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
Arturia KeyStep mk2
Midi Controllers Best MIDI keyboards 2026: Find your perfect match for the home studio
A pair of Focal Shape 65 studio monitors on stands in a studio
Studio Monitors Best studio monitors 2026: Studio speakers for musicians and producers on any budget
A Yamaha URX44V audio interface on a worn wooden surface with a laptop and a mixing desk
Audio Interfaces “The ability to save multiple scenes for content creation, podcasting, and other creative endeavours makes it a very powerful interface indeed”: Yamaha URX44V review
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found $200 off an accessible Yamaha turntable, $100 off an iconic Korg synth and healthy discounts on guitars and much more
An Apple Mac Mini M4 on a light green background
Computers Best PCs for music production 2026: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
A pair of Kali Audio LP-6 V2 studio monitors on a studio desk
Studio Monitors Best budget studio monitors 2026: Make your mixes sing with these wallet-friendly home studio speakers
Elektron Tonverk
Samplers “Easily one of the most inspirational and accessible Elektrons we've used”: Elektron Tonverk review
An SSL BiG SiX mixer in a studio
Recording Best home studio mixers 2026: analogue and digital mixing desks for all budgets
A metronome lying on sheet music with guitar picks and a capo in the background
Gear & Gadgets Best metronomes 2026: The top mechanical and digital metronomes for musicians
A pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors on top of a carry case
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2026: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
Nord Piano 6
Keyboards & Pianos Best stage pianos 2026: Our pick of the finest keyboards for live performance
A pair of KRK GoAux studio monitors on a studio desk
Studio Monitors Best small studio monitors 2026: Compact studio speakers
Akai MPC Sample
Samplers Akai MPC Sample review
A well-organised home studio space centred around a tidy desk
Recording Best studio desks 2026: budget-spanning options for organising your recording studio space
More
  • Jimmy Douglass speaks
  • Ultravox's Vienna
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Elektron Tonverk Review
  1. Tech
  2. Gear & Gadgets

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

News
By MusicRadar published 2 January 2018

All of the latest tech reviews

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

Black Box Analog Design HG-2

Black Box Analog Design HG-2

December gave our music tech reviews team more treats than a chocolate advent calendar; they spent the month looking at the finest new software and hardware.

Here, we take a whistle-stop look at everything that got the once-over last month, starting with the Black Box Analog Design HG-2.

MusicRadar's verdict:

“We simply can’t fault Brainworx’ fabulous virtualisation of BBAD’s much-loved mastering and mixing monster.”

FULL REVIEW: Black Box Analog Design HG-2

5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 1 of 13
Page 1 of 13
PSP Audioware Nexcellence

PSP Audioware Nexcellence

MusicRadar's verdict:

“If you yearn for something genuinely different in your reverb folder, Nexcellence is well worth springing for.”

FULL REVIEW:  PSP Audioware Nexcellence

4.5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 2 of 13
Page 2 of 13
Roli Lightpad Block M

Roli Lightpad Block M

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Thanks to refined hardware and vastly improved software implementation, the Lightpad is now a desirable, expressive controller.”

FULL REVIEW: Roli Lightpad Block M

4.5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 3 of 13
Page 3 of 13
Universal Audio Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay

Universal Audio Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay

MusicRadar's verdict:

“All the magic of the real SDD-3000 plus true stereo routing and tempo sync. More versatile filters wouldn’t have broken the spell, though, would they?”

FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay

4.5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 4 of 13
Page 4 of 13
iZotope Ozone 8 Advanced

iZotope Ozone 8 Advanced

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Master Assistant might be the big story, but it’s the other enhancements that make Ozone 8 such an irresistible upgrade.”

FULL REVIEW:  iZotope Ozone 8 Advanced

5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 5 of 13
Page 5 of 13
Vox Continental 61

Vox Continental 61

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The Continental promises so much but can leave you with mixed feelings. it delivers great-sounds with solid build and portability, but falls short in features and affordability compared to the competition.”

FULL REVIEW:  Vox Continental 61

3.5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 6 of 13
Page 6 of 13
Rob Papen RP-Verb 2 

Rob Papen RP-Verb 2 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A worthy successor to the 2009 original, RP-Verb2 is a ridiculously powerful and attractively priced reverb plugin for the adventurous producer.”

