It's a knockout with Stewart/Hall

8-Voice Polyphonic Digital Synthesiser with 8-Track Digital Sequencer

Total Percussion Pad

On the trail of Roland's successful Octapads comes the SPD8 - a MIDI percussion controller with a neat line in onboard sounds. Simon Trask says beat it.

Whether you like his music or not, nobody can knock Paul McCartney's achievements as the world's most successful songwriter. In a rare interview he talks to Patrick Humphries about the music, recordings and personalities that combined to produce his first solo album for three years - 'Press To Play'.

After carving a career for themselves with their unique brand of anarchic funk, Shriekback have decided the time has come for a change. Barry Andrews tells David Bradwell about the importance of loving musical equipment.

Boss Pro SE70 Super Effects Processor

Tim Goodyer talks to Carl Marsh, guitarist with E&MM's idiosyncratic cover artists, about Oil and Gold, rock and roll, and the Jupiter 8 versus the DX7.

Synth Expander

The latest addition to Oberheim's classic Matrix range offers 1000 analogue-style synth sounds for under £500. Simon Trask investigates the attraction of analogue in '88.

The prospect of a high-spec sample player bearing the Emu name, but costing 'under £1000', had musician's waiting with baited breath for its appearance. Now Proteus is here, and Paul Ireson breathes a sigh of relief as he finds that it was worth the wait.

Where everything clicks

Your questions answered

Sound On Sound reader Kofi Busia recently released his own independent LP called 'Oh Africa', funded entirely by himself. To encourage others to follow his example, we asked Kofi to write about his experiences. In this the first of three parts, he presents a frank and revealing account of why the record came about, how he came to grips with using modern technology for African music, and why he chose the equipment he used.

Hitmakers Heaven 17 reveal how they've harnessed the hardware on How Men Are.

4-Track Recorder/Mixer

Upcoming systems music composer chats to Simon Trask about modern technology, Renaissance music and Belgian pop.

This month’s information bulletin board

Audio Training Courses

Recording courses: what are they, where are they and do they increase your chances of getting the job of your dreams?

Korg Wavedrum

Innovative electronic percussion

Take four musicians with a love of acoustic instruments, a fascination for high technology and some considerable talent, and you've got Frazier Chorus. Louise Swann and Stephen Hillier listen to songs from the English coast.

Roland DJ70 Sampling Keyboard

Roland's DJ70 repackages the guts of an S750 as a DJ-oriented sampling keyboard with a glut of time-saving features. Wilf Smarties welcomes the unit that redefines user friendly sampling.

Yamaha QY20 Music Sequencer

Live Music for the Hi-Tech Musician

All the Fun of the Fair

What's new in the way of equipment including the latest from the Frankfurt show.

A collection of CDs which should be the sampler's delight are the stars of this month's Patchwork. If your music needs a boost from Ed Stratton, Coldcut or Pascal Gabriel, check out these disks.