Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
A laptop displaying a software synthesizer
Software & Apps Black Friday plugin deals 2025: Get the best early Black Friday deals on music software
Man playing Roland TD716 electronic drum set in a studio
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
A selection of IK Multimedia plugins for music production on a purple background
Plugins Buy one $49.99 IK Multimedia plugin and get a whopping 38 free with the best plugin deal of the year so far
Apple iMac M4
Computers Best PCs for music production 2025: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
An Apple MacBook Air M4 on a desk with audio interface, headphones, and MIDI controller
Computers Best laptop for music production 2025: For home studios and mobile music-making - tested by experts
Yamaha CSP-255 review
Keyboards & Pianos Best digital pianos for beginners 2025: 8 beginner-friendly pianos handpicked by a professional piano and music gear reviewer
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2025: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
Kids hands on a beginner keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners 2025: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
Ableton Live 12.3
Tech Ableton is playing catch-up with Live 12.3… but its best features are hidden beyond the headlines
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Sonicware Liven Evoke
Digital Synths “It’s acoustic, it’s electronic, it’s in flux and it’s great”: Sonicware Liven Evoke review
Bitwig
Digital Audio Workstation With version 6, Bitwig Studio becomes an automation powerhouse
EastWest Lo-Fi
Fx Software “Any musician should be able to find a brilliant new colour to add to a developing mix”: EastWest Lo-Fi review
Apple MacBook Air M4
Computers “Enough power to keep you in business for at least the next 10 years”: Apple MacBook Air M4 review
More
  • Radiohead's secret code
  • Blackbird
  • Spooky samples - free
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Captain Fantastic
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps
  3. Digital Audio Workstation

New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (December 2014)

News
By The MusicRadar Team published 1 December 2014

The latest DAWs, synths, plugins, apps and hardware rated

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Propellerhead Software Reason 8

Propellerhead Software Reason 8

If you're looking for up-to-date reviews of the best music-making software, keyboards, synths, plugins, DAWS, interfaces and other associated music tech gear, you've come to the right place.

MusicRadar's sister magazines Computer Music and Future Music offer some of the best independent gear reviews around, and you can find them all on the site.

Here, we've collected all of the reviews posted on MusicRadar throughout November and originally published in Computer Music issue 211 and Future Music 285/286. First up, it's the latest iteration of Reason...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Reason is still a great first-time buy. Those upgrading may feel short-changed, though, so knock a couple of marks off the score if you've already got v7."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Propellerhead Software Reason 8 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 211)

BUY: Propellerhead Software Reason 8 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compas

Page 1 of 18
Page 1 of 18
u-he Bazille

u-he Bazille

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The next best thing to owning your own real-world modular system, Bazille is an incredible virtual synth that's an absolute joy to use."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: u-he Bazille review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 211)

Page 2 of 18
Page 2 of 18
Cableguys VolumeShaper 4

Cableguys VolumeShaper 4

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Our complaints are minor, and VolumeShaper 4 is already a go-to in our plugins folder. At this price, it's a winner."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Cableguys VolumeShaper 4 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 211)

Page 3 of 18
Page 3 of 18
Audio Damage Basic

Audio Damage Basic

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"What a great idea! A simple three-oscillator synth that anyone can master in minutes, with a solid sound and enough modulation to keep things interesting."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audio Damage Basic review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 211)

Page 4 of 18
Page 4 of 18
Philips A5 Pro

Philips A5 Pro

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"You'll still be hard pushed to find a more durable headphone that can equal these on sound quality."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Philips A5 Pro review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 285)

Page 5 of 18
Page 5 of 18
sE Electronics ProMic Laser

sE Electronics ProMic Laser

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The ProMic Laser is a solid performer for the price and could give the Rode VideoMic a run for its money."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: sE Electronics ProMic Laser review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 285)

BUY: sE Electronics ProMic Laser currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 6 of 18
Page 6 of 18
IK Multimedia iRig MIDI2

IK Multimedia iRig MIDI2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It's a little more expensive than we'd like, but it feels built to last and is undoubtedly useful to have lying around."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iRig MIDI2 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 285)

BUY: IK Multimedia iRig MIDI2 currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 7 of 18
Page 7 of 18
Acustica Audio Blue EQ

Acustica Audio Blue EQ

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A beautifully realised, highly characterful recreation of a popular germanium-based EQ from the heyday of British pop."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Acustica Audio Blue EQ review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 211)

Page 8 of 18
Page 8 of 18
MeldaProduction MRhythmizer

MeldaProduction MRhythmizer

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Fun and creative, MRhythmizer gets one over on its most obvious competitor with an onboard filter, great price and all the usual Melda niceties."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MeldaProduction MRhythmizer review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 211)

Page 9 of 18
Page 9 of 18
iZotope RX 4

iZotope RX 4

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"iZotope have pulled another rabbit out of the hat with RX 4, the best restoration and repair suite ever conceived."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: iZotope RX 4 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 211)

BUY: iZotope RX 4 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 10 of 18
Page 10 of 18
FabFilter Pro-Q 2

