Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Drums Week 25
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Guitar Amps
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Artist news
  • Drums
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Santana on Beck
  • Friday, I'm in Love
  • Knopfler's 4-note secret
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
Pluginweek logo
Plugins Plugin Week 2025: Exhibitor A-Z
te
Tech Teenage Engineering's TX-6, TP-7 and CM-15 are back in black
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
Arturia V Collection 11
Soft Synths “Still the synth and keyboard collection to beat”: Arturia V Collection 11 Pro review
Sonicware Liven Evoke
Digital Synths “It’s acoustic, it’s electronic, it’s in flux and it’s great”: Sonicware Liven Evoke review
Plugins Future owns
Plugins Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
AlphaTheta Chordcat
Drum Machines "Inspiring sequencing ideas, paired with an underwhelming sound engine": AlphaTheta Chordcat first look
Plugins
Plugins To mark Plugin Week, here’s our pick of the most out-there sound design plugins you should grab now
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
Thomann Music Days Sale
Gear & Gadgets Why wait for Prime Day when Thomann's massive Music Days sale will save you up to 65% off big brands right now?
Camtronome
Gear & Gadgets Tick, tick, tick, tick, boom! Camtronome is the essential musical metronome app that you didn’t know you needed
Sonic Charge Synplant 2
Software & Apps "This really is the ultimate sound design tool": 6 of the most creative plugin synths for sound design
API
Plugins Our pick of the very best VCA compressor software emulation plugins for any music project
plugins
Tech "It's a stupendously powerful tool": 10 of the best sampler plugins in 2025
  1. Tech

New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (May 2011)

News
By Ben Rogerson published 1 June 2011

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

ART TubeOpto 8 (£469)

ART TubeOpto 8 (£469)

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, DAWs, plug-ins, interfaces, DJ gear and other products to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music and Future Music’s test teams. All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 165 and Future Music issue 239/240 and published on MusicRadar throughout April.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: ART TubeOpto 8

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A very well thought-out and executed device that will certainly get the job done.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: ART TubeOpto 8

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 239)

BUY: ART TubeOpto 8 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 1 of 18
Page 1 of 18
Pioneer S-DJ05 (£500)

Pioneer S-DJ05 (£500)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A classy combination of high quality audio and flexible control at an accurate price.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pioneer S-DJ05

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 239)

Page 2 of 18
Page 2 of 18
Image-Line FL Studio 10 ($359)

Image-Line FL Studio 10 ($359)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Some of the additions need a little more work, but FL Studio remains a uniquely enticing proposition for electronic musos.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Image-Line FL Studio 10

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 165)

BUY: Image-Line FL Studio 10 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 3 of 18
Page 3 of 18
Synapse Audio Orion 8 ($299)

Synapse Audio Orion 8 ($299)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Orion is one of the most comprehensive software studios around, and it's especially strong on instruments and effects.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Synapse Audio Orion 8

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 165)

Page 4 of 18
Page 4 of 18
Hit'n'Mix Ltd Hit'n'Mix (£80)

Hit'n'Mix Ltd Hit'n'Mix (£80)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“As a pitch editor for single instruments, Hit'n'Mix is good, but it fails to deliver on its promise of ripping apart full mixes.”

2.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Hit'n'Mix Ltd Hit'n'Mix

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 165)

Page 5 of 18
Page 5 of 18
Native Instruments Razor (€69)

Native Instruments Razor (€69)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“As refreshing as it is phat, Razor makes additive synthesis not just palatable but downright desirable.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Razor

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 165)

BUY: Native Instruments Razor currently available from:
UK: DV247

Page 6 of 18
Page 6 of 18
Native Instruments Maschine 1.6 (£499)

Native Instruments Maschine 1.6 (£499)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“There's no doubt about it, Maschine rules the roost. The only question is: what's next?”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: NI Maschine 1.6

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 240)

Page 7 of 18
Page 7 of 18
Waves OneKnob Bundle ($400)

Waves OneKnob Bundle ($400)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Some well-implemented concepts but may leave you wanting more than a one-stop solution.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Waves OneKnob Bundle

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 240)

BUY: Waves OneKnob Bundle currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 8 of 18
Page 8 of 18
Xfer Records LFOTool ($25)

Xfer Records LFOTool ($25)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A value plug-in that combines useful presets with intuitive and quick creativity.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Xfer Records LFOTool

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 240)

Page 9 of 18
Page 9 of 18
Denon DN-MC6000 (£695)

Denon DN-MC6000 (£695)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“With a new Sample Deck mapping, this could become one of the most versatile on the market.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Denon DN-MC6000

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 240)

Page 10 of 18
Page 10 of 18
Mode Machines Synthlab SL1 (£799)

Mode Machines Synthlab SL1 (£799)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A versatile mono synth, but unlikely to tempt buyers from the Slim Phatty or cheaper alternatives.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mode Machines Synthlab SL1

