New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (March 2014)
SPC Plugins Gater-Pro 3
MusicRadar's sister magazines Computer Music and Future Music feature reviews of the best new music tech gear every month.
We've collected all of the hardware, app, DAW, DJ gear, plugin and synth reviews posted on the site throughout February.
All of the gear featured in this gallery was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 201 and Future Music issue 274/275, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Gater-Pro 3 is a fabulous little plugin - simple in concept but powerful in realisation, and highly recommended to producers of all kinds of dance music, not just trance."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: SPC Plugins Gater-Pro 3 review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 201)
Monkey Banana Turbo 8
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"These bold Turbo 8s have great low-end delivery best suited to large controls rooms and spaces."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Monkey Banana Turbo 8 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 275)
BUY: Monkey Banana Turbo 8 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
Allen & Heath Qu-16 Live Mixer
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Offers an amazing feature set and high-quality sound in gig-proof housing at a truly affordable price."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Allen & Heath Qu-16 Live Mixer review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 275)
BUY: Allen & Heath Qu-16 Live Mixer currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
Synchro Arts Revoice Pro 2.2
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"For those who work with layered multitrack audio, Revoice Pro can be a real timesaver."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Synchro Arts Revoice Pro 2.2 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 275)
Steinberg Cubase 7.5
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The best Cubase yet, 7.5 provides solid and impressive new features that belie the fact that this is merely a point version."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Steinberg Cubase 7.5 review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 201)
BUY: Steinberg Cubase 7.5 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Roland Duo-Capture EX UA-22
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"It faces plenty of competition, but thanks to its robust build, good sound and iPad compatibility, the Duo-Capture is an interface we'd happily recommend."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Roland Duo-Capture EX UA-22 review
BUY: Roland Duo-Capture EX UA-22 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Metric Halo ULN-8
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"It's pretty much the closest thing we have seen to a complete studio in a box. Excellent."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Metric Halo ULN-8 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 275)
BUY: Metric Halo ULN-8 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Full Compass
Focal Spirit Professional
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Comfortable, quality sounding headphones for tracking, mixing and mobile listening."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Focal Spirit Professional review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 275)
BUY: Focal Spirit Professional currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
KRK Rokit 8 G3
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The largest of this latest generation of Rokit studio monitors packs a powerful punch."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: KRK Rokit 8 G3 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 275)
BUY: KRK Rokit 8 G3 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Impact Soundworks Shreddage 2
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"For those more accustomed to keys than strings, Shreddage 2 is ideal with its impressive soundset and amount of control."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Impact Soundworks Shreddage 2 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 275)
Roland Aira TR-8
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The TR-8 captures the essential tone and mojo of the original TR-808 and 909 but takes it firmly into the future. A must have."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Roland Aira TR-8 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 275)
BUY: Roland Aira TR-8 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Roland Aira VT-3
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"There are some interesting effects and a handy audio interface onboard but the vocoder misses an external carrier input."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Roland Aira VT-3 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 275)
BUY: Roland Aira VT-3 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Roland Aira TB-3
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A new take on the 'bassline' concept, the TB-3 packs plenty in for the money and has wide appeal."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Roland Aira TB-3 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 275)
BUY: Roland Aira TB-3 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
ACS T1 Live! Monitors
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"They don't come cheap but these are a potential best friend for life."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: ACS T1 Live! Monitors review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 275)
Humanoid Sound Systems Enzyme
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Scanned synthesis remains esoteric and unconventional, but Enzyme makes it easier, more powerful, and sonically better."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Humanoid Sound Systems Enzyme review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 201)
Universal Audio Fairchild Tube Limiter Plug-in Collection
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A marked improvement over the already impressive original UAD Fairchild emulation, this dynamic duo hits the spot."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio Fairchild Tube Limiter Plug-in Collection review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 201)
MeldaProduction MMultiBandComb
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"For special effects and considered background usage, MMultiBandComb is a powerful, colourful sound design tool."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: MeldaProduction MMultiBandComb review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 201)
Elysia museq
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Not an essential purchase, but a very worthwhile indulgence for those in need of a highly flexible, brilliant EQ."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Elysia museq review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 201)
BUY: Elysia museq currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Slate Digital Trigger 2
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The definitive drum replacement system gets even better, with an improved engine, more slots and MIDI in/out. Stunning."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Slate Digital Trigger 2 review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 201)
BUY: Slate Digital Trigger 2 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater
Waves J37 Tape
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Yet another tape emulation, with a solid vintage character and great delay implementation."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Waves J37 Tape review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 201)
BUY: Waves J37 Tape currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
LinPlug Spectral
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The fun and accessibility of subtractive synthesis meets the power of additive in this beautiful if rather specialist instrument."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: LinPlug Spectral review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 201)