New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (June 2014)

Sontronics Aria

Every month our sister magazines, Computer Music and Future Music, put the latest music tech gear through its paces - from MIDI interfaces and pocket-money plugins to high-end hardware synths, it all runs through their pages.

We've collected all of the reviews to feature on the site in May, originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 204/205 and Future Music issue 278/279, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team. First up it’s the new Aria condenser from mic wizards Sontronics…

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The Aria delivers a silky smooth response with a touch of valve flavour thrown in for good measure.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sontronics Aria review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 278)

BUY: Sontronics Aria currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

ProGuard Lin-Ear PR20 Music Earplug

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Comfortable, effective and affordable. What's your excuse?”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: ProGuard Lin-Ear PR20 Music Earplug review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 278)

IK Multimedia Master EQ 432

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Demanding on the host computer it may be, but Master EQ 432 is a classic reborn, complete with the original's limitations."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia Master EQ 432 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 204)

BUY: IK Multimedia Master EQ 432 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Softube Console 1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Specialist in remit; superlative in quality, Console 1 brings you SSL-style workflow and sound, with a few quirks and at a price.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Softube Console 1 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 204)

BUY: Softube Console 1 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Waves MetaFilter

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“MetaFilter is effective, efficient and sounds gorgeous, but it could be more aggressive and doesn't do anything particularly original.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Waves MetaFilter review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 204)

BUY: Waves MetaFilter currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

IK Multimedia GrooveMaker 2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Those who want to get started in music production should look elsewhere, but this could be fun for kids.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia GrooveMaker 2 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 204)

Voxengo Elephant 4.0

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Elephant 4 is one of the best-sounding, most informative mastering limiters and metering plugins that money can buy - simple as that.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Voxengo Elephant 4.0 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 204)

Toontrack EZdrummer 2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Still a closed shop in terms of sound design, but EZdrummer 2 sounds so good and works so well that you probably won't care.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Toontrack EZdrummer 2 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 205)

BUY: Toontrack EZdrummer 2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Tracktion Software Corporation Tracktion 5

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Tracktion requires a very specific approach and doesn't offer much in terms of bundled plugins, but it's powerful for the money.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tracktion Software Corporation Tracktion 5 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 204)

Toontrack The Rock Warehouse SDX

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Toontrack's Rock Warehouse offers a diverse range of drums that will appeal to the widest part of Toontrack's user-base.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Toontrack The Rock Warehouse SDX review

BUY: Toontrack The Rock Warehouse SDX currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Kymatica Sector

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Sector is engrossing, beautiful, wild and a fine addition to the iPad music studio.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Kymatica Sector review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 204)

Audiobro LA Scoring Strings Version 2.5

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“With its detailed control parameters it takes a while to learn but it's worth it. Great sounding strings.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audiobro LA Scoring Strings Version 2.5 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 279)

Steinberg UR44

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A compact, rugged and capable interface with excellent DSP extras and top-notch Cubase integration.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Steinberg UR44 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 279)

BUY: Steinberg UR44 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Kush Audio Pusher

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Combining characterful compression and saturation in one unique plugin, Pusher is futuristic, versatile and performs superbly.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Kush Audio Pusher review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 204)

BUY: Kush Audio Pusher currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Frodebeats Oscillotron

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“All in all, Oscillotron is a well-produced synth soundbank based on an impressive line-up of source instruments, in a surprise-free interface at a reasonable price.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Frodebeats Oscillotron review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 204)

Arturia BeatStep Controller

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Fun, useful and flexible and, despite a few omissions, packs a big punch for the price.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Arturia BeatStep Controller review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 279)

BUY: Arturia BeatStep Controller currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Liine Lemur 5

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A useful update to an already brilliant and incredibly fun app, particularly for those who like to make their own controllers.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Liine Lemur 5 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 205)

DSI Prophet 12 Module

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It has the P12K sound engine and features, but it's pricey and misses the knob-per-function ethos.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DSI Prophet 12 Module review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 279)

BUY: DSI Prophet 12 Module currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Best Service Cantus

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“While a monk-based vocal ROMpler is obviously something you have to really need to actually drop €199 on, Cantus is the one to get!”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Best Service Cantus review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 204)

BUY: Best Service Cantus currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Amazing Noises Dark Synth

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A fantastically capable sound design synth for Max For Live users, but it comes at a price in terms of system resource usage.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Amazing Noises Dark Synth review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 205)

Soulsby Atmegatron Synthesizer

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An interesting synth that cuts its own sonic furrow and can change identity with the press of a mouse.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Soulsby Atmegatron Synthesizer review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 279)

BUY: Soulsby Atmegatron Synthesizer currently available from:
UK: Thomann

UVI Vector Pro

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It's a solid addition to UVI's consistently excellent range of synth ROMplers”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UVI Vector Pro review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 204)

Waves Morgan Page EMP Toolbox

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“No new plug-ins but an effects suite to considerably enhance your mixing and mastering capabilities.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Waves Morgan Page EMP Toolbox review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 279)

BUY: Waves Morgan Page EMP Toolbox currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Canon Legria mini X

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“With great sound quality and fun creative possibilities, the Legria mini X is a sensible buy for musicians who make video content.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Canon Legria mini X review