Up to the minute and down to the nitty gritty

The second, and final part of Jay Chapman's Monitor program for E&MM's own BBC-MIDI interface. This month's instalment gives the program listing and explains how it was written.

Programmable Polysynth with Sequencer

The Californians introduce a followup to the inventive but mixed-bag SixTrak. Simon Trask checks it out.

MicroComposing with Roland

The new MC-202 MicroComposer examined in depth

The British Music Fair

What's new in the shops and what we saw at the fair.

Dave Lockwood reviews this aptly named add-on audio triggering unit for C-Lab's highly popular Creator/Notator sequencing system.

No hype, no waffle — just tomorrow's products today

Tomorrow’s hot products previewed

Continuing the tradition that began with their 144 Portastudio, Tascam have created a combined package of mixer and 8-track recorder - the 388 Studio 8 - whose compact dimensions belie its true versatility. Dave Lockwood assesses its performance.

MTRs new 12:8:2 Series 2 in-line desk should solve a few cash flow problems for 8-track owners.

Mark Prendergast talks with trumpeter, composer, and synthesist Mark Isham about new technology, David Sylvian, Van Morrison, Windham Hill, and his solo career as one of Hollywood's more interesting film soundtrack composers.

Cross Wave Synthesizer

The onboard 8-track sequencer and sampled waveforms of the ESQ-1 make it a hard act for any manufacturer to follow. So what further features does Ensoniq's new SQ-80 synthesizer have that could possibly outshine its stablemate? Craig Anderton explores...

our look at the forthcoming Frankfurt Musical Instrument Fair - at 7½ Instruments Per Second

A round-up of the latest music programs for the BBC B

...And finally

The continuing story of Francis Vincent Zappa who, out on the road with a rock band for the first time in weeks, relates to one Ralph Denyer just how musicians get their action.

Michel Huygen/Neuronium

This Spanish synthesist explains the working methods and motivation behind his psychotronic musical landscapes.

MTR 6:4:2

A budget 6:4:2 mixer that is neither short on features nor costs the earth.

Digital Computer Music System

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

Thomas Dolby is back after a four year break, without the mad professor image but with an excellent new album in Astronauts & Heretics, his most personal recording to date. Paul Tingen spoke to him about the long road from solo synthesist to globe-trotting collaborator.

Programmable 8-voice Synthesizer

Recording on a Budget

Donald Aldous shows us around his home studio.

Three pages of forthcoming new products to tempt you to dig deeper into your pockets later on this year.

The Alternative MIDI Controllers Session