Can computers improve or even replace current styles of notation?

Just for a change, David Mellor does the impossible and reviews a product that does not exist! Perhaps one day it might, but for now this 'ideal' MIDI sequencer program lives only in the imagination of the author.

...while Tim Goodyer checks out the production version of Akai’s contender and cocks an ear in the direction of some factory sound disks.

grab your slice

how to get your music on the radio

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.

In part two of this short series, David Etheridge looks at the role of effects and unusual chords in New Age music.

Prophet 2000

Following October's preview, Sequential’s new sampler gets the in-depth treatment from Paul Wiffen, who refuses to return the review sample.

With The Roland JD800

One year after reviewing the instrument that brought back knobs and sliders, Julian Colbeck presents an in-depth user report on Roland's flagship JD800 synthesizer.

Not only vocalist, composer, dancer, choreographer, but also producer for her new album 'The Dreaming', Kate talks about her approach to composition and her newly acquired Fairlight CMI.

Paul White discusses the more advanced aspects of compression, and includes a table of useful settings.

SPK began by hammering away at anything from the scrapyard but now generate their metal beat on the Fairlight. We investigate the method in the mayhem.

DSP Sample Looping Tools For Macintosh

M.P.C. Percussion Roundup

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

Digidesign Softsynth & Turbosynth

What can you do with a sampler when you're bored of sampling? Paul Ireson finds an answer to this question in the form of creative software from Digidesign that can turn your sampler into a powerful synthesizer.

Synthesiser Module

From the ashes of the classic PPG Wave synthesisers rises the Microwave - a synth expander that combines the unique qualities of PPG's wavetables with late '80s technology. Cooking with Simon Trask.

Setting the Scene

Part one of a survey of music-printing instruments.

A major new series describing the design and construction of a high quality modular effects rack. This first instalment deals with the Sub Rack assembly, Power Unit and the first module: the Pro-Gate.

Simmons 800 Series electronic drums

Simmons’ budget range of new electronic drums

If Roland samplers have previously been under-recognised by the music industry, the S770 may be about to straighten things out. Simon Trask returns to Roland's super sampler to "delve deeper".

Tim Goodyer talks to the man who's programmed Peter Gabriel's synths, recorded a host of electronic albums under the name Synergy, and started up his own record label for instrumental music.

A tuning and calibration unit for synthesiser oscillators

The secret life of the noise gate

Open your gate and find the key to a better sound

multimedia workstation

A 'home' keyboard with attitude, or does the WX2 have ideas above its workstation

Nominated by Steve Levine, Steve Lillywhite, Peter Collins, Hugh Padgham, Swain and Jolley