Super LA Synthesizer

The D50 was never going to be an easy act to follow, but a successor to the title of Roland's flagship has now arrived. Richard Lamont puts it to the test.

Roland SRV330 Dimensional Space Reverb

Can Roland's latest gizmo really add another dimension to your recordings?

Sound Workshop

Do you like sampled instrument sounds, but hate all of that tedious disk loading, looping and general messing about? Then you'll love Roland's new U110 sample player. Paul Ireson takes it for a spin.

MIDI Master Keyboard

Akai's new MIDI master keyboard boasts a weighted six-octave keyboard and new terminology for its features. Simon Trask decides MIDI control is more than a simple matter of feel.

Digital Drums

Intriguing cries of "hit me" from the recording studio have been traced to Yamaha's new DD11 percussion controller. Simon Trask asks, can it be beaten?

ALESIS DATADISK MIDI Data Recorder

The latest MIDI data recorder to appear is the Alesis Datafiler SysEx recorder, which allows you to record system exclusive info direct to disk. Filing with Vic Lennard.

Roland SRV2000 Reverberator

Roland's first digital reverb unit is all set to make a huge impact on the market.

More sequencing tips

A personal look at one of the few modular synths available by Ian Boddy who examines, in depth, the systems capabilities.

What do you get when you cross brilliant musicianship, technological wizardry and one of the brightest line-ups in modern jazz? Answer: Steps Ahead. Interview by Liz Rose and Leslie Fradkin.

A first hand report on the trials and joys of setting up your own electronic music studio.

Steve Howell reveals the inner secrets behind the planning stage of your home studio.

Korg DVP1 Vocoder

Korg's Digital Voice Processor is the first digital vocoder, but offers a number of other facilities as well. Tim Goodyer finds out what it has to say for itself.

Roland JX8P

Roland's JX8P poly has a number of innovatory features and sounds great. Too good to be true?

MIDI Disk Recorder

Meanwhile, Elka have called their CR99 a MIDI Disk Recorder rather than a MIDI sequencer. Vic Lennard goes on record with a MIDI sequencer with a few surprises up its sleeve.

Performer 3.5

Following hot on the heels of their MIDI Time Piece, Mark of the Unicorn release a major upgrade to Performer, the world's first 'professional' computer MIDI sequencer. Kendall Wrightson looks at what's new in an old favourite.

Synthesis Software

CAD meets synthesis inside the Apple Mac. Robert Rich fires up a program that allows you to design your sounds on computer before transferring them to your sampler.

RS-PCM Keyboards

Responding to the demand for accessible synthesisers, Roland's Rhodes division has come up with the first of a series of "playable" instruments. Simon Trask checks their performance.

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

How to line up your mixer and recorder for improved recordings.

Tired of scoring out your music by hand? Simon Trask investigates a computerised alternative and discovers it may try to muscle in on the composition.

TG100 and Boss DS330 Dr Synth

General MIDI sound modules from Boss and Yamaha, combining ease of use and low cost with impressive sounds.

Alesis Midifex

Now it can be told. This deceptively simple box of delay and reverb effects heralds a new era in push-button production treatments.

Oberheim Matrix 6

A six-voice version Matrix 12 for £1700? Yes, it’s true. Oberheim’s polysynth for the masses gets a rapturous welcome from a penniless Simon Trask.