New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (June 2013)

Native Instruments Monark

MusicRadar's sister publications - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music publish independent reviews of the latest music-making gear every month. We believe they're the best around.

For your browsing convenience, we've collected together any App, DAW, DJ gear, plug-in, synth and other music-making hardware reviews posted on the site during April 2013.

All the gear featured in this gallery was first reviewed in Computer Music issue 191/192 and Future Music issue 265/266, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team. First up Native Instrument's Monark synth...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Arguably the best Minimoog Model D emulation yet, Monark sounds amazing but its Reaktor requirement is irritating."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Monark review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

MXL Essentials Drum Recording Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This kit makes a great introduction to quality drum microphones."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MXL Essentials Drum Recording Kit review

Xfer Records Cthulhu

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A wicked MIDI-generating plugin, Cthulhu makes conjuring up instant chords and melodies a snap."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Xfer Records Cthulhu review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

Propellerhead Software Reason 7

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Thanks to some well-placed tweaks and deeper features, this is the most refined and powerful version of Reason we've seen yet."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Propellerhead Software Reason 7 review

BUY: Propellerhead Software Reason 7 currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Lindell Audio PEX-500 Equaliser

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A useable 500 series module at an attractive price point that will find favour among professionals already sold on the 500 rack concept."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Lindell Audio PEX-500 Equaliser review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 265)

BUY: Lindell Audio PEX-500 Equaliser currently available from:
UK: DV247
US: Sweetwater

FXpansion Bloom

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Some might consider it overkill, but this massively modulatable delay is a sound designer's dream come true."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: FXpansion Bloom review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

Gear4Music Mix02AU 6-Channel Mini Mixer with USB

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If six channels is enough for you, you'll have to look long and hard to match the Gear4Music MIX02AU with its audio interface capability."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gear4Music Mix02AU 6-Channel Mini Mixer with USB review

BUY: Gear4Music Mix02AU 6-Channel Mini Mixer with USB currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

PSP Audioware PSP PianoVerb2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A fantastic update to one of the more interesting reverbs out there, PianoVerb2 is powerful, fun and inspirational."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PSP Audioware PSP PianoVerb2 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

SubZero SPC61 MIDI Controller

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The SPC61 MIDI Controller is great value for money. OK, it's not the most authentic feeling keyboard we've ever played, nor is its construction the most solid we've come across, but if you're looking for a keyboard controller with a decent range and excellent configurability, you should check out SubZero's offering."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: SubZero SPC61 MIDI Controller review

Cakewalk CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Yet another excellent LA-2A emulation for Mac and PC, with the most responsive metering and interface we've seen."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Cakewalk CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

SubZero SPC25 MIDI Controller

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This MIDI controller is only two octaves. If you're looking for notes galore, that's not ideal, but if you're looking for a compact, portable keyboard controller with plenty of functionality, the SPC25 is worth a look."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: SubZero SPC25 MIDI Controller review

Sinevibes Torsion

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A triple-oscillator hybrid synth with an easy interface and lots of modulation sources, Torsion is an excellent oddity."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sinevibes Torsion review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

Garritan Harps

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If a virtual harp is on your shopping list, put this one at the top - it's approachable, intuitive and sonically stunning."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Garritan Harps review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

BUY: Garritan Harps currently available from:
UK: Andertons
US: Sweetwater

SubZero Easy-3 3-piece MIDI Controller Set

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you're looking to get physical with your laptop music, the Easy-3 set is an excellent, comprehensive solution."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: SubZero Easy-3 3-piece MIDI Controller Set review

BUY: SubZero Easy-3 3-piece MIDI Controller Set currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Image-Line FL Studio 11

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"FL Studio continues to age gracefully, still with its own identity but adding features that bring it into line with current music making paradigms."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Image-Line FL Studio 11 review

BUY: Image-Line FL Studio 11 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Audio Damage Bitcom

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Definitely one for the serious experimentalist rather than the 'everyday' user, Bitcom is bloody bonkers."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audio Damage Bitcom review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