FabFilter Pro-Q 2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Possibly the best EQ plugin on the market. Even without Spectrum Grab, Pro-Q 2 is amazing, but with it, it's unstoppable."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: FabFilter Pro-Q 2 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 211)

BUY: FabFilter Pro-Q 2 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 11 of 18
Page 11 of 18
Zynaptiq Unchirp

Zynaptiq Unchirp

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"As well as its miraculous ability to restore fidelity to compressed and process-damaged audio, Unchirp also turns out to be a serious creative tool."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Zynaptiq Unchirp review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 211)

BUY: Zynaptiq Unchirp currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 12 of 18
Page 12 of 18
Arturia iProphet

Arturia iProphet

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It's great fun, it does an amazing impression of the real thing (you even get all the factory presets), and we just can't get enough of it."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Arturia iProphet review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 211)

Page 13 of 18
Page 13 of 18
Resident Audio T4

Resident Audio T4

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If your recording and playback needs are very simple, the T4 is a stunning performer."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Resident Audio T4 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 211)

BUY: Resident Audio T4 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 14 of 18
Page 14 of 18
Spitfire Audio eDNA - Earth

Spitfire Audio eDNA - Earth

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A huge library of electronic sounds created from quality orchestral samples. It'll take you days just to audition everything!"

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Spitfire Audio eDNA - Earth review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 211)

Page 15 of 18
Page 15 of 18
Thermionic Culture The Rooster 2

Thermionic Culture The Rooster 2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A truly great device, the Rooster is capable of enhancing every stage of the recording and mixing process."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Thermionic Culture The Rooster 2 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 285)

BUY: Thermionic Culture The Rooster 2 currently available from:
US: Full Compass

Page 16 of 18
Page 16 of 18
Native Instruments Komplete 10 Ultimate

Native Instruments Komplete 10 Ultimate

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Komplete 10 Ultimate remains the most comprehensively spec'd bundle available today."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Komplete 10 Ultimate review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 285)

BUY: Native Instruments Komplete 10 Ultimate currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 17 of 18
Page 17 of 18
Moog Sub 37

Moog Sub 37

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"With a richer set of features and far fewer operational hurdles than its predecessor, the Sub 37 is superb."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Moog Sub 37 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 285)

BUY: Moog Sub 37 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 18 of 18
Page 18 of 18
The MusicRadar Team
The MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the internet's most popular 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 artists and musicians about their creative processes, digging deep into 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.

Read more
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
 
 
Ableton Live 12.3
Ableton is playing catch-up with Live 12.3… but its best features are hidden beyond the headlines
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
Sonicware Liven Evoke
“It’s acoustic, it’s electronic, it’s in flux and it’s great”: Sonicware Liven Evoke review
 
 
Bitwig
With version 6, Bitwig Studio becomes an automation powerhouse
 
 
EastWest Lo-Fi
“Any musician should be able to find a brilliant new colour to add to a developing mix”: EastWest Lo-Fi review
 
 
Latest in Digital Audio Workstation
Ableton Live MIDI tools tutorial
Stuck for ideas? Here's how to create fresh basslines and melodies with Ableton Live 12’s MIDI tools
 
 
Creating chord progressions in Ableton Live
Creating chords for electronic music: 3 ways to generate more interesting progressions in Ableton Live 12
 
 
Ableton Move
One year on, I’ve finally clicked with Ableton Move – all because I’ve stopped trying to make music with it
 
 
Prince at a press conference where he officially changed his name from the Artist back to Prince. 5/16/00 Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect
Back in 1999, Prince offered his opinion on the new generation of DAW-based musicians and producers
 
 
Bitwig
With version 6, Bitwig Studio becomes an automation powerhouse
 
 
verses gt
Jacques Greene and Nosaj Thing on the making of their new collaborative project, Verses GT
 
 
Latest in News
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Drake performs live on stage during day two of Wireless Festival 2025 at Finsbury Park on July 12, 2025 in London, England. Drake is headlining an unprecedented all three nights of Wireless Festival. (Photo by Simone Joyner/Getty Images for ABA)
Drake’s live sound engineer on why he has to be at the top of his game from first song to last
 
 
IK Multimedia Tonex Plug: the new headphones amp is fully compatible with the brand's state-of-the-art modelling platform, giving players the opportunity to play anywhere, anytime, and access thousands of different tones while doing so.
IK Multimedia unveils the Tonex Plug – is this pocket-sized powerhouse a gamechanger for headphone amps?
 
 
Radiohead Live 2025 graphic, black and white
Everything In Its Right Place: Radiohead switch up their setlist on the second night of reunion tour
 
 
A selection of Waves plugins on a fluorescent green background
Waves just made the first move on Black Friday with 3 jaw-dropping offers - and one’s completely free
 
 
Ed Sheeran performs during the Heart and Armor Foundation benefit concert at The Wiltern on September 19, 2023 in Los Angeles, California
“This is a step in the right direction”: Ed Sheeran gives thumbs up to government’s national curriculum changes
 
 
cubase 15
Steinberg unveils Cubase 15, a "major leap forward" for its flagship DAW with new instruments, effects, modulators and AI-powered stem separation
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...