Martin Russ breaks off from his 20th century studies way in the future to report on some alternative goings-on which may soon materialise in the form of a new generation of powerful sampling synthesizers.

Software for the Atari ST

The first release from a British company called System Exclusive is a 128-track sequencer for the Atari ST. Simon 'ST Trask (and his assistant, 'Mouse') find it both powerful and flexible.

Programming your own DX sounds is not so difficult when there's someone to guide you. Kevin Stratton, product specialist with Yamaha USA, explains how to create vocal-like sounds and reverb with this FM synthesizer.

Yamaha's family of synths and expanders has a new member: a module counterpart to the SY22 keyboard. Nigel Humberstone celebrates the happy event.

Multi-fx Processor

In their efforts to establish their signal processors as strongly in the UK as they have in the States, ART can't seem to bring out enough effects units. Nigel Lord evaluates the ART with aspirations to be number one.

The Turnkey Shop

This month's Billy Punter mutter courtesy of the Turnkey Shop

Siel DK80

Siel's new synth - one of the attention grabbers at this year's Frankfurt show.

They've been a mainstay of electronic music for over 20 years, they're less expensive than ever before, and they still make sounds the digital machines can't. Analogue synthesizers have been receiving some digital assistance of late, but at heart they're still analogue synthesizers - and if you want to make them perform magic, you need to speak their language. Craig Anderton is your interpreter...

Matching

A more theoretical approach this month, with an explanation of cable impedance matching.

What's new in the world of the Micro Musician

The French answer to the MSQ100? A polyphonic sequencer with comprehensive interfacing facilities, and a few tricks up its sleeve gets the treatment from 'le docteur' Simon Trask.

Analogue-to-MIDI converter

The first of its kind to appear on the UK market, the Digi-Atom is a CV-to-MIDI converter that allows old analogue equipment to be used in conjunction with new MIDI gear. Paul White again.

Alesis MIDIfex

Hot on the heels of the remarkable MIDIverb, the MIDIfex takes reverb-derived sound treatments a step further, while retaining a low price-tag. Paul White has the details.

Roland JV1000 Music Workstation

Does Roland's flagship workstation live up to its promise?

Part 3 of the 8-track At Home review by Nobby Line

All the Fun of the Fair

What's new in the way of equipment including the latest from the Frankfurt show.

More and more mixer manufacturers are waking up to the benefits MIDI can offer in a mixdown situation by incorporating MIDI-controlled muting on their products. Engineer/musician David Mellor checks out what the PC can do.

Oberheim Cyclone and Systemizer Performance Effects

Oberheim's two Performance Effects units are something of a new direction for a company associated with classic analogue synths. Paul Ireson tries them out and finds a few surprises in store - not all of them pleasant.

Mark Jenkins auditions the latest 16-bit stereo digital reverb with Performance MIDI.

Yamaha SPX990 20-Bit Digital Multi Effects

We put the first affordable 20-bit processor through its paces.

The price guide to beat all price guides continues with a rundown of available sequencers, software packages and computer music systems.

Darrin Williamson takes an advance peek at Micro Illusions Amiga MIDI package