APRS Report

The latest developments in the recording world brought the industry, press and public flocking to Olympia 2 recently. Simon Trask records the event.

News on the forthcoming invasion of MSX home computers, the International MIDI Association, the Decillionix system and the Kurzweil digital keyboard.

All the latest news and information from the world of micro music

Mike Collins reports on what's new for Macintosh owners at the recent Mac World show in the States

At last it's here: Zyklus' sequence sequencer, MIDI control station, performance instrument... You sort it out with the help of Simon Trask's review.

A new Super-synth, Samples, and more

An investigation of this revolutionary 'new' audio metering device.

Music add-ons for home micros.

Music Production System

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it's a multitimbral synth module, it's a sequencer, it's an automated mixer... Simon Trask puzzles over Roland's Studio M.

Roland TR808, TR606, Dr Rhythm.

This month's glimpse over the horizon

Digital Keyboards DS202 & DS101, Digital Synthesizer DS310, Digital Sequencer DS320

Digital Synthesiser

Roland's latest professional digital synthesiser crosses the frontier between their successful D-series technology and a new generation of Roland synths - without costing a fortune. Simon Trask welcomes the JV80.

Martin Russ takes out his soldering iron and creates the MIDI Monitor - an unbelievably useful gadget for anyone with a MIDI set-up of any kind.

Roland U20 Keyboard

Is the U20 just a revamped U110 with a keyboard or does it have what it takes to de-throne the Korg M1? Paul Ireson finds out.

Samplecell is a top-quality RAM sample playback card for the Macintosh II, and the latest addition to Digidesign's impressive range of digital audio hardware and software. Paul D. Lehrman enthuses.

MIDI Hardware and Software for Apple II Micro

Last month we looked at six software packages, but not one of them was written for the Apple and its lookalikes. LEMI's MIDI system is one that is, as David Ellis discovers.

Ensoniq ESQ1 Polysynth

The Mirage people announce a synth that uses analogue and digital technology, throws in a multitrack sequencer, and costs just over £1000. Paul Wiffen checks it out.

With SUPER MRC Software

When Roland's forward-thinking design team made the original MC500 an ‘open’ system, they did users a favour. Built-in obsolescence became less of a fear, provided Roland stuck to their promise of future updates and upgrades. The release of the Super MRC software shows they have. It's available on its own for existing MC500 owners, or packaged with expanded hardware in the guise of the MC500 MkII. Paul Ireson keeps you updated.

First Take

Polyphonic Sequencing with the ZX81

Although Michael Nyman's name and music became known through Peter Greenaway's extraordinary films, Prospero's Books may see not just the peak but also the end of their creative partnership. But Nyman has other strings to his bow, as Mark J. Prendergast discovers.

Mike Skeet reveals everything you need to know to get your final master tape ready for mass duplication.

Handel’s Messiah

Diary of Decca’s new recording

Roland’s Computer Music range

Martin Russ looks at the evolution of Roland's approach to computers in music, culminating in their latest CM products.