Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About Us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist
  • Guitar Techniques
  • Total Guitar
  • Bass Player
More
  • Purdie on the Purdie shuffle
  • Type beats
  • 86000+ free music samples
  • How to make an AI cover song
  • Three-chord trick

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

  1. News

New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (March 2012)

By Ben Rogerson
published 1 March 2012

SoniVox Wobble ($150)
The synths are coming in thick and fast from this developer, but can its Dubstep Grime Generator deliver the urban goods?

SoniVox Wobble ($150)

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 synths, plug-ins, DAWs, interfaces, iOS apps and other products to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music, Future Music, Rhythmm Total Guitar and Guitarist’s test teams. All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 175, Future Music issues 250, Total Guitar issue 224 and Guitarist issue 352.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: SoniVox Wobble

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Although undeniably grimy and boasting an impressive Pattern Generator, Wobble feels limiting in many other areas.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: SoniVox Wobble

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

BUY: SoniVox Wobble currently available from:
UK: DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 1 of 20
Page 1 of 20
Cakewalk Sonar X1 Producer Expanded (£35)
The recent optional upgrade to Cakewalk's flagship DAW adds new pro features but has left some users grumbling…

Cakewalk Sonar X1 Producer Expanded (£35)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Some powerful extra features at a great price, but some fundamentals should be included in all versions as standard.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Cakewalk Sonar X1 Producer Expanded

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

BUY: Cakewalk Sonar X1 Producer Expanded currently available from:
US: Full Compass

Page 2 of 20
Page 2 of 20
Magix Music Maker MX Premium (£90)
Version 18 of this long-running entry-level music app arrives, with even more features crammed under its already bulging hood

Magix Music Maker MX Premium (£90)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Music Maker's feature list is impressive, but in use it falls flat owing to numerous unresolved quirks and usability issues.”

2.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Magix Music Maker MX Premium

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

Page 3 of 20
Page 3 of 20
Tascam iXZ (£69)
The multi-track giant returns with an iDevice interface

Tascam iXZ (£69)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The iXZ isn't the only unit of its type, but at the time of writing, it is the best value.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tascam iXZ

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 224)

BUY: Tascam iXZ currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 4 of 20
Page 4 of 20
Madgarden Glitch Machine (£1.99)
Take a wild ride down the perilous path of generative sound in its purest form

Madgarden Glitch Machine (£1.99)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Well worth a couple of quid, especially if you're of an esoteric or code-obsessed orientation.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Madgarden Glitch Machine

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

Page 5 of 20
Page 5 of 20
Waves Bass Rider (£155)
An alternative to compression for the management of low-end dynamics

Waves Bass Rider (£155)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A viable alternative to compression and gain automation for 'live' bass parts that saves time and sounds great.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Waves Bass Rider

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

BUY: Waves Bass Rider currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 6 of 20
Page 6 of 20
Cycling '74 Max 6 ($499)
Unparalleled digital geekgasm or epic confusion machine? As it turns out, Max 6 threatens and delivers both…

Cycling '74 Max 6 ($499)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Hard to learn but rewarding once you get it, Max 6 is equally adept at the processing and generating of video, audio and MIDI.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Cycling '74 Max 6

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

BUY: Cycling '74 Max 6 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 7 of 20
Page 7 of 20
Sample Logic Fanfare (£250)
A larger-than-life collection of brass patches ranging from the straightforward to the abstract

Sample Logic Fanfare (£250)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you can do without included MIDI articulation, Fanfare is a great source of high-quality brass sounds.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sample Logic Fanfare

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

BUY: Sample Logic Fanfare currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 8 of 20
Page 8 of 20
VIR2 Fractured (£100)
Guitars get tormented in an excellent cause…

VIR2 Fractured (£100)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Fractured offers excellent value compared with similar libraries.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vir2 Fractured

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

Page 9 of 20
Page 9 of 20
Tascam Portastudio for iPad (£1.99)
Four tracks are better than none

Tascam Portastudio for iPad (£1.99)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If a Tascam four-track was good enough for Bruce Springsteen to record Nebraska, it's certainly good enough for us to fumble around with.

