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
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
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
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
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
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
A pair of AKG K712 Pro studio headphones on a Neumann KU 100 dummy head
Headphones Best studio headphones 2026: my pick of cans for mixing, mastering, and monitoring - tested by a working musician and producer
Universal Audio Volt 876
Audio Interfaces Best audio interface 2026: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
An SSL BiG SiX mixer in a studio
Recording Best home studio mixers 2026: analogue and digital mixing desks for all budgets
Quentin testing a Yamaha piano
Keyboards & Pianos Best digital pianos 2026: I'm a professional piano and music gear reviewer, and these are my top picks
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
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
Polyend Mess
Guitar Pedals “A sturdy, interesting and decent-sounding effects unit with tempo syncing and sequencing capabilities”: Polyend Mess review
An UDO Super Gemini synthesizer on a white table
Synths Best synthesizers 2026: Top analogue, digital, mono and polysynths
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 95k+ free music samples
  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
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
 
 
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
 
 
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
 
 
A Macbook with music plugins running on it on a blue background
Black Friday plugin deals 2025: These are the last remaining deals on software
 
 
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
Lily Allen physical release
A dish best served cold: Lily Allen releases a version of her latest album as a novelty butt plug USB stick
 
 
Swedish singer Zara Larsson performs at the main stage of the Rock in Rio music festival at the Rio 2016 Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 14, 2024. (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP) (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
The making of Zara Larsson's 2015 hit, Lush Life, and the original version you might never have heard
 
 
Napster 26 mock-up cassette tape
“We don’t think that the future of music involves the labels anymore”: Napster is back – with a new AI app
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: PinkPantheress attends The Fashion Awards 2025 presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on December 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
PinkPantheress is so Sincere as she joins MJ Cole on a new version of a UK Garage classic
 
 
Sir Brian May attends the Cirque du Soleil OVO VIP premiere
“Everyone is thinking twice about going there at the moment”: Brian May on why Queen won’t tour the US
 
 
Ozzy Osbourne and Zakk Wylde shirtless onstage in 1989, with Wylde playing his Gibson Les Paul Custom Grail
Why Zakk Wylde brought his “Grail” Les Paul Custom out of retirement for Ozzy Osbourne tribute song
 
 

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...