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New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (April 2012)

By Will Groves
published 5 April 2012

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Cubase 6.5 (£508)
The latest Cubase point release brings new synths, effects and feature enhancements to the mighty Germanic DAW. Is it worth paying for?

Cubase 6.5 (£508)

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 synths, plug-ins, DAWs, interfaces, iOS apps and other products to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music, Future Music, Rhythmm Total Guitar and Guitarist’s test teams.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Cubase 6.5

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Cubase is as terrific as ever, and with its new features and two very cool synths, we reckon 6.5 justifies the upgrade fee."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Cubase 6.5

Page 1 of 30
Page 1 of 30
Heavyocity Damage (€299)
If you want a bold, cinematic ROMpler, Heavyocity makes some of the best - and the latest release aims to supersize your percussion

Heavyocity Damage (€299)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"More specific than previous Heavyocity outings but just as awesome, this is a superb source of dramatic percussion."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Heavocity Damage

Page 2 of 30
Page 2 of 30
PocketLabWorks iRiffPort (£89)
Another mobile iNterface?

PocketLabWorks iRiffPort (£89)

MusicRadar's verdict

"A versatile, handy little device."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PocketLabWorks iRiffPort

BUY: PocketLabWorks iRiffPort currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 3 of 30
Page 3 of 30
Toontrack EZmix 2 (£115)
EZ does it

Toontrack EZmix 2 (£115)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"If you need a suite of effects and don't know where to start with mixing, we'd highly recommend it."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Toontrack EZmix 2

BUY: Toontrack EZmix 2 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 4 of 30
Page 4 of 30
Steinberg CMC USB controllers
We get physical with Steinberg's colourful range of fader, knob and button-laden controllers

Steinberg CMC USB controllers

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Interesting controllers, but only time will tell if they can wrestle users away from their mice."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Steinberg CMC USB controllers

BUY: Steinberg CMC USB controllers currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 5 of 30
Page 5 of 30
Wave Alchemy Pro-II (£40)
Is this Pro-One rompler simply a bunch of samples or something more interesting? We take this new/old synthesizer for a spin

Wave Alchemy Pro-II (£40)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"The Pro-II takes the Pro-One as its sonic starting point and updates it solidly for the 21st century."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Wave Alchemy Pro-II

Page 6 of 30
Page 6 of 30
Presonus AudioBox 22VSL (£199)
An audio/MIDI interface with inaudible latency. We spare no delay and dive in…

Presonus AudioBox 22VSL (£199)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"An interface and DAW package with low latency that could find a home in many project studios."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Presonus AudioBox 22VSL

BUY: Presonus AudioBox 22VSL currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 7 of 30
Page 7 of 30
IK iRig MIDI (€55)
Yet another addition to IK's iOS range

IK iRig MIDI (€55)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"The iRig MIDI is easy to use, highly versatile and with mini USB power while you use it, is one step ahead of the pack."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK iRig MIDI

BUY: IK iRig MIDI currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 8 of 30
Page 8 of 30
Prodipe IEM3 in-ear monitors (£40)
Can your ears take the weight of the IEM3?

Prodipe IEM3 in-ear monitors (£40)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Ideal for studio work and if you plain ol' love it loud."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW:Prodipe IEM3 in-ear monitors

Page 9 of 30
Page 9 of 30
MXL Trio ($99)
The latest addition to MXL's huge stable of microphones

MXL Trio ($99)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"If you're looking for a quick and easy microphone for podcasts, web-chats and demos the Trio is certainly worth considering."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MXL Trio

Page 10 of 30
Page 10 of 30
AAS Chromaphone (£127)
Applied Acoustics System morphs Ableton's Collision synth into its latest physical modelling instrument, Chromaphone

AAS Chromaphone (£127)

MusicRadar's Verdict:

"AAS's refined approach to acoustic percussion can bring a vibrant colour to your sound palate."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: AAS Chromaphone

BUY: AAS Chromaphone currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 11 of 30
Page 11 of 30
Analogue Solutions Leipzig-S (£649)
Tom Carpenter's revised Leipzig now includes a sequencer. We get stuck in…

Analogue Solutions Leipzig-S (£649)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A flexible synth that excels at raw and percussive tones. The sequencer is a great addition."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Analogue Solutions Leipzig-S

BUY: Analogue Solutions Leipzig-S currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 12 of 30
Page 12 of 30
Alesis 3632 Compressor (£100)
A '90s classic returns with a 21st century makeover. We check out the successor to the infamous Alesis 3630

Alesis 3632 Compressor (£100)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"By no means high-end, but the 3632 offers significant improvements on the popular 3630 sound."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Alesis 3632 Compressor

BUY: Alesis 3632 Compressor currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 13 of 30
Page 13 of 30
Beat Kangz Beat Thang (£799)
Can this beat machine survive in a market of big names?

