Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Guitar Amps
  • Drums
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Radiohead theory
  • Steely Dan's drum machine
  • Deep Purple in the dungeon
  • Prince's drummers
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: With a whopping $600 off a Gibson Les Paul, $500 off a stunning Guild Starfire and $400 off the modern Strandberg Boden Metal NX 6, it's all about guitars this week
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
Ableton Live 12.3
Tech Ableton is playing catch-up with Live 12.3… but its best features are hidden beyond the headlines
the t.bone IEM D2.4
Headphones “A very capable piece of kit that will see most players a long way into their gigging career”: the t.bone IEM D2.4 review
Pluginweek logo
Plugins Plugin Week 2025: Exhibitor A-Z
A pair of Sennheiser in-ear monitors on a pink background
Headphones Three of our highest-rated in-ear monitors just got a massive discount in the Thomann In-Ear Days sale - IEMs starting from just £91
Plugins
Plugins To mark Plugin Week, here’s our pick of the most out-there sound design plugins you should grab now
Laney LFR-110: A compact 1x10 version of the British amp brand's "best in class" FRFR speaker cabinet.
Guitars Laney expands Devin Townsend and Guthrie Govan-approved FRFR speaker range with compact 1x10
The BEAM SOLO is the new headphone amp for guitar and bass from Blackstar Amplification, and is a compact unit with an integrated jack featuring amp models and effects, and a suite of digital features.
Guitars Blackstar Amplification unveils the BEAM SOLO – has the Fender Mustang Micro Plus found a rival?
patchworld
Tech “It’s disorienting, impractical and slightly dystopian – but it's like nothing I’ve ever done before”: I tried making music in VR and I’m never going back
Freqport FreqInOut FO1
Audio Interfaces “We were even encouraged to dig out some particularly gnarly old stuff that hadn’t seen the light of day in years”: Freqport FreqInOut FO1 review
Mooer Audio F15i Li Intelligent Amp: this battery-powered take-anywhere guitar amp is packed with amp and effects models, and is an all-in-one practice solution.
Guitars Mooer’s F15i Intelligent Amp is a desktop doozie equipped with 55 amps, 69 effects and a touchscreen
Sonicware Liven Evoke
Digital Synths “It’s acoustic, it’s electronic, it’s in flux and it’s great”: Sonicware Liven Evoke review
Neural DSP Nano Cortex
Guitar Pedals "The 2.0 firmware update has expanded its multi-effects versatility significantly": Neural DSP Nano Cortex review
  1. Tech
  2. Gear & Gadgets

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

News
By Computer Music and Future Music ( Computer Music, Future Music ) published 8 August 2017

All the latest tech reviews in one place!

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

Empirical Labs Arousor 

Empirical Labs Arousor 

Software dominates the tech reviews this month, but keep an eye out for a high-class mic and Pioneer's DS-1-powered hardware sampler. 

First up, though, is an eagerly awaited software emulation of a modern classic...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Arousor costs a pretty penny, but is the kind of compressor you’ll instantly fall in love with and quickly come to rely on.”

FULL REVIEW: Empirical Labs Arousor 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
HoRNet Plugins Magnus Mk2 

HoRNet Plugins Magnus Mk2 

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A very versatile, transparent dynamics-shaping combo, Magnus Mk2 is an obvious bargain.”

FULL REVIEW: HoRNet Plugins Magnus Mk2 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
ProjectSAM Swing More!

ProjectSAM Swing More!

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“As close as you’ll get to the real deal. Immense.”

FULL REVIEW: ProjectSAM Swing More!

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
Exponential Audio R4

Exponential Audio R4

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“With its colourful, highly malleable sound, extensive feature list and straightforward interface, R4 is EA’s best reverb yet.”

FULL REVIEW: Exponential Audio R4

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
Universal Audio Moog Multimode Filter XL

Universal Audio Moog Multimode Filter XL

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“One of the best UAD plugins yet, a must-hear for any self-respecting electronic music producer, and a no-brainer upgrade for owners of the original.”

FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio Moog Multimode Filter XL

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
Universal Audio SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection 

Universal Audio SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection 

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“One of the most effective solutions out there for bringing the SSL sound to your DAW, but don’t expect to be able to run it on more than a few channels at a time.”

FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
Tracktion Software Waveform

Tracktion Software Waveform

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Waveform makes Tracktion Software’s DAW an even more viable option for forward-thinking producers than ever.”

FULL REVIEW: Tracktion Software Waveform

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
Atlantic Phonic Renaissance

Atlantic Phonic Renaissance

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The world isn’t short of large diaphragm condensers, but the Renaissance adds quality sound to the fray, especially for vocalists.”

FULL REVIEW: Atlantic Phonic Renaissance

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
 iZotope RX6 

iZotope RX6 

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Again iZotope moves the RX platform forward to a place ahead of any competition. A truly powerful, innovative and intuitive toolset.”

FULL REVIEW: iZotope RX6 

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
Mackie XR Series

Mackie XR Series

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The XRs successfully fill a gap in the Mackie monitor range, combining solid construction with an affordable price tag.”

FULL REVIEW: Mackie XR Series

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
Pioneer DJ Toraiz AS-1

Pioneer DJ Toraiz AS-1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“With gorgeous DSI-powered sound and a performance-friendly design, the AS-1 is a cult classic in the making.”

FULL REVIEW: Pioneer DJ Toraiz AS-1

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
Sonic Faction Hypermorph

Sonic Faction Hypermorph

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A highly recommended product.”

FULL REVIEW: Sonic Faction Hypermorph

4.5 out of 5

(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
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: With a whopping $600 off a Gibson Les Paul, $500 off a stunning Guild Starfire and $400 off the modern Strandberg Boden Metal NX 6, it's all about guitars this week
 
 
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
 
 
Ableton Live 12.3
Ableton is playing catch-up with Live 12.3… but its best features are hidden beyond the headlines
 
 
the t.bone IEM D2.4
“A very capable piece of kit that will see most players a long way into their gigging career”: the t.bone IEM D2.4 review
 
 
Pluginweek logo
Plugin Week 2025: Exhibitor A-Z
 
 
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
MusicRadar logo
Never miss a MusicRadar thing: Google has made it easier to keep us in your feed
 
 
Mark Ronson
The classic synth heard on the Barbie OST was picked up on Reverb, says Mark Ronson
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: With a whopping $600 off a Gibson Les Paul, $500 off a stunning Guild Starfire and $400 off the modern Strandberg Boden Metal NX 6, it's all about guitars this week
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
 
 
Wunderkammer WoO.1
WoO.1 is a pocket-sized sampler designed for endless on-the-go looping
 
 
IK Multimedia
IK Multimedia launches new reverb plugin module
 
 
Latest in News
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
“These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
 
 
Mark Ronson and Michael Jackson
How a teenage Mark Ronson convinced Michael Jackson to write him a bassline so he could make a hit song out of it
 
 
English singer-songwriter FKA twigs attends the MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on September 7, 2025
"It shows the breadth of talent from across all of our nations”: The Mercury nominations are out and diverse as ever
 
 
The new Gibson Murphy Lab Light Aged Acoustics released on 9 September 2025, all lined up in a wood-panneled show room with round windows and a rural landscape outside.
Gibson expands acoustic Murphy Lab collection with five Light Aged classics – including a Nick Lucas 1929 reissue
 
 
A mac book being closed
Transform your MacBook into a theremin! Or a creaking door!
 
 
Elektron Tonverk
“Made for expansive sound design and immediate play”: Elektron Tonverk is real, and it's out now
 
 

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...