Best music tech gear of the month: review round-up (May 2010)
The king of amp sim software returns better than ever
IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3 (€318)
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, DAWs, controllers, interfaces, mixers and mics to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music and Future Music’s test teams. All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 151 and Future Music issue 226. The reviews were published on MusicRadar throughout April and May.
Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3.
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A great update that sees AmpliTube 3 hanging in there as one of the premier amp sims for tone, flexibility and choice.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 151)
The entry-level PC DAW comes of age
Acoustica Mixcraft 5 (£69)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A lot of solid and sensible tweaks have made Mixcraft one to seriously consider, and it represents great value for money.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Acoustica Mixcraft 5
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 151)
The meaty, foot-controlled bass synth returns
Moog Taurus 3 (£2,042)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A very worthy successor to the original Taurus. The Taurus 3 marries a modern interface to a classic and powerful sound.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Moog Taurus 3
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 226)
It's more affordable, but what's missing?
Yamaha Tenori-on Orange (£599)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Still an exciting concept but there are restrictions here, so you may decide that the original Tenori-on is the better bet.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Yamaha Tenori-on Orange
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 226)
A large, hammer-action version of the MPK
Akai MPK88 (£600)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A few issues here and there considering the price, but the MPK88 is a fine 'board with a great keybed.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Akai MPK88
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 226)
A flexible hardware step sequencer
Analogue Solutions Europa (£586)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Europa is the ideal hardware sequencing solution for your MIDI-equipped drum machines and synths.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Analogue Solutions Europa
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 226)
The 'Silent Rehearsal Studio' is here
JamHub GreenRoom (£499)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Not cheap, and a tad niche, but as an all-in-one, portable practice solution, JamHub delivers.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: JamHub GreenRoom
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 226)
A vintage EQ in plug-in form
Softube Trident A-Range EQ (£135)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Yet more great virtual analogue hardware from Softube, this is emulation done right.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Softube Trident A-Range EQ
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 151)
Additive synthesis in a user-friendly package
Image-Line Harmless ($79)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“At last, a quality additive synth that doesn't require a PhD in Synthesis to program!”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Image-Line Harmless
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 151)
A multitrack recorder, interface and controller
Zoom R16 (£350)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The R16 is an easy-to-use portable recorder with plenty of channels and acceptable quality at a good price.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Zoom R16
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 226)
A decent valve mic at a reasonable price
MXL V69 Mogami Edition (£249)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“With a sheen and response that outshines its asking price, the V69 Mogami is a gem.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: MXL V69 Mogami Edition
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 226)
A chorus plug-in that's a cut above most of its rivals
D16 Syntorus (€35)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Syntorus is one of the sweetest chorus plug-ins out there, and its flexibility means that it's no one-trick pony.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: D16 Syntorus
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 151)
Can physical modelling produce realistic brass sounds?
Arturia Brass 2 (£199)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Brass 2 is smartly presented and sounds decent, but the Holy Grail of realistic brass simulation remains elusive, alas.”
3 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Arturia Brass 2
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 151)
A high-spec mixer for the studio or stage
PreSonus StudioLive 16.4.2 (£2,149)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A comprehensive, well laid-out mixer that feels at home in the studio or front of house.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PreSonus StudioLive 16.4.2
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 226)
A DAW, soft synths and samples
Arturia Hip Hop Producer (£99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A credible all-in-one solution for hip-hop beginners with synths, samples and a sequencer covered.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Arturia Hip Hop Producer
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 226)
A unique plug-in that can capture frequency and dynamic content
Pro Audio DSP Dynamic Spectrum Mapper (£200)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“DSM is a unique and highly impressive plug-in at a great price. Prepare to make things easier on yourself.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Pro Audio DSP Dynamic Spectrum Mapper
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 226)
A ROMpler that's as big as its name suggests
Best Service Titan (€249)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“For a massive feast of meat-and-potatoes synth and keyboard sounds, Titan satisfies.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Best Service Titan
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 151)
I’m the Group Content Manager for MusicRadar, specialising in all things tech. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 20 of which I’ve also spent writing about music technology.