Akai MIDI FX

Simon Trask again, with some more MIDI outboard gear in the shape of Akai's new ME30P programmable patchbay and ME25S note separator.

A 2-page Paracetamol for your technical headaches.

Steinberg Pro24 Software

Simon Trask looks at one of the first multitrack MIDI recording packages to be made available for the Atari ST series of computers. How does it compare to dedicated sequencers?

Our regular column devoted to readers' hints and lips about their recording equipment, instruments, software and playing techniques.

NAME: new album/new equipment/sound techniques/change of style/gig horrors... LIST

ROLAND CM32L, CM32P, CM64 & LAPC1 Sound Modules

Roland's CM32L, CM32P, CM64 and LAPC1 modules are a selection of their more familiar expanders re-configured and re-packaged with the computer synthesist in mind. Modulating with Ian Waugh.

IBM PC-Compatibles & Apple Macintosh

Part 1: All four of the major computers can be used for musical applications, so which one should you choose? This month, Richard Elen puts the case for the Apple Macintosh whilst Brian Heywood advocates the benefits of the IBM PC-compatible.

interface for the Macintosh

This new interface could be just the ticket for Mac users.

for PC Windows 3.1

Looking to take your first steps in multimedia production? Cot a PC and an idea? What are you waiting for?

The hardware sequencer to beat them all? After an overlong wait, Simon Trask gets to grips with the latest development in the Alesis World Domination plan.

in Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe

Session player Julian Colbeck tells the tale of how he got the gig as support keyboard player for Rick Wakeman on the recent Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe world tour, and runs through the instrumentation he and Rick used on stage.

Jean Michel Jarre is about to stage the world's biggest ever concert in the London Docklands. David Bradwell finds out about the technological dark age and the art of showmanship.

Getting philosophical about the new British hip hop. Tim "homeboy" Ponting raps with Wize man DJ Jemski about sampling, sequencing and bringing the drum kit into hip hop.

composing with technology

MIDI has revolutionised the way we make and record music. But it has developed at such an incredible pace that it is easy to lose sight of MIDI's many benefits. In this lengthy article, Craig Anderton provides a lucid explanation of how you can make MIDI work for you - whether you have a small home studio set-up or a full-blown professional system.

In a career spanning 30 years, including stints with Art Blakey and Miles Davis and a string of hit fusion albums, Lonnie Liston Smith has seen the changing role of the jazz pianist at first hand. In London for a rare live outing, Lonnie talks keyboards while Simon Trask clicks his fingers, shuts his eyes and goes "yeahhh"

Following the success of the MIDIverb, Alesis have ventured into the realms of drum machines and sequencers. Bob O'Donnell lends an ear and discovers that economy doesn't necessarily mean compromise.

Mick Jones' new outfit clash with Jim Betteridge

M.P.C. Percussion Roundup

The MPC percussion system: DSM1/2; DSM 8 Auto Tom; DSM 32 x 4 drum synth; Programmers Rhythm Sequencer.

Ian Gilby investigates this novel solution to your MIDI wiring headaches.

AFM/AWM Synthesiser

On from the revolutionary DX7, on from the souped-up DX7 II, on even from the mighty SY77, comes the SY99. Simon Trask takes the new Yamaha flagship on her maiden voyage.