Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
A laptop displaying a software synthesizer
Software & Apps Black Friday plugin deals 2025: Get the best early Black Friday deals on music software
Man playing Roland TD716 electronic drum set in a studio
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
A selection of IK Multimedia plugins for music production on a purple background
Plugins Buy one $49.99 IK Multimedia plugin and get a whopping 38 free with the best plugin deal of the year so far
Apple iMac M4
Computers Best PCs for music production 2025: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
An Apple MacBook Air M4 on a desk with audio interface, headphones, and MIDI controller
Computers Best laptop for music production 2025: For home studios and mobile music-making - tested by experts
Kids hands on a beginner keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners 2025: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
Ableton Live 12.3
Tech Ableton is playing catch-up with Live 12.3… but its best features are hidden beyond the headlines
Sonicware Liven Evoke
Digital Synths “It’s acoustic, it’s electronic, it’s in flux and it’s great”: Sonicware Liven Evoke review
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
modeselektor
Artists "The 808 is still one of the sexiest drum machines ever built": Modeselektor on classic Roland gear
EastWest Lo-Fi
Fx Software “Any musician should be able to find a brilliant new colour to add to a developing mix”: EastWest Lo-Fi review
Ableton Move
Tech One year on, I’ve finally clicked with Ableton Move – all because I’ve stopped trying to make music with it
iZotope FXEQ
Fx Software “Allows you to do away with stacks of insert or return effects and potential high processor loads”: iZotope FXEQ review
More
  • Radiohead's secret code
  • Blackbird
  • Spooky samples - free
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Captain Fantastic
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (July 2015)

News
By Future Music, Computer Music ( Computer Music, Future Music ) published 2 July 2015

Software and hardware synths, plugin FX, apps, mixers and more

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Modor NF-1

Modor NF-1

We've had a bumper crop of music tech reviews on the site throughout June, including plugins, virtual instruments, hardware synths and all manner of other products.

All of the reviews featured in this gallery were published on the site last month and originally featured in the pages of our sister magazines Computer Music and Future Music. First up, it's Modor's NF-1 synth...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The NF-1 is well-built and hands-on and its sound engine is powerful and versatile."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Modor NF-1 review

BUY: Modor NF-1 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 1 of 23
Page 1 of 23
Sinevibes Drift

Sinevibes Drift

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A fun and occasionally useful tool, Drift isn't one of Sinevibes' best, but there's certainly nothing 'wrong' with it."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sinevibes Drift review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 2 of 23
Page 2 of 23
Kush Audio Electra DSP

Kush Audio Electra DSP

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Equalize takes a focussed and extremely powerful approach to EQ that, once understood, becomes second nature."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Kush Audio Electra DSP review

BUY: Kush Audio Electra DSP currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 3 of 23
Page 3 of 23
Positive Grid Bias FX

Positive Grid Bias FX

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Quality amp and effects app for your iPad that's packed with tonal options."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Positive Grid Bias FX review

Page 4 of 23
Page 4 of 23
LVC-Audio Limited-MAX

LVC-Audio Limited-MAX

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Limited-MAX is a flexible master bus limiter that delivers results on a par with the more pricey competition. Impressive!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: LVC-Audio Limited-MAX review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 5 of 23
Page 5 of 23
Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators

Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Despite some functional annoyances, the Pocket Operators are a lot of fun."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators review

BUY: Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 6 of 23
Page 6 of 23
UAD V8.0 Effect Plug-Ins

UAD V8.0 Effect Plug-Ins

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Distortion bundle/Friedman amps can frazzle any sound source, and Wood Works is highly effective."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UAD V8.0 Effect Plug-Ins review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 7 of 23
Page 7 of 23
Akai Advance 49

Akai Advance 49

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Advance controllers elegantly remove the disconnect between your controller and DAW."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Akai Advance 49 review

BUY: Akai Advance 49 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 8 of 23
Page 8 of 23
Acon Digital Equalize

Acon Digital Equalize

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A no-nonsense EQ plugin with an impressive level of control, Equalize will find fans amongst mix surgeons."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Acon Digital Equalize review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 9 of 23
Page 9 of 23
Universal Audio Apollo Thunderbolt 8

Universal Audio Apollo Thunderbolt 8

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"UA's Apollo interfaces were desirable before but they're close to irresistible now."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio Apollo Thunderbolt 8 review

BUY: Universal Audio Apollo Thunderbolt 8 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 10 of 23
Page 10 of 23
Rode NTR

Rode NTR

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A fresh take on ribbon mic design, the Rode NTR has many practical applications."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rode NTR review

BUY: Rode NTR currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 11 of 23
Page 11 of 23
Tracktion Software Corporation Tracktion 6

Tracktion Software Corporation Tracktion 6

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Tracktion 6 adds more than enough new stuff to justify the upgrade price, and remains a bargain for anyone looking for a powerful, intuitive cross-platform DAW."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tracktion Software Corporation Tracktion 6 review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 12 of 23
Page 12 of 23
Mackie Mix5

Mackie Mix5

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Mix 5 is pretty handy if you just need to blend a few sources, and its main advantage is simply its super compact size."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mackie Mix5 review

