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  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

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

News
By The MusicRadar Team published 3 January 2014

All of last month's plugin, controller and synth reviews

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

iZotope RX 3

iZotope RX 3

Every month, MusicRadar's sister magazines Computer Music and Future Music publish reviews of the best new music tech gear.

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

All of the gear featured in this gallery was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 198/199 and Future Music issue 272/273, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Perhaps the most powerful audio manipulation/repair software we've used, RX 3 is a must-have for serious producers."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: iZotope RX 3

(Reviewed in Computer Music 198)

BUY: iZotope RX 3 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 1 of 17
Page 1 of 17
Sony SpectraLayers Pro 2

Sony SpectraLayers Pro 2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Despite powerful layered spectral editing tools and better performance, version 2 doesn't move the application on that far."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sony SpectraLayers Pro 2

(Reviewed in Computer Music 198)

BUY: Sony SpectraLayers Pro 2 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 2 of 17
Page 2 of 17
Virsyn Cube Synth

Virsyn Cube Synth

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A synth of serious importance - both musical and academic - this is up there with Animoog and Nave, even if it is a bit bewildering at times."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Virsyn Cube Synth

(Reviewed in Computer Music 198)

Page 3 of 17
Page 3 of 17
Native Instruments Kinetic Metal

Native Instruments Kinetic Metal

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A fascinating, fun and incredibly addictive sonic resource that would make a great addition to any sound designer's Kontakt library."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Kinetic Metal

(Reviewed in Computer Music 198)

Page 4 of 17
Page 4 of 17
Sugar Bytes WOW2 for iPad

Sugar Bytes WOW2 for iPad

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Apart from the fact that it's not running as a plugin within a DAW, the iPad version of WOW is even better than its desktop counterpart. iPad musos, this is a must!"

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sugar Bytes WOW2 for iPad

(Reviewed in Computer Music 198)

BUY: Sugar Bytes WOW2 for iPad currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 5 of 17
Page 5 of 17
Sample Logic Impakt

Sample Logic Impakt

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A very professional ROMpler for very professional producers at a very professional price."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sample Logic Impakt

(Reviewed in Computer Music 198)

BUY: Sample Logic Impakt currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 6 of 17
Page 6 of 17
Arturia MicroBrute

Arturia MicroBrute

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A fine-sounding and flexible synth in a small, but highly useable package."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Arturia MicroBrute

(Reviewed in Future Music 273)

BUY: Arturia MicroBrute currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 7 of 17
Page 7 of 17
Lindell Audio 18Xs MkII

Lindell Audio 18Xs MkII

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A simple design offering stunning quality and creativity across an huge range of applications."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Lindell Audio 18Xs MkII

(Reviewed in Future Music 273)

BUY: Lindell Audio 18Xs MkII currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 8 of 17
Page 8 of 17
Waldorf Pulse 2 Synthesizer

Waldorf Pulse 2 Synthesizer

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A huge improvement on the classic original Pulse, at a great price. In a word - killer!"

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Waldorf Pulse 2 Synthesizer

(Reviewed in Future Music 273)

BUY: Waldorf Pulse 2 Synthesizer currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 9 of 17
Page 9 of 17
Sonic Couture Geosonics

Sonic Couture Geosonics

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The planet's furthest flung corners are now yours to configure into sound."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sonic Couture Geosonics

(Reviewed in Future Music 273)

Page 10 of 17
Page 10 of 17
Equator D8

Equator D8

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A well-balanced studio monitor with nicely focused imaging and midrange."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Equator D8

(Reviewed in Future Music 273)

BUY: Equator D8 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

Page 11 of 17
Page 11 of 17
DPA d:vote 4099 and MMC2011 microphones

DPA d:vote 4099 and MMC2011 microphones

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"While these mics are undoubtedly small in stature, their performance is truly professional and the above average prices are more than justified by the quality of sound on offer."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DPA d:vote 4099 and MMC2011 microphones

BUY: DPA d:vote 4099 and MMC2011 microphones currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247

Page 12 of 17
Page 12 of 17
Arturia KeyLab 49

Arturia KeyLab 49

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A couple of hardware gripes aside, Analog Lab now has 'grown up' controllers to drive it."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Arturia KeyLab 49

(Reviewed in Future Music 273)

BUY: Arturia KeyLab 49 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 13 of 17
Page 13 of 17
Novation Launchpad Mini

Novation Launchpad Mini

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A hugely flexible device with bonus points for the quality of Novation's documentation and support."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Novation Launchpad Mini

(Reviewed in Future Music 273)

BUY: Novation Launchpad Mini currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 14 of 17
Page 14 of 17
Sonic Couture Konkrete Drums 3

Sonic Couture Konkrete Drums 3

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Intuitive, fun, great-sounding and flexible, this library is as close as it gets to indispensable."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sonic Couture Konkrete Drums 3

(Reviewed in Future Music 273)

Page 15 of 17
Page 15 of 17
FXpansion BFD3

FXpansion BFD3

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Setting a new standard in its field, BFD3 is the ultimate virtual acoustic drum system - we honestly couldn't be more impressed."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: FXpansion BFD3

(Reviewed in Computer Music 199)

BUY: FXpansion BFD3 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 16 of 17
Page 16 of 17
Cakewalk Sonar X3

Cakewalk Sonar X3

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It may be largely more of the same, but Sonar X3 is the best version of Cakewalk's absurdly powerful, well-stocked DAW yet."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Cakewalk Sonar X3

(Reviewed in Computer Music 199)

BUY: Cakewalk Sonar X3 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 17 of 17
Page 17 of 17
The MusicRadar Team
The MusicRadar Team
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