AXXEMAN

Axxeman Guitar Preamp and effects

Looking for a fast way of getting good quality guitar sounds down on tape? Ian Gilby has the answer...

JORETH SYSTEM 7 & CZ EDITOR

Joreth System 7 & CZ Editor

With Atari and Macintosh music programs in abundance, the humble Commodore 64 micro can still be an inexpensive and useful aid when assembling your sounds, provided you have the right software. Ian Waugh explores two helpful packages from Joreth Music: System 7 - an editor and Librarian program for Yamaha's DX7 and TX7; and the Tone Editor for Casio CZ synths.

MIDI DJ: Disk Recorder/Sequencer

MIDI DJ Disk Recorder/Sequencer

Behind the smoked perspex cover of what seems like an innocent looking disk drive are hidden some advanced MIDI facilities. Mark Jenkins investigates this dual channel MIDI sequencer from the States.

NOMAD SMC1.0 SMPTE/MIDI CONTROLLER

Nomad SMC1.0 SMPTE/MIDI Controller

Saddle up your camels and join the timecode caravan - but this Nomad is British and hasn't seen an oasis in its life. Are you already synced up or still wandering in the desert? David Mellor puts on his sunglasses... The Nomad Low-cost SMPTE reader/generator.

ROLAND D50 SYNTHESIZER

Roland D50 Linear Synthesizer

Martin russ looks at the latest addition to Roland's range of synthesizers. In this first article he presents his initial impressions of the D50 and its sounds. Next month sees a more in-depth look at the technology and philosophy behind the D50.

RSF SD140 SAMPLING DRUM MACHINE

RSF SD140 Sampling Drum Machine

Mark Jenkins reckons he knows his onions when it comes to hi-tech gear, so we asked him to concoct a tasty little number with this new French sampling drum machine - a cross between an RX11 and SP-12.

STEINBERG SMP24 SMPTE/MIDI Processor

Steinberg SMP24 SMPTE/MIDI Processor

From soft to hard - Steinberg's latest package is a hardware combination of MIDI patchbay, merger, synchroniser and SMPTE reader rolled into one. It operates as a stand-alone unit or in conjunction with an Atari ST micro. But is it all that it's cracked up to be? Mark Badger investigates.

TOA 310D

TOA 310D Triple Delay

'Buy one, get two free!' could well be the motto for this digital delay. Gareth Stuart checks it out.

YAMAHA TX81Z FM EXPANDER

Yamaha TX81Z FM Expander

For many synthesists, Yamaha's FB01 seemed the ideal way of gaining access to FM sounds without too much investment, but the lack of editing facilities limited its ultimate usefulness. The TX81Z avoids the same trap by offering complete programmability and a wider range of features. Mark Badger investigates...

INSIDE VIEWS

Kim Ryrie: Fairlight Instruments

A look at hi-tech companies and design personnel working in the field of music and recording technology. This month, Paul Gilby talks with Kim Ryrie, President of Fairlight instruments.

THE PROFESSIONALS

MCPS: Mechanical Copyright Protection Society

Second in an occasional series in which David Mellor takes a look at the organisation that help musicians and composers earn an honest crust in this hard world. Anyone who earns money from recordings of their music has reason to thank the MCPS and sister organisation the Mechanical Rights Society. If you haven't thanked them personally yet, this is why you should...

GATEWAY'S SOUND ADVICE COLUMN

GATEWAY'S SOUND ADVICE COLUMN: Quality sampling; Compressing samples; Microtonality

More hints and tips revealed as the expert teaching staff of London's Gateway School of Recording & Music Technology answer you queries: Quality sampling; Compressing samples; Microtonality.

THE FIRST COMMISSSION

The First Commision: Part 1

Part 1: Have you ever wondered how to make a living from all that gear you own, or considered what our equipment reviewers get up to when they're not writing for Sound On Sound? Read on and all will be revealed as regular contributor Tony Hastings recounts how a luck break resulted in his first commision in the lucrative world of advertising jingles and sountracks.