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
Harley Benton ST-Modern Carlos Asensio
Electric Guitars “An absolute steal when it comes to quality and value for money”: Harley Benton ST-Modern Carlos Asensio CGM review
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
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
Universal Audio Volt 876
Audio Interfaces Best audio interface 2026: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
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
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
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
Arturia KeyStep mk2
Midi Controllers Best MIDI keyboards 2026: Find the perfect match for your studio workflow
An UDO Super Gemini synthesizer on a white table
Synths Best synthesizers 2026: Top analogue, digital, mono and polysynths
stem splitter
Tech I tested 11 of the best stem separation tools – and you might already have the winner in your DAW
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
A selection of PA systems in out testing studio
Speakers Best portable PA systems 2026: Lightweight and mobile PA solutions for musicians and events
A boy with brown hair playing the keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
An SSL BiG SiX mixer in a studio
Recording Best home studio mixers 2026: analogue and digital mixing desks for all budgets
Best audio interfaces: Audient iD4 MkII
Audio Interfaces Best budget audio interfaces 2026: Cheap USB interfaces for home recording, streaming, podcasting, and more
More
  • Sly and Survivor
  • In My Life
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • One chord Diamond
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

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

News
By The MusicRadar Team ( Computer Music, Future Music ) published 5 June 2017

High-spec hardware and new plugins galore

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

Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII

Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII

From five-star hardware to game-changing plugins, our tech team has been deluged with superb tech gear this month.

Here, we take a digested look at all of the tech gear that was reviewed on the site in May. We start with that aforementioned high-scoring hardware - the Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII.

MusicRadar's verdict:

“With Unison preamps and full access to the UAD catalogue, the Apollo Twin MkII does more than just amazing interfacing.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Waves Electric Grand 80

Waves Electric Grand 80

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Electric Grand faithfully recreates the sound of Yamaha’s revered piano, plays beautifully and throws in a few tasty extras to boot.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Waves Electric Grand 80

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Acustica Audio Lime Crazy88

Acustica Audio Lime Crazy88

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Acustica’s best yet, Lime sounds so good you’ll have trouble believing it’s not a physical channel strip - except for that lag...”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Acustica Audio Lime Crazy88

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
XILS-lab PolyKB III

XILS-lab PolyKB III

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Despite some strange limitations, XILS’ one-of-a-kind synth sounds spectacular and programs surprisingly easily, given its esoteric nature.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: XILS-lab PolyKB III

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Parawave Audiodesign Rapid

Parawave Audiodesign Rapid

MusicRadar's verdict:

“With a vast eight-layer architecture, brilliantly designed modulators and stunning library of wavetables and samples, Rapid sounds incredible and never gets overwhelming.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Parawave Audiodesign Rapid

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Joey Sturgis Tones Toneforge Guilty Pleasure 

Joey Sturgis Tones Toneforge Guilty Pleasure 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“It might be a one-trick pony, but if you’re after classic high-gain amp tones, Guilty Pleasure comes cheap and sounds great.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Joey Sturgis Tones Toneforge Guilty Pleasure 

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Audio-Technica AE2300

Audio-Technica AE2300

MusicRadar's verdict:

"It doesn’t come cheap, but the AE2300’s attractive design, compact footprint and supreme build quality make it an incredibly desirable instrument mic for both live and studio use."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audio-Technica AE2300

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Waldorf kb37

Waldorf kb37

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A great idea that’s nicely thought-out and well implemented, the only thing holding the kb37 back is its high price tag.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Waldorf kb37

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Teenage Engineering PO-32 Tonic

Teenage Engineering PO-32 Tonic

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The PO-32 is a fun and inspiring noise-maker and the added MicroTonic compatibility broadens its sonic scope considerably.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Teenage Engineering PO-32 Tonic

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
Roli Blocks

Roli Blocks

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Blocks is an interesting hardware concept, but it’s currently severely underserved by poor software implementation.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roli Blocks

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Roland System-8

Roland System-8

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The System-8 covers a vast sonic territory with superb flexibility – from vintage Roland tones to futuristic sounds, it truly delivers.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland System-8

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
The MusicRadar Team
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
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
 
 
timbre wolf
"Boy, do people hate it": 10 of the most divisive products in music tech history, from iLok to the Akai Timbre Wolf
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
Arturia's Efx Ambient from FX Collection 6, being used in a studio
Arturia's FX Collection 6 adds an ambient plugin specialising in "novel, emotive textures" and a souped-up H910
 
 
UJAM
“I’ll be having fun with this for a long time to come”: UJAM's Voxcraft delivers creative vocal manipulation without the menu-diving
 
 
filter delays
Ableton Live co-creator Robert Henke updates a classic Live effect with free M4L device Filter Delays
 
 
roland
Cherry Audio’s SH-MAX takes on a trio of classic Roland monosynths called upon by everyone from Kraftwerk to Tame Impala
 
 
Fractal Audio ICONS; the amp modelling company debuts its first-ever plugin suite for guitarists.
Amp modelling titan Fractal Audio unveils its first guitar plugin suite
 
 
ableton
Ableton Live 12.4 introduces Link Audio and updates Erosion, Delay and Chorus-Ensemble devices
 
 
Latest in News
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Billy Joel performs during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Timothy Norris/FilmMagic)
Laufey reveals that she suffered a cello malfunction during a Grammys performance with Billy Joel
 
 
A CGI guitarist on stage
“Fans still love these games. Just start by making a guitar”: There’s a sequel to Guitar Hero on the way
 
 
American singer-songwriter and pianist Neil Sedaka, 13th April 1973. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
“An inspiration to millions and an incredible human being who will be deeply missed”: Neil Sedaka has died, aged 86
 
 
dawesome
Dawesome's Love 2 granular multi-effects plugin promises "instant beauty for any sound"
 
 
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 01: Ravyn Lenae performs onstage during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 01, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joshua Applegate/WireImage)
How a warped sample and some Anderson .Paak magic helped Ravyn Lenae to create Love Me Not, her viral hit
 
 
Deals of the week logo
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $140 off a Yamaha Stage Custom, $200 off a Fender Tele, and hundreds off PA and live gear
 
 

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...