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

Audiofile Engineering FiRe 2

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, apps, DJ gear and other hardware to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music, Future Music, Rhythm, Total Guitar and Guitarist's test teams. All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 184, Future Music issue 259 and Guitarist issue 361.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It all adds up to enough editing and signal-processing power to make your FiRe exports (to SoundCloud, Dropbox, iTunes or over FTP) far more polished than before."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audiofile Engineering FiRe 2

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)

UltimateSoundBank Emulation One

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Emulation One also sounds great, although more work would be required to bed its idiosyncratic but utterly lovable tones into the modern mix - unless an overtly retro sound is your goal, in which case it becomes even more of a winner."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UltimateSoundBank Emulation One

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)

Toontrack EZkeys Upright Piano

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A pretty playable instrument, certainly, and arguably more characterful than its Grand sibling."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Toontrack EZkeys Upright Piano

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)

BUY: Toontrack EZkeys Upright Piano currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Softube Summit Audio Grand Channel

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Softube flex their analogue emulation muscles with this great bundle."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Softube Summit Audio Grand Channel

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)

BUY: Softube Summit Audio Grand Channel currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Wolfgang Palm PPG Wavegenerator

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"One of the best, most professional synths on iPad, Wavegenerator will knock the socks off PPG fans and newcomers alike."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Wolfgang Palm PPG Wavegenerator

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)

Togu Audio Line TAL-U-NO-LX

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Justifying the price tag, TAL-U-NO-LX sounds right on the money - hopefully TAL addicts won't mind paying for it!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Togu Audio Line TAL-U-NO-LX

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)

Casio XW-P1 Synthesizer

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It tries a little too hard at times but the XW-P1 rewards your patience with some great features."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Casio XW-P1 Synthesizer

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 261)

BUY: Casio XW-P1 Synthesizer currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MOTU Track 16 Interface

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Great sound, flexibility on tap and the software/hardware relationship works well."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MOTU Track 16 Interface

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 260)

BUY: MOTU Track 16 Interface currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

IK Multimedia iRig Keys

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you're looking for 'Pad powered keys, these are our new favourites."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iRig Keys

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 260)

BUY: IK Multimedia iRig Keys currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Unity Audio Boulders

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Big, bold and powerful, these are truly professional monitors - in the right room they will shine."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Unity Audio Boulders

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 260)

Sontronics Sonora 2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Looking to get the best sound from your mics and instruments? The Sonora 2 is a great place to start."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sontronics Sonora 2

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 260

Mackie DL1608 iPad Mixer

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It might be small, but the big features could attract a new generation of Mackie lovers."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mackie DL1608 iPad Mixer

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 260)

BUY: Mackie DL1608 iPad Mixer currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Audio Technica AT2020 USB

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A solid workstation, with great keyboard sounds and DAW integration, at a good price."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audio Technica AT2020 USB

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 260)

BUY: Audio Technica AT2020 USB currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Brainworx bx_stereomaker

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Particularly useful for stereoising beats and thickening basses, bx_stereomaker is a powerful mixing tool."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Brainworx bx_stereomaker

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 260)

BUY: Brainworx bx_stereomaker currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Electronic Music Works DX700

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This is a very niche product for a niche crowd, but it will transform the way you view the DX7 and if you're an FM nut, it'll take your beloved synth to the next level."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Electronic Music Works DX700

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 260)

Dave Smith Instruments Mopho X4

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Great sounding and well featured, the X4 is a must to check out in the sub £1,000 bracket."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Dave Smith Instruments Mopho X4

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 260)

BUY: Dave Smith Instruments Mopho X4 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Focusrite Forte USB Interface

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Forte sounds great, integrates seamlessly and, while it's not very original, looks good."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Focusrite Forte USB Interface

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 260)

BUY: Focusrite Forte USB Interface currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

D16 Group LusH-101

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An absolute classic taken to dazzling new heights, LuSH-101 proves to be well worth the wait, despite a few flaws."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: D16 Group LusH-101

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 186)

BUY: D16 Group LusH-101 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Cableguys Curve 2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A superb synth with slick customisable waveforms and a brilliant cloud-based preset library."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Cableguys Curve 2

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 186)