Guitarcheck

An instrument to put the Shadow in the shade? Paul Trynka has his doubts

MIDIGrid & MIDIDraw

Can't play an instrument but would love to create music? Your wish is granted! With the right software, the humble Atari ST computer can be turned into a very different MIDI instrument indeed. Martin Russ looks at two unusual graphical music programs with contrasting approaches: MIDIDraw and MIDIGrid.

Effects

And as the cheap bitter slaps rhythmically against the stage, our two intrepid reporters bring news of the Bell Modular effects system. No bolds hard.

Hints, Tips & News From The World Of Music Software

More hints and tips from the software manufacturers themselves. This month: C-Lab, Steinberg, and Coda.

ZX101B MUSIC PRODUCER

the perfect equipment manual

Craig Anderton offers some valuable hints and tips to help liven up your synthesizer's factory presets.

What's hard disk data storage, and what can it do for you? Stefan Lipson looks at the advantages of hard disks and how they can make your computer music system more efficient.

Studios & Recording

How to be an engineer, what happened at these two trade shows and why John Lennon would turn in his grave

Casio RZ1 Sampling Drum Machine

Fancy an Emulator SP12 for £350? Casio have something approaching it in the new RZ1, the world's first 'affordable' digital drum box with onboard sampling facilities. Dan Goldstein says nevermind the quality...

KAT dk10 Percussion Controller

DJ Mixers

A three-way test of DJ mixers

Possible answers to the question, 'which is the best micro for music?'

Software for the Apple Macintosh

Possibly the most sophisticated and powerful scorewriting program to date comes from American company Coda. Bob O'Donnell keeps the score.

In Part 1 of a 2-part review, Cubase enthusiast David Mellor looks at the fully matured version of one of the world's favourite sequencers.

Jay Chapman goes through the rest of the functions our own DX editing program, DX7ED, is capable of executing.

a brace of British boxes

Software for Apple Macintosh

Martin Russ reviews the superbly professional Southworth 'Total Music' software recorder for the Apple Macintosh computer.

a round-up from Aria, Clarion, Fostex, TASCAM and Yamaha. guides to nine popular cassette, four-track recorders

Rhythmcheck

Bob Henrit samples a top bracket product from a company that could have been started by Paul Hardcastle

Software for the Atari ST

Son of TDM's Virtuoso ST sequencing software, the budget Prodigy retains many of its parent's best features. Ian Waugh checks out the fastest little sequencer in the west.

(But Were Too Afraid To Ask!)

Martin Russ continues his detailed investigation into the inner secrets of MIDI's most powerful messages.

Passport Music Shop

Ian Waugh examines Passport's new scorewriting program for the Commodore 64, and likes what he sees. If only he could write music...