New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (September 2013)
Novation Launchkey 25
Each month, MusicRadar's sister mags - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish independent gear reviews of the latest music-making equipment.
We've collected together every music-making hardware, app, DAW, DJ gear, plug-in and synth review posted on the site during throughout the last month.
All of the gear featured in this gallery was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 194/195 and Future Music issue 268/269, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Possibly the best controller keyboard in its price bracket, the Launchkey hooks up well with your DAW and its sister iPad apps."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Novation Launchkey 25 review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 194)
BUY: Novation Launchkey 25 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
MOTU Digital Performer 8
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A high-end production suite with everything you need to record, mix and master, DP8 is a serious contender."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: MOTU Digital Performer 8 review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 194)
BUY: MOTU Digital Performer 8 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Steinberg WaveLab 8
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"With far more features than most will ever need, WaveLab retains the audio editing crown, though it could do with tidying up."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Steinberg WaveLab 8 review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 194)
BUY: Steinberg WaveLab 8 currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Illformed Glitch 2
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A big step forward for the former king of glitch plugins, although the loss of some of v1's functionality irks a little."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Illformed Glitch 2 review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 194)
Sonuus G2M
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The simplest way to get MIDI out of your guitar with good note detection and string-bend tracking."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sonuus G2M review
BUY: Sonuus G2M currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater
PSP Audioware PSP SpringBox
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Sounding lovely and with a good array of controls, SpringBox is an affordable way to get quality 'twang' in your tracks."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PSP Audioware PSP SpringBox review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 194)
kiloHearts Disperser
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Interesting, effective and cheap, Disperser deserves to become a ubiquitous mixing and sound design tool."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: kiloHearts Disperser review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 194)
Rode iXY
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Want a studio-quality, stereo mic for your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch? This is it."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Rode iXY review
BUY: Rode iXY currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Avid Pro Tools 11
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Pro Tools 11 now delivers all you should expect of the true industry standard pro DAW."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Avid Pro Tools 11 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 268)
BUY: Avid Pro Tools 11 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Waldorf Nave
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"At this price, it's a total steal for any iPad musician. Now, how about a desktop plugin version, Waldorf?"
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Waldorf Navereview
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 194)
Sample Logic Cyclone
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Cyclone's soundbank is absolutely superb, and the interface provides more than enough flexibility to make it a long-term keeper. It's also immense fun to play and very keenly priced."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sample Logic Cyclone review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 194)
Big Fish Audio Vintage Vibe
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"An expansive array of vintage instruments that is, for the most part, a retro riot."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Big Fish Audio Vintage Vibe review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 194)
PSP Audioware PSP 2Meters
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Give the demo a try - you might be beguiled by the different perspective they give you on the loudness of your tracks."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PSP Audioware PSP 2Meters review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 194)
Roland V-Combo VR-09
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A versatile, refreshingly simple and powerful board, full of decent staple sounds at a reasonable price."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Roland V-Combo VR-09 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 269)
BUY: Roland V-Combo VR-09 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
PreSonus Eris E8 monitors
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A powerful set of studio monitors with some extra facilities for tweaking the sound."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PreSonus Eris E8 monitors review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 269)
BUY: PreSonus Eris E8 monitors currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Antelope Audio Orion 32
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"For quality AD/DA, clocking, digital connectivity and routing, at this price there's no competition."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Antelope Audio Orion 32 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 269)
BUY: Antelope Audio Orion 32 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater
Arturia MiniLab
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Proof that small can be beautiful and the hybrid hardware/software alliance is still going strong."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Arturia MiniLab review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 269)
BUY: Arturia MiniLab currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Roland Studio Capture
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Studio Capture is the proverbial dark horse, with massive I/O and serious audio quality."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Roland Studio Capture review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 269)
BUY: Roland Studio Capture currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Yamaha Pocketrak PR7
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A great choice to slip into any musician's pocket."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Yamaha Pocketrak PR7 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 269)
BUY: Yamaha Pocketrak PR7 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Radial Firefly Tube Direct Box
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A thoroughly professional valve DI box, should you need one."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Radial Firefly Tube Direct Box review
BUY: Radial Firefly Tube Direct Box currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Slate Digital Virtual Buss Compressors
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Three great buss compressor emulations with some welcome enhancements and a staggeringly convincing 'analogue' sound."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Slate Digital Virtual Buss Compressors review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 195)
BUY: Slate Digital Virtual Buss Compressors currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater
XILS-Lab XILS V+
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A classic early 80s vocoder-cum-choir- cum-string machine brought back to life in real style - but at quite a price."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: XILS-Lab XILS V+ review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 195)