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
Mooer Audio F40i / F40i Li Intelligent Amp
Guitars Mooer Audio’s flagship Intelligent Amp lets you find guitar tones using AI prompts
Polyend Mess
Guitar Pedals “A sturdy, interesting and decent-sounding effects unit with tempo syncing and sequencing capabilities”: Polyend Mess review
IK Multimedia ARC On-Ear
Headphones “From functionality through to physical design, IK Multimedia has completely nailed it”: IK Multimedia ARC On-Ear review
Three pairs of in-ear monitors and their cases lying on top of a bundle of instrument cables
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2026: IEMs for stage and studio
Erica Synths x Hexinverter HexDrums
Drum Machines “An impressive percussion machine with raw analogue weight and manual control”: Erica Synths x Hexinverter Hexdrums review
Universal Audio Volt 876
Audio Interfaces Best audio interface 2026: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
Apple Creator Studio Logic Pro
Digital Audio Workstation “Experienced producers might feel uneasy about the focus being put so heavily on AI and the Session Players, but it’s still an instant recommendation”: Apple Logic Pro for Mac 12 and Logic Pro for iPad 3 review
A woman plays an MPC XL and synthesizer in a home studio
Tech After years of covering the NAMM cycle I've never seen flagship gear hit the shelves so quickly - here are 6 of the hottest NAMM 26 releases you can pick up right now
Man wearing black hat playing the Roland TD716 electronic drum set
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets in 2026: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
Guitars The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
An Asus ProArt P16 laptop on a desk with music production gear
Computers Best laptop for music production 2026: For home studios and mobile music-making - tested by experts
Arturia KeyStep mk2
Midi Controllers Best MIDI keyboards 2026: Find the perfect match for your studio workflow
An SSL BiG SiX mixer in a studio
Recording Best home studio mixers 2026: analogue and digital mixing desks for all budgets
Hottest music tech gear of NAMM
Tech The best music tech gear of NAMM 2026: Epic polys, acoustic synths, budget samplers, a Behringer Juno and more
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Gear & Gadgets

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

News
By Computer Music and Future Music ( Computer Music, Future Music ) published 4 April 2018

Tech treats galore

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

Universal Audio Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor

Universal Audio Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor

Out music tech reviews team has had the usual mix of software and hardware to look at recently, with a fine assortment of new releases landing on their test bench.

Here, we take a digested look at all of the tech gear that we reviewed on the site during the last month. Let's kick things off with something distressing...

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Like having a real Distressor inside your DAW, EL8 Distressor brings one of the greatest dynamics processors ever made to Apollo and UAD-2 in style.”

FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 1 of 14
Page 1 of 14
Newfangled Audio Elevate Bundle

Newfangled Audio Elevate Bundle

MusicRadar's verdict:

“EQuivocate is awesome, but Elevate is the real story - it’s a dynamics sculpting beast.”

FULL REVIEW: Newfangled Audio Elevate Bundle

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 2 of 14
Page 2 of 14
IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O 49

IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O 49

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A solid production setup, combining MIDI control and audio interfacing with a knockout software bundle.”

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O 49

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 3 of 14
Page 3 of 14
Sound Radix Powair

Sound Radix Powair

MusicRadar's verdict:

“An absolutely stunning compressor and leveller that no one should be without.”

FULL REVIEW: Sound Radix Powair

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 4 of 14
Page 4 of 14
Unfiltered Audio SpecOps

Unfiltered Audio SpecOps

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A brilliantly conceived spectral effects plugin for sound designers and progressively-minded electronic musicians.”

FULL REVIEW: Unfiltered Audio SpecOps 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 5 of 14
Page 5 of 14
Dmitry Sches Thorn

Dmitry Sches Thorn

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Thorn is a world-class soft synth that we confidently predict will become a dance music production staple.”

FULL REVIEW: Dmitry Sches Thorn

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 6 of 14
Page 6 of 14
Plugin Boutique Scaler

Plugin Boutique Scaler

MusicRadar's verdict:

“It falls flat at the offline export stage, but in every other regard, Scaler is a powerful aid for musicians of all ability levels.”

