New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (September 2012)
The unflappable DAW finally opens its stable to third-party developers, but should we be more careful what we wish for?
Propellerhead Reason 6.5 (£349)
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, plug-ins, keyboards, and outboard gear to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music, Future Music, Rhythm Total Guitar and Guitarist’s test teams. All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Computer Music issues 181/182, Future Music issues 256, and Guitarist issue 358.
Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: Propellerhead Software Reason 6.5
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Conceptually controversial, Reason 6.5 is nevertheless a technical masterpiece and a pivotal update.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Propellerhead Reason 6.5
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 181)
Former Marshall man enters the amp-sim market
Scuffham S-Gear ($90)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“S-Gear eschews bells and whistles for a straightforward user experience and quality tonal options.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Scuffham S-Gear
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 358)
The Electro without the drawbacks
Nord Electro 4D (£1,649)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“An evolutionary upgrade, the E4D subtly improves the E3 in all the right places.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Nord Electro 4D
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 256)
The silver brick for all your conversion needs
Lynx HiLo (£2,299)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The HiLo offers a unique blend of features with an equally unique price/quality ratio.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Lynx HiLo
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 256)
BUY: Lynx HiLo currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
New connnections for an old favourite
Yamaha 01V96i Digital Mixer (£1,979)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you like the idea of a compact-format digital desk, the 01V concept remains a winner.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Yamaha 01V96i Digital Mixer
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 256)
BUY: Yamaha 01V96i Digital Mixer currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
The second native plug-in from the US "space" team
Eventide Blackhole ($199)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Sound designers and adventurous music producers will flip for Blackhole's versatile, hands-on features.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Eventide Blackhole
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 256)
BUY: Eventide Blackhole currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
A combined mixing and playing MIDI controller
Nektar Panorama P4 (£399)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A comprehensive and well- integrated controller that's ideal for power users of Reason.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Nektar Panorama P4
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 256)
BUY: Nektar Panorama P4 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
The Russian developer spruces up its classic valve plug-in
Voxengo Warmifier ($60)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Want to inject digital mixes with a bit of analogue juice? Warmifier is still one of the best - and cheapest!”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Voxengo Warmifier
(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 256)
This powerhouse offers far more than an analogue synth, and at a very reasonable price
Sonic Academy ANA (£50)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Thanks to its PCM-based engine, ANA sounds big, bold and beautiful, while its solid feature-set seals the deal.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sonic Academy ANA
(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 182)
Liked this? Now read: The best music tech gear of 2011: synths, DAWs, plug-ins, keyboards, apps and more
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