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
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
push
Tech Ableton and Arturia reign supreme as Reverb reveals best-selling synths, samplers and drum machines of 2025
A laptop in a music studio with Universal Audio plugins running on it
Plugins UAD's free plugin offer is the biggest no-brainer I've seen this year – but time is running out to get your hands on a world-class studio weapon for nothing
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
A Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 on a desk with various audio interfaces in the background
Audio Interfaces Best audio interface 2025: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
An Apple MacBook Air M4 on a desk with audio interface, headphones, and MIDI controller
Computers Best laptop for music production 2025: For home studios and mobile music-making - tested by experts
A Fractal Audio VP4 Virtual Pedalboard multi-effects pedal on a concrete floor
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals 2025: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
bicep
Artists “Omnisphere’s like a Korg Wavestation on crack – you press one button and 16 things happen at once”: Bicep on soft synths, sampling glaciers and club-focused new project CHROMA 000
plugin boutique
Tech Save up to 95% on incredible plugins, software and bundles in Plugin Boutique’s Black Friday sale – and grab an exclusive free plugin for MusicRadar readers
An Arturia MiniFuse 1 audio interface on a desk
Audio Interfaces Best budget audio interfaces 2025: Cheap USB interfaces for home recording, streaming, podcasting, and more
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Neural DSP Quad Cortex floating with smoke in the background
Guitars “A generational leap in modelling technology”: Neural DSP gives Quad Cortex and Nano Cortex an almighty power-up
Cherry Audio Mercury-6
Soft Synths This is the first synth I reach for when I need an arp - and right now it's 51% off!
A selection of free plugins on a lime green background
Plugins I've found 9 free plugin deals for Black Friday, including a killer bundle - help yourself to something for nothing before the offers disappear
Best impulse buy $50 plugins Cyber Monday 2025
Tech 19 of the best plugins under $50 for last-minute impulse buying this Cyber Monday
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

New tech gear of the month: review round-up (April 2017)

News
By Computer Music and Future Music ( Computer Music, Future Music ) published 4 April 2017

Plugins galore and stunning hardware!

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

Slate Digital VerbSuite Classics

Slate Digital VerbSuite Classics

We've had our hands on huge and compact synths, an updated DAW and countless plugins recently, as we continue to seek out the best new hi-tech music making gear and put it to the test

Read on for a whistle-stop guide to all the tech gear that was reviewed on MusicRadar in March, starting with a stunning package from Slate Digital.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“With its simplicity being, mostly, a positive, VerbSuite Classics takes convolution to new heights, delivering the essence of eight of the finest reverbs of all time.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Slate Digital VerbSuite Classics

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
PSP Audioware stompFilter

PSP Audioware stompFilter

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“PSP's action-packed and endlessly creative frequency-shaping plugin delivers fabulous hardware-style filtering, both in the studio and on stage. A must-have!”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PSP Audioware stompFilter

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
Mercuriall Spark

Mercuriall Spark

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Spark steers clear of complex rigs to deliver top notch Marshall amp tones with some excellent supporting pedals and effects.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mercuriall Spark

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
Accusonus Regroover

Accusonus Regroover

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Regroover may be a little unsure of its own remit, but that just makes it intriguing and open-ended. We can see it evolving into something truly special.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Accusonus Regroover

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
Heavyocity Punish

Heavyocity Punish

MusicRadar's verdict:

“It may not be groundbreaking, but Punish combines excellent processing with simplicity to tweak or transform sounds.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Heavyocity Punish

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
Bitwig Studio 2

Bitwig Studio 2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Bitwig Studio is now a well-rounded and impressive DAW across the board, and the new modulation system is a real cut above.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Bitwig Studio 2 

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
Arturia MatrixBrute

Arturia MatrixBrute

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It oozes personality and can go from a warm/twisted monosynth to dirty/ambient chord machine and powerful sequencer - mind blown!”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Arturia MatrixBrute 

