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  1. Tech
  2. Gear & Gadgets

New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (August 2018)

News
By MusicRadar published 1 August 2018

Synths, software, a mixer and more

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Despite the heatwave, our tech reviews team has remained burrowed away in its bunker over the past few weeks, appraising a multitude of hardware and software releases.

We've rounded-up all the tech reviews that appeared on the site within the month of July for your viewing pleasure. We start with the Analogue Solutions Treadstone.

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Despite some functional quirks, the Treadstone may be just what you’re after to add some analogue flavour to your setup.”

FULL REVIEW: Analogue Solutions Treadstone 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 1 of 19
Page 1 of 19
Elektron Digitone

Elektron Digitone

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A fun and very well thought-out box that can cover a wide sonic palette; takes the pain out of FM and replaces it with joy!”

FULL REVIEW: Elektron Digitone

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 2 of 19
Page 2 of 19
Motas-6 Synthesizer

Motas-6 Synthesizer

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The Motas-6 is neither cheap nor immediately intuitive, but it is extremely powerful and boasts some very interesting features.”

FULL REVIEW: Motas-6 Synthesizer

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 3 of 19
Page 3 of 19
Tracktion Waveform 9

Tracktion Waveform 9

MusicRadar's verdict:

“This is a true alternative - or complement - to your current DAW, once you’re used to how it works. Everyone should try it.”

FULL REVIEW: Tracktion Waveform 9

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 4 of 19
Page 4 of 19
Rob Papen Go2 

Rob Papen Go2 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A slick, powerful, versatile synth with a feature set and sound that belie the price.”

FULL REVIEW: Rob Papen Go2 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 5 of 19
Page 5 of 19
Acustica Audio Cream

Acustica Audio Cream

MusicRadar's verdict:

“With its flexible semi-modular architecture and stunning convolution engine, Cream is a cut above the average vintage strip.”

FULL REVIEW: Acustica Audio Cream

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 6 of 19
Page 6 of 19
Antares Auto-Tune Pro 

Antares Auto-Tune Pro 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Its combination of real-time and offline retuning is largely unchanged, but Auto-Tune Pro looks and flows better than ever.”

FULL REVIEW: Antares Auto-Tune Pro 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 7 of 19
Page 7 of 19
Line6 Echo Farm 3.0

Line6 Echo Farm 3.0

MusicRadar's verdict:

“It’s too expensive, but Echo Farm still has plenty going for it, particularly for the less technically-minded musician.”

FULL REVIEW: Line6 Echo Farm 3.0

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 8 of 19
Page 8 of 19
oeksound Spiff

oeksound Spiff

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Spiff’s unique frequency-conscious transient shaping makes it a versatile corrective and creative solution.”

FULL REVIEW: oeksound Spiff

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 9 of 19
Page 9 of 19
Togu Audio Line TAL-Mod

Togu Audio Line TAL-Mod

MusicRadar's verdict:

“An effortless, versatile synth with a rich, beefy, retro-inspired sound, TAL-Mod is well worth the crazy asking price.”

FULL REVIEW: Togu Audio Line TAL-Mod

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 10 of 19
Page 10 of 19
Signum Audio Bute Loudness Suite

Signum Audio Bute Loudness Suite

MusicRadar's verdict:

“An innovative, user-friendly, powerful analyser and True Peak limiter with a fairly steep price tag but a very bright future.”

FULL REVIEW: Signum Audio Bute Loudness Suite

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 11 of 19
Page 11 of 19
Moog Grandmother

Moog Grandmother

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Not a complete all-rounder, but this a fine semi-modular synth with genuine Moog pedigree. You might just consider selling your grandmother to get one...”

FULL REVIEW: Moog Grandmother

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 12 of 19
Page 12 of 19
Audified Synergy R1

Audified Synergy R1

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The Synergy R1 takes two CPU-heavy effects, reverb and saturation, and puts them in a unique double-wide box of excellence.”

FULL REVIEW: Audified Synergy R1

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 13 of 19
Page 13 of 19
Dance MIDI Samples Ascension

Dance MIDI Samples Ascension

MusicRadar's verdict:

“With its huge soundbank, four oscillators, Wave Editor and MIDI Player, Ascension is a powerful dance music workstation.”

FULL REVIEW: Dance MIDI Samples Ascension

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 14 of 19
Page 14 of 19
Korg Volca Mix 

Korg Volca Mix 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The Mix is useful in a lot of ways, and is fairly well priced, but it’s not the ultimate Volca accessory it could have been.”

FULL REVIEW: Korg Volca Mix 

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 15 of 19
Page 15 of 19
Tiptop Audio Z-DSP

Tiptop Audio Z-DSP

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Tiptop missed doing something groundbreaking here; then again, the Z-DSP in itself is so well thought-out, it’s still a contender.”

FULL REVIEW: Tiptop Audio Z-DSP

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 16 of 19
Page 16 of 19
Plogue Chipsynth PortaFM

Plogue Chipsynth PortaFM

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A couple of oversights don’t stop Plogue’s exacting tribute to the OPLL winning our hearts with its vivid FM sounds.”

FULL REVIEW: Plogue Chipsynth PortaFM

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 17 of 19
Page 17 of 19
Moog DFAM percussion synth

Moog DFAM percussion synth

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A unique and inspiring percussion synth, and the perfect partner to the Mother-32. The lack of MIDI is disappointing though."

FULL REVIEW: Moog DFAM percussion synth

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 18 of 19
Page 18 of 19
Sonicsmith Modulor A1

Sonicsmith Modulor A1

MusicRadar's verdict:

“An interesting unit that would make an ideal addition to other Sonicsmith boxes, though a harder sell as a standalone purchase."

FULL REVIEW: Sonicsmith Modulor A1

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 19 of 19
Page 19 of 19
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