New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (January 2015)
iOS-reliant sample sequencer
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
Multi-tasking, cable crazy interface
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
Retro channel strip plugin
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)
Dynamic mic with a vocal focus
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
3-way powered monitoring on a budget
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
Specialist de-esser plugin
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)
V6 of the complete mastering system
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
Mini Kaoss Pad gets a sampler
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
Stick it to the DJ
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)
Mini Meteor mic
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
The classic 80s 'verb box goes plugin
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)
Veteran software drummer brought right up to date
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
The successful Saffire range expands
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
Nearfield monitors with a ribbon tweeter
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's most expansive DJ device yet
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
A mod-minded synth for the masses
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
iPad app for Ableton Live performers
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)
An interface for multiple-device users
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
A simple stand for Elektron units
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)
Can these 'do-it-all' cans really do it all?
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)
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