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
  • "She knew what she'd created": Back to Black
  • Trower's '80s supergroup
  • Music theory tricks
  • Stage Tour game
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

New tech gear of the month: review round-up (February 2019)

News
By Computer Music and Future Music
Published 1 February 2019

All of the latest plugins, MIDI controllers and synths

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

If you're feeling frustrated that a lot of the music tech gear that was on display at last week's NAMM Show isn't actually available yet, fear not.

There's plenty of new software and hardware out there that you can buy, starting with the latest set of plugins for the UAD platform...

MusicRadar's verdict:

“UAD’s star is on the ascendant with this latest release. The Lexicon 480L is the highlight but all the new plugins sound great.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW:  UAD 9.7 Plugins

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Arturia KeyLab MkII

Arturia KeyLab MkII

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A premium quality keyboard and controller that manages rather successfully to deliver for both DAW and live hardware users alike.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Arturia KeyLab MkII

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Mutable Instruments Plaits

Mutable Instruments Plaits

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Huge sound possibilities in a small module. Perfect for a small system but equally useful in a monster rig. Everybody needs one.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mutable Instruments Plaits

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Pioneer DJ XDJ-RR

Pioneer DJ XDJ-RR

MusicRadar's verdict:

“If you can live with a few limitations, the XDJ-RR is a high quality, fun and easy-to-use DJ setup in a self-contained unit.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pioneer DJ XDJ-RR

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Teenage Engineering OP-Z

Teenage Engineering OP-Z

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Unique, inspirational and a lot of fun - the OP-Z looks set to be a future cult classic, despite a few design quirks and limitations.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Teenage Engineering OP-Z 

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain

Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A luxurious, analogue-authentic mastering rack plugin that embodies the timeless spirit and sound of Abbey Road.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
In Session Audio Taiko Creator

In Session Audio Taiko Creator

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A great package.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: In Session Audio Taiko Creator

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Izotope Nectar 3

Izotope Nectar 3

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Whether your vocals are sung, spoken or spat, Nectar 3 will help you get them sounding a million dollars.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Izotope Nectar 3 

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
AudioThing Reels

AudioThing Reels

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Creative noiseniks and retro-minded producers will get much more than their money’s worth from Reels’ evocatively crusty sonics and evil echoes.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: AudioThing Reels

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Audiaire Zone

Audiaire Zone

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A few minor niggles aside, Zone is an immensely powerful synth crammed with sound-design and sequencing features.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audiaire Zone 

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Computer Music and Future Music
Read more
Native Instruments Komplete 26
Soft Synths “We know you want it, but do you really (really) need it?”: Native Instruments Komplete 26 review
 
 
Expressive E Osmose CE
Midi Controllers Best MIDI keyboards 2026: Find your perfect match for the home studio
 
 
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
 
 
studio and man
Tech “Analogue is better than digital, Behringer gear is garbage and your cheap-ass monitors are ruining your mixes”: 10 of the most enduring music tech myths busted
 
 
Oeksound Soothe
Plugins I’ve been a professional producer for decades, and these are the plugins I always call-up when working on a project
 
 
GForce Prophet-5
Digital Synths “An exceptionally accurate model of the original Prophet, with a clutch of incredibly useful enhancements”: GForce Prophet-5 review
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
lunacy
Tech Lunacy launches Nova platform with five free virtual instruments – but bigger things are on the way
 
 
luna
Tech Universal Audio launches major update to the free Luna DAW that the company is calling its “biggest software release to date”
 
 
Acon Digital Acoustica 8 audio editor
Software & Apps Acon Digital’s Acoustica 8 audio editor is the company’s “most ambitious release to date”
 
 
topline
Tech Universal Audio's Topline Vocal Tune is now available for Apollo and UAD hardware
 
 
Tone3000 plugin offers NAM A2 support on your desktop and can be used as a standalone app or in your DAW.
Guitars Tone3000 launches a free open-source plugin for accessing its mammoth library of NAM A2 captures
 
 
audacity
Tech Audacity enters a “new era” with the biggest update in the free and open-source audio editor’s 26-year history
 
 
Latest in News
Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, David Byrne and Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads
Bands Radio Head: Talking Heads are to get their own pop up shop radio channel in October
 
 
GTA VI the album
Singles And Albums Great Theft Auto VI soundtrack album announced for same day as game: 19 November
 
 
Neil Young
Artists “The whole idea is to not know what you’re doing”: Neil Young on his unconventional creative process
 
 
Brent Hinds of the American heavy metal band Mastodon performs in concert during Resurrection Fest on July 02, 2022
Bands “I kept seeing him out of the corner of my eye”: Mastodon’s new album is inspired by departed guitarist Brent Hinds
 
 
Johnny Marr in his studio with some of the guitars that are heading to auction on September 17, 2026.
Guitarists “A great experience and has exceeded all my expectations”: Johnny Marr’s guitar auction raises over £3.6 million
 
 
lunacy
Tech Lunacy launches Nova platform with five free virtual instruments – but bigger things are on the way
 
 

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...