Pitch-to-MIDI conversion without the complication of a free-standing conversion unit; Simon Trask finds new freedom in Casio's guitar controller.

Master Keyboard Controller

Two new master keyboards from Elka change Deborah Parisi's mind about the merits of silent keyboards.

Guitarcheck

Plug in, lean back, legs apart — and sound like an accordionist. Tony Mills taxes the axe

Clive Grace reviews KCS - One of the most transported sequencer packages around.

Software for the Atari ST

Coupled with its success, the digital parameter access-editing of Kawai's K1 synthesiser has made it an obvious target for software editors - like these from Dr Ts, Soundbits, Drumware and Steinberg. Vic Lennard looks on.

MIDI Digital Delay

Somehow, it had to be Yamaha who'd be first to put MIDI on a digital delay. The possibilities are endless, claims Paul White.

Roland JV880 Synth Module

Using Sequencers with Modular Systems

More about modular sequencing and the effects it can be used for. Steve Howell educates.

The Musical Micro

Tony Mills gets up to Yankee panky with some Stateside software

Ideally every synth and sampler editor would allow you to edit sounds while your sequencer is running. One that does is this desk accessory for the Atari ST. Vic Lennard opens the box.

For the DX7II

Grey Matter Response's E! expansion for the DX7 virtually gave it the power of the DX7II; E! for the DX7II represents another quantum leap in DX capability. Chris Many checks it out.

Software for Apple Macintosh

Now some five years old, MOTU's Performer Mac sequencing software has undergone a series of significant upgrades. Kendall Wrightson boots up version 3.2.

By way of introduction to better coverage of recording studios and the technology within them, we look at the current state of the recording art and report from London's recent APRS studio show.

Anatek SMP16 MIDI/Audio Patchbay

Of all the instruments that became popular in the heyday of the "big synth" a few years back, Roland's Jupiter 8 has stood the test of time the best. Tim Goodyer, a self-confessed JP8 addict, explains why.

Leading light in the world of Dr T. Al Hospers talks exclusively to John Renwick about future developments in the range

John Harris subjects this Japanese rack to the English inquisition.

Flying in the face of fashion, Oberheim's new Matrix-6 polysynth utilises traditional analogue voicing and offers some of the most powerful and versatile sounds around. Keyboards man Paul Wiffen checks out its pedigree.

Part 4: Martin Russ looks at how mapping can help in traversing the MIDI jungle.

SMPTE Sync/MIDI + Audio Patchbay/Mac Interface

Combining MIDI and audio patchbay functions and putting them under software control could be an important studio breakthrough. Ian Waugh looks at the SMP16 and studio sophistication.

interface for the Macintosh

This new interface could be just the ticket for Mac users.