New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (November 2010)
Create complete tracks on your Android handset
Uloops Labs Uloops Music Composer ($15)
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, interfaces, mics and iOS apps 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 158 and Future Music issue 233 and published on MusicRadar throughout October and November.
Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Uloops Labs Uloops Music Composer.
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Some workarounds are involved, but this is a workable mini DAW for Android users.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Uloops Labs Uloops Music Composer
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 158)
Create full audio projects in iOS
Harmonicdog MultiTrack DAW 2 (£5.99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If it's straightforward iOS multitrack recording you want, MultiTrack DAW 2 delivers.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Harmonicdog MultiTrack DAW 2
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 158)
Mackie equips its new interface with Onyx preamps
Mackie Onyx Blackjack (£149)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A rugged bus-powered USB audio interface with great sound quality and versatile monitoring facilities.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Mackie Onyx Blackjack
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 233)
Electro-Harmonix's classic Small Stone phaser pedal brought into the 21st century
ArtsAcoustic BigRock (€79)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Even Jean Michel Jarre couldn't fail to be impressed by the glorious whooshing of this little gem of a plug-in.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: ArtsAcoustic BigRock
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 158)
The Portico range is expanded to utilise the glorious 5088 circuitry
Neve Portico II (£2,545)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A 'best of' compilation of recent Neve designs in a top quality package with a price tag to match.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Neve Portico II
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 233)
URS's truly great virtual channel strip moves into its second generation
URS Classic Console Strip Pro 2 ($480)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“URS's flagship processor hangs on to its 'classic' status with this solid update.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: URS Classic Console Strip Pro 2
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 158)
Symphobia provided ready-made orchestral sets for composers, now we check out its sequel...
ProjectSam Symphobia 2 (£979)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A comprehensive, flexible and inspiring sample library. A score-writer's dream.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: ProjectSam Symphobia 2
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 233)
Former JazzMutants produce Live clip launcher app
Liine Griid (£15)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Griid's blatantly a one-trick pony, and it's not the cheapest. But it does do that trick very well.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Liine Griid
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 233)
An Ableton Live controller app for iPad that promises to do it all
touchAble Ableton controller (£9)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“You may think about touchAble and an iPad instead of a hardware controller. A compliment indeed.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: touchAble Ableton controller
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 233)
Instantly get the sound of heavy-weight rock producer Chris Lord-Alge
Waves CLA Artist Signature Collection (£646)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“For instant CLA on tap, these plug-ins deliver. Good job, Waves!”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Waves CLA Artist Signature Collection
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 158)
Guitarist promises to be 'the perfect guitar emulation', but we find it falls short of that claim
Sugar Bytes Guitarist (€199)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Guitarist falls short in a few key areas, but the fundamental concept is solid and the interface is likeable.”
3 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sugar Bytes Guitarist
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 158)
Nord releases its first dedicated stage piano
Clavia Nord Piano (£2,091)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The Nord Piano isn't cheap and it's missing some dials, but it feels and sounds top notch.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Clavia Nord Piano
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 233)
Great synth sounds and a keyboard to play them on
Arturia Analog Experience The Player (£129)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A simple and effective concept: 1,000 great sounds give you a quick injection of classic flavour.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Arturia Analog Experience The Player
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 233)
A one-stop acoustic treatment kit for your room
Primacoustic London 12 Room Kit (£645)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A well thought-out selection of components that will make your room workable within hours.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Primacoustic London 12 Room Kit
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 233)
Innovation is the name of the game for sE's new ribbon mics
SE Electronics VR1 & VR2 Voodoo Ribbon Mics (from £619)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A unique and impressive update to the ribbon mic that out-performs many in the £1k range.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: SE Electronics VR1 & VR2 Voodoo Ribbon Mics
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 233)
A new UAD software update brings new tape-echo plug-in treats
Universal Audio UAD EP-34 ($199)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“More than a mere echo unit, the EP-34 is a space and tone-shaping delay delight.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio UAD EP-34
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 233)
After seven years PSP finally replaces the PSP 84 delay processor
PSP Audioware PSP 85 ($149)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If there was space left on the GUI, we'd slap the following on this super-powerful effect: ‘Warning: Serious delays ahead!’"
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PSP Audioware PSP 85
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 158)
Liked this? Now read: In pictures: the best hi-tech gear of 2009
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Future Music is the number one magazine for today's producers. Packed with technique and technology we'll help you make great new music. All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. Every marvellous monthly edition features reliable reviews of the latest and greatest hardware and software technology and techniques, unparalleled advice, in-depth interviews, sensational free samples and so much more to improve the experience and outcome of your music-making.