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
Erica Synths Pico System 1

Erica Synths Pico System 1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A fantastic-sounding starter system that is begging to be expanded.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Erica Synths Pico System 1

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
Nektar Impact LX88+

Nektar Impact LX88+

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The LX88+ combines a pretty good keyboard with extensive DAW integration, and is about as good as you’ll get at this price point.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nektar Impact LX88+

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
Roland TB-03 Bass Line

Roland TB-03 Bass Line

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Captures the essence of the original 303 and adds a twist. But Roland could have gone further in updating the sequencer and interface.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland TB-03 Bass Line

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
Zoom ARQ Aero RhythmTrak AR-96

Zoom ARQ Aero RhythmTrak AR-96

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“ARQ is fun and capable of good results. But before you get dazzled by its lights, consider if it’s the perfect fit for you, as it isn’t cheap.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Zoom ARQ Aero RhythmTrak AR-96

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
Slate Digital VMS

Slate Digital VMS

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This is a great system which really does give you the character of classic vintage microphones at a price that won’t make you faint.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Slate Digital VMS 

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
Computer Music and Future Music
Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects… image
Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects…
…with the latest issue of Computer Music magazine
More Info
Read more
PreSonus Studio 24c in a home studio
My go-to audio interface is now even better value at under £80 in Gear4Music's early Black Friday sale
 
 
Best impulse buy $50 plugins Cyber Monday 2025
19 of the best plugins under $50 for last-minute impulse buying this Cyber Monday
 
 
plugin boutique
Save up to 95% on incredible plugins, software and bundles in Plugin Boutique’s Black Friday sale – and grab an exclusive free plugin for MusicRadar readers
 
 
bicep
“Omnisphere’s like a Korg Wavestation on crack – you press one button and 16 things happen at once”: Bicep on soft synths, sampling glaciers and club-focused new project CHROMA 000
 
 
A Macbook with music plugins running on it on a blue background
Black Friday plugin deals 2025: These are the last remaining deals on software
 
 
Neural DSP Archetype: Misha Mansoor X
“Huge sounds in the vein of an artist at the forefront of the progressive metal scene” Neural DSP Archetype: Misha Mansoor X review
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
A laptop in a music studio with Universal Audio plugins running on it
UAD's free plugin offer is the biggest no-brainer I've seen this year – but time is running out to get your hands on a world-class studio weapon for nothing
 
 
Spotify djay
Just in time for the party season, Spotify is finally back in iOS and Android DJing apps
 
 
dnksaus
Stuck for ideas in Ableton Live? This free Max for Live device could snap you out of writer's block
 
 
absynth 6
Native Instruments' Absynth returns – here’s the inside story, with developer Brian Clevinger
 
 
soundtoys
"This is our way of saying thank you": Soundtoys is giving away six free plugins this Christmas, starting with Little PrimalTap
 
 
songscription
"Humans will be doing all the serious music transcription for the foreseeable future": Songscription review
 
 
Latest in News
Howie Weinberg
Mastering engineers reflect on the loudness wars, and ponder whether they really are over
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score big savings on music gear ahead of Christmas from the likes of UAD, Casio, Waves, PRS and more
 
 
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Danielle Haim of Haim performs on the Park stage during day four of Glastonbury festival 2025 at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 28, 2025 in Glastonbury, England. Established by Michael Eavis in 1970, Glastonbury has grown into the UK's largest music festival, drawing over 200,000 fans to enjoy performances across more than 100 stages. In 2026, the festival will take a fallow year, a planned pause to allow the Worthy Farm site time to rest and recover. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Redferns)
Danielle Haim names her biggest guitar influences, including the player she calls “the most underrated”
 
 
ABBA VOYAGE
Money Money Money: Abba Voyage has contributed over £2 billion to the British economy
 
 
Ed Sheeran in front of guitars
Council gives go-ahead for Ed Sheeran to convert pig farm into private recording studio
 
 
arturia
Arturia's MiniFuse 2 OTG promises to make recording and streaming easy for content creators
 
 

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
  • 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...