As the world of musical synthesis shrinks ever more into a 19" black box format, where do we find the MIDI master keyboard to persuade these expander modules to give up their sounds? Since the big manufacturers currently seem reluctant to give us soundless MIDI keyboards, is there a small company we can turn to who can supply us with the equipment we need? David Mellor lets the cat out of the bag.

Many Watts on

The title says it all...

Joan Jett turns the landing lights on her guitar collection

Speaks from the heart.

Dom Foulsham continues our series on the digital ins and outs of sampling, and talks to some arch sampling professionals about the tricks of their trade. Discover how to get a convincing crash cymbal; how to break the rules creatively and stay legal; and 20 things to do with a redundant manual. Read it and weep, Jive Bunny

how to ensure your guitar will give its best - and keep on giving it

Hints, Tips & News From The World Of Music Software

More hints and tips from the software manufacturers themselves, this month: C-Lab, Steinberg and Voyetra.

Instead of following other keyboard manufacturers sheep-like into sampling machines, Oberheim have come up with a unique device which doesn't sample but replays disks from several other samplers. Paul Wiffen investigates.

Yes, we know they're easy to get, but it's also a piece of cake to get rid of 'em — if you know how, that is...

Tony Mills discusses sounds and concepts with the Frenchman who made instrumental synthesizer music respectable

3G Flite 8

A console for concerts

Rockfield has a long and colourful history stretching back to the era of hippies and free festivals. Paul White finds out what goes on there now.

The Chroma/Apple interface

Jay Chapman's crusade to get E&MM readers writing their own BBC software continues, with a look at how interrupt-handling works out in practice.

electro-acoustic combo

Keep the world at bay with this simple but effective DIY design.

Ricky Gordon gets to grips with Mind men Burchill and McNeil. Strings and keys - simplicity!

Playing Live

Electronic music live - a special focus

Accessorycheck

Our pet axeman Dave Burrluck gets Duncan disorderly

Part 6. In this final episode Martin Russ returns to base camp, and completes his exploration of the MIDI programming jungle with a de-briefing for his fellow travellers.

Timecode Synchronisation With Video

Part 2 of our series finds Francis Rumsey exploring timecode standards and the use of timecode with video.