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tascam Portastudio for iPad

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 224)

Page 10 of 20
Page 10 of 20
Griffin Stompbox (£69)
Four small steps…

Griffin Stompbox (£69)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A great idea, waiting to be fully realised.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Griffin Stompbox

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 224)

BUY: Griffin Stompbox currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 11 of 20
Page 11 of 20
Zoom H2N (£199)
Pocket-sized recorder offers two kinds of stereo and two kinds of surround sound

Zoom H2N (£199)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If surround sound and control over the stereo picture is important to you, you should seek it out.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Zoom H2N

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 352)

BUY: Zoom H2N currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 12 of 20
Page 12 of 20
Akai EIE Pro (£200)
Akai's EIE I/O is a flexible interface but features limited audio resolution. We check out its big brother, the Pro, and find a remedy…

Akai EIE Pro (£200)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“With unique features and enhanced audio resolution, the EIE Pro is impressive at this price.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Akai EIE Pro

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

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

Page 13 of 20
Page 13 of 20
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (£120)
Focusrite returns with a new collection of interfaces. We meet the Scarlett 2i2

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (£120)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Scarlett offers quality audio and distinctive styling - a winning compact package.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

BUY: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 14 of 20
Page 14 of 20
Moog Minitaur (£499)
Moog Music has packed its legendary bass sound into a compact unit that can still shiver your timbers. We get down to the bass-ics

Moog Minitaur (£499)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A powerful, deep bass synth with a flexible future. Well priced and solid Moog build.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Moog Minitaur

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

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

Page 15 of 20
Page 15 of 20
Sound Radix Surfer EQ ($129)
Sound Radix has a new pitch-tracking EQ that rides the sound waves. We get waxing our boards

Sound Radix Surfer EQ ($129)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A really well-thought-out and innovative approach to EQ that gives us a new creative tool.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sound Radix Surfer EQ

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

Page 16 of 20
Page 16 of 20
UAD Voice of God ($149)
UAD v6.1 sees Little Labs' Bass Resonance tool hit the platform

UAD Voice of God ($149)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A unique tool that makes mix management of bass levels infinitely easier.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UAD-2/Little Labs Voice of God

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

Page 17 of 20
Page 17 of 20
Steven Slate Drums Drums 4 Platinum (£199)
With a new player, 100 preset drum kits and loads of new sounds has Steven Slate kept up with the pack?

Steven Slate Drums Drums 4 Platinum (£199)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An excellent drum instrument with stunning sounds and plenty of scope for sonic manipulation.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Steven Slate Drums 4 Platinum

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

BUY: Steven Slate Drums 4 Platinum currently available from:
UK: DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 18 of 20
Page 18 of 20
Vienna Symphonic Library MIR Pro (€795)
Vienna MIR comes of age as a mixing environment with direct integration in Ensemble Pro 5. We enjoy some space exploration…

Vienna Symphonic Library MIR Pro (€795)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A stunning development in spatial placement that integrates seamlessly into any setup.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vienna MIR Pro

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

BUY: Vienna MIR Pro currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 19 of 20
Page 19 of 20
Blue Microphones Icicle (£40)
Why didn't someone do this XLR to USB converter sooner?

Blue Microphones Icicle (£40)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A superb piece of kit.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blue Icicle

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

BUY: Blue Icicle currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Liked this? Now read: The best music tech gear of 2011: synths, DAWs, plug-ins, keyboards, apps and more

Connect with MusicRadar: via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

Connect with Rhythm: via Twitter and Facebook

Get MusicRadar straight to your inbox: Sign up for the free weekly newsletter

Page 20 of 20
Page 20 of 20
Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson
Social Links Navigation

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. 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, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it. 

