Best music tech gear of the month: review round-up (July 2010)
Roland Octapad SPD-30 (£629)
Every month, MusicRadar’s industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the best independent and in-depth music-making gear reviews.
We’ve collated the latest plug-ins, controllers, synths and mics to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music, Future Music and Rhythm’s test teams. All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 152, Future Music issue 227 and Rhythm issue 178. It was published on MusicRadar throughout June and July.
Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Roland Octapad SPD-30
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“For drummers or percussionists looking to add electronic sounds to an acoustic set-up with the minimum of fuss, the SPD-30 is a great choice. And the fact that it's the latest in a line of well-proven tools allows for real confidence in its long-term abilities.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Roland Octapad SPD-30
Xfer Records Nerve ($199)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Nerve isn't perfect, but the fundamentals are tight and it has some terrific features that make it stand out from the pack.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Xfer Records Nerve $199
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 153)
FXpansion BFD Eco (£100)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Eco offers a sensible combination of ease of use and flexibility, all with BFD's famously good sound.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: FXpansion BFD Eco
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 153)
Magix Vandal (£155)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Vandal isn't feature-heavy, nor is it covered in faux Marshall logos, but it's got it where it counts, with impressively real amp tones.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Magix Vandal
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 153)
Toontrack EZmix (£45)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If your focus is on making tunes rather than production techniques, EZmix could be a time- and sanity-saving investment.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Toontrack EZmix
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 153)
Universal Audio FATSO ($299)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“FATSO can bring something special to your mixes, although it shouldn't be mistaken for a workhorse compressor.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio FATSO
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 153)
Universal Audio Manley Massive Passive ($299)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Perhaps the most impressive EQ yet from Universal Audio, albeit at the expense of a sizeable strain on your UAD-2 card.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio Manley Massive Passive
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 153)
Voxengo Deft Compressor ($100)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“It's not a do-it-all compressor, but Deft is different enough to make it attractive as an addition to your dynamics toolbox.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Voxengo Deft Compressor
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 153)
Slate Digital Trigger Platinum (£255)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Trigger is the new gold standard in drum replacement software. It's easy to use, triggers like a dream, and sounds terrific.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Slate Digital Trigger Platinum
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 153)
Apple iPad (£429)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The first mainstream tablet computer offers an unparalleled hands-on user experience.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Apple iPad
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 228)
Roland Lucina AX-09 (£549)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The Lucina sounds good and is compact, but for a rather niche product, it's expensive.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Roland Lucina AX-09
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 228)
Analogue Solutions Tereshkova (£1,820)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A serious amount of analogue goodness crammed into a highly portable format.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Analogue Solutions Tereshkova
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 228)
XILS-lab PolyKB (€149)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A lush sounding recreation of the Poly Kobol - great tones with the benefits of MIDI and automation.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: XILS-lab PolyKB
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 228)
Echo Audio AudioFire Pre8 (£579)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A very high-quality interface from Echo Audio - heavy on I/O and mic pre quality.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Echo Audio AudioFire Pre8
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 228)
Allen & Heath ZED-10FX (£293)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A flexible, incredibly solid mixer with plenty of routing and FX tricks up its sleeve.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Allen & Heath ZED-10FX
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 228)
M-Audio Oxygen 49 (£135)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“An excellent budget MIDI controller keyboard that continues to improve. Ideal for beginners.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: M-Audio Oxygen 49
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 228)
Five12 Numerology 2.3 (£85)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Numerology produces great results and the Launchpad integration makes it a killer live tool.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Five12 Numerology 2.3
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 228)
JZ Microphones Vintage 47 (£1,130)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Definitely worth checking out if you want sonic accuracy with a vintage flavour.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: JZ Microphones Vintage 47
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 228)
Native Instruments Alicia's Keys (£85)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you want Alicia Keys' piano sound, you'll want this.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Alicia's Keys
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 153)
Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer (£59)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The hardware works as promised, but at the moment, you might wonder what you're going to use it for.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 153)
NuGen Audio Stereoizer 3 ($99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A terriic new interface and an even better sound make Stereoizer 3 perfect for enhancing mono or stereo sound sources.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: NuGen Audio Stereoizer 3
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 153)
Liked this? Now read: In pictures: the best hi-tech gear of 2009
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