Roland Juno 60, Roland SH-101, Korg Trident II

Roland RD1000 Piano

How does Roland's new SAS resynthesis system go about imitating a grand piano? Dan Goldstein digs deep inside the RD1000 and its modular counterpart, the MKS20, and submits a glowing report.

Yamaha smash new price barriers with their latest FM synths - the DX100 and DX27. Mark Jenkins assesses their performance as stand-alone keyboards and as compact MIDI expanders.

A Brief Guide To Awful Foreign Instruments

Kingfisher Music

Billy Punter dons naval drag and trolls down to Fleet, home of Kingfisher Music

Synthesiser Module

Remember the module? It's like a synth but it's got no keys. Weird, huh? Simon Trask takes a look at the new 1U, half-rack, 16-bit, MIDI box of sounds from Kawai.

Kurzweil PC88

Master keyboard with sounds

A wide selection of sound libraries from Sound Source Unlimited, Roland and Stiletto come under the scrutiny of the Patchwork reviewers.

There's an awful lot of hi-hi-history involved, y'know

Ensoniq Piano

The Q-chip that was the heart of the Mirage and ESQ1 keyboards proves itself to be yet more versatile in the latest in electronic pianos. David Ellis dons concert pianist's tails and tinkles the ivories.

In this, the next of our Buyers Guides we look at electric pianos, string synths and electric keyboards in general.

Acoustic drum samples from producer Bob Clearmountain rub shoulders with Mega Beats drum machine samples, while SSU sounds for the Yamaha SY77 complete the lineup in this month's Patchwork.

The analogue versus digital argument - as seen by the man at the top.

Digital Piano

Just how close can technology come to matching a real concert pianoforte? Only one man can address this question: the maestro himself, Simon Trask

John Renwick has a pocketful with the pocket MIDI range from Anatek

Roland P55 Piano Module

Close your eyes and you could be tickling those ivories...

New Products Special

Frankfurt show report

Paul Wiffen tortures the CASIO MT-800

Atari ST Software

When you're on a limited budget it's important to get the most out of every piece of gear you own. Gordon Reid checks out budget software aimed at getting the best out of your FB01.

Using the PAIA/DeARMOND Foot Pedal