Jean Michel Jarre explains his current views on music, synthesisers and synthesis in an in-depth interview.

Teac V-700

Teac's cassette deck - demo quality?

808 Statement

Sampling Classic Electro Sounds

Nothing seems to be more demanding of a sampler than the sound of the bass drum on a TR808 drum machine. Why should a piece of primitive retro-tech pose problems for so many respectable and apparently ultimate quality machines? Wilf Smarties explains.

News from America compiled by Simon Braund

Studio Test

A no-nonsense, standard format split recording console at a sensible price.

User Report

Mixing in the MIDI Age

This two-part feature covers both the art and technology of mixing. The first article on page 48, 'Mixing Essentials', covers audio mixing in general, from a more basic level, and applies to any sort of studio mixing task. The second part, 'Mixing With MIDI’, starts on page 54 and covers techniques made possible by MIDI, specifically automated mixing and sending MIDI instruments direct to your master tape. Craig Anderton is your guide.

Imagine buying a drum machine full of good factory preset rhythm programs - instead of the usual collection of cliches. Nigel Lord offers a solution to pre-programmed predictability.

Fostex 160 Multitracker

What can I say... it's black, it lights up... they've done it again — another winner.

How to record guitar

Sampling upgrade for the K2000

Now you can upgrade Kurzweil’s market-leading synthesiser, the K2000, with a sampling interface. According to Simon Trask - and who are we to argue? - you can mingle your own samples with the synth’s onboard sounds, and edit the whole lot to your heart’s content in up to 64Mb of RAM. Whistle Kurzweil while you work, indeed.

MIDI-To-Tape Synchronisation

MIDI-to-tape sync: why you need it, what it does and how you use it.

With a little thought and a few 'tricks of the trade', it is possible to produce top quality recordings at home. David Mellor explains how.

Soundcraft Spirit Folio

A quality name, a quality product, an affordable price tag — Soundcraft's new portable mixer seems to have it all. Derek Johnson wants to carry one home.

The cassette 4-track is still the focal point of the home studio, and Marantz have produced a serious challenger to the familiar Portastudio. How does it measure up? How will musicians’ take to it? How does Nicholas Rowland do it?

Prophet VS

Is Vector Synthesis the answer to every programmer's prayers, or another technological blind alley getting in the way of music? Peter Schlesinger takes a long hard look at the digital Prophet.

Vestax PDT5000 record decks

New rival for the SL1210

Home recording heroes.

Sound Workshop

Stereo Keyboard Amp