FULL REVIEW: Plugin Boutique Scaler 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 7 of 14
Page 7 of 14
D16 Group Toraverb 2

D16 Group Toraverb 2

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Even at its increased price-point, Toraverb 2 is still one of the biggest bargains in music software - don’t miss it.”

FULL REVIEW: D16 Group Toraverb 2

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 8 of 14
Page 8 of 14
Steinberg Cubase Pro 9.5

Steinberg Cubase Pro 9.5

MusicRadar's verdict:

“There are no radical changes, but most new features are well-implemented and worthwhile. Cubase remains an excellent and well-featured DAW.”

FULL REVIEW: Steinberg Cubase Pro 9.5 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 9 of 14
Page 9 of 14
Radial Engineering Key Largo

Radial Engineering Key Largo

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Quality, durability and flexibility meet in a stompbox-format mixer that bridges analogue and digital realms both live and in the studio.”

FULL REVIEW: Radial Engineering Key Largo

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 10 of 14
Page 10 of 14
Focal Shape 65

Focal Shape 65

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Delivering delicious frequency balance, terrific transient detail and crystal-clear stereo, this is a worthy monitor upgrade for the price.”

FULL REVIEW: Focal Shape 65 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 11 of 14
Page 11 of 14
Ableton Live 10

Ableton Live 10

MusicRadar's verdict:

“With copious workflow enhancements, a stellar synth and the amazing Echo, Live 10 is an unmissable upgrade.”

FULL REVIEW: Ableton Live 10 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 12 of 14
Page 12 of 14
Erica Synths Acidbox III

Erica Synths Acidbox III

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A characterful, gritty analogue effect, made all the more flexible by its stereo signal path and modulation options.”

FULL REVIEW: Erica Synths Acidbox III

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 13 of 14
Page 13 of 14
Dubreq Stylophone Gen X-1

Dubreq Stylophone Gen X-1

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The Stylophone adds a thoughtful set of synthesis basics to make a useful, creative instrument for fans of the original’s unique tone.”

FULL REVIEW: Dubreq Stylophone Gen X-1

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 14 of 14
Page 14 of 14
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
Music technology gear of the year 2025
Music technology gear of the year 2025: Our favourite new synths, drum machines, plugins and more
 
 
Hottest music tech gear of NAMM
The best music tech gear of NAMM 2026: Epic polys, acoustic synths, budget samplers, a Behringer Juno and more
 
 
NAMM 2026
NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
 
 
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
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $600 off one of our favourite Casio pianos, $200 off top-tier Sennheiser studio headphones, and so much 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
 
 
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $220 off a stunning Gretsch, $150 off a unique Les Paul Custom Widow, as well as hundreds off pianos, interfaces, and headphones
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $600 off one of our favourite Casio pianos, $200 off top-tier Sennheiser studio headphones, and so much more
 
 
Piano under a Christmas tree with gifts
5 reasons a gift card is the most stress-free present you can get a musician this Christmas
 
 
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
 
 
Cyber Monday deals badge over a neon EQ
These 58 Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for musicians are still live - but they'll be gone soon
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in News
Alex Honnold
Alex Honnold reveals just how much Tool he listened to during his free climb of the Taipei 101 skyscraper
 
 
Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir performs at Tons Of Rock 2025
Dimmu Borgir’s Silenoz on playing a guitar inspired by a shark – and why you can be black metal and still love the blues
 
 
BEHRINGER
Behringer officially releases its "supercharged" Roland Juno-60 clone, the JN-80
 
 
Dave Greenfield of The Stranglers performs on stage at The Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park, London, United Kingdom, January 30th 1977
"They did a beautiful job": How The Repair Shop restored The Stranglers’ vintage keyboard
 
 
will.i.am attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards
“Robots will be here on the red carpet before 2030”: Will-i-am predicts Grammys will soon be given to AI
 
 
Leo Woodall in Tuner
“I’m just a piano tuner, man”: Could Tuner be the audiology thriller we never knew we needed?
 
 

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...