Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitar Amps
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • EVH trance state
  • Antonoff on Please Please Please
  • “Mick looked peeved. The Beatles had upstaged him”
  • 95k+ free music samples

Recommended reading

Superbooth 2025
Synths "There's too much new gear!": The 12 best instruments, effects and innovations you need to know about from Superbooth 2025
Superbooth live
Synths Superbooth 2025: all the latest synth news from Berlin, as it happened
Zoom H1 Essential
Recording Best field recorders 2025: Top portable recorders for capturing sound on-the-go
Behringer Model D
Soft Synths “It's probably my Behringer Model D monosynth. So simple and obviously cheap, but it’s just so versatile. I’ve used it on basically every track that I’ve created”: 10 producers share the tech they can’t live without
Plugins Future owns
Plugins “Whether you’re looking to liven up a dull snare or beef up a lacklustre bass sound, these plugins are extremely handy”: Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
Thomann Synth Days
Synths Calling all synth heads, Thomann just dropped the sale of the year with up to 80% off models from Moog, Behringer, Arturia and more
instruments
Tech “There are no rules”: The Guthman Competition highlights the world’s most innovative musical instruments. This year’s winners are like nothing you’ve heard before
  1. Tech
  2. Gear & Gadgets

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

News
By Ben Rogerson published 1 May 2012

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

Toontrack EZkeys Grand Piano (£115)

Toontrack EZkeys Grand Piano (£115)

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 plug-ins, hardware, iOS apps and other products to have fallen under the watchful eyes of the Computer Music and Future Music test teams. All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Computer Music issues 177/178 and Future Music issue 252.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Toontrack’s EZkeys Grand Piano

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you're a songwriter who can't play the piano, EZkeys is flexible enough to bend to your creative will.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Toontrack EZkeys Grand Piano

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 177)

BUY: Toontrack EZkeys Grand Piano currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 1 of 17
Page 1 of 17
XILS-lab Le Masque: Delay (€59)

XILS-lab Le Masque: Delay (€59)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“From funky percussion treatments to trippy guitar and synth motionscapes, LeMasque: Delay is a delay like no other.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: XILS-Lab Le Masque: Delay

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 177)

Page 2 of 17
Page 2 of 17
Garritan Instant Orchestra ($150)

Garritan Instant Orchestra ($150)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A must for orchestral ignoramuses everywhere.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Garritan Instant Orchestra

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 177)

BUY: Garritan Instant Orchestra currently available from:
UK: DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 3 of 17
Page 3 of 17
Best Service Galaxy X (£219)

Best Service Galaxy X (£219)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A massive realm of sound that throws up all manner of fabulous surprises.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Best Service Galaxy X

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 177)

BUY: Best Service Galaxy X currently available from:
UK: DV247

Page 4 of 17
Page 4 of 17
ART XConnect USB microphone cable (£30)

ART XConnect USB microphone cable (£30)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A great input solution for mobile recordists, laptop DJs and anyone looking to connect a dynamic mic without the 'hassle' of a separate audio interface.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: ART XConnect USB microphone cable

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 177)

BUY: ART XConnect USB microphone cable currently available from:
UK: DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 5 of 17
Page 5 of 17
Prodipe Studio 22 Pro (£150)

Prodipe Studio 22 Pro (£150)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“With Cubase 5 LE and a bizarre GM soft synth (PC-only) also in the box, this is a decent package at a fair price.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Prodipe Studio 22 Pro

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 177)

Page 6 of 17
Page 6 of 17
Straightarrow Quiver 1.1 ($69)

Straightarrow Quiver 1.1 ($69)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Behind that unassuming façade lies a modular synth of extraordinary power.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Straightarrow Quiver 1.1

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 177)

Page 7 of 17
Page 7 of 17
ValhallaDSP UberMod ($50)

ValhallaDSP UberMod ($50)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Boundless modulation at a bargain price - don't miss this one, no matter what kind of music you make.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: ValhallaDSP ÜberMod

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 177)

Page 8 of 17
Page 8 of 17
Clavia Nord Drum (£369)

Clavia Nord Drum (£369)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A superb drum synth for drummers, percussionists and programmers alike…”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nord Drum

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 252)

BUY: Nord Drum currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 9 of 17
Page 9 of 17
AudioEase Altiverb 7 (€499)

AudioEase Altiverb 7 (€499)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Altiverb 7 looks and sounds better than ever. It's the best convolution reverb plug money can buy.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audio Ease Altiverb 7

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 252)

BUY: Audio Ease Altiverb 7 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 10 of 17
Page 10 of 17
KRK Systems 12s Subwoofer (£700)

KRK Systems 12s Subwoofer (£700)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A solid-sounding, high quality sub, that's a worthwhile addition to any studio's monitoring set-up.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: KRK Systems 12s Subwoofer

