New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (June 2012)
23 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 issues 178/179 and Future Music issue 253 and published on MusicRadar in May 2012.
Scroll on for this month's top picks and click through to read each product's full review.
NEXT: Rob Papen Blade
The team that brought you SubBoomBass hefts its additive axe - does the new synth have what it takes to cut through the mix?
Rob Papen Blade (£99)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"Rob Papen's take on additive synthesis has some clever tricks up its sleeve and does the business sonically."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Rob Papen Blade
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 178)
BUY: Rob Papen Blade currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater
FR: Thomann | Star's Music
Our plug-in folders are bursting with virtual analogue synths, but a new one bearing the u-he name always gets our immediate attention
u-he Diva ($215)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Diva is architecturally straightforward, but it sounds phenomenal and arguably puts paid to the analogue vs digital debate.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: u-he Diva
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 178)
The hardware processing giant's latest native plug-in resurrects one algorithm from its classic reverb
Eventide 2016 Stereo Room (£159)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“2016 Stereo Room may only offer one algorithm, but it's a real beauty.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Eventide 2016 Stereo Room
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 178)
BUY: Eventide 2016 Stereo Room currently available from:
UK: guitarguitar
USA: Sweetwater
Dynamic equalisation is becoming ubiquitous, but this particular take on the concept has a few new tricks up its sleeve
MeldaProduction MAutoDynamicEQ (€120)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Match and dynamic EQ succesfully brought together in one plug-in, delivering both with equal aplomb.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: MeldaProduction MAutoDynamicEQ
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 178)
Beneath its academic-looking exterior, has this innovative MIDI editor got what it takes to help you make better compositions?
MusicDevelopments RapidComposer ($295)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Breaking new ground, RapidComposer is an amazing (but buggy) compositional tool - we're impressed!”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: MusicDevelopments RapidComposer
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 179)
Looks prove to be deceptive as this retro-looking dynamics plug-in delivers anything but an old-fashioned sound
Sonoris Mastering Compressor (€199)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Sonoris' Mastering Compressor is one of the very finest dynamics tools we've ever loaded on our master bus.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sonoris Mastering Compressor
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 178)
Enhance your orchestral soundtracks with this collection of cinematic effects, patterns, atmospheres and moods
Sonokinetic Vivace (€200)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A classy collection of splendid-sounding orchestral phrases that your listeners will easily mistake for the real thing.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sonokinetic Vivace
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 178)
The Dutch master's latest plug-in takes saturation and distortion to new heights
FabFilter Saturn (£114)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“One of very few multiband plug-ins, Saturn is easy to use, wildly creative and sounds incredible.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: FabFilter Saturn
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 253)
In an ongoing quest for exciting sounds, we scale the latest update to this seminal sample library
Heavyocity Evolve R2 (€199)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Superb for adding something special to your soundtracks and dancefloor smashes.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Heavyocity Evolve R2
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 253)
BUY: Heavyocity Evolve R2 currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater
This new studio condenser is worthy of your attention
Prodipe STC-3D Ludovic Lanen (£130)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“We'd have no problem recommending this as an ideal inexpensive all-rounder.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Prodipe STC-3D Ludovic Lanen
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 253)
BUY: Prodipe STC-3D Ludovic Lanen currently available from:
FR: Star's Music | Woodbrass
The C2D adds real drawbars to the already excellent and now improved C2 engine. We get hands-on with Nord's new B3 beater
Nord C2D (£2599)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A significant improvement over the C2, the C2D now appeals to tonewheel purists too.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Nord C2D
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 253)
BUY: Nord C2D currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | guitarguitar
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass
FR: Thomann | Michenaud | Star's Music
This may come as a surprise, but Plug Alliance may have come up with an Enhancer that actually works
Plugin Alliance Noveltech Character ($99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Enhances the character of the source without colouring it with its own sound. Excellent.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Plugin Alliance Noveltech Character
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 253)
Hot on the heels of the flagship Jupiter-80 comes its leaner little brother. How does it compare?
Roland Jupiter-50 (£2000)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Cheaper and more portable than the '80 if you don't need its keybed, polyphony or touchscreen.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Roland Jupiter-50
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 253)
BUY: Roland Jupiter-50 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | guitarguitar
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass
FR: Thomann | Michenaud | Star's Music | Woodbrass
A phase correcting tool can be a lifesaver, both when tracking and mixing projects. We get aligned with Waves' InPhase…
Waves InPhase (from $99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If phasing issues are blighting your mixes, Waves has the remedy with this superb correction tool.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Waves InPhase
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 253)
BUY: Waves InPhase currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater
What can Arturia's Spark offer second time around?
Arturia Spark Vintage Drum Machines (€99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“We'd really like to see Arturia tidy the Spark interface up; there's a ton of functionality here, but it all feels a bit confused.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Arturia Spark Vintage Drum Machines
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 179)
BUY: Arturia Spark Vintage Drum Machines currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | guitarguitar
USA: Full Compass
FR: Thomann | Michenaud
An analogue-style polysynth for iPhone
iceGear Cassini (£2.99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Is it worth buying if you've already got Argon? Absolutely - the polyphony alone makes it worth the measly asking price, but there's also much more modulation here and a better interface.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: iceGear Cassini
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 179)
A new contender for the iPad DJing crown
Waves / Musicsoft Arts Mashup (£27.99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Mashup's ergonomics, interface and design are outstanding, and the iPod/iPhone headphone monitoring system is almost worth the price alone.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Waves / Musicsoft Arts Mashup
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 179)
A genre-specific 'workstation' for electro producers
Ultimate Sound Bank UVI Electro Suite (£149)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“In short, very impressive!”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Ultimate Sound Bank UVI Electro Suite
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 179)
Now the iKlip Studio aims to bring the iPad-holding experience to the desktop…
IK Multimedia iKlip Studio (£30)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Does its job at least as well as the next iPad stand.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iKlip Studio
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 179)
BUY: IK Multimedia iKlip Studio currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass
FR: Thomann | Star's Music
Vintage chorus emulation meets true stereo spatial processing in this action-packed new plug-in
XILS-lab Chor'X (€59)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Quirky and characterful, Chor'X combines retro-style chorusing with true stereo signal placement to good effect.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: XILS-lab Chor'X
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 179)
The premium Brit developer continues to push the DCAM manifesto with this massively modulatable dual filter plug-in
FXpansion Etch (£69)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Etch immediately takes its place at the top table of filter plug-ins. If you care about filtering, you simply have to try it.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: FXpansion Etch
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 179)
BUY: FXpansion Etch currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater
iZotope knocked our socks off with the RX spectral editor, and now the developer's visual editing technology is being used to power a synth
iZotope Iris (£169)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Iris makes spectral sound design easier and more fun than ever - put in the effort to master it and you'll reap the rewards.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: iZotope Iris
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 179)
BUY: iZotope Iris currently available from:
UK: Thomann
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass
FR: Thomann
Yet another developer brings us yet another analogue synth emulation. It's survival of the fittest out there, so can Saurus compete?
Tone2 Saurus (£90)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Beautifully designed and with some modern niceties, Saurus has a fabulous sound and a very appealing price tag.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Tone2 Saurus
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 179)