New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (January 2016)
ROLI Seaboard Rise
A lot of folks may have been winding down at the back end of 2015, but the MusicRadar tech reviews team was still hard at work, casting its collective eye over the latest plugins, controllers and other hardware.
Here, we round up all of the tech reviews that originally appeared on the site in December, starting with the ROLI Seaboard Rise.
MusicRadar's Verdict
“A giant leap forward for keyboard- kind, the Rise is an innovative product which oozes quality.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: ROLI Seaboard Rise
(Originally reviewed in Future Music)
BUY: ROLI Seaboard Rise currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
Analogue Solutions Nyborg 24 Module
MusicRadar's Verdict
“If we were in the market for a grown-up analogue monosynth, we would certainly put the Analogue Solutions Nyborg units on our short list.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Analogue Solutions Nyborg 24 Module
(Originally reviewed in Future Music)
BUY: Analogue Solutions Nyborg 24 Module currently available from:
UK: Thomann
Roger Linn Design Linnstrument
MusicRadar's Verdict
“LinnStrument feels like a proper instrument and really helps to bring sounds to life.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Roger Linn Design Linnstrument
(Originally reviewed in Future Music)
BUY: Roger Linn Design Linnstrument currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater
iZotope RX5
MusicRadar's Verdict
“The RX audio processing platform just keeps getting better. Creative as well as ingeniously practical.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: iZotope RX5
(Originally reviewed in Future Music)
BUY: iZotope RX5 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Novation Circuit
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Circuit is fun, fluid and intuitive with a strong range of built-in sounds. Highly recommended.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Novation Circuit
(Originally reviewed in Future Music)
BUY: Novation Circuit currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Nord Stage 2 EX 88
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Its no menu diving/live focused approach is still hard to beat and the sounds/facilities are top-notch.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Nord Stage 2 EX 88
(Originally reviewed in Future Music)
BUY: Nord Stage 2 EX 88 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Neat Beecaster
MusicRadar's Verdict
“This is a handy USB mic offering quality sound capture for a wide range of sources.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Neat Beecaster
(Originally reviewed in Future Music)
BUY: Neat Beecaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater
Shure Motiv Mvi Interface
MusicRadar's Verdict
“£95 is a fair price for an iOS compatible peripheral of this quality.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Shure Motiv Mvi Interface
(Originally reviewed in Future Music)
BUY: Shure Motiv Mvi Interface currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Audio-Technica ATH-M70x
MusicRadar's Verdict
“A comfortable design that has the power and durability to meet the demands of performers and DJs.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Audio-Technica ATH-M70x
(Originally reviewed in Future Music)
BUY: Audio-Technica ATH-M70x currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Analogue Solutions Nyborg 12 Module
MusicRadar's Verdict
“A well-built analogue rack synth with plenty of character and ample modulation possibilities.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Analogue Solutions Nyborg 12 Module
(Originally reviewed in Future Music)
BUY: Analogue Solutions Nyborg 12 Module currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
M-Audio Code Series 25-Key Controller
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Not the most intuitive editing system but more control than you could shake the proverbial stick at.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: M-Audio Code Series 25-Key Controller
(Originally reviewed in Future Music)
BUY: M-Audio Code Series 25-Key Controller currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
Native Instruments Reaktor 6
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Version 6 of Reaktor finally realises the series' potential as a practical way to make your own instruments and effects.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Reaktor 6
(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)
MeldaProduction MMultiBandBitFun
MusicRadar's Verdict
“With a bite even stronger than its bark, MMultiBandBitFun deserves to attract and repel potential users in equal measure, depending on their sonic tastes.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: MeldaProduction MMultiBandBitFun
(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)
M-Audio Code Series 49-Key Controller
MusicRadar's Verdict
“A welcome addition to M-Audio's catalogue.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: M-Audio Code Series 49-Key Controller
(Originally reviewed in Future Music)
BUY: M-Audio Code Series 49-Key Controller currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
NI Maschine and Ableton Push covers
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Whether you want to keep the dust off your controller in the studio or protect it from spillages and impacts on stage, Decksaver is a great-looking, 100% effective, slightly pricey solution.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: NI Maschine and Ableton Push covers
(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)
BUY: NI Maschine and Ableton Push covers currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Output Audio Exhale
MusicRadar's Verdict
“As a genuinely inspirational vocal-based 'synth' for dance, electronic, ambient and soundtrack production, it's a breath of fresh air.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Output Audio Exhale
(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)
BUY: Output Audio Exhale currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater
VirSyn Poseidon Synth
MusicRadar's Verdict
“A hugely creative iPad synth at a very reasonable price.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: VirSyn Poseidon Synth
(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)
DMG Audio Expurgate
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Creative, fast and functional, Expurgate is one of very few gate plugins on the market deserving of 'essential' status.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: DMG Audio Expurgate
(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)
Accusonus Era-D
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Although Era-D only reduces reverb, it does a great job of drying out source material, and noise reduction is a bonus.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Accusonus Era-D
(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)
Plugin Boutique Carbon Electra
MusicRadar's Verdict
“While it's never going to change the world of synthesis, Carbon Electra sounds gorgeous and is inspirationally easy to use.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Plugin Boutique Carbon Electra
(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)
Lindell Audio 254E
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Another classic hardware emulation that perhaps sticks to the original more rigidly than it needs to in some areas but sounds essentially identical to it.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Lindell Audio 254E
(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)
Sonimus Burnley 73
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Everyone should have a 1073 emulation in their arsenal, and when you can get one this good for the same price as a night out, there's absolutely no reason not to.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sonimus Burnley 73
(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)
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