Our regular monthly exploration of upcoming new products in the field of hi-tech music and recording technology.

An extended feature this month to incorporate many of the new products shown at NAMM and the Frankfurt Music Fair.

Oberheim Xk

Oberheim's first master keyboard has a load of clever facilities, but a price-tag high enough to give it some stiff competition. Simon Trask files his report.

Commodore's Amiga computer is the beneficiary of this impressive - and colourful - sequencing package. Ian Waugh welcomes the illusion.

Introducing MT's unique encyclopedia of analogue synthesisers: part 1, Akai to ARP

Noise Reduction System

There are more sources of noise in a studio than recording tape -and a noise reduction unit ought to be able to cope with all of it, right? Vic Lennard thinks he's found one that does.

Following on from last month’s praise-filled preview. Paul Ireson takes a longer, harder look at Ensoniq's new VFX synthesizer, and finds that the beauty of this machine is far more than skin-deep. Is this the synth of 1989? Read the review to find out...

Aural Training Software for Atari ST

Can you tell a minor third from a major seventh, or an augmented triad from a diminished triad? - Steinberg have a program to teach you how. Simon Trask lends an ear to a program with a difference.

Stereo Digital Sampler

If Roland's S770 super sampler presented too high a target for many of us, the S750 may be the news we've been waiting for. Simon Trask investigates the challenger to the Akai S1000 crown.

Studio Test

The portastudio that would be Nassau

They began the '80s as Japan, now they're starting over as Rain Tree Crow. Tim Goodyer catches synthesist Richard Barbieri and drummer Steve Jansen for a frank discussion of music and personalities ten years after Tin Drum.

SOS Online

Paul Gilby reports on SOS activities on the run-up to the launch of The Music Network.

Direct-to-Disk Studio System

Here's a computer-based sequencer with a difference - PROMIDI records direct-to-disk, lets you structure your music any way you please, and runs on low-cost PC compatible computers. Ian Gilby investigates...

The re-mix master at work

...while Annabel Scott listens to words of wisdom from a Transatlantic keyboardist of a very different kind - Saga's Jim Gilmour.

BMF roundup, news, chart, and studio tape listing

mother keyboard and baby modules

What's been goin' on tradeside

Frankfurt Preview

A preview of some of the products that are likely to be revealed this month at Europe's biggest music show.

FM for everyone

AN ALBUM PRODUCED ENTIRELY ON A PERSONAL COMPUTER

Part 2. Paul D. Lehrman takes up where he left off last month in his detailed description of how he recorded and digitally mastered an entire album using an Apple personal computer, the Total Music multitrack software, and a bunch of MIDI synths. Read all about it!

Jay Chapman sinks his teeth into one of the most complex and sophisticated scorewriting and sequencing programs on the market - Jim Miller's Personal Composer for PC compatible computers.