Reviews
A TASTE OF PARADISE
Ensoniq Mirage Digital Multi-Sampler Offered now in a 19-inch rack-mount format as the Ensoniq Multi-Sampler, this keyboardless version of the software-updated Mirage makes low cost multi-sampling available to anyone owning a MIDI keyboard. Mark Jenkins samples the wares.
DIAL A DREAM
Roland Alpha Juno1 Roland's Alpha Juno1 is the company's most compact polysynth to date. Mark Jenkins assesses its role as vanguard of a new breed of Roland keyboards...
DOCTOR! DOCTOR!
Dr. T's Music Software Is your sequencing all work and no play? Then call the Doctor, but see he doesn't try your patience. Ian Waugh keeps his finger on the pulse and wonders if this keyboard Controlled Sequencer is available on the NHS?
MATRIX MAGIC: M16 Digital MIDI Matrix
Matrix Magic M16 Digital MIDI Matrix Despite the simplicity of the MIDI interface, connecting a studio full of MIDI-equipped instruments and effects is no mean feat. Ian Gilby believes the task will be considerably eased however using this brand new MIDI 'patchbay' - the Sycologic M16 Digital MIDI Matrix.
SOUNDTRACS MR SERIES
Soundtracs MR Series Modular Mixing Consoles The application of multitrack sequencers, drum machines and sync-to-tape in the modern recording process calls for a greater number of input channels on mixers. Soundtracs have borne this in mind on their MR Series and targeted them at the burgeoning 16-track market. We asked freelance engineer Dave Lockwood to put one to the test and report his findings.
TAKE TWO
Alesis Midiverb No sooner had Dave Lockwood despatched his review to us of the brand new Alesis XT:c reverb, when Alesis announced the introduction of an even cheaper stereo digital reverb in the shape of the MIDIVERB. Paul Gilby tried it and couldn't believe his ears!
TAKE TWO
Alesis XT:c Digital Reverb Affordable digital reverb could be said to have taken another giant step forward with the launch of the Alesis XT:c. Some very worthwhile improvements in specification and performance have been made to the California-based company's original low-cost XT model, but even more significantly for most of us, a price decrease has brought a full-function, high quality stereo unit more within reach than ever before. Dave Lockwood details his impressions...
THE HUMANISER
Bokse MH2 MIDI Humaniser Adding that 'human feel' to your drum and sequencer programs is made considerably easier with the launch of the Bokse MH2 MIDI Humaniser. Ian Gilby discovers its novel applications.
| People + Opinion
GO WEST PRODUCER: Gary Stevenson
Gary Stevenson: Go West Record producer Gary Stevenson has leapt virtually overnight from being a complete unknown to a much sought after talent, purely on the strength of his excellent production work on the very successful Go West album. Having completed recording of a new Go West song for the rocky IV soundtrack, and producing Marilyn Martin's new LP, Gary spoke to Ralph Denyer about the background to his rise to fame, the setting up of his own studio and plans for his band, Radar.
SYNCLAVIER PROGRAMMER
Jonathan Sorrell: Synclavier Programmer Jonathan Sorrell is one of a handful of session programmers in this country who are working extensively with the world's most expensive polyphonic sampling keyboard, the Synclavier. Paul Gilby finds out how it all happened.
Technique
LAYERING SOUND
Layering Sound Multi-sampling & Overdubbing Part 4: If you have been following our series on sound sampling, you will have discovered by now that, however good a sample may sound when replayed at the sampled pitch, there are few sounds which are useable when the pitch is shifted up or down more than an octave. This month session programmer Paul Wiffen concludes the series with an investigation into two ways of overcoming the problem.
MUSIC & PICTURES
Music & Pictures: Part 4 Using Technology Part 4: Musician, producer and film music composer Robin Lumley continues his six part series designed to take the mystery out of writing and recording music for films and television.
TALKING MIDI
Talking MIDI: Part 4: Mono Mode Jay Chapman delves deep into the murkey waters of MIDI''s often ignored Mono Mode in pursuit of multi-timbral expression!
USING TIMECODE
Using Timecodes: Part 2: Timecode Synchronisation With Video Part 2 of our series finds Francis Rumsey explores timecode standard and the use of timecode with video.
| 
