New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (March 2011)
We get stuck into a world of patch leads with two new mini-modular synth boxes
Analogue Solutions Station X and Station Y (from £479)
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, synths, DJing products, mics, apps, keyboards and other gear to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music and Future Music’s test teams. All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Computer Music issues 162/163 and Future Music issues 237/238 and published on MusicRadar throughout March.
Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Analogue Solutions Station X and Station Y.
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Two interesting and complementary boxes that cram in some real analogue fun.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Analogue Solutions Station X and Station Y
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 237)
The legendary DJ brand serves up yet another way to take control of your laptop's ever expanding DJ duties
Denon DN-SC2000 (£209)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Great value, well-built and delivers everything it promises. You're in safe hands with Denon.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Denon DN-SC2000
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 237)
A fantastic dance-focused filter plug-in
Vengeance-Sound Philta XL (£40)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Philta XL lends further credibility to Vengeance-Sound's status as lord of the dance scene. It's a certified banger!”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vengeance-Sound Philta XL
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 162)
A range of full vocal chains with pitch-correction and breath control, all with an easy workflow
iZotope Nectar ($299)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you've ever daydreamed about an 'Ozone for vocals', then your wish has been granted - its name is Nectar.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: iZotope Nectar
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 162)
A massive 40GB ROMpler of dark, dirty and mangled sounds
EastWest The Dark Side ($295)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A doom-laden ROMpler with plenty of instruments to choose from and useful effects.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: EastWest The Dark Side
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 237)
A cardioid condenser mic named after a venomous snake
Telefunken CU-29 Copperhead (£1195)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The CU-29 Copperhead is a classy performer that will capture a transparent and articulate sound.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Telefunken CU-29 Copperhead
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 237)
Lacking soul? Add some analogue tape flavour with this UAD-2 plug-in
Universal Audio Studer A800 ($349)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A typically first-class effort from Universal Audio that can deliver gentle tape flavour or all-out saturated fire.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio Studer A800
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 162)
The mini iOS studio gets a comprehensive update
Intua BeatMaker 2 (£12)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A powerful micro studio app that sounds good and is enjoyable to use.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Intua BeatMaker 2
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 163)
This oddball additive synth pays homage to the historic alphaSyntauri
Audio Damage Phosphor ($59)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A thoroughly unique - and very Audio Damage - synth with a tone that's all its own.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Audio Damage Phosphor
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 163)
This quirky synth finally goes commercial, but is it worth the coin for current users?
Cableguys Curve ($159)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“More than meets the eye, Curve will appeal to those seeking a slightly different take on modern synthesis.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Cableguys Curve
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 163)
Five years since its last proper update, does this acclaimed drum synth still beat the competition?
Sonic Charge MicroTonic 3 ($119)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Not a huge update, but then MicroTonic was already - and continues to be - one of the best beatboxes money can buy.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sonic Charge MicroTonic 3
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 163)
Legendary producer BT teams up with iZotope to create this glitch producing plug-in
iZotope Stutter Edit ($249)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Stutter Edit is the Rolls Royce of glitch effects, guaranteeing that your freaky transitions get from A to B in style.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: iZotope Stutter Edit
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 163)
The original turbo-charged filter Nitro wowed us, so how does the sequel hold up?
PSP Audioware N2O ($179)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A great update of a classic effect, N2O is yet further evidence to support the theory that you can't go wrong with PSP plug-ins.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PSP N2O
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 163)
The list of what musicians can't do on their iPhone gets shorter by the minute
IK Multimedia iRig Mic (£50)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Singers, presenters and the pitch-correction-curious will all get something out of the iRig Mic.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iRig Mic
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 238)
More Kaoss ensues, but is it necessary?
Korg Kaoss Pad Quad (£275)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Lives up to its promise, but is competing too closely with other KPs when it comes to value.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Korg Kaoss Pad Quad
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 238)
Mix regularly on headphones? Try this Virtual Reference Monitoring…
Focusrite VRM Box (£96)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A unique concept that's a powerful resource for headphone mixers.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Focusrite VRM Box
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 238)
A virtual emulation of the classic vintage Oberheim synth sound
SonicProjects OP-X Pro II ($179)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Outstandingly versatile modern take on Oberheim's classic synths, let down slightly by a clumsy interface.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: SonicProjects OP-X Pro II
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 238)
Three octaves of Korg quality packed up and ready to go
Korg microKey (£69)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Built-in hub and great build makes this an ideal pro-quality travel companion keyboard.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Korg microKey
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 238)
An utterly fantastic update to an awesome synth
Spectrasonics Omnisphere v1.5 (£329)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“An already powerful synth goes interstellar. Registered users - get it now!”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Spectrasonics Omnisphere v1.5
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 238)
The A8 gets revamped with a new tweeter and cabinet design
Adam Audio A8X Active Monitors (£1298)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Sturdy, with excellent HF detail and imaging, let down by their mid-range response.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Adam A8X Active Monitors
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 238)
Mastering quality compression within your DAW? Meet Germany's finest…
Elysia Alpha (£228)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Powerful mastering-quality plug-in featuring some unusual and exciting functions.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Elysia Alpha
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 238)
Is the latest addition to Korg's popular micro range as good as it looks?
Korg microPiano (£299)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Some good sounds onboard but ultimately falls short on the connectivity and price front.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Korg microPiano
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 238)
Liked this? Now read: The best music tech gear of 2010: synths, DAWs, plug-ins and more
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I’m the Group Content Manager for MusicRadar, specialising in all things tech. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 20 of which I’ve also spent writing about music technology.