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
  • Easy Lover
  • Yes
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Music theory tricks
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

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

News
By Computer Music and Future Music
Published 1 March 2017

Plugins galore and the hottest hardware

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

Universal Audio API 2500 Bus Compressor

Universal Audio API 2500 Bus Compressor

February was a vintage month for new tech gear on the MusicRadar test bench. We welcomed a treasure trove of software and plugins from some of the biggest names in the business.

Here's a digested look at all the tech gear that was reviewed on MusicRadar in February, starting the Universal Audio API 2500 Bus Compressor.

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The API 2500 is a fabulous and extremely flexible compressor that's been excellently emulated by the Universal Audio team.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio API 2500 Bus Compressor

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music).

Page 1 of 15
Page 1 of 15
Universal Audio Chandler Zener

Universal Audio Chandler Zener

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Universal Audio continues to deliver some of the best and most desirable emulations available and the Zener is as good as it gets.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio Chandler Zener

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music).

Page 2 of 15
Page 2 of 15
Steinberg Cubasis 2

Steinberg Cubasis 2

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Version 2 really does feel like a miniaturised copy of Cubasis' desktop cousin. A must for iPad musicians, doubly so for Cubase users.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Steinberg Cubasis 2 

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music).

Page 3 of 15
Page 3 of 15
Rob Papen Predator 2

Rob Papen Predator 2

MusicRadar's verdict:

“It's Predator... but even better! One of the greatest soft synths gets a comprehensive makeover and improves in functionality, although the interface is a tad dated.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rob Papen Predator 2

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music).

Page 4 of 15
Page 4 of 15
FabFilter Pro-R

FabFilter Pro-R

MusicRadar's verdict:

“It might sacrifice some depth to achieve functional simplicity, but it works - Pro-R sounds awesome and is hugely enjoyable and rewarding to work with.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: FabFilter Pro-R

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music).

Page 5 of 15
Page 5 of 15
XLN Audio RC-20 Retro Color

XLN Audio RC-20 Retro Color

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Not only one of the best retro-ising plugins around, but also a powerful sound-design tool in a general sense, RC-20 is a wobbly, wonky, fizzy, soul-warming slice of awesome.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: XLN Audio RC-20 Retro Color

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music).

Page 6 of 15
Page 6 of 15
oeksound soothe

oeksound soothe

MusicRadar's verdict:

“This unique new take on dynamic EQ is a brilliant corrective plugin for vocals, cymbals and other parts - just don't overcook it.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: oeksound soothe

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music).

Page 7 of 15
Page 7 of 15
Universal Audio A/DA STD-1

Universal Audio A/DA STD-1

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Certainly not your normal delay, this excellent (though niche) bucket brigade processor can add wonderful width and depth to sounds.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio A/DA STD-1

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music).

Page 8 of 15
Page 8 of 15
Elektron Analog Heat Sound Processor

Elektron Analog Heat Sound Processor

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The Analog Heat is a deceptively flexible box of analogue effects that partners perfectly with a modern digital set-up.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Elektron Analog Heat Sound Processor

(Originally reviewed in Future Music).

Page 9 of 15
Page 9 of 15
Expert Sleepers ES-8

Expert Sleepers ES-8

MusicRadar's verdict:

“For serious modular users (running OSX) the ES-8 would make a great purchase, and with decent expansion potential.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Expert Sleepers ES-8

(Originally reviewed in Future Music).

Page 10 of 15
Page 10 of 15
JZ V16-BB Microphone

JZ V16-BB Microphone

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The V16-BB is not necessarily an all-rounder, but when it comes to vocals and acoustic instruments it delivers a high-quality finish.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: JZ V16-BB Microphone

(Originally reviewed in Future Music).

Page 11 of 15
Page 11 of 15
OTO BAM Space Generator

OTO BAM Space Generator

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A fantastic reverb unit whose size belies its power. Great sounding vintage reverb with a very modern approach to live performance.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: OTO BAM Space Generator

(Originally reviewed in Future Music).

Page 12 of 15
Page 12 of 15
Pioneer DJ PLX-500

Pioneer DJ PLX-500

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Is the Pioneer PLX-500 the best budget deck on the market? Yes. It looks like a Technics 1210, and doesn't perform too far off.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pioneer DJ PLX-500 

(Originally reviewed in Future Music).

Page 13 of 15
Page 13 of 15
Roland TR-09 Rhythm Composer

Roland TR-09 Rhythm Composer

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Portable and with the flavour of a real 909, it's capable of great results. Extra analogue outs and more sonic tweaks would have been welcome.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland TR-09 Rhythm Composer

(Originally reviewed in Future Music).

Page 14 of 15
Page 14 of 15
Roland Super UA Interface

Roland Super UA Interface

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Super UA does everything you'd expect and more, and can easily hold its own alongside similar compact high-end interfaces.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland Super UA Interface

(Originally reviewed in Future Music).

Page 15 of 15
Page 15 of 15
Computer Music and Future Music
Read more
A Yamaha URX44V audio interface on a worn wooden surface with a laptop and a mixing desk
Audio Interfaces Best audio interface 2026: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
 
 
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
 
 
Superbooth 2026
Tech I went to Superbooth and these are the 10 bits of gear I wanted to take home with me
 
 
Best guitar VSTs: Soundtoys Effects Rack
Plugins The effects the pros reach for first - Why Soundtoys 5 lives on the world's busiest sessions
 
 
A MacBook Pro running Ableton Live DAW
Digital Audio Workstation Best DAWs 2026: The best digital audio workstations for PC and Mac
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
dubbox
Tech Beatbox your ideas into reality with Vochlea's DubBox, an app that converts your voice into drum loops
 
 
charli xcx
Artists How Charli XCX's producers ran a jam session through an AI sampling plugin to make No One Lasts Forever
 
 
ag cook
Tech AG Cook and Native Instruments team up for signature synth plugin Super*Saw
 
 
baby audio
Tech Baby Audio's SubCulture is a pitch-tracking bass enhancer designed for "massive low-end"
 
 
zplane
Tech Zplane's Peel Stems 2 nearly halves the latency of its real-time stem separation plugin
 
 
OpenDAW
Digital Audio Workstation Who needs Logic or Ableton Live when free browser-based DAWs are becoming this good?
 
 
Latest in News
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Steve Hackett performs at Fox Theater on November 18, 2025 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images)
Guitarists “I would even play harmonica or do a walk on”: Steve Hackett is still open to a hypothetical Genesis reunion
 
 
Richie Sambora performs onstage at the 33rd Annual Race to Erase MS Gala held at Fairmont Century Plaza on June 05, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty Images)
Guitarists Richie Sambora offers some eyebrow-raising advice to aspiring guitarists
 
 
sub bass speakers
Samples SampleRadar: 473 free sub bass samples
 
 
(MANDATORY CREDIT Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images) Duran Duran at photo studio in Tokyo, May 2, 1982. (Photo by Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images)
Artists “Mick said ‘You know you really do need to stick together'”: How Jagger stopped Duran Duran from splitting
 
 
HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 11:  (L-R) Musicians Chris Cornell, Matt Cameron, Kim Thayil and Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden attend the premiere of Marvel Studios' "Marvel's The Avengers" held at the El Capitan Theatre on April 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California.
Bands Drummer Matt Cameron confirms that a final Soundgarden album is currently being mixed
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 

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...