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New tech gear of the month: review round-up (April 2016)

By Future Music, Computer Music
published 1 April 2016

Synths, plugins, monitors and more

Aston Microphones Origin

Aston Microphones Origin

It has been a jam-packed month for our tech team, with plugins galore and some sumptuous hardware coming into our office. Here, we look back on all of the reviews that appeared on the site in April. We start with a beautiful microphone from Aston.

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Delivers a natural and detailed sound across a wide variety of sources at a price that is hard to ignore.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Aston Microphones Origin review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Aston Microphones Origins currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 1 of 22
Page 1 of 22
SKnote Disto

SKnote Disto

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Not a perfect hardware emulation by any means, but Disto sounds great in its own right and represents fantastic value.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: SKnote Disto review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 2 of 22
Page 2 of 22
Slate Digital FB-Bomber

Slate Digital FB-Bomber

MusicRadar's Verdict

“FG-Bomber is a solid alternative to regular dynamics processors.”

FULL REVIEW: Slate Digital FB-Bomber review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

BUY: Slate Digital FB-Bomber currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 3 of 22
Page 3 of 22
The Loop Loft Drum Direktor FNK-4

The Loop Loft Drum Direktor FNK-4

MusicRadar's Verdict

“A solid pad-based virtual drum machine let down by some frustrating omissions.”

FULL REVIEW: The Loop Loft Drum Direktor FNK-4 review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 4 of 22
Page 4 of 22
Ample Sound Ample Bass Acoustic II

Ample Sound Ample Bass Acoustic II

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Ample Bass Acoustic II sounds jaw-droppingly realistic and offers more sound and performance shaping than most users will ever need. Beautiful.”

FULL REVIEW: Ample Sound Ample Bass Acoustic II review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 5 of 22
Page 5 of 22
eaReckon EARverb 2

eaReckon EARverb 2

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Expanded algorithms, a slicker interface, and the nifty Screen Modules and Pos Mode make EAReverb 2 one of the best algorithmic 'verbs on the market.”

FULL REVIEW: eaReckon EARverb 2 review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 6 of 22
Page 6 of 22
zynaptiq Unmix::Drums

zynaptiq Unmix::Drums

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Another quasi-magical plugin from zynaptiq, Unmix::Drums really does give you the ability to boost and attenuate drums in a mix, collectively or individually.”

FULL REVIEW: zynaptiq Unmix::Drums review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

BUY: zynaptiq Unmix::Drums currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 7 of 22
Page 7 of 22
IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonic 2

IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonic 2

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Things have come on a lot in ten years, and v2 of Miroslav Philharmonik is a hugely powerful one-stop orchestral shop.”

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonic 2 review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

BUY: IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonic 2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 8 of 22
Page 8 of 22
Roland Boutique JX-03

Roland Boutique JX-03

MusicRadar's Verdict

“The JX-03 is nicely tweakable (with all the PG-200's controls onboard) and it sounds great.”

FULL REVIEW: Roland Boutique JX-03 review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Roland Boutique JX-03 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 9 of 22
Page 9 of 22
Soniccoutre Ondioline

Soniccoutre Ondioline

MusicRadar's Verdict

“It's great to see this underappreciated, sonically unique, highly playable classic brought to life in software.”

FULL REVIEW: Soniccoutre Ondioline review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 10 of 22
Page 10 of 22
Audient ASP800 Multi-Channel Preamp

Audient ASP800 Multi-Channel Preamp

MusicRadar's Verdict

“From build quality through to its high-quality conversion and sonic capabilities, an excellent unit.”

FULL REVIEW: Audient ASP800 Multi-Channel Preamp review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Audient ASP800 Multi-Channel Preamp currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 11 of 22
Page 11 of 22
Impact Soundworks Shreddage 2 IBZ

Impact Soundworks Shreddage 2 IBZ

MusicRadar's Verdict

“Shreddage 2 IBZ is capable of producing hard-hitting guitar riffs and lines practically indistinguishable from the real thing.”

FULL REVIEW: Impact Soundworks Shreddage 2 IBZ review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 12 of 22
Page 12 of 22
UAD Software v8.5 Plug-Ins

UAD Software v8.5 Plug-Ins

MusicRadar's Verdict

“There's plenty to recommend here both for those already wedded to the UAD platform and to entice the as yet uninitiated.”

FULL REVIEW: UAD Software v8.5 Plug-Ins review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 13 of 22
Page 13 of 22
Zivix PUC+

Zivix PUC+

MusicRadar's Verdict

“It could be twice the price and still be a bargain for saving us from 'cable-rage'!”

FULL REVIEW: Zivix PUC+ review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Zivix PUC+ currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 14 of 22
Page 14 of 22
Korg iDS-10

Korg iDS-10

MusicRadar's Verdict

“The iDS-10 could certainly serve as an effective sketchpad on the daily commute.”

FULL REVIEW: Korg iDS-10 review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 15 of 22
Page 15 of 22
Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator -20, -24 and -28

Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator -20, -24 and -28

MusicRadar's Verdict

“They may be fiddly, but the POs remain a great-value source of inspiring sounds and sonic fun.”

FULL REVIEW: Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator -20, -24 and -28 review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator -20, -24 and -28 currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 16 of 22
Page 16 of 22
Wolfgang Palm PPG Phonem

Wolfgang Palm PPG Phonem

MusicRadar's Verdict

“A powerful, innovative vocal synth that sounds awesome and isn't as hard to use as it looks, Phonem is another winner from the house of Palm.”

FULL REVIEW: Wolfgang Palm PPG Phonem review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 17 of 22
Page 17 of 22
Roland Boutique JP-08

Roland Boutique JP-08

MusicRadar's Verdict

“If you hanker after the character of the Jupiter-8 for a modest outlay, the JP-08 delivers the goods.”

FULL REVIEW: Roland Boutique JP-08 review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Roland Boutique JP-08 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 18 of 22
Page 18 of 22
Slate Digital Custom Series Bundle

Slate Digital Custom Series Bundle

MusicRadar's Verdict

“With Custom Series EQ, VMR becomes an even more flexible, interesting mix processing system.”

FULL REVIEW: Slate Digital Custom Series Bundle review

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

BUY: Slate Digital Custom Series Bundle currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 19 of 22
Page 19 of 22
Roland Boutique JU-06

Roland Boutique JU-06

MusicRadar's Verdict

“The key characteristics of the Juno-106 but without the reliability headaches. An essential purchase.”

FULL REVIEW: Roland Boutique JU-06 review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Roland Boutique JU-06 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 20 of 22
Page 20 of 22
Tascam VL-S5 Monitors

Tascam VL-S5 Monitors

MusicRadar's Verdict

“A cost-effective powered monitor that will give decent sound quality and not take up too much space.”

FULL REVIEW: Tascam VL-S5 Monitors review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Tascam VL-S5 Monitors currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 21 of 22
Page 21 of 22
Arturia iSpark for iOS

Arturia iSpark for iOS

MusicRadar's Verdict

“We'd say that we have just found a new favourite iOS beat-maker.”

FULL REVIEW: Arturia iSpark for iOS review

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 22 of 22
Page 22 of 22
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