New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (July 2012)
13 products at a glance
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 plug-ins, hardware, iOS apps and other products to have fallen under the watchful eyes of the Computer Music and Future Music test teams.
All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 180 and Future Music issue 254. First up, a top-class processor courtesy of Brainworx.
NEXT: Brainworx bx_saturator
The clever folks at Brainworx continue to expand the possibilities
Brainworx bx_saturator ($229)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“An excellent processor that, quite simply, makes things sound bigger and better.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Brainworx bx_saturator
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 254)
BUY: Brainworx bx_saturator currently available from:
US: Sweetwater
Two major players in the world of pro audio join forces to produce a radical new monitor speaker design
sE Munro Egg 150 Monitors (£2,061)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A fantastic product on all fronts, the Eggs let you hear the music not the speakers.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: sE Munro Egg 150 Monitors
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 254)
BUY: sE Munro Egg 150 Monitors currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Another expandable controller - but can it keep the competition at bay?
Livid Instruments CNTRL:R (€899)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“An attractive but pricey controller that struggles to compete with DAW-specific hardware - and iPads.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Livid Instruments CNTRL:R
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 254)
BUY: Livid Instruments CNTRL:R currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater
The 2200a has been a big success - please be upstanding for the aptly-named MkII
SE Electronics 2200a MkII (£335)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“More stylish and more flexible than its predecessor, the MkII will surely be an instant success.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: SE Electronics 2200a MkII
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 254)
BUY: SE Electronics 2200a MkII currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater
We take a look at the pitch processor that claims to make light work of real-time polyphonic correction and manipulation
Zynaptiq PITCHMAP ($399)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Getting good results takes patience and practice but PITCHMAP is flexible and useful.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Zynaptiq PITCHMAP
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 254)
BUY: Zynaptiq PITCHMAP currently available from:
US: Full Compass
The 1176 has been an obsession for Universal Audio since the '60s - we witness the next stage of its evolution
UAD UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection ($299)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A plug-in classic to the power of three offering all the 1176s you could ever want.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: UAD UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 254)
Line 6 goes direct to your iDevice
Line 6 Mobile Keys (£99 and £129)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Quite simply, superb.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Line 6 Mobile Keys
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 254)
BUY: Line 6 Mobile Keys currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass
Customised key commands from Logic Café
Logic Café ControlSkin (£30)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you're on the road a lot or restricted to single-screen use, ControlSkin will turn your keyboard into an intuitive and comprehensive Logic controller.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Logic Café ControlSkin
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 254)
IK's DJ Rig app gets a dedicated mixer
IK Multimedia iRig Mix/DJ Rig (£71)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“It's portable, powerful and versatile, and ideal for those seeking iOS DJing with dedicated hardware.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iRig Mix/DJ Rig
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 180)
BUY: IK Multimedia iRig Mix/DJ Rig currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Synergy gets a welcome upgrade
Sample Logic Synergy X ($399)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Anyone working on soundtrack-style compositions will find plenty to get their hands dirty with here, and in fact, just about anyone would find it inspirational. Impressive stuff.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sample Logic Synergy X
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 180)
BUY: Sample Logic Synergy X currently available from:
US: Sweetwater
Toontrack expands its range of kits once again
Toontrack Pop! EZX (£55)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Pop! sounds ace and plays beautifully via drum pads or keys. In short, it's yet another EZdrummer essential.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Toontrack Pop! EZX
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 180)
BUY: Toontrack Pop! EZX currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
An understated classic gets a digital makeover
TriTone Digital ClassicTone-560 (€129)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Sounds gorgeous, exhibiting the smoothness, tonal colouring and fabulous mid-range 'betterising' associated with the real thing.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: TriTone Digital ClassicTone-560
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 180)
Add some Chinese character to your percussion
Best Service Peking Opera Percussion (£109)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Sounds simply phenomenal, capturing the full flavour of some uniquely characterful instruments.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Best Service Peking Opera Percussion
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 180)