Art Multiverb III & SGE Mach II

Art seem to update their range of multi-effects processors faster than everyone else. Dave Lockwood checks out two of their very latest incarnations.

Interconnect

Studio 'earthing' techniques.

Lexicon PCM 80

Studio reverb, sucessor to the PCM 70

Software for Commodore 64

The addition of a MIDI module allows this software package for the Commodore computer to control external synthesizers amongst other things. Ian Waugh reports.

Percussion Voice Expander

No space left in the rack for another Simmons module? After testing their latest percussion voice unit, Nick Rowland suggests you buy another rack to make room for it.

Intelligent Pitch Shifter

Most pitch shifters wouldn't know their A minor from their E major, but DigiTech's IPS33 knows a thing or two about playing in key. Simon Trask finds himself in harmony with the Intelligent Pitch Shifter.

ATARI/P&G/CONTRIVER/MCS/MARCONI/KRAFT Trackballs

When you entrust your music to the sophistication of a computer and software, you may find yourself needing something more reliable than a mouse to control it. Vic Lennard has the balls - track balls.

Acoustic Drums

Some people look upon the prospect of recording an acoustic drum kit with dread. It needn't be that daunting if you follow a few simple guidelines.

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.

For three years the korg M1 has been the leading keyboard workstation, and the product that more than any other has made the company's name as a leading force in hi-tech music. But how do you follow an act like that? David Mellor looks at the M1's successor, the 01/W FD.

unbeatable coverage of all the new gear at the year's most important instrument show. Don't buy ANYTHING until you've read it.

Korg Wavedrum

Innovative electronic percussion

Son of Leo Meets Son of Les — a further attempt to sort out the neat from the naff.

Systems Music

Musical mathematics made easy

PRS - The Performing Right Society

The first of an occasional series in which David Mellor takes a look at the organisations that help musicians and composers earn an honest crust in this hard world. This month: the Performing Right Society.

Tascam DA30II

New version of DAT classic

Scottish band Danny Wilson were led by Gary Clark, who regards his debut solo album Ten Short Songs About Love as his finest work to date. From conception to birth, it was made entirely at home. Phil Ward drops in on the basement studio, and finds both album and proud father doing very well

Ensoniq DP/4 Parallel Effects Processor

It's flexible, it's powerful, and it comes with a pretty hefty price tag. Paul White finds out whether Ensoniq's first foray into the world of stand-alone effects delivers enough bang for the buck. Additional research by Derek Johnson.

Looking for a low-cost introduction to synthesis? With its simplified programming method and variant on the Phase Distortion sound, Casio's latest 8-voice, splittable, polysynth could well prove the ideal first choice. Mark Badger explores...

A synth is only as good as its sounds - and that goes for any synth controller too - sax, violin, guitar... Ollie Crooke And Simon Thomas look at sound programming for MIDI controllers.

the next part in our comprehensive survey, this month between £650 and £1500

Putting It Together

The nitty gritty of choosing appropriate recording and sequencing equipment for use in a school environment.

And A Happy Birthday To Us

Come to our party, have some jelly, read some of our best bits, and wish us a happy first birthday, hip hip...

Digital Keyboard

How can the principles of Artificial Intelligence be employed to make a computer musical instrument sound like a grand piano? David Ellis delves deep into the workings of a £10,000+ Stateside keyboard.