ValhallaDSP VintageVerb

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Another cracking plugin by ValhallaDSP that makes a great Lexicon-style wingman to ValhallaRoom."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: ValhallaDSP VintageVerb review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

Amplesound Ample Guitar M

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A hugely convincing virtual guitar/guitarist, beautifully recorded and sonically editable enough to easily make your own."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Amplesound Ample Guitar M review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

Universal Audio API 500 Series EQ Collection

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Among UA's most impressive analogue emulations yet, these are two truly beautiful-sounding EQs."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio API 500 Series EQ Collection review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

Minster MPS-8H Digital Piano

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"For a studio or home piano with excellent sounds, touch, and USB capability at an excellent price, this is a serious contender."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Minster MPS-8H Digital Piano review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

Minster MLP200L Digital Piano

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A smaller-than-usual digital that sounds and feels good and won't break the bank."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Minster MLP200L Digital Piano review

BUY: Minster MLP200L Digital Piano currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

New Sonic Arts Nuance

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Nuance more than lives up to its joyous promise of being quick, capable and fun."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: New Sonic Arts Nuance review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

ProjectSAM Lumina

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The lighter side of orchestration is well catered for with Lumina, and it sounds gorgeous, but it needs updating to reach its true potential."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: ProjectSAM Lumina review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

BUY: ProjectSAM Lumina currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Gear4Music DP10 Digital Piano

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Anyone in the market for a digital piano should check out the DP10 – it's got excellent sounds and touch and is a real bargain."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gear4Music DP10 Digital Piano review

BUY: Gear4Music DP10 Digital Piano currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

IK Multimedia iLectric Piano

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"As long as you have a decent MIDI keyboard, iLectric Piano is a blast to jam on, and now that it has Audiobus support, it can serve as a vital part of your iPad studio."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW:IK Multimedia iLectric Piano review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 191)

Native Instruments Battery 4

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The wait is over and Battery 4 doesn't disappoint. Ace for newbies and pros, it truly inspires creativity."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Battery 4 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 266)

Blue Spark Digital

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Spark Digital certainly looks great, but it also has the sonic integrity to make it a serious home or mobile recording choice. There's no XLR output - Blue has plenty of other mics that do - but for Apple iOS devices especially, this mic comes highly recommended."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blue Spark Digital review

BUY: Blue Spark Digital currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Roland RD-64 Digital Piano

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A great feeling keybed with a decent piano sound that could have offered a lot more for the money."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland RD-64 Digital Piano review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 266)

BUY: Roland RD-64 Digital Piano currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Eve Audio SC207 monitors

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"At this size and price point they stand shoulder to shoulder with the best. Well worth trying."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Eve Audio SC207 monitors review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 266)

BUY: Eve Audio SC207 monitors currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Full Compass

IK Multimedia AmpliTube Orange

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Orange has captured player's imaginations lately with a range of amps that meet a variety of guitar and bass needs, and this software reflects that."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia AmpliTube Orange review

BUY: IK Multimedia AmpliTube Orange currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Audio Technica AT5040

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The AT5040 is a polished performer in so many ways but that price tag - ouch!"

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audio Technica AT5040 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 266)

BUY: Audio Technica AT5040 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Korg KingKORG Synthesizer

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Not cheap by any stretch, but the extensive sonic capabilities of this beast may yet seduce you."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg KingKORG Synthesizer review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 266)

BUY: Korg KingKORG Synthesizer currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

DMGAudio EQuilibrium

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This could well be the greatest EQ ever made - it's certainly the most versatile and it's definitely revolutionary. Utterly essential."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DMGAudio EQuilibrium review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 192)

ESI UDJ6

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you're using a MIDI controller with no soundcard or if splitting the decks on an external mixer is a priority, the UDJ6 is great for the price."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: ESI UDJ6 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 266)

BUY: ESI UDJ6 currently available from:
UK: Thomann