A fly on the wall account of a mega-group amidst a mega-tour. Michael Smolen does the buzzing

Over the last few years musicians have consistently been more excited over the latest MIDI hardware developments than they have over MIDI software. Whilst other micros have come and gone, the Atari ST and Macintosh micros have quietly become the established computers for making music with MIDI. Ed Jones reveals why with a look at Steinberg's Pro-24 (V2.1) and Mark Of The Unicorn's Performer (V2.2) programs.

APRS Report

The latest developments in the recording world brought the industry, press and public flocking to Olympia 2 recently. Simon Trask records the event.

Wally Badarou gets together with Chas de Whalley and puzzles over their possible family relationship

Groove guru Wilf Smarties reports on the sample CD scene.

THE ULTIMATE SOFT MACHINE

The Fairlight (in its previous Series II guise) was/is probably the most famous computer musical instrument in the world. Everybody knows the name, but few really know what its true capabilities are. Now there is a new breed of Fairlight, far more powerful and far more sophisticated than the old one ever was - the Series III. Richard Elen takes a look at the mind-boggling potential of this Rolls-Royce of sound sampling/synthesizing machines.

Flushed with the chart success of Close (To The Edit), the 'faceless' trio return with more talk of Art, Empire and Industry. Paul Gilby pushed the record button and monitored the noise levels...

...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.

Secrets of samples and songs

Vince Clarke reveals trade secrets.

Prophet 2000

Following October's preview, Sequential’s new sampler gets the in-depth treatment from Paul Wiffen, who refuses to return the review sample.

Dan Goldstein and Simon Trask take a break from reading their own work and examine a selection of new books aimed at helping you get more out of music technology.

Groove guru Wile Smarties reports on the latest sample CDs.

Digital Computer Music System

A state of the art computer music system for Apple users.

A personal account of its development

A personal look at designs past and present

The Art Of Arranging

Ian Gardiner gets out the manuscript paper and tells you how to spread those blobs around

Whitesnake's Jon Lord talks gear & Technique with Gary Cooper

Composition Centre

Announced over a year ago, the all-American DPM3 has finally landed on our shores. Martin Russ takes the wraps off Peavey's much publicised first foray into the hi-tech keyboard market.

A Round-Table Discussion With Major Japanese Instrument Manufacturers

The idea of putting a group of rival Japanese manufacturers together in a room to openly discuss their future directions may seem more akin to an explosive science experiment than a realistic idea. Gregory D. Moore reports on the outcome.

SPK began by hammering away at anything from the scrapyard but now generate their metal beat on the Fairlight. We investigate the method in the mayhem.

The eagerly-awaited 16-bit digital stereo audio processing system for the Atari ST has arrived. Scott Gershin checks it out and acquires a new outlook on sound sampling.

here is the news, with instruments and equipment