FULL REVIEW: Rob Papen RP-Verb 2 

4.5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 7 of 13
Page 7 of 13
Korg Grandstage 88

Korg Grandstage 88

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The Grandstage certainly impresses from start to finish. If you’re after a superb-sounding/versatile stage piano, then the Grandstage is a class act!”

FULL REVIEW: Korg Grandstage 88

4.5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 8 of 13
Page 8 of 13
Akai MPC X

Akai MPC X

MusicRadar's verdict:

“MPC X is hugely powerful, it works impressively standalone and as a controller, and it’s well on the way to replacing your DAW, live or in the studio.”

FULL REVIEW: Akai MPC X

4.5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 9 of 13
Page 9 of 13
Analogue Solutions Mr Hyde

Analogue Solutions Mr Hyde

MusicRadar's verdict:

“An excellent-sounding filter box with some good modulation and useful patching possibilities, but there are other options with more features and flexibility.”

FULL REVIEW: Analogue Solutions Mr Hyde

4 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 10 of 13
Page 10 of 13
Sontronics Solo 

Sontronics Solo 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“For live vocals the Solo is a no-brainer, especially at this price, but it will easily find a home in the studio and on non-vocal sources.”

FULL REVIEW: Sontronics Solo 

4.5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 11 of 13
Page 11 of 13
Slate Digital FG-Stress 

Slate Digital FG-Stress 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“So close to the real thing that you won’t be able to tell the difference, FG-Stress is Slate’s best VMR module yet.”

FULL REVIEW: Slate Digital FG-Stress 

5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 12 of 13
Page 12 of 13
Applied Acoustics Systems Objeq Delay

Applied Acoustics Systems Objeq Delay

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Objeq Delay’s combination of physical modelling synthesis and echo generation adds up to more than the sum of its parts.”

FULL REVIEW: Applied Acoustics Systems Objeq Delay

4 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 13 of 13
Page 13 of 13
MusicRadar
MusicRadar
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number one website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers...

  • GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
  • TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
  • STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the craft of music-making that no other music website can.
Read more
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
 
 
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
 
 
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
 
 
timbre wolf
Tech "Boy, do people hate it": 10 of the most divisive products in music tech history, from iLok to the Akai Timbre Wolf
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets 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
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Save a colossal $500 off one of my favourite Sterling by Music Man guitars, grab $200 off a super cool D'Angelico, plus all the week's biggest sales on music gear
 
 
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
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
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Save a colossal $500 off one of my favourite Sterling by Music Man guitars, grab $200 off a super cool D'Angelico, plus all the week's biggest sales on music gear
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets 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
Gear & Gadgets 5 reasons a gift card is the most stress-free present you can get a musician this Christmas
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets 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
Gear & Gadgets These 58 Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for musicians are still live - but they'll be gone soon
 
 
Latest in News
The Martin 00L Biosphere IV is created in tribute to the emperor penguin, and features a family of them on its graphic-finish top.
Guitars Martin marks Earth Day with a custom graphic 00L Biosphere IV acoustic in the name of penguin preservation
 
 
INDIO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NOT TO BE LICENSED FOR ANY STANDALONE OR SPECIAL INTEREST BOOK PUBLISHING USE CONCERNING THE COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL AND/OR STAGECOACH MUSIC FESTIVAL) Vanessa Carlton performs with Teddy Swims at the Coachella Stage during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 10, 2026 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella)
Artists Vanessa Carlton explains how her surprise Coachella performance of her biggest hit was almost blown off course
 
 
The Smashing Pumpkins
Artists “I don't think Kurt really dug me”: Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin recalls the heady days of the early ’90s
 
 
Making Sound Machines Plinky 12
Tech Plinky 12 is an expressive synth with swappable faceplates for “different kinds of musical thinking”
 
 
Cre8audio Programm sequencer
Tech Cre8audio Programm is a CV and MIDI sequencer that blends playability and algorithmic generation
 
 
The Jackson X Series Diablo IV Kelly features graphic artwork of the videogame franchise's Mephisto
Guitars “Forged from the fires of Hell and made for players ready to take on the Lord of Hatred”: Calling all role-playing dungeon crawlers, Jackson has the unholy Diablo collab you’ve been waiting for
 
 

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...