New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (August 2013)
40-strong plugin FX bundle
Plug & Mix VIP Bundle
MusicRadar's sister mags - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - print the best independent reviews of music-making gear on a monthly basis.
Here we've brought together any music-making hardware, app, DAW, DJ gear, plug-in, synth and other related gear reviews posted on the site during July 2013.
All the gear on display here was reviewed in Computer Music issue 193/194 and Future Music issue 267/268, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A keenly priced collection of 40 mixing and creative plugins that covers a broad range of bases concisely and effectively."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Plug & Mix VIP Bundle review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 193)
Powerful debut synth plugin
Reveal Sound Spire
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"With terrific waveshaping and a monster mod matrix, this hybrid subtractive synth is an impressive debut for Reveal Sound."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Reveal Sound Spire review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 193)
Frequency-friendly audio unit shifter
Sinevibes Shift
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A uniquely creative rhythmic frequency shifter that, at this price, deserves to be part of everyone's plugin arsenal."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sinevibes Shift review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 193)
Full desktop port for iPad!
Sugar Bytes Turnado
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A few tiny control niggles aside, Turnado on iPad is every bit as good as its €119 plugin counterpart. Impressive."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sugar Bytes Turnado review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 193)
BUY: Sugar Bytes Turnado currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Affordable analogue synths return, in style
Moog Sub Phatty
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A truly stimulating instrument that punches above its weight to live up to the Moog legacy."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Moog Sub Phatty review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 268)
BUY: Moog Sub Phatty currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Classic digital synth selection
UVI Digital Synsations
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Digital Synsations hangs together wonderfully as a collection of well-chosen presets representing the coming of age of digital synthesis."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: UVI Digital Synsations review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 193)
BUY: UVI Digital Synsations currently available from:
UK: DV247
Complex MIDI controller becomes controllable
M-Audio Axiom Air 61 Keyboard
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The Axiom range comes of age. Check out all the options to find the model that suits you."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: M-Audio Axiom Air 61 Keyboard review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 268)
BUY: M-Audio Axiom Air 61 Keyboard currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Ableton Live floating mixer patch
Kevin Kripper Ultimate Mixer
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Worth the cash if you want to put your Live Mixer on a second monitor. But that's all it does."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Kevin Kripper Ultimate Mixer review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 193)
Reason Rack dynamics processor
Selig Audio Selig Leveler
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Sophisticated, powerful and highly recommended. We'd love to see a VST plugin version!"
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Selig Audio Selig Leveler review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 193)
Canned room sound from the studio
UAD-2 Ocean Way Studios
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Book unlimited studio time in California without leaving home. Remarkable."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: UAD-2 Ocean Way Studiosreview
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 268)
The classic DAW gets overhauled
Apple Logic Pro X
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"X marks the sweet spot for Logic Pro, being accessible enough not to offend GarageBand graduates while pulling enough new tricks to keep the faithful satisfied without compromising its heritage in the process."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Apple Logic Pro X review
Problem-solving processor hub
SPL Masterbay S Model 1150
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"An excellent and very well executed solution to the problems of chaining hardware processors."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: SPL Masterbay S Model 1150 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 268)
Bank-breaking studio cans
Audeze LCD3 headphones
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A gloriously luxurious pair of headphones that ooze quality and refinement."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Audeze LCD3 headphones review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 268)
5-in-1 support stand for iPad
Ultimate Support HyperPad
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"iPad music-makers need look no further for their stand solution."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Ultimate Support HyperPad review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 268)
BUY: Ultimate Support HyperPad currently available from:
US: Sweetwater
Budget bluetooth streaming
Aves Mercury Bluetooth Music Receiver
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"At this price, it makes getting a Sonos system look increasingly crazy."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Aves Mercury Bluetooth Music Receiver review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 268)
Scosche RH656md
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The RH656mds don't sound terrible, but add up the cons and the pros can't keep up."
3 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Scosche RH656md review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 268)
MusicRadar is the number 1 website for music makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, djs or producers...
- GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high- quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
- TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
- STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music making that no other music website can.