Comment / Opinion

Are modern workstations fit to be called 'synthesizers'? By Bob Williams

If we are going to get behind surround sound and help drive the industry to its next level, we're going to need the right tools at the right price.

Is modern music more concerned with good sounds than with good ideas?

The current extent of software piracy poses a serious threat to the economical stability of the software companies on whom we rely...

There's an array of powerful music‑making software tools out there, but because they're considered 'hard' they don't get the same publicity as the latest toys available at your local music shop.

Much effort is currently being invested in establishing new digital audio interface standards for the future - but shouldn't we also be thinking about bringing MIDI into the 21st century?

Education versus making the tea: which one is the path to enlightenment?

Why is it that you can watch 20 TV shows a week about decorating your house, but not one about making music? Big George speculates.

Dave Shapton explains why he doesn't play live any more!

As a means of personal therapy, John Walden explains what he learned from spending the New Year with Windows pains.

Paul Ward wonders whether 'classic' always means 'good'...

Paul Farrer reveals how he learned to stop upgrading and love the music.

Can a virtual analogue synth inspire the same affection as its genuine analogue counterpart? Paul Nagle thinks not...

Many musicians bemoan the Net's implications for copyright but, as Robin Morley says, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...

There are still those who lament the fact that MIDI and music technology have made it possible for anyone to produce music, with a potential impact on overall quality — but Roger Derry isn't one of them...

Leading producer Steve Levine recently discovered that a fake Steve Levine has been masquerading as the real thing, to secure work under false pretences. Read on for the rest of this amazing story....

Kevin Perry proposes a radical redesign for modern digital audio software as we know it...

Mike Senior wonders to what extent our creative decisions are really free and how much they're dictated by the studio gear we know and trust.

Jeff Mearns wonders why we still suffer from gear lust, when old, faithful, well-worn studio equipment so often produces the best results...

The music biz is a notoriously difficult one, but you might think that at least the people who get paid to work for you are on your side. Sam Inglis says it's even worse than you thought.

Samples, re-sampling, looping, cutting and pasting — is it all getting too easy? Is the phrase 'dance music' becoming an oxymoron?