New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (December 2013)

HOFA Plugins IQ-Reverb

MusicRadar's sister magazines Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music review the best new music tech gear on a monthly basis.

In this gallery we've brought together all the music-making hardware, app, DAW, DJ gear, plug-in and synth reviews posted throughout November.

Read more: NI Komplete Audio 2

All of the gear featured in this gallery was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 197/198 and Future Music issue 271/272, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Combining intuitive convolution with old-school algorithmic controls, IQ-Reverb sounds gorgeous and is well priced."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: HOFA Plugins IQ-Reverb review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 197)

Waves RS56

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A hard-hitting alternative to your Pultec emulations, the RS56 suffers only from its archaically restricted frequency settings."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Waves RS56 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 197)

BUY: Waves RS56 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

CME Xkey

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A stylish, full-featured MIDI keyboard that plays very well, fits in a (large) laptop bag and comes in at a price that is very reasonable."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: CME Xkey review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 197)

BUY: CME Xkey currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Togu Audio Line TAL-BassLine-101

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"TAL-BassLine-101 is the most convincing virtual SH-101 yet - if that's the sound you're after, this is the synth to get."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Togu Audio Line TAL-BassLine-101 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 197)

Sugar Bytes WOW2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Even better than the original, WOW2 is a versatile, highly controllable analogue- style filter plugin par excellence."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sugar Bytes WOW2 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 197)

BUY: Sugar Bytes WOW2 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Native Instruments Maschine Studio

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Maschine 2.0 is the bomb with any controller, but if you can afford it, Maschine Studio is the one to go for."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Maschine Studio review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 198)

BUY: Native Instruments Maschine Studio currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

HoRNet TrackShaper

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"TrackShaper is a useful and cheap tool for getting good demo mixes together quickly - just don't expect miracles."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: HoRNet TrackShaper review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 197)

Native Instruments Drumlab

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Drumlab squarely hits the sweet spot between sonic flexibility and ease of use, and the source sounds, though low in number, are superb."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Drumlab review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 197)

Impact Soundworks Juggernaut

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It might not boast the most extensive sample set we've ever heard, but what it has sounds very good."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Impact Soundworks Juggernaut review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 197)

Nord Lead 4

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Gripes aside, the NL4 sounds superb and offers some indispensable new features."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nord Lead 4 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 272)

BUY: Nord Lead 4 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Toontrack Rock! EZX

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Big, bombastic and beautifully produced, this is a must-have for EZdrummer users, and worth a serious look even from Superior Drummers."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Toontrack Rock! EZX review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 197)

BUY: Toontrack Rock! EZX currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Warm Audio TB12 Tone Beast

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"With a large variety of tones and multiple input types, it expands your possibilities at a bargain price."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Warm Audio TB12 Tone Beast review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 272)

BUY: Warm Audio TB12 Tone Beast currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Brainworx ENGL Amplifier Plug-Ins Bundle

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Look beyond the presets and these are two amps with flexible, if aggressive personalities."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Brainworx ENGL Amplifier Plug-Ins Bundle review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 272)

Genelec M Series Monitors

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A great new design that makes Genelecs more affordable without compromising the sound."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Genelec M Series Monitors review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 272)

BUY: Genelec M Series Monitors currently available from:
UK: DV247

Meinl Laptop Table

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Meinl hasn't skimped on quality here, and that is reflected in its hefty price tag."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Meinl Laptop Table review

Korg Kross 61

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A feature-packed and great- sounding board that lacks real-time performance/editing controls."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg Kross 61 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 272)

BUY: Korg Kross 61 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass | DV247

Elysia xfilter 500

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An original modern slice of EQ for mixing and tracking with a serious amount of range and flexibility."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Elysia xfilter 500 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 272)

BUY: Elysia xfilter 500 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Native Instruments Kontrol X1 Mk2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An excellent update to the X1 that makes a great partner for Traktor Pro."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Kontrol X1 Mk2 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 272)

BUY: Native Instruments Kontrol X1 Mk2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Shure GLXD24/SM58

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A simple but well spec'd Shure system for semi-pro to basic pro level at a reasonable price."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Shure GLXD24/SM58 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 272)

BUY: Shure GLXD24/SM58 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

NI Traktor DJ Cable

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It is well built, and by God it works! But - of course - there are cheaper alternatives available."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: NI Traktor DJ Cable review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 272)

BUY: NI Traktor DJ Cable currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

AKG K712 Pro

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A pair of great mix headphones. Light, airy, comfortable and expertly put together."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: AKG K712 Pro review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 272)

BUY: AKG K712 Pro currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

NAD Viso HP50

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A comfortable fit, attention to detail and a surprisingly clear sound stage. We suggest you get your hands on some NADs."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: NAD Viso HP50 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 272)

D16 Group Sigmund

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Perhaps a new benchmark for delays, Sigmund offers a broad range of effects, sounds brilliant and is easy to use."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: D16 Group Sigmund review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 198)

BUY: D16 Group Sigmund currently available from:
US: Full Compass

u-he Satin

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A stunningly realistic and surprisingly creative tape emulation at a price that makes it nothing short of essential."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: u-he Satin review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 198)

Amaranth Audio Cycle

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An unashamedly digital instrument based on a new synthesis technique, Cycle will reward the patience it takes to master it."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Amaranth Audio Cycle review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 198)

Blue Cat Audio MB-7 Mixer 2.0

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Still a very useful and inspiring multiband processor, but MB-7 2.0's biggest selling point is its brilliant VST plugin hosting."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blue Cat Audio MB-7 Mixer 2.0 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music 198)