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