Just what have the Japanese done to the Engrish Ranguage?

Is the future Linear?

Does Roland's new LA synthesizer mean the end of FM is in sight? Martin Russ falls in love with the world's first ever Linear Arithmetic synthesizer whilst trying to find out...

One of the strangest new groups of the 1980s, PTV have pioneered the use of the holophonic system of recording sound for their new album, 'Dreams Less Sweet'. Tim Oakes talks here to Genesis P Orridge, founder member of the band, about the new system and the mystique of PTV

You can Run, but you can't hide — They're back again, Run DMC live at Hammersmith. Old Fogey Jim Betteridge covers his ears

TLA Valve Pre-amp/Compressor

Handmade tube signal processor

Roland's top of the range sampler is the last of those announced at Frankfurt to reach the marketplace, but its 16-note polyphony, 512K memory, and built-in visual editing software could well give it an edge over existing £2000 samplers. Paul Wiffen takes up the case.

As Yamaha's 'X' range of hi-tech hardware continues to grow, Dan Goldstein and Trish McGrath present an exclusive appraisal of two of the range's most affordable additions, the TX7 FM Expander and QX7 MIDI Keyboard Recorder.

AmpCheck

Trace Elliot surprise everyone by bringing out an amp-cab set up smallerthan the average semidetached. Martin Brassel moves in fora closer look

Fritz McIntyre - the key is simplicity

The chief engineer at the Old Smithy, one of the Midlands' most respected studios, passes on a few pearls of wisdom.

Atari ST Software

Combining four Dr T's programs, Omega brings together scorewriting, sequencing and powerful editing facilities on the Atari ST. Ian Waugh reckons it's Christmas.

Drum Expander

Your drum machine used to dictate the sound of your music - but the variety of sounds in Alesis' drum expander gives you back your freedom. Tim Goodyer says everything starts with a D.

The quiet man of systems music tells Simon Trask why his work is so often misunderstood - and why tomorrow's 'serious music' won't be possible without computers.

There's an S1000 in every studio — almost. David Mellor presents an introduction to this popular sampler.

(But Were Too Afraid To Ask!)

Martin Russ kicks off our new series by recapping on some MIDI basics before starting to demystify the secrets of MIDI's System Exclusive commands.

Drum Kit

Rick Palmer tries Crown — does it fit?

Hints, Tips & News From The World Of Music Software

More hints and tips from the world of music software.

Beating Like This

...Beating Like This. In the third part in our series on creative drum programming, Chris Meyer and Matt Isaacson take a detailed look at the various trigger-to-MIDI converters now available.

So you wanna record an album? Anyone with a DAT recorder can make what they think is a usable master tape, but it takes a little know-how to do it properly. Mastering engineers Mike Brown and Martin Giles of CTS Studios explain what goes into preparing master tapes for tape, record and CD duplication.

Jim Betteridge takes his purple paisley shirt down to Wembley, and catches small but perfectly-formed American Prince in the act

Studio Test

Yamaha's latest incursion into the portastudio market looks like something out of Alien. Does it sound out of this world too? Richard Walmsley has a close encounter of the reviewing kind

Turtle Beach Multisound PC Sound Card

Dedicated PC users will welcome the introduction of this new, high-quality sound card to further enhance PC music-making possibilities. Brian Heywood investigates.

Equipment