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 252)

BUY: KRK Systems 12s Subwoofer currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 11 of 17
Page 11 of 17
Plugin Alliance Mäag EQ4 ($199)

Plugin Alliance Mäag EQ4 ($199)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“As a way of shaping a sound the Mäag EQ4 is in a league of its own. Fabulous.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Plugin Alliance Mäag EQ4

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 252)

Page 12 of 17
Page 12 of 17
Waves Loudness Meter ($299)

Waves Loudness Meter ($299)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A pro-level metering plug-in that covers all output bases comprehensively.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Waves Loudness Meter

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 252)

BUY: Waves Loudness Meter currently available from:
UK: DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 13 of 17
Page 13 of 17
Propellerhead Software Figure (69p)

Propellerhead Software Figure (69p)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Figure is a fun little loop maker with a serious engine running in the background, generating serious sounds at the right price. Go get it.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Propellerhead Figure

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 178)

Page 14 of 17
Page 14 of 17
Apple GarageBand For iOS 1.2 (£2.99)

Apple GarageBand For iOS 1.2 (£2.99)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Everyone from total noobs to pros should snap up this slick, fuss-free musical notepad.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Apple GarageBand For iOS 1.2

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 178)

Page 15 of 17
Page 15 of 17
Boulanger Labs csGrain (£6.99)

Boulanger Labs csGrain (£6.99)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This is one of the coolest, most powerful iOS music apps we've come across in a while.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Boulanger Labs csGrain

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 178)

Page 16 of 17
Page 16 of 17
DDMF Metaplugin 2.2 ($29)

DDMF Metaplugin 2.2 ($29)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A couple of little irritants don't stop us from giving Metaplugin a solid thumbs-up.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DDMF Metaplugin 2.2

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 178)

Liked this? Now read: The best music tech gear of 2011: synths, DAWs, plug-ins, keyboards, apps 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 17 of 17
Page 17 of 17
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
Superbooth 2025
"There's too much new gear!": The 12 best instruments, effects and innovations you need to know about from Superbooth 2025
Superbooth live
Superbooth 2025: all the latest synth news from Berlin, as it happened
Zoom H1 Essential
Best field recorders 2025: Top portable recorders for capturing sound on-the-go
Behringer Model D
“It's probably my Behringer Model D monosynth. So simple and obviously cheap, but it’s just so versatile. I’ve used it on basically every track that I’ve created”: 10 producers share the tech they can’t live without
Plugins Future owns
“Whether you’re looking to liven up a dull snare or beef up a lacklustre bass sound, these plugins are extremely handy”: Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
Thomann Synth Days
Calling all synth heads, Thomann just dropped the sale of the year with up to 80% off models from Moog, Behringer, Arturia and more
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $550 off a premium Fender Strat, £380 off the Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335, and £189 off the Boss SDE-3000D delay pedal
Roland DrumLink
Roland's V-Drums go wireless for new simple and seamless WT-10 sensor and DH-10 hub DrumLink system
Native Instruments/iZotope
“It replaced three plugins on my vocal bus - I love it!ˮ: Meet Velvet, iZotope’s new smart vocal smoothing tool
Arturia Keystep
Arturia embraces NKS - and offers hardware owners free access to Native Instruments' Komplete 15 Select
Bastl Instruments Kastle 2 Wave Bard
Bastl Instruments' Kastle 2 Wave Bard is a cute, patchable and experimental groovebox that fits in your pocket
Alesis Strata Club
With the same mesh-head playability and powerful new Strata module as its bigger brothers, Alesis Strata Club brings a new compact form to its best-selling range
Latest in News
Calvin Harris and Chicane
“You can play two notes over multiple different chords. It’s a thing. It’s not the same!”: Calvin Harris slams claim by Chicane producer that his new single Blessings sounds too similar to 1996 trance anthem Offshore, then cites song by Tangerine Dream
Dave Navarro (L) and Perry Farrell (R) of Jane's Addiction perform at Trinity College Park on June 28, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland
“It all came to a screeching halt and forever destroyed the band’s life. And there's no chance for the band to ever play together again”: Dave Navarro confirms that there’s no way back for Jane’s Addiction after chaotic last gig in Boston
Elton John during the opening night curtain call for Tammy Faye on Broadway at The Palace Theatre
“It’s a criminal offence”: Elton lambasts government over proposals to change copyright laws to suit AI firms
Olivia Rodrigo
“I don’t know the science behind it but it really works”: Olivia Rodrigo swears by this $50 Vocal Trainer gizmo to keep her singing voice in shape, but how does it actually work?
Bono black and white in glasses
Bono’s Stories Of Surrender documentary receives standing ovation at Cannes
soundflow
If you're an Ableton Live user, SoundFlow could save you hours of time by replacing complex workflows with the touch of a button

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...