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
roland
Tech "It's the most influential drum machine ever created – and has likely featured on more records than any other": A history of Roland drum machines, from the TR-77 to the TR-1000
teed
Artists How TEED went back to basics with a bedroom set-up and a borrowed synth for third album Always With Me
Serato and AlphaTheta launch Slab for Serato Studio
Tech AlphaTheta and Serato launch Slab, the first hardware controller for Serato Studio
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
Man playing Roland TD716 electronic drum set in a studio
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
Quentin testing a Yamaha piano
Keyboards & Pianos Best digital pianos 2025: I'm a professional piano and music gear reviewer, and these are my top picks
Kids hands on a beginner keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners 2025: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
I love the Refaces, but at just £59, the Yamaha PSS-A50 is the best Cyber Monday ‘couch keyboard’ deal I’ve seen
Keyboards & Pianos Quick! You still have time to grab the Yamaha PSS-A50 for only $59 at Thomann! I love the Refaces, but this is the best Cyber Week ‘couch keyboard’ deal I’ve seen
Elektron Syntakt Cyber Weekend deals
Drum Machines I love the Elektron Syntakt, mostly because it’s like a Rytm, but cheaper, and it’s got one of the biggest savings I’ve seen this Cyber Monday
oxi
Tech "We didn't want to make just another controller": OXI Instruments' E16 is a sleek and portable MIDI controller that's more powerful than it looks
An Arturia MicroLab Mk3 on a desk with a pair of headphones
Midi Controllers Best MIDI keyboards 2025: Find the perfect match for your studio workflow
SYNTHDEALS
Synths I've spent all day looking at Black Friday synth deals and these are the 5 I'd actually buy - grab them while you can!
mercury 8
Tech "It's not just another recreation of the Jupiter-8": Cherry Audio goes "beyond Jupiter" with the Mercury-8 soft synth
A Fractal Audio VP4 Virtual Pedalboard multi-effects pedal on a concrete floor
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals 2025: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
arturia
Tech "This isn't just a new keyboard – it's a new era": Arturia releases small but mighty 37-key version of its AstroLab stage keyboard
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Gear & Gadgets

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

News
By MusicRadar ( Computer Music, Future Music ) published 3 July 2018

New stuff from Korg, Roland, Arturia and more

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

Modal CRAFTrhythm

Modal CRAFTrhythm

With so much great tech gear being reviewed on MusicRadar, it can be difficult to keep track of it all.

So, to make life easier for you, we've rounded up everything that appeared on the site within the month of June for your viewing pleasure. We start with the Modal CRAFTrhythm.

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A fun, potentially useful little instrument, and building it yourself adds to the experience. Not an essential purchase, though.”

FULL REVIEW: Modal CRAFTrhythm

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 1 of 14
Page 1 of 14
Arturia 3 Plugins You'll Actually Use packs 

Arturia 3 Plugins You'll Actually Use packs 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Both collections sound near-identical to their inspirations, and bring a wealth of warmth and character. Recommended!”

FULL REVIEW: Arturia 3 Plugins You'll Actually Use packs 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 2 of 14
Page 2 of 14
Roland Cloud 

Roland Cloud 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Assuming Roland keeps adding regularly to the roster, Roland Cloud is a reasonably priced library of brilliantly realised drum machines and synths, and less-impressive-but-nonetheless useful sample-based instruments.”

FULL REVIEW: Roland Cloud 

4.5 out of 5

Page 3 of 14
Page 3 of 14
AKG C636

AKG C636

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A handheld vocal mic’s job is to reproduce the most important instrument in tricky settings; this does so with uncommon ease.”

FULL REVIEW: AKG C636

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 4 of 14
Page 4 of 14
Softube Weiss DS1-MK3

Softube Weiss DS1-MK3

MusicRadar's verdict:

"If you can’t afford five grand for the second hand hardware, Softube’s plugin Weiss DS1- MK3 is a more than worthy substitute.”

FULL REVIEW: Softube Weiss DS1-MK3

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 5 of 14
Page 5 of 14
Audified DW Drum Enhancer 

Audified DW Drum Enhancer 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Confusing Drum Workshop tie-in aside, DW Drum Enhancer is an intuitive and broadly effective mixing tool for drums.”

FULL REVIEW: Audified DW Drum Enhancer 

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 6 of 14
Page 6 of 14
Mixed In Key Captain Plugins

Mixed In Key Captain Plugins

MusicRadar's verdict:

“With its nifty interface, preset patterns and progressions, and linked modules, Captain Plugins is an invaluable compositional aid.”

