To say that Roger Linn changed modern music forever maybe sounds a little grandiose. But when you consider the fact that he was the guy responsible for inventing the first user-friendly digital drum machine – the legendary LinnDrum back in the '80s – then you've certainly got to give this canny Californian some credit. ...more

It is safe to say that most folk, whether musically inclined or not, will show familiarity with the Fender name – and shapes even. Fender have a reputation for producing guitars of superior quality, lasting beauty and exceptional playability. And it is a well deserved reputation at that! ...more

In my experience, too many synthesisers work very hard at being general. Many provide a plethora of strings, pianos, basses and drum sounds. Yet, sonorities required for specialist applications all too often take a back seat in such machines. So, I was absolutely delighted when I was asked to review a synthesiser that is aimed squarely at the dance market. Introducing the Novation KS5. ...more

Back in the December/January 2003 issue of NZM, Auckland studio owner Rikki Morris reviewed eight pairs of ‘affordable’ active nearfield studio monitors in two different price bands. ...more

Having recently enjoyed Native Instrument's excellent VST software instruments – the B3 (a Hammond organ emulator) and Battery (a drum machine emulator not dissimilar to the legendary SP1200) – I was pretty excited by the idea of having a play with Traktor DJ Studio, thinking it would be another fine VST type of instrument. ...more