Roland GR09

Down-to-earth guitar synth

The place where MT readers exchange synth sounds with their fellow programmers; this month's featured instruments include the Akai AX73, the EMS AKS, and the Ensoniq ESQ1. Plus an assessment of storing sound data on CD.

Akai MIDI Programmable Patchbay

Ian Gilby reckons that before long every studio will have a MIDI patchbay as well as an audio one and the low-cost ME30P Programmable MIDI Patchbay from Akai could well be it.

The analogue synth is alive and well and living in Patchwork. The Minimoog, ARP Odyssey and Korg Mono/Poly make a welcome return to our monthly selection of readers' patches.

On the face of it, Dynacord's MCC-1 looks a worthwhile investment for those who wish to by-pass the Spaghetti Junction of MIDI cables in the studio. But it faces stiff competition from other manufacturers' products. Paul Gilby fathoms its depths and draws his conclusion.

A kit setup for the Alesis HR16 joins the more usual selection of readers DX and D50 patches in this month's Patchwork.

Sound Upgrade Board For The Korg M1

Korg's DS8 presented FM synthesis in a more friendly light than originators Yamaha. Now their latest synth makes the price more friendly too. Simon Trask looks at a sine of the times.

Check out this month's selection of readers' patches from users of Yamaha's DX21, Casio's CZ1 and Ensoniq's ESQ1 synths.

Peavey MAP8X4, Icon Research APB1

Ian Gilby takes a look at two different approaches to the design of a MIDI-controlled audio patchbay: the Peavey MAP8X4 and Icon Research APB1.

Jez Ford makes waves with Kawai's value for money synth expander

Simon Trask gets a sneak preview of this German organ manufacturer's first venture into the pro-synth market.

More sounds from creative readers; this month LA meets FM as the Roland D50 and Yamaha CX5 are the favoured instruments.

AHB Keymix

Simon Trask takes an in-depth look qt a computer-controlled modular mixer. Does MIDI programmability represent the future of the mixing console?

Popularity is the password to this month's selection of readers' synth patches - the stars of the show are Korg's M1 Music Workstation and Casio's CZ synths.

With the novelty wearing off dedicated software synth editors, the race is on to come up with the definitive generic editor. Ian Waugh test-drives Dr T's entry.

RhythmCheck

Future perfect and future possibilities. Bob Henrit on Simmons' new trigger unit

Zero G Datafile Sample CDs

Paul Ireson listens into two dance-oriented sample CDs.

Macintosh Midi Interface

For those with large MIDI setups, 16 channels just isn't enough; Opcode's Studio 5 offers the Mac muso up to 240 independent channels, plus MIDI patchbay and processing facilities. Mike Collins approves.

MT readers get their chance to see their own synth sounds in print. Instruments featured this month include the Juno 106, Poly 800 and DX21...

Universal Patch Editor/Librarian

Dr. T's universal patch editor/librarian makes the journey from Atari to Mac picking up a host of new features en route, as Kendall Wrightson discovers.

Rockschool's Alastair Gavin ganders at the vastly praised digital synth, and decides they're right.

Is it a bird? is it a plane? No it's a rather nifty little patch package as John Renwick finds out

Accompaniment Software

This popular auto-accompaniment program is gaining in features and sophistication with every upgrade. Martin Russ plays with himself...