New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (January 2015)

Korg Volca Sample

If you're after the best and latest reviews of 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 reviews around, and you can find them all on MusicRadar.

Here, we've collected all of the reviews posted on the site throughout December and originally published in Computer Music issue 212 and Future Music 286/287.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It's not without its faults, but the Sample's workflow is exceptionally fun and fluid. Another winner."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg Volca Sample review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 286)

BUY: Korg Volca Sample currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Teenage Engineering Oplab

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A useful and interesting tool, but limited by its lack of lower-level control and tweaking potential."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Teenage Engineering Oplab review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 286)

BUY: Teenage Engineering Oplab currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

audioD3ck ST-R-I-P

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"ST-R-I-P overcomes its somewhat fiddly interface to deliver 'desk-style' vibe and sounds at a bargain price."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: audioD3ck ST-R-I-P review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 212)

JZ HH1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A cut above the standard stage fare with a vocal response that leaves little need for EQ and filtering."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: JZ HH1 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 286)

BUY: JZ HH1 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music

M-Audio M3-8 monitors

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A good balance of price and sound quality that uses a format rarely seen at this end of the market."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: M-Audio M3-8 monitors review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 286)

BUY: M-Audio M3-8 monitors currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

XILS-lab DeeS

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Very successful as a niche problem-solving tool, but not versatile enough to work as an all-purpose, everyday de-esser."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: XILS-lab DeeS review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 212)

iZotope Ozone 6

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Yup, Ozone's still the greatest software mastering system money can buy. The Advanced version rules, and the standard version is an absolute bargain."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: iZotope Ozone 6 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 212)

BUY: iZotope Ozone 6 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Korg Mini Kaoss Pad 2S

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It's just the right size to fit in a Christmas stocking; time to drop some hints."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg Mini Kaoss Pad 2S review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 212)

BUY: Korg Mini Kaoss Pad 2S currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Reloop RHP-10 Mono

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Go on, go back to mono. You just might like it."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Reloop RHP-10 Mono review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 286)

Samson Meteorite

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A wallet-friendly mic option that's ideal for capturing on-the-fly demos."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Samson Meteorite review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 286)

BUY: Samson Meteorite currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

AMS Neve AMS RMX16 Digital Reverb

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Almost all of its worth may come from only two of its algorithms, but the RMX16 is an accurate recreation of an 80s classic."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: AMS Neve AMS RMX16 Digital Reverb review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 212)

Steinberg Groove Agent 4

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"GA 4 is so well-improved they could have renamed it. It's an impressive, powerful and versatile solution for drum tracks of all kinds."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Steinberg Groove Agent 4 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 212)

BUY: Steinberg Groove Agent 4 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compas

Focusrite Saffire Pro 26

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A well-considered feature set, allied to quick set-up and impressive flexibility, at a compelling price."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 286)

BUY: Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Samson Resolv RXA6

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An affordable, decent performing set of powered monitors with a ribbon tweeter and a 6-inch woofer."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Samson Resolv RXA6 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 286)

BUY: Samson Resolv RXA6 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

NI Traktor Kontrol S8

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Possibly the best DJ controller out there, but you'll want some extra gear to get the most out of it."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: NI Traktor Kontrol S8 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 286)

BUY: NI Traktor Kontrol S8 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Moog Werkstatt-Ø1 synth kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The classic Moog sound in a hackable, easily accessible package - what's not to like?"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Moog Werkstatt-Ø1 synth kit review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 287)

BUY: Moog Werkstatt-Ø1 synth kit currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music

Patchworks Conductr

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Conductr is a great looking, well- behaved and very usable controller for the Live user with an iPad."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Patchworks Conductr review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 287)

iConnectMIDI4+ Lightning Edition

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"As a modern MIDI connection tool it is unsurpassed in terms of scope and flexibility."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: iConnectMIDI4+ Lightning Edition review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 287)

BUY: iConnectMIDI4+ Lightning Edition currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

E-RM Brightside

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An idea so straightforward you wonder why no one's thought of it before - no doubt the answer to some Elektron users' prayers!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: E-RM Brightside review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 287)

Prodipe 3000 Series Headphones

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Though you wouldn't want to rely on them for mixing, the 3000 Series are ideal for monitoring."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Prodipe 3000 Series Headphones review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 287)