Beat Kangz Beat Thang (£799)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"It's a mixed bag but we wish it well."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Beat Kangz Beat Thang

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BUY: Beat Kangz Beat Thang currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 14 of 30
Page 14 of 30
Yonac Shredder (£3.99)
A guitar synth for the iPad

Yonac Shredder (£3.99)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"If you have an iPad this will be more fun for much longer than spending your four quid on that pint and pork scratchings."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yonac Shredder

Page 15 of 30
Page 15 of 30
Presonus Audiobox 44VSL (£289)
This multiple-input audio interface offers low-latency monitoring with processing and effects

Presonus Audiobox 44VSL (£289)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A very practical compact audio interface: a great starter pack for the beginner or a worthwhile upgrade from a basic two in/two out interface if you want to expand your facilities."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Presonus Audiobox 44VSL

BUY: Presonus Audiobox 44VSL currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 16 of 30
Page 16 of 30
Positive Grid Jam Up Pro (£6.99)
A reasonably-priced and feature-packed guitar jam station for the iPad. The deluge begins…

Positive Grid Jam Up Pro (£6.99)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A reasonably-priced and feature-packed guitar jam station for the iPad. The deluge begins…"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Positive Grid Jam Up Pro

Page 17 of 30
Page 17 of 30
Line 6 POD HD Pro (£629)
Line 6's High Definition technology powers its latest top-of-the line rack unit

Line 6 POD HD Pro (£629)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A solid choice if you want modelled amp and effects sounds in your studio or your live rack."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Line 6 POD HD Pro

BUY: Line 6 POD HD Pro currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 18 of 30
Page 18 of 30
Best Service Nitron (£129)
What's this synth toolkit got to set it apart from the herd?

Best Service Nitron (£129)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Synth-based sample packs are ten a penny, but Nitron stands head and shoulders above the vast majority of them."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Best Service Nitron

Page 19 of 30
Page 19 of 30
UltimateSoundBank Emulation II (€179)
A true '80s great rears its head once more

UltimateSoundBank Emulation II (€179)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"There's real substance here, not just wistful nostalgia."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UltimateSoundBank Emulation II

Page 20 of 30
Page 20 of 30
IK Multimedia SampleTank iOS (£13.99)
What has this pocket DAW got in the 'Tank?

IK Multimedia SampleTank iOS (£13.99)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"There's a free version of SampleTank on the iTunes App Store, and we would emphatically recommend trying it before buying."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia SampleTank iOS

BUY: IK Multimedia SampleTank iOS currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 21 of 30
Page 21 of 30
ProjectSAM Orchestral Essentials (£359)
Whether you're dabbling in sweeping film scores or straight-up music production, this is a great package.

ProjectSAM Orchestral Essentials (£359)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Cut to the chase with this wide-ranging library"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: ProjectSAM Orchestral Essentials

BUY: ProjectSAM Orchestral Essentials currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 22 of 30
Page 22 of 30
VirSyn iVoxel (£6.99)
There are endless 'comedy' voice manipulation apps on the App Store, but iVoxel most assuredly isn't one of them…

VirSyn iVoxel (£6.99)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"If you're at all into vocoding and/or resynthesis, this is one app that definitely needs to be on your iOS device."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: VirSyn iVoxel

Page 23 of 30
Page 23 of 30
Toontrack Roots SDX (£209)
Whichever weapon you choose, this is a great drum library…

Toontrack Roots SDX (£209)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Whichever weapon you choose, this is a great drum library…"

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Toontrack Roots SDX

BUY: Toontrack Roots SDX currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 24 of 30
Page 24 of 30
Kush Audio UBK-1 ($199)
Want to give your digital tracks some of that old-time analogue warmth? This could be the one-stop solution you've been waiting for

Kush Audio UBK-1 ($199)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Sonically stunning, UBK-1 excels at bringing authentic, flavoursome analogue character to drums, acoustic instruments and mixes."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Kush Audio UBK-1

BUY: Kush Audio UBK-1 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 25 of 30
Page 25 of 30
FXpansion Tremor (£99)
The mighty Brit developer behind Synth Squad and BFD makes its drum synth debut with this eight-channel semi-additive groovebox

FXpansion Tremor (£99)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Stunning sounds, endless depth and sublime sequencing make Tremor the ultimate virtual analogue drum machine."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: FXpansion Tremor

BUY: FXpansion Tremor currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 26 of 30
Page 26 of 30
Softube Summit Audio TLA-100A
One of the all-time classic compressors is recreated in virtual form, with official endorsement from the original manufacturer
(Image credit: A studio classic, the TLA-100A brings diamond-standard volume levelling and tube saturation to your desktop. Beautiful!)

Softube Summit Audio TLA-100A

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A studio classic, the TLA-100A brings diamond-standard volume levelling and tube saturation to your desktop. Beautiful!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Softube Summit Audio TLA-100A

BUY: Softube Summit Audio TLA-100A currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 27 of 30
Page 27 of 30
Eventide Omnipressor (£119)
Processing king Eventide has kept native DAW users out of the loop for some time, but that's about to change…

Eventide Omnipressor (£119)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"This slightly kooky unit will nicely complement more meat-and-potatoes dynamics tools."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Eventide Omnipressor

BUY: Eventide Omnipressor currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 28 of 30
Page 28 of 30
Flux Elixir (€149)
The dynamics processing specialist sets its sights on clean, transparent multichannel peak limiting

Flux Elixir (€149)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Quick and easy to use, impressively transparent and multichannel-capable, Elixir is a versatile and powerful limiter."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Flux Elixir

BUY: Flux Elixir currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 29 of 30
Page 29 of 30
EastWest Hollywood Brass ($995)
Following the success of the Hollywood Strings package, EastWest's Quantum Leap imprint turns its attention to Brass

EastWest Hollywood Brass ($995)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Hollywood Brass Diamond is quite possibly the ultimate professional solo/section brass ROMpler - hear it and weep."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: EastWest Hollywood Brass

Page 30 of 30
Page 30 of 30
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Will Groves
Will Groves
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Editor-in-chief

I'm lucky enough to be MusicRadar's Editor-in-chief while being, by some considerable distance, the least proficient musician on the editorial team. An undeniably ropey but occasionally enthusiastic drummer, I've worked on the world's greatest music making website in one capacity or another since its launch in 2007. I hope you enjoy the site - we do.

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