LSW Poolside Drums Sampling CD

David Mellor tastes a hot product from the London Sample Workshop.

Real World

Real World music

Question: What do Phil Collins, Howard Jones, Chaka Khan and David Bowie have in common? Answer: They have all recorded with Arif Mardin, one of the world's top record producers. Robin Tolleson chats to the man himself...

Producer of Style Council, The Jam and Comsat Angels explains his working techniques in the studio, production skills and the ins and outs of various effects.

...Is one of the producers responsible for the new wave of guitar-based pop. Paul Tingen finds he has plenty to say about modern music technology, not all of it favourable.

The other half of the World

Facts on the Rak

Denyer gets the Rak job at last, figuring that Mickie Most really ought to know something about putting a studio together. Seems he does.

Just the ticket? How to do it yourself explained by Richard Walmsley

Whistle Test

One Two go see the Test.

More Atari news and tips from Martin Russ.

The Recording of a Film Soundtrack Music

Ed Jones sits in on a major film music session in Abbey Road Studios, London, and reports on how the London Symphony Orchestra and a host of extra musicians recorded the music soundtrack to George Lucas' forthcoming prequel to 'Star Wars' - 'Willow'.

Rock 'n' Roll history made flesh, albeit somewhat decayed flesh, talks about clean living, composing, and the pursuit of happiness.

Recording 99.9F°

A new slant on production for Suzanne's latest album, 99.9F°.

From the New York roots of hip hop, KRS One talks about street-level production values and samples as the poor musician's alternative to real musicians. Simon Trask listens to the Music of the Spheres.

How it was done in the heyday of Pop - Philip Bashe tracked down the bands your dad snogged along to and found out the history of the '60s hits

Beat Box Hits

Or, the much-maligned art of drum machine programming. Tony Reed talks to the experts, and Richard Walmsley dissects some classic tracks.

Continuing our 'How It Works' series, David Mellor lays bare the facts about the applications and workings of the commonest types of microphone.

Prince Paul

Already an established musical force from his work with Stetsasonic, Prince Paul has gone on to produce De La Soul's brilliant debut LP. Steven Daly talks technology and sampling ethics with a Prince.

The art of writing music for popular television in the last few years may have been single-handedly redefined by Jan Hammer. His upbeat, rocky soundtracks to the hit TV series 'Miami Vice' (along with a few of the chart hits used in the show) have now produced two albums of instrumental music. Ed Jones finds out how they were done.

A deity speaks

Atari ST Software

This ST music analysis program was designed for educational use, but it also has the power to compose music to order. Tim Goodyer discovers one of pop's best-kept secrets.

Muff Murfin talks to Paul White about his career to date and proffers some useful advice for people trying to break into the jingle market. He also explains why with studios in the Midlands, London and Ibiza, he needs to expand.