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
  • 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
  • Tiny Dancer
  • Browser DAWs
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Restring your guitar
  1. Tech
  2. Gear & Gadgets

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

News
By Computer Music and 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
Read more
Superbooth 2026
Tech I went to Superbooth and these are the 10 bits of gear I wanted to take home with me
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
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
 
 
A MacBook Pro running Ableton Live DAW
Digital Audio Workstation Best DAWs 2026: The best digital audio workstations for PC and Mac
 
 
Superbooth header
Tech Superbooth 2026: all the latest synth news from Berlin - LIVE!
 
 
Synth Week 2026 logo
Synths Synth Week 2026: Exhibitor A-Z
 
 
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
Donner DBM-100 metronome review
Gear & Gadgets “It's extremely easy to use, but only once you’ve got to grips with what is quite an esoteric control interface”: Donner DBM-100 metronome review
 
 
Image of a recording studio with wood panels in the backround
Gear & Gadgets Amazon Prime Day has over 100 sound treatment deals. I run my own studio – these are the only 5 products that will actually work in your space
 
 
3 fans on a patterned blue background
Gear & Gadgets 4 Prime Day fan deals to keep your home studio cool and your creativity flowing during the UK heatwave – plus, 3 practical reasons it's a wise investment for any musician
 
 
Kawai ES-120B in our testing studio
Gear & Gadgets Thomann has taken the fight to Amazon with its Prime Day-beating Music Days sale – save up to 60% on big gear brands including Kawai, D'Angelico, Slate Digital, and so much more
 
 
Electro-Voice speaker on green and blue background
Gear & Gadgets Thomann just dropped a massive sale on gig-ready live sound gear with up to 50% off
 
 
Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s
Gear & Gadgets A whopping $900 discount on a stunning Gibson Les Paul is the headline act of Guitar Center's early Presidents' Day sale, plus a generous up to 30% off a range of music-making gear
 
 
Latest in News
LONDON - JUNE 20: David Bowie and Mick Jagger performing on stage at The Prince's Trust 10th Birthday Party at Wembley Arena, London, United Kingdom on 20th June 1986. (Photo by Brian Cooke/Redferns)
Artists “I took John's advice. It was stupid of me”: So why does Mick Jagger still regret listening to John Lennon?
 
 
Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age performs onstage in 2025.
Artists Queens Of The Stone Age drop a brand new single out of nowhere and it features Nikki Lane on vocals
 
 
launchkey
Tech Novation tops off its Launchkey MK4 range with 88-key MIDI controller keyboard
 
 
Morrissey in swimming pool
Artists Bernard Butler shares with us the odd events that led to him almost teaming up with Morrissey
 
 
Blackstar DA5 Ruby Doug Aldrich Combo
Artists Blackstar shrinks Doug Aldrich’s fire-breathing tube head into a compact 5-watt combo
 
 
Nopia
Tech We got an exclusive look at Nopia, the viral synth and "harmony machine" that broke the internet
 
 

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...