Synthesizers

Emu's Sound Engine is the first dedicated General MIDI module from the USA. Derek Johnson explores GM the American way.

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.

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

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...

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

Long-term K2000 user Paul Ward gets to grips with the latest in Kurzweil's line of groundbreaking synths for just long enough to produce this hands-on preview...

Having nearly made it in the '80s with an awesome sound on a par with Trevor Horn's productions, UK electronic music stalwart Mark Shreeve is back, with his sights set on Hollywood. Jonathan Miller discusses vintage gear, multi-million pound albums, and Samantha Fox.

Two of Yamaha's most recent products, the MU50 synth module and the CBX-K1 mini keyboard, are designed to compliment each other as the nucleus of a budget, GM-compatible music-making setup.. Paul Nagle evaluates the pair, and considers the potentially confusing role of Yamaha's XG MIDI format...

Paul Nagle takes home a version 2.0 Microwave and discovers why this extraordinary instrument continues to enjoy such a long and illustrious life.

Vintage synth collector and self-confessed Korg fanatic Alex Clarke waxes extremely lyrical about the early '80s Trident — a hybrid of polysynth and string machine.

Novation have squeezed the innards of their successful BassStation analogue bass synth into a 1U rackmount model, throwing in some handy new features along the way. Jonathan Miller gets lost in bass...

It's 28-voice polyphonic, with 128 sounds and a computer interface — and comes in a box the size of a video tape. Derek Johnson finds out whether size matters after all.

Paul Ward gets bullish about one of Robert Moog's lesser-known creations - the Taurus bass foot pedals, famed for their thunderous sound and association with some of the 1970s prog rock scene's greatest stars.

Paul White gets truly virtual with Roland's new physical modelling guitar product — and no, it's not a guitar synth!

Two months ago, Korg unveiled their OASYS high-end physical modelling synth, and already, a low-cost spin-off is just around the corner. SOS staff were amongst the first to hear it.

More notes, more waveforms, but more money. Is this new module from Korg just more of the same? Derek Johnson finds out...

Could this be the ultimate one-box solution to your sound generation needs? Kevin Earley finds out.

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 brings back from NAMM exclusive news from Roland's new secret weapon in the physical modelling wars.

Following the success of their Quasar synth last year, Quasimidi have launched the new Technox, aimed firmly at the production of electronic dance music. Paul Ward dons his backwards baseball cap and checks it out...