Alesis Midiverb 4

The reverb that never dies

Simon Trask hits the bottom once more

MIDI Keyboard Controllers

As MIDI equipment becomes more and more sophisticated, the job of a MIDI controller keyboard becomes more and more demanding. Simon Trask takes the A train with Roland's latest MIDI controllers.

Organ Synthesiser Module

Another contender for the recently-reinstated Hammond Drawbar crown comes in a single rack space. Gordon Reid organises his thoughts.

ART RXR Elite

Programmable reverb

Percussion Voice Expander

Nick Rowland takes sticks to Simmons pads - and finds a whole load of tuned percussion sounds appearing at the other end. Will drummers start putting xylophonists out of work?

Zoom 9120 Advanced Sound Environment Processor

From the company that brought you effects units you could wear, comes a very serious reverb processor — that you can't wear!

Creating music on a computer

Yamaha's QX1 Sequencer, KX88 Master Keyboard, TX816 Modules

Yamaha's professional FM sequencer master keyboard and FM modules.

Roland XP-50

Well-equipped new workstation

Universal Patch Editor for Atari ST

Following on from the success of the Trackman sequencing software, Hollis Research have released a universal patch editor and librarian for the Atari ST. Ian Waugh finds the universe at his fingertips.

Lexicon LXP5 Multi-Effects Processor

Following the release of their acclaimed 'budget' LXP1 reverb, Lexicon have extended their presence in the affordable digital effects market with the LXP5 multi-effects unit. Dave Lockwood feels the quality.

Programmable MIDI Patchbay

When your MIDI setup starts to look more like NASA's mission control than a music studio, a MIDI patchbay is essential. Vic Lennard tests one of the best.

MIDI FX Controller

Programming Lexicon FX units has never been easier, thanks to this upgraded version of their remote control. And what do you know? Nicholas Rowland, not Top Cat, is the most effectual. Lexicon’s LXP-5 FX module gets the one-over too

Another crop of readers' own synth sounds. This month's featured instruments: the original DX7, the Casio CZ, the Ensoniq ESQ1 and the venerable Korg MS20 monosynth.

The PPG Wave was one of the most powerful synths of the early Eighties, but it died a death along with so many other dinosaurs. Now its particular method of wavetable synthesis lives again in an entirely new rack expander, which combines the best of the Wave's original audio architecture with full MIDI control. Paul Ireson learns how to cook better sounds, faster.

Accessorycheck

More preset voices for FM fans. Curtis Schwartz takes his ROMs home

Could this be the ideal keyboard for computer musicians? John Renwick finds out

Performance Signal Processor

Now that multi-effects processors are all the rage, Korg go one better by producing a unit which allows you to add extra effects via ROM cards. Vic Lennard discovers the advantages of open-ended signal processing.

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.

The final disc in the Zero-G Datafile series joins Coldcut's Kleptomania in the growing library of sample CDs - Tim Goodyer checks them out, while Andy Neve loads The Sound Foundation's programming efforts into his Roland MKS70 in this month's Patchwork.

Sample Player

More About MIDI

Our education correspondent gives a simple yet comprehensive guide to how MIDI can help in any studio.

Who wants a programmable modular mixer and three-band sweep EQ system that offers full MIDI control of channel routing/muting and all fits neatly into a 19-inch rack? "I do!" shouts Paul Gilby. Read why...