of throwing your computer into the back of a Ford Transit and hauling it on stage every night fills you with dread, the new MIDIMan from Musicsoft might well be the solution.

The Old Workhorse

We take a close look at this studio stalwart in all its various forms and point out what to look for when buying one second hand.

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

An Alternative To Tape

From the analogue to the digital era, magnetic tape has been the prime production medium for recorded music for several decades. David Mellor examines new developments in recording and speculates where they might lead.

Outcast by the classical fraternity in his native Sweden, Stig Miölssön has come to Britain in search of acceptance for his revolutionary ideas. Tim Goodyer learns about cut-up classics.

the subtle differences explained

Steve Lukather talks to Steven Rosen

LUKATHER IN TOTO. Words by Steven Rosen.... Pics. (inc. front cover) by Glen La Ferman

Sandy Roberton emerges from his record collection to talk to Fred Dellar.

Recording your own music is only the first step to getting it heard; to do that, you need to deal with A&R people at record companies. Paul Tingen meets them, and discovers why so few bands succeed in impressing them.

Chris Thomas & Glyn Johns

producers Chris Thomas and Glyn Johns

Berry Gordy

Berry Gordy, boss of Motown

Making new music from old. Simon Trask talks to the musicians and DJs who made a No. 1 hit from a drum machine and other peoples' records.

The superbly produced music of Frankie Goes To Hollywood embodies the whole spirit and character of modern hi-tech recording methods. With the release of their long-awaited second album 'Liverpool', it seemed an opportune moment for Paul Gilby to discover if there is more to the band than Trevor Horn's production techniques.

Chas de Whalley talks to the other John Williams about his recent work with chart-toppers The Housemartins

Tony Horkins lays his hands on Tom, Alanna and Joe and squeezes out the technical secrets