Studio Test

A sampling kit for under £30. Curtis Schwartz discovers the noise of art

Epiphone V-2

Sony DTC55ES DAT Recorder

Sony's DTC55ES is their contribution to the first wave of domestic DAT recorders. Richard Aaron looks at what it can offer in a recording context.

Roland DEP-5 multi-effects

Julian Colbeck brings you the key facts on Roland's improvement on the SPX90.

Yamaha DX100 Polysynth

The latest addition to the DX family is the cheapest yet at just £349. Simon Trask slings it round his neck and takes it for a test drive: will it bring FM to the masses?

Friend-Chip K..AT

You've tried the mouse; now check out its computer-friendly feline counterpart, which offers remote control of Atari keyboard equivalents. Martin Russ prowls around the Friend-Chip K..AT.

the electric revival examined

Software Surplus

AKG K240DF headphones and AKG C535EB mic

Mike Skeet gives us his opinion on these monitor quality headphones. Are they really an alternative to mixing on speakers? Next he takes a look at the C535EB microphone.

Peavey SDR 20/20 Digital Multi Effects Unit

A refreshingly logical and capable multi-effects unit that successfully combines flexibility with fidelity.

Opcode Vision 1.4

Yamaha's DX21 polysynth offers FM sound quality at a low, low price, plus a few features even the DX7 doesn't have. Simon Trask investigates.

Yamaha DX21 synthesiser

The latest in the DX synth series

Another old synth makes its comeback. This time it's Steve Howell's much-prized ARP 2600 with its graphic panel layout, modular construction and built-in amplification.

UMI 2B Software

The 1B version was good, but Simon Trask has spent a month with its successor, and reckons it deserves its reputation as the most professional sequencing package designed round a home computer.

Fostex Model 20

Who needs a 3-track mastering machine? Fostex think you do so read all about the Model 20.

Rane ME15 and ME30 Graphics

A couple of graphic equalisers that would grace any studio.

MIDI sophistication in the humble patchbay: this modest-looking unit can store 100 routings of its 16x16 audio matrix and place the proceedings under MIDI control. Lorenz Rychner patches things up.

First reviewed in prototype form over a year ago, the 360 has been the subject of some significant hardware modifications since then, and Paul White reports on a more recent production sample.

With real acoustic instrument sounds

We hold a sample

ExpanderCheck

An idea whose time has come — a sample-based expander. Tony Reed slaps it around

At last, someone has come up with a sample-playing device that specialises in reproducing bass voices - from a double bass to a Moog synth. Brian Devereux reports.

A MIDI routing device from keyboard manufacturers 360 Systems. Our American correspondent Rick Davies puts it through its paces.