Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Black Friday
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
A laptop displaying a software synthesizer
Software & Apps Black Friday plugin deals 2025: Get the best early Black Friday deals on music software
Man playing Roland TD716 electronic drum set in a studio
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
A pair of Sennheiser HD 490 Pro studio headphones on a mixing desk
Headphones Best studio headphones 2025: my pick of cans for mixing, mastering, and monitoring - tested by a working musician and producer
An Alesis Strata Core electronic drum set on a yellow background
Guitars I’ve seen a lot of Black Friday sales, but this one’s next level - Sweetwater just dropped thousands of discounts of up to 80% off guitars, drums, keys, and more
Akai MPC Live III
Tech “A truly go-anywhere production box that’s determined to keep you away from a laptop”: Akai MPC Live III review
Quentin testing a Yamaha piano
Keyboards & Pianos Best digital pianos 2025: I'm a professional piano and music gear reviewer, and these are my top picks
The t.bone RB 500 ribbon microphone in front of a guitar amp
Microphones Best cheap microphones for recording 2025: Budget microphones for the home studio
Kids hands on a beginner keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners 2025: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
Cose up of external hard drive sitting on a laptop
Tech Best external hard drives for music production 2025: Back up your music and boost your computer's performance
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Rocktober
Gear & Gadgets Amazon Prime Day is a bust for music makers, but don't worry, the Musician's Friend Rocktober sale is here to save the day with up to 40% off big-name brands
IK Multimedia
Headphones IK Multimedia’s new ARC ON·EAR finally lets headphone producers mix with a pro studio sound
A Fractal Audio VP4 Virtual Pedalboard multi-effects pedal on a concrete floor
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals 2025: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
EVE Audio EXO
Studio Monitors Why EVE Audio’s all-new EXO Series is the ultimate modern monitoring solution
More
  • Pete Townshend on smashing - and fixing - his guitars
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • AI slop hits #1
  • The pain that birthed Don't Speak
  • Europe vs AI
  1. Tech
  2. Gear & Gadgets

New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (October 2010)

News
By Future Music, Computer Music, Ben Rogerson ( Computer Music, Future Music ) published 26 October 2010

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

Audio Damage Axon ($59)

Audio Damage Axon ($59)

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 DAWs, synths, plug-ins 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 157 and Future Music issue 232 and published on MusicRadar throughout September and October.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Audio Damage Axon.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It might not be everybody's cup of tea, but it's hard to imagine another plug-in with so few parameters that allows so much experimentation.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audio Damage Axon

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 157)

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
iceGear Xenon (£2.99)

iceGear Xenon (£2.99)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“At this price, Xenon is a good buy for budding iOS music producers.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: iceGear Xenon

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 157)

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
Voxengo HarmoniEQ 2.0 ($100)

Voxengo HarmoniEQ 2.0 ($100)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It's hard to go wrong with Voxengo plug-ins, and HarmoniEQ only strengthens that perception.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Voxengo HarmoniEQ 2.0

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 157)

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
Flux TRAX (£399)

Flux TRAX (£399)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“TRAX is a fine package covering many bases, with some unusual tricks that will appeal particularly to post-production pros and sound design wizards.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Flux TRAX

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 157)

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
Sound Radix Auto-Align ($149)

Sound Radix Auto-Align ($149)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A simple and elegant solution that takes the hassle out of time-aligning different mic channels.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sound Radix Auto-Align

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 157)

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
Waves JJP Artist Signature Collection (£646)

Waves JJP Artist Signature Collection (£646)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The Signature Collection concept is one you'll love or hate, but there's no denying the quality of the plug-ins themselves.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Waves JJP Artist Signature Collection

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 157)

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
tomoberheim SEM (€950)

tomoberheim SEM (€950)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“One of the best analogue mono synths on the market. Phenomenal sound and classic heritage.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: tomoberheim SEM

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 232)

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
Native Instruments Komplete 7 (£399)

Native Instruments Komplete 7 (£399)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An enormous amount in one very affordable and Komplete package. Well done NI.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Komplete 7

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 232)

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
Unity Audio The Rock (£1,750)

Unity Audio The Rock (£1,750)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Accurate response and excellent mid frequency fidelity makes The Rock a rare chunk of reality.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Unity Audio The Rock

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 232)

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
Sony Creative Software ACID Music Studio 8 (£50)

Sony Creative Software ACID Music Studio 8 (£50)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A solid entry-level package with some nice extras. A lack of automation may hold you back.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sony Creative Software ACID Music Studio 8

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 232)

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
Modartt Pianoteq 3.6 (€249)

Modartt Pianoteq 3.6 (€249)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Almost the perfect piano, now at a more attainable price. Highly versatile and expressive.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Modartt Pianoteq 3.6

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 232)

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
M-Audio Axiom 49 (£270)

M-Audio Axiom 49 (£270)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you're upgrading this is the one to go for. It may be a little pricier but you get what you pay for.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: M-Audio Axiom 49

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 232)

Liked this? Now read: In pictures: the best hi-tech gear of 2009

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 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
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. 

Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects… image
Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects…
…with the latest issue of Computer Music magazine
More Info
Read more
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
Rocktober
Amazon Prime Day is a bust for music makers, but don't worry, the Musician's Friend Rocktober sale is here to save the day with up to 40% off big-name brands
 
 
IK Multimedia
IK Multimedia’s new ARC ON·EAR finally lets headphone producers mix with a pro studio sound
 
 
A Fractal Audio VP4 Virtual Pedalboard multi-effects pedal on a concrete floor
Best multi-effects pedals 2025: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
 
 
EVE Audio EXO
Why EVE Audio’s all-new EXO Series is the ultimate modern monitoring solution
 
 
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Black Friday has officially kicked off, with the likes of Sweetwater and Guitar Center dropping massive sales
 
 
PreSonus Studio 24c in a home studio
My go-to audio interface is now even better value at under £80 in Gear4Music's early Black Friday sale
 
 
Helen Anahita Wilson makes music with plants
We speak to the artist who has just made an album with dangerous plants
 
 
Positive Grid Spark LINK XLR
Time to go wireless? Positive Grid’s Spark LINK XLR offers cable-free connections for live performance
 
 
Rocktober
Amazon Prime Day is a bust for music makers, but don't worry, the Musician's Friend Rocktober sale is here to save the day with up to 40% off big-name brands
 
 
MusicRadar logo
Never miss a MusicRadar thing: Google has made it easier to keep us in your feed
 
 
Latest in News
Close up of a person playing guitar
With a massive 89% discount, $99 for a year's worth of Guitar Tricks online lessons is the best way to upgrade your guitar playing this Black Friday
 
 
A Squier Tele and Squier Paranormal Offset Telecaster on a yellow background
Fender just launched its Black Friday sale and I can't believe the Player II Stratocaster is this cheap - save up to 30% off a range of Squier and Fender guitars
 
 
Gary Numan
“Very worrying to see him so emotional”: Gary Numan breaks down during gig after hearing "worst news ever"
 
 
ValhallaDSP ValhallaFutureVerb
“As close to perfect as we have ever heard”: ValhallaDSP’s new plugin is the product of eight years R&D
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: (L-R) Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons attend Operation Smile Los Angeles Smile Fiesta at Candela La Brea on June 03, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Simon/Getty Images for Operation Smile)
"Why don't we take a moment, think about him looking down on us”: Kiss pay tribute to Ace Frehley in Las Vegas
 
 
Tidal Upload
Tidal’s new artist-aimed upload service is currently offering ten independent artists $100,000 for publishing directly to the platform
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • 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...