(Sometimes)

Just as MIDI has made it as easier to produce great music, so it has facilitated the production of worthless garbage. Paul D. Lehrman explains the problem and how to avoid it.

The program that can turn your sampler into a synthesiser has added an FM synthesis string to its bow, yet doesn't promise to be a DX replacement. Mac addict Chris Meyer takes a look.

Digital Multi-effects Processor

Following the success of their Midiverbs and Microverbs, Alesis have developed a unit capable of providing no less than four audio treatments simultaneously. Ian Waugh practices his four-play.

Keith Barr, the driving force behind Alesis isn't renowned for his willingness to talk to the press so we are pleased to be able to bring you this exclusive interview.

Selected releases

MIDI Drum Pad

A clever pad-to-MIDI converter takes some stick from Matt Isaacson. A blow-by-blow account.

Wireless MIDI Piggyback

Tired of being tied down by MIDI cables? With the aid of a radio mic system, MIDIman's unique TransMIDI lets you transmit MIDI data over the airwaves. Paul Ireson gets a taste of freedom.

MOTU Performer

The Mac sequencer in its latest incarnation

Dave Simpson concludes the saga of Thatched Cottage Studio and how it came about.

Improving Your MIDI Environment

Martin Russ concludes his discussion of MIDI environments with an in-depth look at how to create your own profiles in X-Or and Galaxy.

What happens when you press your sequencer's "stop" button and why does such a simple operation sometimes cause so much trouble? Vic Lennard offers a few troubleshooting tips and reveals that there's probably more to it than you think.

Portable Keyboard

Budget polysynth or home organ accessory? Casio attempt to find another gap in the market with Spectrum Distortion synthesis. Nicholas Rowland finds it's not too far from old-fashioned analogue.

Take Note Music

A music shop which only sells one product — and it isn't an instrument? Well, not quite, as Billy Punter Takes Note...

Sampler

It's nearly three years since Ensoniq struck it rich with the Mirage sampler. Simon Trask previews Ensoniq's new sampler and asks "can they repeat their success with the EPS?"

Synthcheck

Small, digital and reviewed by Curtis Schwartz

Korg Wavestation A/D

Korg add new samples, a vocoder and a pair of audio inputs to their highly acclaimed Advanced Vector synthesizer, and put the result in a rack. Kendall Wrightson says the Wavestation A/D is a TV/film composer's dream machine.

Gasp at the very latest instruments to hit the street plus sneak previews of tomorrow's guitars in Tony Bacon's deadline report from the Frankfurt trade fair.

It's been a while since Yamaha revolutionised synthesisers with the DX7 but now they're making ambitious claims about their SY77. Simon Trask gets a glimpse of Yamaha's latest synth.

delay/chorus/flanger in one

Pollution

Martin Russ worries about software pollution and wonders if we can look forward to 'green' software.

Yet another selection of recently announced new products to whet your appetite!