More about tech
studio

Show Us Your Studio #9: "I use Ableton and Maschine as glorified grooveboxes on steroids - it's endless fun and inspiration!"

Pulsar w495

Could this Neumann w495 emulation be the most useful free EQ plugin you download this year?

Latest
Nirvana In Utero cover

Nirvana session cellist Kera Schaley talks about playing on In Utero: "The funny thing about All Apologies is Steve kept trying to talk Kurt out of putting cello on it"

See more latest ►
Most Popular
“It makes it exciting and dangerous and fun”: Yngwie Malmsteen says he doesn’t need to rehearse anymore and explains why he mostly ignores the setlist

By Jonathan Horsley22 September 2023

9 tips for buying second-hand music gear without getting scammed

By Andy Jones22 September 2023

Pro Tools Sketch: industry-standard DAW gets Ableton Live-style clip launching and a free iPad app, but will it convince you to switch?

By Si Truss22 September 2023

Elon Musk allegedly turned up at the studio with a gun while Grimes was recording dialogue for Cyberpunk 2077: "The studio guys were sweating"

By Matt Mullen22 September 2023

Electro Harmonix unveils the 9 mini Pico effects pedals for its NYC DSP Series – with reworked old favourites and new designs

By Rob Laing21 September 2023

DAW not doing it for you? Cantor is a free “music playground” for looping, sampling and sound design

By Ben Rogerson21 September 2023

Watch bluegrass guitarist Ian Ly become the 2023 US National Flat-picking Champion

By Rob Laing21 September 2023

Audiomovers launches Off The Record interview series with first episode featuring Dire Straits producer Chuck Ainlay

By Matt Mullen21 September 2023

“I thought, ‘have I done something heinous?’”: James Blake reminds Brian Eno that he once accused him of using ‘the arsehole chord’ and demands to know what it actually is

By Ben Rogerson21 September 2023

The Vai, Bonamassa, Di Meola and Abasi-backed guitar virtuoso Matteo Mancuso dazzles again on new song Silk Road

By Rob Laing21 September 2023

DAACI is the AI-powered 'meta-composition' software that writes music like a human: "It's interpreting what comes from a composer’s brain, rather than trying to imitate something that’s already been made"

By Andy Price21 September 2023

  1. Marty Friedman
    1
    Marty Friedman’s guitar teacher told him to take a bong hit every time he played an exercise correctly, but the ex-Megadeth guitarist has better advice for students
  2. 2
    "It's become so elitist" – Joe Bonamassa weighs in on players being priced out of the vintage guitar and amp market
  3. 3
    “Sometimes Jimi Hendrix’s girlfriend would go and buy us breakfast because we had no money”: Rod Stewart says early days of the Jeff Beck Group were no picnic
  4. 4
    “Right now I’d like to do a song, it’s a little thing by Howlin’ Wolf…”: Listen to Jimi Hendrix’s newly unearthed performance of Killing Floor at the Hollywood Bowl, 1967
  5. 5
    The Vai, Bonamassa, Di Meola and Abasi-backed guitar virtuoso Matteo Mancuso dazzles again on new song Silk Road
  1. Cindy Blackman Santana
    1
    Cindy Blackman Santana tackles the iconic In The Air Tonight drum fill as she joins Chris Stapleton and Snoop Dogg on a new version of the song for ESPN’s Monday Night Football
  2. 2
    Watch bluegrass guitarist Ian Ly become the 2023 US National Flat-picking Champion
  3. 3
    “It makes it exciting and dangerous and fun”: Yngwie Malmsteen says he doesn’t need to rehearse anymore and explains why he mostly ignores the setlist
  4. 4
    Elon Musk allegedly turned up at the studio with a gun while Grimes was recording dialogue for Cyberpunk 2077: "The studio guys were sweating"
  5. 5
    “When it came in as a demo, I assumed the rest of the song was going to be built out”: Kylie Minogue didn't realise Padam Padam was finished when she first heard it

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

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

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