Master Keyboard Controller

Two new master keyboards from Elka change Deborah Parisi's mind about the merits of silent keyboards.

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.

Jay Chapman sets the scene for a regular series written to help you better understand the practicalities of life with the Musical Instrument Digital Interface.

Digital Synth Module

The Wavestation A/D takes the digital and vector synthesis systems of its popular parent and adds analogue inputs. Simon Trask reports on the continued evolution of one of today's most flexible synths.

Roland's new MIDI Micro Composer, Studiomaster and TOA MIDI Mixers and Soundcraft amplifiers are viewed through the crystal ball this month.

Alesis MIDIverb

Digital reverb comes of age, in the shape of a new American unit that abandons user-programmability in favour of great-sounding presets, and does it at an incredibly low price. Paul White enthuses.

The future looks like this

Yet another sleek, black, 16-bit multi effects unit? Or does the new Roland RSP550 have something more to offer? Kendall Wrightson has the answer.

Software for the Atari ST

When it comes to sound editing on today's synth modules, there's no alternative to using a software editor. Vic Lennard explores the benefits of Steinberg's editor for the E-mu Proteus.

The Studio In A Box?

A studio in a box? Martin Russ looks at Roland's latest entry in the ongoing competition to fit the most functionality in the smallest box...

Korg Poly 800II Polysynth

Korg's popular polyphonic synthesiser gets a new coat of paint and a built-in digital delay line. Dan Goldstein finds out if it's still top of the budget synth tree.

Digital Piano

The piano has been plinking

Looking for a be-bop bass without hassle? Matt Isaacson looks at a box of bass sounds that may help you with the bottom end of your music without tying up your favourite synth or sampler.

Closer to home in West Germany, PPG are putting the finishing touches to a new computer music system that could revolutionise the way we go about programming sounds. Dan Goldstein reports.

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.

The Tokyo Expo is normally a fairly low-key domestic affair, but this year several major new products were unveiled for the first time ever. Our man in Japan, Paul Wiffen, was there to report on some of the hi-tech instruments that will be vying for your money in the coming year; including Yamaha's new mega-synth, the SY77

Frankfurt Musikmesse 1989

Rain, sub-zero temperatures and sleazy hotels - who'd go to Frankfurt if it wasn't for the trade show? Simon Trask finds more than warmth and shelter at the Musikmesse.

All the latest hi-tech goodies, brought to you in glorious technicolour.

Ex-Tangs member reveals why he’s going Japanese

MIDI has revolutionised the way we make and record music. But it has developed at such an incredible pace that it is easy to lose sight of MIDI's many benefits. In this lengthy article, Craig Anderton provides a lucid explanation of how you can make MIDI work for you - whether you have a small home studio set-up or a full-blown professional system.

a life story

Regular round-up of what's new in the world of hi-tech music and recording.

LA Synthesiser

Roland's latest keyboard combines two currently important concepts: the workstation and the company's own Linear Arithmetic synthesis. Simon Trask test drives the "multi-timbral linear synthesiser muhitrack sequencer".