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Best known for their low-cost controller keyboards, Fatar have now released a new kind of controller — the MP1 MIDI pedalboard. Paul Ward brings his lower limbs into the sonic fray...

Come on down, Akai's new low-cost sampler! Astonishing value for money at a mere £999, the basic S2000 is expandable to a top-of-the-range spec by means of add-on cards. Paul White spins the (data) wheel of fortune to see whether Akai have played their cards right this time...

Following on from last year's modular MSR2 synth, Marion Systems' new stand-alone Pro Synth seeks to capture the analogue sounds of yesteryear in module format, without recourse to sample-based synthesis techniques. Paul Nagle lends an ear.

Once simple one-channel units, MIDI-CV converters have become multi-output devices capable of handling various kinds of pre-MIDI control protocols. Design Labs' latest offering even sports a built-in resonant filter! Gordon Reid bleeps and oscillates with delight...

Paul White looks over the smallest mixer in Soundtracs' new Topaz range.

Hot on the heels of their astonishing new Prophecy monophonic synthesizer, Korg are already near completing work on their next range of workstations, entitled Trinity. Gordon Reid was allowed a sneak preview of the next generation...

Power amps may not be as exciting as synths, but they can make a big difference to your sound. Paul White checks out Yamaha's latest power tool.

Offering evolution not revolution, the feature-laden K2500R packs one heck of a sonic punch. Paul Ward remains impressed...

Norman Fay takes a relro look at the Rhodes Chroma, the last and most obscure of ARP's long line of analogue synthesizers.

Paul White checks out the new features in this latest update to Emagic's MIDI recording environment.

Team SOS checks out an advanced damping polymer from Spectra Dynamics in Wales.

Paul White turns his critical ear to three Groove Tubes valve mics, and concludes that they are more likely to tell you what you want to hear than the unbridged truth.

Paul White discovers that doubling the input capacity of a Mackie LM3204 is as simple as plugging in a single ribbon cable — and signing a cheque!

Until now, musicians wanting to add that distinctive valve sound to their recordings have had to beg, borrow, or steal to do it. At a mere £149, ART's new tube mic preamp looks set to change all that. Paul White checks it out.

Paul White bolts Roland's new range of synth expander modules into his rack, seats himself in the comfy chair, then switches it on.

Andy Davies casts his eyes, and fingers, over Fatar's latest low-cost master keyboards.

Team SOS test a practice amp from Washburn.

It's not a new synth — it's seven! Korg's amazing new Prophecy offers analogue and FM synthesis, and physical modelling, and still costs under £1000. Unsurprisingly, SOS staff have been dying to review one ever since it was unveiled at this year's Frankfurt Musik Messe. Lucky man Gordon Reid won the toss...

Panicos Georghiades and Gabriel Jacobs put Steinberg's new budget 'MIDI-plus-audio' sequencer for Windows through its paces.

The trouble with sequels is that they're not usually as good as the originals. Is the follow-up to Digitech's powerful TSR24 the exception to the rule? Derek Johnson and Debbie Poyser find out.