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New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (July 2012)

News
By Future Music, Alex Turner; Computer Music ( Future Music ) published 2 July 2012

Plug-ins, controllers, mics and more

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13 products at a glance

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

Page 1 of 14
Page 1 of 14
Brainworx bx_saturator ($229)

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

Page 2 of 14
Page 2 of 14
sE Munro Egg 150 Monitors (£2,061)

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

Page 3 of 14
Page 3 of 14
Livid Instruments CNTRL:R (€899)

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

Page 4 of 14
Page 4 of 14
SE Electronics 2200a MkII (£335)

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

Page 5 of 14
Page 5 of 14
Zynaptiq PITCHMAP ($399)

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

Page 6 of 14
Page 6 of 14
UAD UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection ($299)

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)

Page 7 of 14
Page 7 of 14
Line 6 Mobile Keys (£99 and £129)

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

Page 8 of 14
Page 8 of 14
Logic Café ControlSkin (£30)

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)

Page 9 of 14
Page 9 of 14
IK Multimedia iRig Mix/DJ Rig (£71)

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

Page 10 of 14
Page 10 of 14
Sample Logic Synergy X ($399)

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

Page 11 of 14
Page 11 of 14
Toontrack Pop! EZX (£55)

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

Page 12 of 14
Page 12 of 14
TriTone Digital ClassicTone-560 (€129)

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)

Page 13 of 14
Page 13 of 14
Best Service Peking Opera Percussion (£109)

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)

Page 14 of 14
Page 14 of 14
Alex Turner; Computer Music
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