New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (September 2014)
All of August's music tech reviews
JBL Series 3 LSR308
Future Music and Computer Music publish reviews of brand new synths, software, interfaces and other associated music-making gear every month.
Here we've collated all of the reviews to appear in their pages and on the site throughout the last month - these were originally published in Computer Music 208/209 and Future Music 282/283.
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Great value for money, excellent low-end extension and capable of very high volumes."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: JBL Series 3 LSR308 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 282)
BUY: JBL Series 3 LSR308 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Elektron Analog RYTM
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The RYTM sounds massive, it's inspiring and addictive and the sequencer is hugely versatile."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Elektron Analog RYTM review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 282)
BUY: Elektron Analog RYTM currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
Korg RK100S
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A high-quality and versatile keytar/ vocoder that looks and sounds great. Highly recommended."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Korg RK100S review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 282)
BUY: Korg RK100S currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Sinevibes Flow
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Sinevibes almost always hits the mark, but Flow is one of its best yet. Windows musicians would be right to feel envious..."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sinevibes Flow review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 208)
Universal Audio Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Plug-In Collection
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Amazing as a plugin, but pair it with an Apollo and the Unison functionality makes this the absolute greatest EQ/preamp recording combination in computer music."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Plug-In Collection review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 208)
Antares Auto-Tune EFX 3
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"There are better options for getting natural results, but EFX 3 is a bargain for creative auto-tuning in electronic genres."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Antares Auto-Tune EFX 3 review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 208)
BUY: Antares Auto-Tune EFX 3 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Arturia Vox Continental V
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A gorgeous recreation of the most famous transistor organ ever made, with plenty of modern add-ins taking it far beyond."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Arturia Vox Continental V review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 208)
BUY: Arturia Vox Continental V currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Waves Vitamin Sonic Enhancer
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"here are better-sounding multiband exciters, but Vitamin's easy controls and processes make it one to check out."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Waves Vitamin Sonic Enhancer review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 208)
BUY: Waves Vitamin Sonic Enhancer currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Vengeance Sound Tapestop
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Fantastic for conventional tape and vinyl stop sounds, plus less recognisable pitch and filter wobbling effects."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vengeance Sound Tapestop review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 208)
AudioThing Valve Filter VF-1
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"An impressive Moog filter emulation for a simply bargainous price, though it could do with more modulation options."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: AudioThing Valve Filter VF-1 review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 208)
Soniccouture The Attic
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"An interesting and diverse roster of sampled analogue curios that operate well and sound (mostly) gorgeous."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Soniccouture The Attic review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 208)
Eisenberg Einklang
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"This modelling, morphing synthesiser makes its intriguing new technology easy to use - perhaps too easy, in fact - sounds great and comes in at a very agreeable price."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Eisenberg Einklang review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 208)
BUY: Eisenberg Einklang currently available from:
UK: Thomann
Modartt Pianoteq 5 Pro
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Pianoteq keeps improving in sound quality. Those still bemoaning its inauthenticity must be hearing a different instrument!"
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Modartt Pianoteq 5 Pro review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 208)
BUY: Modartt Pianoteq 5 Pro currently available from:
US: Sweetwater
sE Electronics X1D
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"An excellent and solidly built microphone that fits its remit well and happily goes beyond it."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: sE Electronics X1D review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 283)
BUY: sE Electronics X1D currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Fender Passport Studio
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Appropriately flat-sounding, true studio monitors, which also break down into a portable package."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Passport Studio review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 283)
BUY: Fender Passport Studio currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Moog Music Theremini
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The Theremini's take on an old theme makes for a fun and interesting package."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Moog Music Theremini review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 283)
BUY: Moog Music Theremini currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
XILS Lab XILS 4 Synthesizer
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A fantastic emulation of a classic synth that gives far more than the sum of its parts."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: XILS Lab XILS 4 Synthesizer review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 283)
Roland System-1 Plug-Out Synthesizer
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"It may be small but it sounds huge and the Plug-Out architecture makes it a great investment. Killer!"
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Roland System-1 Plug-Out Synthesizer review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 283)
BUY: Roland System-1 Plug-Out Synthesizer currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Apogee Quartet
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Top-grade audio conversion and easy connectivity to computer and iOS systems alike - but at a price."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Apogee Quartet review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 283)
BUY: Apogee Quartet currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Computer Music magazine is the world’s best selling publication dedicated solely to making great music with your Mac or PC computer. Each issue it brings its lucky readers the best in cutting-edge tutorials, need-to-know, expert software reviews and even all the tools you actually need to make great music today, courtesy of our legendary CM Plugin Suite.
I review guitars for a living - these are my 4 still-available guitar recommendations in the Andertons Black Friday sale - including £700 off a show-stopping Strat
“The way I use them while listening to music, they don’t sound like hearing aids. They just sound like the ears I used to have”: Session ace Tim Pierce on dealing with hearing loss as a pro musician and how hearing aids changed his life
I review guitars for a living - these are my 4 still-available guitar recommendations in the Andertons Black Friday sale - including £700 off a show-stopping Strat
“The way I use them while listening to music, they don’t sound like hearing aids. They just sound like the ears I used to have”: Session ace Tim Pierce on dealing with hearing loss as a pro musician and how hearing aids changed his life