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)