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)

MusicRadar is the internet's most popular website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers.

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.

TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.

STARS: We talk to artists and musicians about their creative processes, digging deep into the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music-making that no other music website can.