Vinyl audio - the format that would not die
You would be forgiven for thinking that vinyl records were a thing of the past, but the industry is still thriving.
Music production has changed dramatically over the past three decades. E&T examines the tools and techniques in use today.
John Leckie is one of the UK's most successful record producers. His CV reads like a who's who of rock'n'roll. Here, he reflects on the technological changes he's seen in the recording studio over the years.
What would you buy to get a better sound? And, more importantly, how would you know it had any effect?
E&T lends a technological ear to the world of audio in this issue. How has recording music changed in the 21st century; which is the best way of storing digital music; do people still want a physical product; alien sounds from 10 of the world's strangest instruments; record producer John Leckie looks back over 40 years of audio technology; how modern-day craftsmen produce violins using an age-old tried and tested approach; the rebirth of vinyl records and laser turntables to play them on; the top five enduring hi-fi myths busted; the creative legacy of vintage electronic equipment; a photo essay on manufacturing guitars at Fender's Corona, California, facility. All this and much more besides.
The E&T podcast: download episode 11 here
In our second long-form podcast, Nick Smith interviews world-renowned record producer John Leckie; Jonathan Wilson talks to Abbey Road’s Simon Gibson and Universal Mastering Studio’s Peter Doell to find out how mastering engineers put the finishing touches on records today; Kris Sangani talks to William Rogers, CEO of UKRD, to hear about the proposed switch from analogue FM to DAB radio; Martin Brampton, campaign coordinator for SaveFM.net, offers his personal take on the superiority of FM over DAB radio from an avid listener’s perspective; Abi Grogan visits Tim Boon, Head of Research and Public History at the Science Museum in London, to talk about how some of the earliest electronic music technology has influenced the equipment we use today; and Rachael Fergusson visits antivirus software company Avast's headquarters in Prague.
Strength in diversity for industrial conglomerate 
Six global brands strengthen UTC’s resilience in uncertain markets
Nanotechnology and IT: the missing links
There are now many examples of how nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionise IT and communications technology - but it might take some time yet, reports Martin Courtney.
What makes a zero carbon house?
The quest to build zero-carbon homes is plagued by controversy, but as Tony James discovers it is vital to a low-carbon future.
Fender factory tour: photo essay
We follow the manufacturing process at Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, by which solid blocks of wood are transformed in to shapely electric guitars.
Oramics to Electronica
E&T reflects on pioneering people and instruments from the history of electronic music
Manufacturing the violin
Modern day craftsman still follow a tried and tested methodology pioneered by Antonio Stradivari to handcraft violins.
Audio formats in the 21st century
Audio file formats flow effortlessly around the Internet - that's their charm and their challenge. But which is best?
Strange electronic instruments
Electronic instruments can often sound even more unusual than they look. Here are ten of the most peculiar.
Music production in the 2010s
Music production has changed dramatically over the past three decades. E&T examines the tools and techniques in use today.
Kilimanjaro's lessons for management
A high-rolling professional CEO for blue-chip investment companies, Herta von Stiegel has led two expeditions to Mount Kilimanjaro, where she really learned her lessons in leadership. She tells E&T about her new book.
Pro-audio components struggle with mass-market success
The consumer market is beginning to exert its influence on the pro-audio business, and it's not all good news.
Q&A - Peter Fielder
Managing a multi-million pound defence project with its intricate financial and technological complexities requires a stable project management structure, says Peter Fielder, managing director of performance excellence at BAE Systems.
Laser turntables - when lasers get groovy
Laser turntables make light work of playing gramophone records without the need for scratchy styli, and claim to beam into hidden areas of sonic data.
Headphones in the digital age
Developments in headphone technology are being driven by growing consumer demand for ever-higher fidelity and style.
Analogue switch off 'ain't going to happen'
The plan was simple: switch off the FM and AM antennas in the wake of the exodus to digital, but some powerful voices in the radio industry are switched off to the idea.
Audio mastering: inside the engineer's sonic laboratory
Mastering is the final phase for a recording before production, the last chance to fix any sonic issues. In this specialised role, what is required of mastering engineers today?
Power concerns usher in new generation of work-shy processors
The pressure to deliver longer battery life in mobile handsets and tablets is forcing chipmakers to put spare processor cores onto their devices with the intention of using their signature, power-hungry cores only on an occasional basis.
For and Against: Lifelong Learning
For
Skills shortages in the UK are being properly addressed and Britain is 'fit for purpose'
Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning
John Hayes MP profile
John Hayes MP is the Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, with particular responsibility for apprenticeships, careers guidance and vocational education.
Against
Skills shortages in the UK are not being properly addressed and Britain is not 'fit for purpose'
Chief execuitve
Dr Chris Young profile
Dr Chris Young is the chief executive of the ESTnet, the specialist network for the electronics, software and technology industry in Wales. She is a past chairman of West Wales branch of the IET and a founding member and past vice chairman of the UK Electronics Alliance.
Skills shortages in the UK are being properly addressed
Self tuning robo-guitar comes with sound-changing app store and internal engine
Brompton's first new handlebar in seven years features extra height for upright sitters and tall folks
Rimfree toilets make the germ-free leap from hospitals and schools to the home
The cheapest version of the Kindle e-reader drops its keyboard, 3G connectivity and ‘read aloud’ text-to-speech option
The best smartphone around - the upgrades are a faster A5 processor, 8MP camera and Siri voice-assist
GPS sport tracking watch that handles cycling, running and now swimming
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