Studio or stage? As technology advances, the traditional distinction between "recording technology" and "keyboard technology" becomes more and more confused - as this years recording show displayed. Report by Simon Trask.

Passport AudioTrax

MIDI and hard disk recording on the Mac for only £260? It sounds too good to be true, but Paul Wiffen pinches himself and finds he is awake!

A deity speaks

Penguin Cafe Orchestra

Obscure orchestra leader, Simon Jeffes intrigues Paul Tingen with stories of self-discovery in Japan, and finding music in one note.

Arranging sheet music

Trevor Horn considered

Asia's illustrious keyboard player

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

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...

Steve Cogan takes time out to talk to the members of Yen

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.

Parts Cost Guide £28

Optional Meter Bridge for the ElectroMix 842

Software for the Atari ST

Son of TDM's Virtuoso ST sequencing software, the budget Prodigy retains many of its parent's best features. Ian Waugh checks out the fastest little sequencer in the west.

The Friendly Face of FM

Yamaha’s FM-based synths have incorporated more and more ‘easy editing' features of late in an attempt to make FM synthesis accessible to a broader spectrum of potential users. Yamaha's latest synth, the YS200, takes this approach even further with the inclusion of onboard digital effects, an 8-track sequencer, and large controls! Martin Russ looks at FM in a different guise.

A look at the latest in digital delay - that can be triggered by rhythm machine.

The continuing story of Francis Vincent Zappa who, out on the road with a rock band for the first time in weeks, relates to one Ralph Denyer just how musicians get their action.

We highlight three recording studios that place the emphasis on music hardware rather than expensive recording equipment: in order of price, East London Community Studio, Hollow Sun, and Computer Music Studios.

An Electro-Music Transcription by Mike Beecher

A fully-detailed transcript of Magnetic Fields Part II including instructions on how to perform the piece.

Still suffering from a dearth of software, the powerful Acorn Archimedes computer has yet to gain acceptance in music circles - will this sequencer help it on its way? Ian Waugh checks it out.

Digital 8-Track Recorder

composing with technology

Software for the Atari ST

The software catalogue for the Atari ST continues to grow. Ian Waugh checks out a sequencer package that may give Steinberg and Hybrid Arts serious competition.

Micon Audio LMTC Synchroniser

Micon Audio's LMTC Processor Controller Synchroniser does for owners of Tascam multitracks what the MTC1 did for Fostex users: integrates multitrack recorder control into the sequencer environment. Dave Lockwood gets that syncing feeling once more.

talk the best of

Samplitude

Budget direct-to-disk recording for PC