Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitar Amps
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • EVH trance state
  • Antonoff on Please Please Please
  • “Mick looked peeved. The Beatles had upstaged him”
  • 95k+ free music samples

Recommended reading

Superbooth 2025
Synths 12 new instruments and effects you need to know about from Superbooth 2025
Plugins Future owns
Plugins Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
EQ
Tech Digging into the enhanced abilities of today's EQ plugins to enhance your productions
topos
Tech Forever 89 releases Topos, a topographical effects plugin that (quite literally) puts saturation on the map - and there's a free version
plugins
Tech Serum 2, Pigments 6, Phase Plant, Vital and Massive X: The ultimate soft synth showdown
Thomann Synth Days
Synths Calling all synth heads, Thomann just dropped the sale of the year with up to 80% off models from Moog, Behringer, Arturia and more
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
  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
Superbooth 2025
12 new instruments and effects you need to know about from Superbooth 2025
Plugins Future owns
Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
EQ
Digging into the enhanced abilities of today's EQ plugins to enhance your productions
topos
Forever 89 releases Topos, a topographical effects plugin that (quite literally) puts saturation on the map - and there's a free version
plugins
Serum 2, Pigments 6, Phase Plant, Vital and Massive X: The ultimate soft synth showdown
Thomann Synth Days
Calling all synth heads, Thomann just dropped the sale of the year with up to 80% off models from Moog, Behringer, Arturia and more
Latest in Software & Apps
soundflow
If you're an Ableton Live user, SoundFlow could save you hours of time by replacing complex workflows with the touch of a button
Soundtoys SpaceBlender
“It will drag out your inner Brian Eno with frightening ease”: Soundtoys SpaceBlender review
boss pedals plugin
Roland puts 8 classic Boss effects pedals in a new plugin, and there are more to come... but they're only available with a Roland Cloud subscription
circular
Native Instruments releases polyphonic sequencer that can "transform one note into a stunning soundscape"
plugins
Serum 2, Pigments 6, Phase Plant, Vital and Massive X: The ultimate soft synth showdown
syntorial
New to synthesis? This free synth plugin can help you learn how it works
Latest in News
Iron Maiden fan as Eddie
“Eddie says, ‘Let’s go back to the ’80s, so put down your phones!”: Iron Maiden ask fans to limit phone use at shows
Dave Grohl and Josh Freese perform on stage
“Metronome-like precision deemed "soulless"”: Josh Freese delivers 10 reasons for Foo Fighters sacking
Calvin Harris and Chicane
Calvin Harris slams claim that his new single Blessings sounds too similar to Chicane's Offshore
Dave Navarro (L) and Perry Farrell (R) of Jane's Addiction perform at Trinity College Park on June 28, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland
“There's no chance for the band to ever play together again”: Dave Navarro confirms there’s no way back for Jane’s Addiction
Elton John during the opening night curtain call for Tammy Faye on Broadway at The Palace Theatre
“It’s a criminal offence”: Elton lambasts government over proposals to change copyright laws to suit AI firms
Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo swears by this $50 Vocal Trainer gizmo to keep her singing voice in shape, but how does it actually work?

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

  • 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...