Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Plugin Week 2026
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • World in Motion
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The genius of Clive Davis
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

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

News
By Future Music Computer Music published 4 October 2018

Controllers, speakers, plugins and synths

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

TC Electronic TC2290-DT

TC Electronic TC2290-DT

MusicRadar's verdict:

“We love the TC2290-DT plugin, and the controller is quite cool, but the inextricable linking of the two is maddening.”

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic TC2290-DT

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Native Instruments TRK-01

Native Instruments TRK-01

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A rich, flexible, keenly-priced source of hybrid kicks and synthesised basslines that sounds great and inspires creativity.”

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments TRK-01

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Softube Tube-Tech Complete Collection Mk II

Softube Tube-Tech Complete Collection Mk II

MusicRadar's verdict:

With the nights starting to draw in, chances are you'll be spending more time in your studio over the next few months. So, why not banish your Autumnal angst by giving your setup an upgrade?

There's plenty of new software and hardware to choose from - all the stuff we reviewed on MusicRadar in September, for example...

“Existing users might feel a little short- changed, but the definitive virtual Tube- Techs look and sound better than ever.”

FULL REVIEW: Softube Tube-Tech Complete Collection Mk II 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Adam Audio T5V Monitors

Adam Audio T5V Monitors

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The T5V delivers plenty of clarity, decent imaging and volume from a pretty compact footprint. A tidy package, at a good price.”

FULL REVIEW: Adam Audio T5V Monitors

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Arturia DrumBrute Impact

Arturia DrumBrute Impact

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Not the most versatile on the market, but it combines quality drum synth sounds with a killer sequencer, at a very tempting price.”

FULL REVIEW: Arturia DrumBrute Impact 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Arturia Keylab Essential 49

Arturia Keylab Essential 49

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Robust build quality, fantastic Arturia Analog Lab integration and a decent software bundle make for a real winning combination.”

FULL REVIEW: Arturia Keylab Essential 49  

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Audient iD44

Audient iD44

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Four high quality analogue microphone pres, oodles of digital expansion capability, monitoring options aplenty... There’s a lot to like.”

FULL REVIEW: Audient iD44 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
IK Multimedia UNO

IK Multimedia UNO

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Despite some manufacturing compromises, UNO is a great-sounding source of analogue basses and leads at a bargain price.”

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia UNO

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Nektar Pacer

Nektar Pacer

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A highly configurable control surface which leaves your hands free, for guitar-centric studio musicians and live electronics artists alike.”

FULL REVIEW: Nektar Pacer

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Sonicsmith Squaver P1+ & Convertor+

Sonicsmith Squaver P1+ & Convertor+

MusicRadar's verdict:

“These two units offer something a little different to analogue synthesis, but it’s perhaps most useful as part of a larger system.”

FULL REVIEW: Sonicsmith Squaver P1+ & Convertor+

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Future Music Computer Music
Read more
Superbooth 2026
Tech I went to Superbooth and these are the 10 bits of gear I wanted to take home with me
 
 
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
 
 
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
 
 
plugins
Tech The ultimate soft synth showdown: Serum 2, Pigments, Phase Plant, Vital and Massive X: But which is best?
 
 
Software vs Hardware
Synths The ultimate synth shoot-out 2026: Hardware classics vs. their software successors - but can you really tell which is which?
 
 
A Yamaha URX44V audio interface on a worn wooden surface with a laptop and a mixing desk
Audio Interfaces Best audio interface 2026: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
Arturia Rev Ocean
Tech Arturia’s new Ocean-inspired reverb will turn your sounds “into a living sonic current”
 
 
Fred Again
Artists Unlocking the production tricks that Fred Again swears by
 
 
soothe3
Tech How Oeksound's Soothe became one of modern production's most ubiquitous plugins
 
 
Oeksound Soothe
Plugins I’ve been a professional producer for decades, and these are the plugins I always call-up when working on a project
 
 
GForce Software DMX
Drum Machines Want crispy, retro digital drum machine sounds? Here’s our top picks of the plugin options that emulate the pioneering classics
 
 
Roland 808
Drum Machines The best plugins for re-creating the grit and punch of classic analog drum machines
 
 
Latest in News
Arturia Rev Ocean
Tech Arturia’s new Ocean-inspired reverb will turn your sounds “into a living sonic current”
 
 
Billy Corgan and Paz Lenchantin of Zwan perform onstage at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco, California, USA on 22nd April 2002
Singles And Albums “There was a lot of writing in that band”: Billy Corgan to release two albums of unheard Zwan material
 
 
finneas
Tech “Apparently that beat was originally for Kanye”: Finneas on the "weird production choices" in a TV theme that's become a modern classic
 
 
Beatles
Artists New data reveals which Beatles songs musicians want to learn the most
 
 
William Shatner with a guitar
Singles And Albums William Shatner upcoming metal album is set to become live “immersive spectacle” too
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Sienna Spiro performs during her "The Visitor" Tour at The Roundhouse on May 19, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
Artists “I have vocal nodes": Breakout star Sienna Spiro's distinctive singing voice comes at a cost
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...