Paul Williams adds yet another module to the modular effects rack.

Janet Angus talks to Robin about practically everything.

Yet another selection of recently announced new products to whet your appetite!

Roland Orzabal picks over the Tears' gear

Version 3.0 Software

Is it still ahead of it's time?

Equipment

Nobody has advanced the application of technology in music more than Peter Gabriel. His pioneering use of the Fairlight CMI helped popularise that instrument and give credence to sampling as a creative recording practice. Yet his music has never fallen prey to the technology trap - his latest album So remains a soulful collection of songs heavily reliant on technology but applied with subtlety. Ray Hammond talks to the great man about the album, new technology, Otis Redding, and his role as musician.

Best known for their tape recorders and cassette-based multitrackers, this new generation of mixers from Fostex look like they will make more than a few converts. Dave Lockwood checks them out.

Books

Eddie Cochran-White dispels those post-summertime blues with some cherished memories of recent good reads.

The long-awaited inclusion of a protocol to allow MIDI control of multitrack tape machines is just one of the recent additions to the MIDI spec. Vic Lennard offers a MIDI update.

Inside this German synth pioneer's home studio.

In 1985 Propaganda produced a seminal electronic music album - then they vanished. Five years on they've returned to pick up where they left off. Michael Mertens talks to Tim Goodyer about technology and the German tradition.

Last month we explained the development and requirements of VCA-based mixer automation systems. This month, Graham Hinton scrutinises three retrofittable automation systems - the Twister PAC, MegaMix, and J.L. Cooper MidiMation - and asks 'How good are they?'

All this and the scam from Olympia II

Frankfurt Musik Messe 1988

It's that time of year when the music fraternity descend on a frozen Frankfurt. Tim Goodyer and Simon Trask check out new gear, new ideas and tired feet.

Simon Croft puts this British built mixer through its paces.

The art of writing music for popular television in the last few years may have been single-handedly redefined by Jan Hammer. His upbeat, rocky soundtracks to the hit TV series 'Miami Vice' (along with a few of the chart hits used in the show) have now produced two albums of instrumental music. Ed Jones finds out how they were done.

Orinoco Studio

Another studio receives a visit from a roving MT reporter. This time the intrepid Dan Goldstein drops in on South East London's Orinoco Studios.

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.

Abolish sibilance with this well designed, cost-effective addition to the Tanrak.

Studiomaster were one of the first established mixer manufacturers to incorporate MIDI facilities in one of their desks and to mate it to a personal computer. Mark Badger assesses whether the marriage is successful.

Interconnect