SOUND ON SOUND
At a time when a modular synth could cost as much as an average house, Roland's System 100M was an affordable dream. Chris Carter gets patched in...
Paul White is given an exclusive preview of a new technology that will revolutionise music making — and this time, it really will!
We've had the analogue synth revival; now it's the turn of the analogue sequencer! Gordon Reid checks out Analogue Systems' brand-new 16-step analogue sequencer and explains just why you might want such an apparently obsolete device.
Paul White turns up the volume, and discovers that Spirit's PowerStation delivers both quality and quantity.
Are the 16-bit capabilities of your AV Macintosh languishing unused for want of a decent (and Cheap) 16-bit sample editor? SoundEdit 16 could be your salvation. Mike Collins checks it out...
Quad is a 4-track 'Portastudio'-style digital recording system for the PC. Could it replace your cassette-based multitrack? Panicos Georghiades and Gabriel Jacobs find out...
Paul White tries out Peavey's new rackmount mixer to find out if the tubes really make a difference...
Yamaha's Virtual Acoustic technology has begun the march toward affordability with the release of the VL7, at a little more than half the cost of the flagship VL1. Is this a DX7 for the '90s? David Crombie finds out.
Soundcraft have added nearfield monitors to their product range in a continued bid for world domination. Paul White subjects them to the rigours of studio life.
The flood of quality effects units from Lexicon continues unabated. The Reflex takes the familiar Alex format, enhances its front panel editing, adds Lexicon's new Lexi II chip for improved sound quality, and tops it all off with comprehensive MIDI control facilities. Nick Magnus gets dynamic...
Paul White looks at a RAM program card from Metrasound for use in a Yamaha SY35.
Philip Rees are known for their distinctive red and black MIDI Thru and Merge boxes, which have found homes in many MIDI studios. Now they've turned their attention to tape sync, with the TS1. Derek Johnson checks it out.
Paul Ward looks back through time to 1980, and considers the hidden strengths of one of Roland's more overlooked monosynths: the SH09.
Amidst the parched sands of the NAMM show, Paul White found welcome relief at Korg's Oasys of advanced musical technology, where the latest efforts of the company's US R&D team were unveiled.
Shirley Gray checks out the upgraded version of Tascam's popular 8-track Portastudio.
Paul white gets his hands on Mackie's long-awaited 3204 line mixer and discovers that it has hidden potential.
Derek Johnson looks at a book from John Borwick exploring Sound Recording Practice.
The would-be samplist now has a wide range of samplers to choose from in the medium to high price ranges, but the sub-£800 zone has been looking decidedly bare — until now. Derek Johnson checks out the sampler that plugs the gap...
Paul White brings back from NAMM exclusive news from Roland's new secret weapon in the physical modelling wars.
A new bargain capacitor mic threatens to stop the drain of hard currency into the coffers of ailing ex-Eastern Bloc states. Paul White checks out the American-made CR3A.