FULL REVIEW: Mixed In Key Captain Plugins

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 7 of 14
Page 7 of 14
Sound Devices MixPre-10M

Sound Devices MixPre-10M

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The MixPre-10M delivers an impressive combo of functionality and portability that will appeal to both location recordists and studio-based producers.”

FULL REVIEW: Sound Devices MixPre-10M

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 8 of 14
Page 8 of 14
Acustica Audio Azure

Acustica Audio Azure

MusicRadar's verdict:

“One of the classiest mastering EQ plugins we’ve ever heard, Azure’s sonic delights overcome its workflow-related frustrations.”

FULL REVIEW: Acustica Audio Azure

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 9 of 14
Page 9 of 14
Soundtheory Gullfoss

Soundtheory Gullfoss

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Feeling like a glimpse into the future of mixing and mastering, this remarkable, super-smart automatic EQ plugin is a potential game changer.”

FULL REVIEW: Soundtheory Gullfoss

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 10 of 14
Page 10 of 14
Wavesfactory Spectre 

Wavesfactory Spectre 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“An inventive take on the harmonic enhancer concept that works wonders and won’t break the bank.”

FULL REVIEW: Wavesfactory Spectre 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 11 of 14
Page 11 of 14
Positive Grid BIAS 2

Positive Grid BIAS 2

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Positive Grid has raised the amp plugin game with this fully featured, tone-filled update.”

FULL REVIEW: Positive Grid BIAS 2

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 12 of 14
Page 12 of 14
Korg Prologue 8

Korg Prologue 8

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Despite a few omissions, the Prologue sounds inspiring. Unique analogue character, layered with VPM sounds and effects. magical!”

FULL REVIEW: Korg Prologue 8 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 13 of 14
Page 13 of 14
4MS Stereo Triggered Sampler 

4MS Stereo Triggered Sampler 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The STS sounds great, is intuitively laid out and straightforward to use in practice, with enough depth to keep you busy for ages.”

FULL REVIEW: 4MS Stereo Triggered Sampler 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 14 of 14
Page 14 of 14
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.
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
Roland TR-1000 drum machine
Roland's TR-1000 combines analogue 808 and 909 recreations with the best parts of the TR-8S and more
 
 
roland tr-808
With the TR-1000 Roland has given analogue purists what they want – so can we move on from X0X clones now?
 
 
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
“Promises a lot and mostly delivers – although it’s not without a few teething issues”: Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator review
 
 
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
 
 
roland
"It's the most influential drum machine ever created – and has likely featured on more records than any other": A history of Roland drum machines, from the TR-77 to the TR-1000
 
 
modeselektor
"The 808 is still one of the sexiest drum machines ever built": Modeselektor on classic Roland gear
 
 
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
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
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Black Friday is over a week away, and the sales are in full swing - save up to 80%
 
 
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
 
 
Helen Anahita Wilson makes music with plants
We speak to the artist who has just made an album with dangerous plants
 
 
Positive Grid Spark LINK XLR
Time to go wireless? Positive Grid’s Spark LINK XLR offers cable-free connections for live performance
 
 
Rocktober
Amazon Prime Day is a bust for music makers, but don't worry, the Musician's Friend Rocktober sale is here to save the day with up to 40% off big-name brands
 
 
Latest in News
ALM Busy Circuits Pamela's Disco module
ALM Busy Circuits new Pamela’s Disco module lets you sync a Eurorack rig to a CDJ or mixer
 
 
Text saying 'Just the way it is'
“It’s quite normal to be groped by men”: Harassment, low pay and exploitation all reported by young musicians and artists in new survey
 
 
Dirty Boy SilverBOY: This high-end all-analogue preamp pedal was inspired by a digital plugin
Dirty Boy turns the tables on guitar’s digital revolution with an all-analogue preamp pedal inspired by a plugin
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: Chappell Roan and Dan Nigro perform at Spotlight: A Night With Chappell Roan and Dan Nigro moderated by Brandi Carlile at GRAMMY Museum L.A. Live on November 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Dan Nigro says that he always knew that Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club was something special
 
 
tape double track
This $99 plugin recreates a classic studio technique invented at Abbey Road for The Beatles – and it's free for the next three days
 
 
Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow perform at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 held at Toyota Park on July 28, 2007 in Bridgeview, Illinois.
"They put it on hold so nobody else can record it. But he didn’t actually record it. That was when Don Henley said, ‘You need to quit giving your songs away’”: Sheryl Crow says that she once wrote a song for Eric Clapton that never saw the light of day
 
 

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...