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