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New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (March 2013)

By The MusicRadar team
published 1 March 2013

Our music tech gear reviews from February 2013

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Focusrite iTrack Solo
New interface for iOS plus PC/Mac

Focusrite iTrack Solo

MusicRadar's monthly sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the best independent gear reviews around.

In this gallery we've collected the latest reviews of plug-ins, DJ gear, apps and music-making hardware to have past through their hallowed pages.

All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Guitarist issue 364, Computer Music issue 187/188 and Future Music issue 262.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Dead easy to use, and with quality sound, the iTrack Solo could be your ideal choice for recording electric guitar and bass, as well as acoustic guitar and vocals."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Focusrite iTrack Solo review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 364)

BUY: Focusrite iTrack Solo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 1 of 15
Page 1 of 15
DDMF DirectionalEQ
Panning and EQ plugins combined

DDMF DirectionalEQ

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"DirectionalEQ does what it claims to and works really well as both a corrective tool and a creative effect."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DDMF DirectionalEQ review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 188)

Page 2 of 15
Page 2 of 15
Synapse Audio Antidote
Feature-heavy Reason Rack Extension synth

Synapse Audio Antidote

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"One of the most powerful synths in the Rack Extensions Shop, Antidote is a potent cure for so-so synth sounds."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Synapse Audio Antidotereview

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 188)

Page 3 of 15
Page 3 of 15
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z2
Hardware mixer and software controller in one

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Superb design, software integration and build quality make this a resoundingly successful DJ mixer debut by NI."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z2 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 188)

BUY: Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 4 of 15
Page 4 of 15
MeldaProduction MMultiAnalyzer
Essential spectral analysis plugin

MeldaProduction MMultiAnalyzer

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Not perfect, but it's an almost essential mixing aid at this price, giving plenty of useful information on multiple channels."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MeldaProduction MMultiAnalyzerreview

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 188)

Page 5 of 15
Page 5 of 15
Spitfire Audio Percussion Redux
The percussion library to beat

Spitfire Audio Percussion Redux

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Spitfire's claim that this is the only percussion library you'll need isn't as far-fetched as it sounds."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Spitfire Audio Percussion Redux review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 262)

Page 6 of 15
Page 6 of 15
Allen & Heath Xone:K2
Compact DJ-friendly MIDI controller/interface

Allen & Heath Xone:K2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A good mix of features, plus a high quality build make this tempting for digital DJs on the move."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Allen & Heath Xone:K2 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 262)

BUY: Allen & Heath Xone:K2 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 7 of 15
Page 7 of 15
Tascam DP-32 Portastudio
A Portastudio for a DAW world

Tascam DP-32 Portastudio

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Compact, solid and reliable but in a world full of DAWs the DP-32 feels somewhat restrictive."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tascam DP-32 Portastudio review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 262)

BUY: Tascam DP-32 Portastudio currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 8 of 15
Page 8 of 15
Equator Audio Research D5
Nearfield monitors with a small footprint

Equator Audio Research D5

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The D5s are compact, powered nearfields with sharp imaging and midrange clarity."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Equator Audio Research D5 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 262)

BUY: Equator Audio Research D5 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 9 of 15
Page 9 of 15
Steinberg Cubase 7
The perennially popular DAW gets overhauled

Steinberg Cubase 7

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An excellent update, bringing yet more power, quality and innovation to Cubase."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Steinberg Cubase 7 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 188)

BUY: Steinberg Cubase 7 currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 10 of 15
Page 10 of 15
Keith McMillen QuNeo
Multi-coloured MIDI control

Keith McMillen QuNeo

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Cute lights, and QuNeo's XY touch capabilities are interesting, but overall it doesn't live up to the hype."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Keith McMillen QuNeo review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 262)

BUY: Keith McMillen QuNeo currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 11 of 15
Page 11 of 15
Korg microKEY 25
Another mini keyboard from Korg

Korg microKEY 25

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Plug-and-play simplicity at a reasonable price. The 25 has the edge over the 37, though."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg microKEY 25 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 262)

BUY: Korg microKEY 25 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 12 of 15
Page 12 of 15
Tone2 RayBlaster
A new way of synthesising?

Tone2 RayBlaster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Were we naïve to expect the world to stop turning? Perhaps, but RayBlaster is still a great synth."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tone2 RayBlaster review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 188)

Page 13 of 15
Page 13 of 15
Korg iPolysix
Popular synth-turned-iPad app

Korg iPolysix

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Seriously, what can we say? £21 for a hugely convincing dual Polysix emulation from the company that built the original, with touchscreen control and a whole electronic studio wrapped around it? It's a beautiful piece of work."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg iPolysix review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 188)

Page 14 of 15
Page 14 of 15
Toontrack New York Studios Vol 3 SDX
Toontrack's drum library gets expanded

Toontrack New York Studios Vol 3 SDX

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Another fine addition to the SDX line!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Toontrack New York Studios Vol 3 SDX review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 188)

BUY: Toontrack New York Studios Vol 3 SDX currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 15 of 15
Page 15 of 15
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The MusicRadar team
The MusicRadar team
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