Reviews
C-LAB NOTATOR
C-Lab Notator for Atari ST By combining their 64-track Creator MIDI sequencer with a set of powerful new features and a scorewriter, C-Lab have produced arguably the most sophisticated music notation package to date for the Atari ST. Ian Waugh supplies the notes.
DR. T's SOFTWARE PAGE: Updates and revisions; KCS hints; Caged artist tips; Read me files
MAKING TRACKS
Passport Master Tracks Junior Budget tight? Don't despair. This entry-level 64-track sequencing program from passport has all the features you will need to start making your own music. Chris Kempster takes it for a spin.
OBERHEIM MATRIX 1000
Oberheim Matrix 1000 Analogue Synth Looking for 'new' sounds? Martin Russ explores Oberheim's new Matrix 1000 analogue synth and discovers that digital isn't always best.
SPECTRUM SYNTHESIS - UPGRADE
Emax Hard Disk Sampler: Spectrum Synthesis Upgrade Unlike some samplers, Emax has stayed the course since its introduction over 18 months ago and has developed into a mature, well groomed specimen. Having released a Hard Disk version of the machine almost a year ago, Emu have recently given Emax yet another lease of life with their Spectrum Synthesis upgrade, which turns the sampler into a powerful additive synthesizer. David Hughes.
STEINBERG SOFTWARE PAGE: Updating; Back-ups; U-matics & timeclocks; Pro 24 MIDI sync
THE PRODUCTION CENTRE
Roland D20 Keyboard With its 8-track sequencer, rhythm composer, digital reverb and built-in disk drive, Roland's latest multitimbral LA synthesizer would be better described as a budget 'music workstation'. Paul Ireson reveals why...
THE SILENCER
DBX 563X Silencer The latest addition to the dbx range of half-rack studio processors is the 563X Silencer, a handy device for removing the 'hiss' from recordings or even digital samples. Gareth Stuart puts it to the test.
UMI-4M MIDI Composition System
UMI-4M MIDI Composition System Are 8-bits still viable? Martin Russ temporarily abandons his Atari ST for a look at the latest version of this music sequencer package for the BBC micro.
XRI SYSTEMS XR300 SMPTE SYNCHRONISER
XRI Systems XR300 SMPTE Synchroniser This low-cost unit from XRI brings the power of true timecode synchronisation to the masses. Paul Ireson checks it out.
| People + Opinion
RECORDING A FILM MUSIC SOUNDTRACK
Recording A Film Music Soundtrack: Willow Ed Jone 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'.
Technique
HOW TO RECREATE A JAM & LEWIS PRODUCTION
'When I think of you' by Janet Jackson One good way of learning your way around the equipment you own is to use it to recreate somebody else's music. That's exactly what Mike Collins did last year whilst working at Yamaha's Research & Development Studio in London. Using nothing but Yamaha gear, he set about reproducing a Janet Jackson hit in full, by himself. Here, he recalls what was involved.
INTEGRATING MIDI & THE STUDIO
Integrating MIDI & The Studio MIDI has revolutionised the way we make and record music. But it has developed at such an incredible pace that it is easy to lose sight of MIDI's many benefits. In this lengthy article, Craig Anderton provides a lucid explaination of how you can make MIDI work for you - whether you have a small home studio set-up or a full-blown professional system.
| 
