Fun In The Waves

A Bad Job

This month we take a look at salvage techniques. What to do when you have to re-mix someone else's less than ideal master tape.

Part three of this fascinating project from Paul Williams.

Recording Electric Guitar

How to get the best in your studio from an electric guitar.

Z-plane synthesiser

From one of the few companies still committed to developing new methods of sound synthesis, the Morpheus promises much. Does it deliver?

From Sheffield's tradition as the home of industrial funk, come the Fon Force. David Bradwell talks to the men behind the cream of modern northern dance music.

Over a 25 year period, Tom Hidley has designed and built more than 400 of the world's top recording studios. Recognised as an undisputed 'master' of his craft, his acoustic design concepts have changed the face of studios and the music that is made within their walls. In a rare interview, he talks openly about his design philosophy and his most current 'ground-breaking' project to Paul Gilby.

Toa MR-8T 8-track Cassette Recorder

If you thought eight tracks on standard cassette was an impossibility, think again. David Mellor assesses the world's first 8-track cassette recorder. Will it do to 8-track tape machines what the portastudio did to 4-tracks? Read on and find out...

Peter Tedstone informs us of his clandestine bedroom activities!

Effectscheck

A veritable jamboree bag of effects in one rackmounting unit

Creating The Future

Anyone can dream about the studio of the future, but it takes a unique talent to build it in the present. Wally Badarou's personal studio defies conventional ideas of studio design, substituting voice-controlled DMP11s for a large console, and putting the musician first. Paul Tingen listens in.

The third instalment of our series describing the design and construction of a high quality modular effects rack system.

Solo Sound

David Etheridge pays a visit to this expanding 8-track London facility which has carved out a successful niche for itself as a well-equipped modern day songwriter's studio.

Paul Gilby scrutinises the world's cheapest MIDI controlled stereo digital reverb, the MIDIVERB.

Last month we followed the career of Dave Meegan as he progressed from studio tape-op to full-time engineer at Trevor Horn's Sarm West Studios. This time Chris Allison discovers Dave's feelings about studio life in the fast lane.

Software for Apple Macintosh

Passport's Encore Mac scorewriting software aims to optimise music entry, playback and printing in one program. Mike Collins checks out the dots and the dot matrix.

Looking at Mixers

16/8/2 mixer review

Dave Lockwood tastes the aural delights of the MIDIVERB's upmarket stablemate - the XTc.

Janet Angus talks to Peter Wingfield about his career as a songwriter and producer.

As the sequencer comes of age, the role of the drum machine is brought into question: why have a sequencer in your drum box if there's already one in your computer? Simon Trask investigates what may be the next step for the beat box.

With on-board midi mute automation, six auxiliaries, 16 inputs and 16 monitors, Allen & Heath's new pint-sized Saber looks set to emulate the success of its larger brethren. Dave Lockwood checks it out.

MIDI is regularly used to perform tasks as varied as switching notes on and off, storing patch libraries and controlling mixes, but can it control sound itself? Vic Lennard looks at the uses of MIDI noise gates.

Once he prayed to the beat behind Re-flex, he's since become versed in high technology and worked with artists as diverse as Kate Bush and Mory Kante. Ollie Crooke talks to a rhythm programmer extraordinaire.

Our regular column devoted to readers' hints and tips about their recording equipment, instruments, software and playing techniques.