BUY: Mackie Mix5 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 13 of 23
Page 13 of 23
Softube Transient Shaper

Softube Transient Shaper

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"With two bands of processing elevating it above most of the competition, Transient Shaper comes highly recommended."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Softube Transient Shaper review

BUY: Softube Transient Shaper currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 14 of 23
Page 14 of 23
Midi Madness 2

Midi Madness 2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Perfect for creating experimental tracks/new ideas in existing ones. It gets better the more you tweak."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Midi Madness 2 review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 15 of 23
Page 15 of 23
Mackie Mix8

Mackie Mix8

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Overall, Mackie's Mix Series mixers performs very well and at a budget price."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mackie Mix8 review

BUY: Mackie Mix8 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 16 of 23
Page 16 of 23
Spitfire Audio Albion IV Uist

Spitfire Audio Albion IV Uist

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If this is what the future of orchestral sample libraries looks like, you'll get no complaints here."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Spitfire Audio Albion IV Uist review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 17 of 23
Page 17 of 23
Mackie Mix12FX

Mackie Mix12FX

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Mackie's new mixer offers simple mixing options, excellent build quality and astonishing value."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mackie Mix12FX review

BUY: Mackie Mix12FX currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 18 of 23
Page 18 of 23
Acustica AmberEQ

Acustica AmberEQ

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"AmberEQ can have an almost magical effect on a mix - if you're able to run enough of them to make it happen."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Acustica AmberEQ review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 19 of 23
Page 19 of 23
Midimux and Audiomux

Midimux and Audiomux

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Essential purchases for iOS-equipped producers."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Midimux and Audiomux review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 20 of 23
Page 20 of 23
KV331 Audio Synthmaster Player for iPad

KV331 Audio Synthmaster Player for iPad

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Overall, SynthMaster Player is a preset-packed, fun experience."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: KV331 Audio Synthmaster Player for iPad review

BUY: KV331 Audio Synthmaster Player for iPad currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 21 of 23
Page 21 of 23
Plogue Chipspeech

Plogue Chipspeech

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Clearly a labour of love, chipspeech is a powerful and polished product that's practically impossible to fault."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Plogue Chipspeech review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 22 of 23
Page 22 of 23
AudioThing Frostbite

AudioThing Frostbite

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Affordable, fun, and offering a distinctive and atmospheric sound, you won't regret chilling out with Frostbite."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: AudioThing Frostbite review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 23 of 23
Page 23 of 23
Computer Music
Computer Music
Social Links Navigation

Computer Music magazine is the world’s best selling publication dedicated solely to making great music with your Mac or PC computer. Each issue it brings its lucky readers the best in cutting-edge tutorials, need-to-know, expert software reviews and even all the tools you actually need to make great music today, courtesy of our legendary CM Plugin Suite.

Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects… image
Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects…
…with the latest issue of Computer Music magazine
More Info
Read more
Ableton Live 12.3
Ableton is playing catch-up with Live 12.3… but its best features are hidden beyond the headlines
 
 
Sonicware Liven Evoke
“It’s acoustic, it’s electronic, it’s in flux and it’s great”: Sonicware Liven Evoke review
 
 
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
modeselektor
"The 808 is still one of the sexiest drum machines ever built": Modeselektor on classic Roland gear
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
A selection of Waves plugins on a fluorescent green background
Waves just made the first move on Black Friday with 3 jaw-dropping offers - and one’s completely free
 
 
autotune
"Metamorph isn't about replacing the human voice – it's about expanding what's possible when human creativity meets responsible AI": Antares unveils MetaMorph voice modelling plugin
 
 
Ableton Live MIDI tools tutorial
Stuck for ideas? Here's how to create fresh basslines and melodies with Ableton Live 12’s MIDI tools
 
 
ocean way studios
“Step inside the studio that made history”: Universal Audio's new plugin puts "America's Abbey Road" in your DAW
 
 
Eventide Temperance Lite
Eventide’s Temperance Lite is a new modal reverb plugin that lets you tune your reverb tails – and it’s free until December 31
 
 
OneAlphaTheta Library
With OneLibrary DJs can finally use their track libraries across different software applications
 
 
Latest in News
Lily Allen
"OK, let’s have some backstory”: The group songwriting sessions that yielded Lily Allen’s West End Girl
 
 
Neal Schon
“I love John McLaughlin’s stuff. I admire real musicians”: Journey guitarist Neal Schon on the players who inspire him
 
 
Charli XCX and John Cale
"It made me cry”: Charli XCX on how she ended up collaborating with the Velvet Underground’s John Cale
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: The early Black Friday sales continue at Guitar Center, Sweetwater, Musician's Friend, Reverb and more
 
 
sessiondock
Struggling to keep track of your DAW projects? This free app can help
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Drake performs live on stage during day two of Wireless Festival 2025 at Finsbury Park on July 12, 2025 in London, England. Drake is headlining an unprecedented all three nights of Wireless Festival. (Photo by Simone Joyner/Getty Images for ABA)
Drake’s live sound engineer on why he has to be at the top of his game from first song to last
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...