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 240)

Page 11 of 18
Page 11 of 18
Korg monotribe (£192)

Korg monotribe (£192)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Korg's analogue revival continues. The monotribe sounds great and offers a fantastic workflow.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg monotribe

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 240)

Page 12 of 18
Page 12 of 18
Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite DSP Accelerator (£719)

Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite DSP Accelerator (£719)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Satellite lifts compatibility restrictions for a new crop of Mac-based producers.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UAD-2 Satellite DSP Accelerator

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 240)

BUY: UAD-2 Satellite DSP Accelerator currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 13 of 18
Page 13 of 18
FabFilter Mastering Bundle (£343)

FabFilter Mastering Bundle (£343)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Provides all the mastering tools you could need. A real power-house and another fine mastering solution.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: FabFilter Mastering Bundle

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 240)

Page 14 of 18
Page 14 of 18
Liine Kapture Pad (£3.49)

Liine Kapture Pad (£3.49)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An exciting approach to controlling Ableton Live sets at a great price. iPad musicians continue to benefit.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Liine Kapture Pad

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 240)

Page 15 of 18
Page 15 of 18
RME Babyface (£459)

RME Babyface (£459)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Great design plus excellent sound quality and the DSP system makes this a superb portable solution.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: RME Babyface

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 240)

BUY: RME Babyface currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 16 of 18
Page 16 of 18
Sontronics DM Drum Mics (From £119)

Sontronics DM Drum Mics (From £119)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A set of well-tuned drum mics that deliver balanced clarity right off the bat and keep EQing to a minimum.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sontronics DM Drum Mics

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 240)

BUY: Sontronics DM Drum Mics currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247

Page 17 of 18
Page 17 of 18
Studio Devil Virtual Bass Amp Pro ($99)

Studio Devil Virtual Bass Amp Pro ($99)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A great modelling plug-in that matches a big punchy sound with highly flexible tone sculpting.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Studio Devil Virtual Bass Amp Pro

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 240)

BUY: Studio Devil Virtual Bass Amp Pro currently available from:
US: Full Compass

Liked this? Now read: The best music tech gear of 2010: synths, DAWs, plug-ins 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 18 of 18
Page 18 of 18
Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson
Social Links Navigation
Deputy Editor

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. 

Read more
Pluginweek logo
Plugin Week 2025: Exhibitor A-Z
te
Teenage Engineering's TX-6, TP-7 and CM-15 are back in black
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
Arturia V Collection 11
“Still the synth and keyboard collection to beat”: Arturia V Collection 11 Pro review
Sonicware Liven Evoke
“It’s acoustic, it’s electronic, it’s in flux and it’s great”: Sonicware Liven Evoke review
Plugins Future owns
Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
Latest in Tech
Rick Rubin .
"He made so many of those songs better with just one little nudge”: Daron Malakian on Rick Rubin
bitwig
Bitwig takes its flagship DAW to "another level" with Bitwig Studio 6
Spandau Ballet in the early '80s
“It’s kind of gothic post-punk”: Spandau Ballet drop a lost early track from new box set
Jack Antonoff attends the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020
“He kind of approaches records like a plumber…”: Bartees Strange on super producer Jack Antonoff
k20
"We asked ourselves, what if we could rebuild the legendary K2000 V.A.S.T. synthesizer, but using today’s technology?": Kurzweil's K2061 and K2088 synths are now shipping
Bruce Springsteen
“There’s a lot of good music left”: Springsteen releases Born To Run out-take onto streaming platforms
Latest in News
Marek "Ashok" Šmerda wears corpsepaint that makes him look a little like Hellraiser's Pinhead as he performs live with Cradle of Filth.
Cradle of Filth guitarist Ashok fired mid-tour, days after keyboardist wife quits citing low pay and “toxic” atmosphere
Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye performs on stage during the 'After Hours Til Dawn Tour' at MorumBIS on September 7, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil
The Weeknd is looking to raise $1 billion using his back catalogue as collateral
Third Man Hardware x Black Mountain Roto-Echo: the roller wheel equipped delay pedal is a compact and performance-friendly stompbox that's available in black or limited edition white. Jack White has used it onstage and in the studio during the sessions for No Name.
Jack White’s Third Man teams up with Black Mountain for the Roto-Echo, a delay controllable by foot
Every Breath You Take video still
Sting sued by ex-Police colleagues for a share of Every Breath You Take royalties
Gibson Tony Iommi Humbucker: the all-new humbucker, a reissue of its first-ever signature pickup.
Gibson goes back to the beginning with reissue of its first-ever signature pickup for Black Sabbath icon Tony Iommi
Gorillaz pop-up
“Gaming stations, giveaways, live game streams and DJ performances”: Gorillaz announce Fortnite pop up event

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
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

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

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...