New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (April 2011)

Nomad Factory Magnetic ($129)

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, synths, DJing products, mics, apps, keyboards and other gear 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 164, Future Music issue 239 and Guitarist issue 341 and published on MusicRadar throughout April.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Nomad Factory Magnetic

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It's not the last word in tape emulation, but as a tasty analogue thickening agent, Magnetic really shines.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nomad Factory Magnetic

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 164)

Softube TSAR-1 (£209)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It's not the most flexible reverb we've used, but when it comes to pure quality of sounds, TSAR-1 is up there with the best.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Softube TSAR-1

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 164)

eaReckon EAReverb (€129)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“We've heard countless quality reverb plug-in, but EAReverb's natural sound and neat interface fully justify its existence.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: eaReckon EAReverb

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 164)

Sonic Charge Bitspeek ($35)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A terrifically fun little plug-in that you simply have to try - it could even be the next big thing in overt vocal processing.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sonic Charge Bitspeek

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 164)

Overloud TH2 (£203)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Overloud has brought TH2 up to current guitar amp sim standards, and in some respects exceeded them.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Overloud TH2

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 164)

Apple GarageBand for iPad (£2.99)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An excellent iPad DAW that's both forward-thinking and very traditional. We're looking forward to version 2 already.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: GarageBand for iPad

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 164)

Leisuresonic SynthTronica (£2.99)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“SynthTronica takes you to places that other iPad synths don't and is well worth getting your hands on.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Leisuresonic SynthTronica

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 164)

Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 (€199)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Traktor is now officially a DJing monster with more performance options than ever before.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 239)

BUY: Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Pioneer DDJ-T1 (£899)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An effective and powerful controller but one that lacks the future-proof features that would justify the price.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pioneer DDJ-T1

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 239)

RME Fireface UFX (£1649)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A convergence of flexibility, usability and sound which even RME will find hard to surpass.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: RME Fireface UFX

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 239)

BUY: RME Fireface UFX currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Tascam DP-03 Digital Portastudio (£439)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A compact, straightforward, great-sounding recording and mixing machine.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tascam DP-03 Digital Portastudio

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 341)

BUY: Tascam DP-03 Digital Portastudio currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Liked this? Now read: The best music tech gear of 2010: synths, DAWs, plug-ins and more

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