Comment / Opinion

Is the work of media composers writing original music being undermined by people using unprocessed material from sample CDs, and passing it off as their own work?

Even in the simplest of studios, cables breed like rabbits on Viagra. If the whole thing isn't to descend into 'cable anarchy', you have to impose some kind of order...

The Chairman of the UK Music Producers' Guild argues that producers should be paid performance royalties for their studio contributions, even if they don't actually play.

Is Surround Sound and the DVD-Audio format all a plot to 'take the means of production away from the workers'?

Not being one to let the dust settle after having 'done the business', Big George provides an update on his crusade.

As you know, April is that time of year when articles of a 'less-than-factually-accurate' nature tend to creep into SOS...

A former SOS Apple Notes columnist applies memetics to the perennial Mac/Windows struggle.

Let's leave the 'my sequencer is bigger than your sequencer' type of forum posts and focus on what matters — making good music.

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?

In his last-ever Doing The Business, Big George burns all his boats with some radical ideas about what should be done with the British music industry... and receives a reply from the Dept. of Culture.

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.