New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (October 2013)

Once again, MusicRadar's sister mags - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - have published a month's worth of the best independent gear reviews around.

Here we've collected all the music-making hardware, app, DAW, DJ gear, plug-in and synth reviews posted throughout September.

All of the gear featured in this gallery was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 195/196 and Future Music issue 269/270, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The combination of Aeon Melodic and Rhythmic is a sample-based winner for sound designers and musicians alike."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Heavyocity Aeon Collection review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 195)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Not a life-changer, but an essential (and affordable) purchase for fans of creative filtering."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audio Damage Mangleverb review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 195)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Classic analogue EQ emulations at a great price, the EVE-ATs aren't perfect but do a great job of capturing that Neve sound."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Kuassa EVE-AT Bundle review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 195)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A solid digital piano that sounds and feels great. The iOS device integration is a real bonus."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland F-20 review

BUY: Roland F-20 currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Another characterful and sonically innovative offering from Sinevibes at an excellent price. Why still AU-only, though?"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sinevibes Cluster review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 195)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"One of the best-designed and easiest-to-use mobile DAWs that (quite a lot of) money can buy."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 195)

BUY: IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A deep-yet-intuitive synth that's killer live and in the studio. Inspiring and addictive."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DSI Prophet 12 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 270)

BUY: DSI Prophet 12 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A well-built controller that's perfect for a compact and portable DJ set-up with Traktor DJ software."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Kontrol Z1 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 270)

BUY: Native Instruments Kontrol Z1 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"With its musical approach and impressive results, Liquid Notes succeeds in enabling deep harmonic manipulation of MIDI arrangements."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Re-Compose Liquid Notes review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 195)

BUY: Re-Compose Liquid Notes currently available from:
UK: Thomann

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A bargain-priced winner - it makes you wonder why this sort of thing isn't built into DAWs as standard."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: HoRNet AutoGain review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 195)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"While Magic AB certainly isn't something you need, any producer would find this a very useful tool."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sample Magic Magic AB review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 195)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Great analogue connectivity and great sound, plus the ICE-16 has some decent expansion options."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Allen & Heath ICE-16 review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 270)

BUY: Allen & Heath ICE-16 currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A trio of EQs which keep the sound and spirit of Pultec's designs alive and kicking."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UAD Pultec Passive EQ Collection review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 270)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The twin personalities of this processor are the key to its power. A powerful stereo EQ."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UAD Millennia NSEQ-2 EQ review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 270)

BUY: UAD Millennia NSEQ-2 EQ currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Another great instrument from Embertone designed with great care and attention to detail."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Embertone Friedlander Violin review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 270)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A hugely powerful soft sampler/synth, now with user-friendly instruments, macros and even more synthesis options."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Steinberg HALion 5 review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 196)

BUY: Steinberg HALion 5 currently available from:
UK: Andertons| Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A tour de force for string programmers, offering game-changing levels of realism."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: VSL Dimension Strings review

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 270)

BUY: VSL Dimension Strings currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you like the sound of vintage digital audio gear, you'll absolutely love the sound of chipcrusher. Filthy and useful!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Plogue chipcrusher review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 196)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Powerful, flexible and fun, Phalanx is Vengeance's best yet - add in a MIDI pad controller and beat-making nirvana awaits."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vengeance-Sound Phalanx review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 196)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Very powerful but demands a lot of prep on the part of the user, Base could well be the ultimate blank MIDI control canvas."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Livid Instruments Base review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 196)

BUY: Livid Instruments Base currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Sinevibes' most brutal plugin yet, Malfunction brings controlled destruction to the (Mac-based) studio."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sinevibes Malfunction review

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 196)