New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (September 2015)

With everything from a clever new Rupert Neve-designed DI box to the latest groundbreaking version of Studio One and a sizeable selection of synths, plugins and other software to consider, August was a packed month for our tech reviews team.

Here, we've gathered up all of the products that went through the review process in our sister magazines Computer Music and Future Music and were featured on the site in the last month. First up, it's Mr Neve's RNDI box...

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A £30 DI box can do the basic job, but this is the way to go if you are serious about capturing the highest possible quality of sound."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rupert Neve RNDI review

BUY: Rupert Neve RNDI currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"The first officially-endorsed Marshall plug-in is a coup and the new 88RS is sumptuous."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio V8.1 effects plug-ins review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"An easy-to-patch semimodular with a new oscillator type and nice new effects, Circle2 is a quality synth at a very fair price."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Future Audio Workshop Circle2 review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Usine Hollyhock II is a unique, powerful and fun modular host for patching together music and lighting systems/installations."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sensomusic Usine Hollyhock II review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"With the rising popularity of analogue synths, this reissue is right on time."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Electro-Harmonix Clockworks review

BUY: Electro-Harmonix Clockworks currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"The titanium R2 Pros are amazing if pricey, but an aluminium pair is available at a third of the price."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Flare Audio R2 Pro review

BUY: Flare Audio R2 Pro currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A bigger, brighter, beefed-up sequel that Base newcomers will love. Existing owners may not feel it worth reinvesting, though."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Livid Instruments Base II review

BUY: Livid Instruments Base II currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Strum GS-2 is a comprehensive and flexible source of strummed guitar parts, though less successful for lead lines."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Applied Acoustics Systems Strum GS-2 review

BUY: Applied Acoustics Systems Strum GS-2 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"V3 of this impressively mature DAW proves well worth the wait, with a raft of clever new features and plenty of usable soundware."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PreSonus Studio One 3 review

BUY: PreSonus Studio One 3 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A fantastic looking and sounding set of microphones that could be a long lasting starter set for a budding studio engineer or a workhorse set for a professional performing musician."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Shure PG Alta DrumKit6 review

BUY: Shure PG Alta DrumKit6 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Spirit Reverb does a very good job of delivering a range of spring reverb sounds, but the interface is a bit odd, and it desperately needs a proper manual."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Aegean Music Spirit Reverb review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"AKG has produced an excellent roadworthy set which provides much more than simply sound reinforcement. Frankly, this mic set offers more far more than the retail price might suggest."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: AKG Session 1 Microphone Set review

BUY: AKG Session 1 Microphone Set currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Another capable bargain from Kuassa, Cerberus can turn even the dullest of bass tones into something special."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Kuassa Cerberus Bass Amplifikation review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"u-he's elegant masterpiece is easily the best choice for anyone looking for a straightforward, fat-sounding, and future-proof virtual analogue synth."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: uhe Hive review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"If you're looking to embellish your live set-up with some electronic sounds via pads and a laptop, we'd whole-heartily recommend it. At this price, you won't find better."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Toontrack Hip-Hop! EZX review

BUY: Toontrack Hip-Hop! EZX currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A fantastic saturation-based exciter for creative mixing purposes, and an absolute steal at the price."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audio Assault XCTR review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)