New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (July 2011)
A mixed result from the second incarnation of this controller
Korg nanoKey2 (£48)
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 synths, plug-ins, interfaces, outboard gear, apps, controllers and other products to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music, Future Music and Total Guitar’s test teams. All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 166/167, Future Music issue 241 and Total Guitar issue 215 and published on MusicRadar throughout June.
Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Korg’s NanoKey 2
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Mini controllers are all about making music on the move or saving precious desk real estate, and the nanoKey2 fulfils this role well.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Korg nanoKey2
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 166)
BUY: Korg nanoKey2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
There's more control on offer this time around
Korg nanoKontrol2 (£60)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The new version of the nanoKontrol seems more geared towards mixer control.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Korg nanoKontrol2
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 166)
BUY: Korg nanoKontrol2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
A sturdy controller that's great to get hands-on with
Korg nanoPad2 (£60)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The original nanoPad pleased us greatly with its sturdy, responsive drum pads, and now they've grown in number from 12 to 16.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Korg nanoPad2
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 166)
BUY: Korg nanoPad2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
A fully formed audio recording and mixing solution for iOS?
4Pockets MeTeoR (£11.99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you just want to record and mix audio on-the-go, then Meteor is highly recommended.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: 4Pockets MeTeoR
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 166)
The no-fuss way of capturing your ideas
Tascam DR-05 (£109)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The DR-05 simple but highly effective.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Tascam DR-05
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 215)
BUY: Tascam DR-05 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
A great sounding iOS synth but with some stability issues to sort out
Way Out Ware SynthX (£3.99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Once they get the stability issues fixed, this one'll be a no-brainer.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Way Out Ware SynthX
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 166)
An iOS-based 'workstation for creating algorithmic compositions'
Tim Bolstad Dingsaller (£2.99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Dingsaller is a humdinger!”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Tim Bolstad Dingsaller
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 166)
From the developer of the excellent EQuality equaliser comes this super-flexible dynamics chameleon
DMG Audio Compassion ((£150)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“There's a lot to learn! An outstanding, musical dynamics tool that's a jack of all trades and master of most.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: DMG Audio Compassion
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 166)
Has this studio classic emulation got what it takes to excite us?
Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter (£159)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Like a real Aural Exciter, this emulation is by no means essential - yet it offers a sound that's seductive in certain situations.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 166)
BUY: Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter currently available from:
US: Sweetwater
Can one of the most hyped products of recent times live up to expectations?
Korg Kronos (£3118)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Simply put, Korg has made one of the best-sounding and most fully featured keyboards to date.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Korg Kronos
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 241)
BUY: Korg Kronos currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Full Compass
The pioneering sampler steps into the ultra-portable future
Fairlight Player (£6)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A true emulation, for better or for worse. A rich source of excellent world-famous sounds, though.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fairlight Player
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 241)
Lexicon's classic is the latest legend to get the UAD treatment
Universal Audio UAD-2 Lexicon 224 Reverb ($349)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A faithful and simply sumptuous-sounding Lexicon 224 emulation. Soon to be a go-to reverb.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio UAD-2 Lexicon 224 Reverb
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 241)
A no-compromise approach to component choice, coupled with a chunky boutique design
Generic Audio Preceptor (£3600)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A serious tool for a serious price that will pay back dividends in tracking, mixing and mastering.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Generic Audio Preceptor
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 241)
It has all the features, but it's the software that tips the balance
Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 (£249)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Ideal intro package or superb second interface. Sounds good, works first time and is built to last.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: NI Komplete Audio 6
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 241)
BUY: NI Komplete Audio 6 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Pres and compressors, topped off with eight channels of A/D
Universal Audio 4-710d (£2039)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A complete front-end solution that delivers flexible high fidelity with creative tone shaping.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio 4-710d
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 241)
BUY: Universal Audio 4-710d currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
After the Reverb bundle blew us away, the company returns with a suite of new effects
Lexicon PCM Native Effects (£870)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A super-classy set of effect algorithms that further enhance Lexicon's reputation.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Lexicon PCM Native Effects
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 241)
BUY: Lexicon PCM Native Effects currently available from:
UK: DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
A straight-to-the-point algorithmic reverb workhorse
ValhallaDSP ValhallaRoom ($50)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Minor operational grumbles aside, ValhallaRoom has it where it counts with its fabulous-sounding reverbs.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: ValhallaDSP ValhallaRoom
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 166)
A virtual reinterpretation of Shure's Level-Loc
SoundToys Devil-Loc Deluxe ($129)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Another analogue modelled hit from SoundToys, and one that's particularly delightful on drums and loops.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: SoundToys Devil-Loc Deluxe
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 166)
BUY: SoundToys Devil-Loc Deluxe currently available from:
US: Sweetwater
The Papen returns with his first ever drum machine, combining synthesis, sampling and sequencing
Rob Papen Punch (£125)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Another winner from the Papen stable, Punch sounds awesome and is fair bursting with powerful features.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Rob Papen Punch
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 167)
BUY: Rob Papen Punch currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Liked this? Now read: The best music tech gear of 2010: synths, DAWs, plug-ins and more
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I’m the Group Content Manager for MusicRadar, specialising in all things tech. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 20 of which I’ve also spent writing about music technology.