Yamaha DX7IID

The DX7 has become both one of the best-selling synthesizers of all time and a truly 'classic' instrument. So how do you improve on that? Jay Chapman reviews Yamaha's recently launched and long awaited successor to the DX7.

The Frankfurt Finale, courtesy of Curtis Schwartz

MIDI Control Device

Tired of digital parameter access synth editing, unimpressed by software editors? Vic Lennard looks at a system that allows you to use real sliders to edit your synths.

Linn Sequencer Jr

The sequencing half of the Linn 9000 gets a once-over from Paul Wiffen, who concludes it's far from being a replacement for the tape recorder.

SamplerCheck

Paul Fishman gets weird — again

Getting a professional electric guitar sound onto tape is not difficult — if you follow a few simple rules.

RUSH Guitarist locked in room with Max Kay — Shock Horror!

Synthcheck

An expansion on the Expander with a free (£1200) keyboard! Paul Fishman goes upmarket

Studio Monitors

Choosing studio monitors on a tight budget can be a demoralising experience - unless you're wise to JBL's new Control 1 Plus and its bass-driving partner. Nigel Lord takes control.

workings of the press part two; dealing with music papers

Simmons

the unsigned's guide to getting that contract

Roland SDE2500 Delay

Following last month's excursion into the world of digital reverb, Paul 'Poodle' White puts the latest Roland DDL through its paces and assesses the results.

Sampling Keyboard

E-mu enhance their popular Emax sampler with a built-in 20 Meg hard disk and two new methods of sound synthesis. But how successful is the sampler-as-synthesiser? Bob O'Donnell takes it to the max.

Two multi-tasking packages, Virtuoso and Cubase, meet in the ring. Jim Spriggs plays referee

Gareth Stuart investigates Tascam's latest stereo cassette mastering machine and learns why pro equipment nearly always carries a pro price tag.

Music Instruction System

Of the few computer-based music teaching systems available, Xanadu's Musicom - distributed by Roland - is one of the most versatile. David Ellis finds out if it's cheap enough to tempt fund-starved schools.

A nostalgic look back at 1985 by the people who bring E&MM to you each month. Was it really that bad?

Absolute Beginners

Neville and Val Pearson pass on their experience in equipping a home studio. Following their advice could save you from making more than one costly mistake.

Universal Patch Librarian

Tired of rummaging through RAM cards and boxes of floppy disks in search of a particular synth patch? Greg Truckell checks out a far more convenient way to store and recall patches.

The Prefab Spirit

the screening of Steve McQueen

Ramsa WM-S1E, 2E, 5E and 10E Mics

Dr Simon Bateson delivers a fair and detailed report on a rather unusual range of microphones.