New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (November 2011)
Stanton SCS.4DJ (£459)
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, controllers, DAWs, DJ gear, outboard, apps, monitors, synths, interfaces 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 170/171 and Future Music issues 245/246.
Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Stanton’s SCS.4DJ
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The ultimate all-in-one DJ solution that even hardened CD jocks will enjoy playing parties with.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Stanton SCS.4DJ
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 245)
Teenage Engineering OP-1 (€799)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“It's not cheap, but the beautifully designed OP-1 is fun, inspiring and unique sounding.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Teenage Engineering OP-1
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 245)
BUY: Teenage Engineering OP-1 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater
Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 (£1249)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Surprisingly comprehensive features and quality for such a small package and price.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 245)
BUY: PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Alesis iO Dock (£140)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“All the connections you need to turn your iPad into a functional studio. What's not to like?”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Alesis iO Dock
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 245)
BUY: Alesis iO Dock currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater
Native Instruments Komplete 8 Ultimate (€999)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Komplete Ultimate by name and as ultimately complete as you could wish for by nature.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: NI Komplete 8 Ultimate
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 245)
Vienna Symphonic Library Vienna Suite (£425)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A superb collection of high quality audio tools and two reverbs at a price you can afford.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vienna Symphonic Library Vienna Suite
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 245)
BUY: Vienna Symphonic Library Vienna Suite currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater
Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5 Pro (€179)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A smart upgrade for a feature-laden amp sim that remains a joy to use.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5 Pro
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 170)
Blue Cat Audio MB Dynamix Pack (TBC)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A super-flexible, great-sounding plug-in combo for the more technically inclined.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Blue Cat Audio MB Dynamix Pack
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 170)
Synapse Audio EKS Pro ($39)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“An excellent value, easy-to-use kick drum synth at a price that makes it an essential purchase.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Synapse Audio EKS Pro
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 170)
PSP Audioware Neon 2 ($249)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“We would have liked to have seen more view options for the spectrum analyser, and the price to new customers is a consideration. But overall, the refit of this EQ makes it much improved and more suited to both mastering and mixing duties.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PSP Audioware Neon 2
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 170)
White Noise Audio Genome (£8.99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Genome is the MIDI sequencer app many of us have been waiting for.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: White Noise Audio Genome
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 170)
Livid Instruments ohmRGB ($699)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The RGB's colour LEDs and expansion slot add more flexibility to an already awesome device.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Livid Instruments OhmRGB
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 245)
BUY: Livid Instruments OhmRGB currently available from:
UK: Thomann
Numark iDJ Live (£80)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Fun, but ultimately too basic to make it an iPad DJ's solution. Perhaps a tad premature.”
3 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Numark iDJ Live
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 245)
BUY: Numark iDJ Live currently available from:
UK: DV247
Propellerhead Software Reason 6 (£349)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Reason has always been a great track-starter, and now it's a terrific track-finisher too. Full props to Propellerhead!”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Propellerhead Software Reason 6
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 171)
DiscoDSP Corona ($139)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you're a total beginner, a habitual synth-fiddler or after digital grit to complement your existing synths, try Corona out.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: discoDSP Corona
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 171)
Quik Quak MashTactic (£50)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you've ever wanted to extract a sample from a mix, this would have helped. Fact.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: QuikQuak MashTactic
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 171)
Siren Audio Lorelei Suite (£55)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Experimentalists and sound designers take heed, for the Lorelei Suite could be a powerful ally in your sonic crusades.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Siren Audio Lorelei Suite
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 171)
kiloHearts kHs ONE (€79)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“kHs ONE proves that a bread-and-butter virtual analogue, when done right, can still cause heads to turn and ears to prick up.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: kiloHearts kHs ONE
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 171)
PSP Audioware NobleQ ($69)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A Pultec-style EQ is always good to have in your bag of mixing tricks, and this one is all that and more.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PSP Audioware NobleQ
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 171)
Retronyms Tabletop (£10.49)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Shows potential, but needs to try harder.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Retronyms Tabletop
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 171)
Native Instruments Studio Drummer (€149)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Slick, solid virtual drum package.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Studio Drummer
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 171)
Best Service World Percussion (£529)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Excellent pro-level collection - others may want to wait for the Compact edition.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Best Service World Percussion
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 171)
Acorn Instruments Masterkey 49 (£100)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A solid if unremarkable offering from Acorn.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Acorn Instruments Masterkey 49
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 171)
BUY: Acorn Instruments Masterkey 49 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Full Compass
M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 (£55)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Excellent addition to the mini-keyboard market.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: M-Audio Keystation Mini 32
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 171)
BUY: M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Universal Audio UAD Ampex ATR-102 Plug-in ($349)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Adds warmth, colour and a classic sound to your mastered mixes. Another great UAD-2 plug.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: UAD Ampex ATR-102 Plug-in
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 245)
Event 20/20BAS V3 (£758)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Serious low-end with bags of low distortion power to boot - a pleasure to listen to and work with.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Event 20/20BAS V3
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 245)
BUY: Event 20/20BAS V3 currently available from:
US: Full Compass
Clavia Nord Electro 3HP (£2299)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The weighted keyboard extends the E3's appeal, and its power makes it a leader in the market.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Nord Electro 3HP
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 246)
Boss Micro BR BR-80 (£235)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The musician's go-anywhere companion – record, compose or practise wherever you may be.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Boss Micro BR BR-80
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 246)
BUY: Boss Micro BR BR-80 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Waves H-EQ Hybrid Equalizer ($150)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“In a crowded marketplace, there's always room for quality. H-EQ has it by the bucket-load.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Waves H-EQ Hybrid Equalizer
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 246)
BUY: Waves H-EQ Hybrid Equalizer currently available from:
US: Sweetwater
Thermionic Culture Phoenix SB Sidechain (£3570)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A simple design offering stunning quality and creativity across an uncommon range of applications.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Thermionic Culture Phoenix SB Sidechain
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 246)
BUY: Thermionic Culture Phoenix SB Sidechain currently available from:
US: Full Compass
Liked this? Now read: The best music tech gear of 2010: synths, DAWs, plug-ins and more
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I’m the Group Content Manager for MusicRadar, specialising in all things tech. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 20 of which I’ve also spent writing about music technology.