More dispatches from the music wars

Making Music Keyfax 4: Samplers & Controllers by Julian Colbeck Computer Manuals Windows Stuff Microsoft Forgot! by Ed Tiley Music Of Life George Clinton sample CD

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.

Emu MPS Plus Orchestral

Yamaha's DX1, here at last

FM for everyone

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.

The column that throbs, the finger on the pulse

FRANKFURT PREVIEW '85

A special preview of some of the new goodies that'll be on show at the Frankfurt Musik Messe - Europe's premier music fair - when it gets under way in the second week of February.

Stereo

A brief look at the difference between true stereo and panned mono with a few mixing hints thrown in.

Dynamic Component Synthesiser

Initial impressions of the VFX have been glowing, to say the least, but will Ensoniq's latest synth break the Japanese stranglehold on the marketplace? Simon Trask investigates further.

Instruments & Equipment

Philip Rees 2M & Groove Electronics MIIM MIDI Mergers

When the usual MIDI In, Out and Thru that appear on most of your MIDI gear are unable to manage your MIDI data, outside help is in order. Vic Lennard has the urge to merge with Philip Rees' 2M and Groove Electronics' MIIM.

A look at Molinare video studios

offspring of the Chroma

keyboarding Crusader with words of wisdom

64-Note Polyphonic Synth Expander

History Of Producers

Just who are these people who get their names on record sleeves and their sounds in your speakers?

Filtering, Enveloping And Keyboard Sensing.

In the penultimate part of his series, designed to help you get the best from your sampling machines, keyboard programmer Paul Wiffen returns to his analogue roots to modify some samples.

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.

Not all sampler owners have access to every instrument they might wish to sample, hence the appearance of Sample CDs containing all manner of digitally recorded sounds. But how useful are they? Are they value for money? Keyboardist Dave Stewart recently spent many hours sorting the wheat from the chaff. Here are his findings.

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