Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
A pair of Sennheiser HD 490 Pro studio headphones on a mixing desk
Headphones Best studio headphones 2025: my pick of cans for mixing, mastering, and monitoring - tested by a working musician and producer
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
A Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 on a desk with various audio interfaces in the background
Audio Interfaces Best audio interface 2025: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
Man playing Roland TD716 electronic drum set in a studio
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
A pair of Sennheiser HD 490 Pro studio headphones on a light purple background
Headphones I’ve tested 13 studio headphones this year and my top choice just landed a serious Cyber Monday deal - save $110 on the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
An Apple MacBook Air M4 on a desk with audio interface, headphones, and MIDI controller
Computers Best laptop for music production 2025: For home studios and mobile music-making - tested by experts
oxi
Tech "We didn't want to make just another controller": OXI Instruments' E16 is a sleek and portable MIDI controller that's more powerful than it looks
A Fractal Audio VP4 Virtual Pedalboard multi-effects pedal on a concrete floor
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals 2025: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
Apple iMac M4
Computers Best PCs for music production 2025: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
Moogs ranked
Synths Moog’s semi-modular ‘Mother’ synths are $100 off at Sweetwater – let's rank them from worst to best
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
Man in green jumper received a gift from a man in a red jumper
Guitars Best Christmas gifts for musicians 2025: 21 affordable festive present ideas for music-makers (which they'll genuinely love)
An Arturia MiniFuse 1 audio interface on a desk
Audio Interfaces Best budget audio interfaces 2025: Cheap USB interfaces for home recording, streaming, podcasting, and more
Shot of a podcasting microphone in a studio setting
Microphones Best podcasting microphones 2025: my expert picks for every budget and level, including audio demos
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Gear & Gadgets

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

News
By Future Music, Computer Music ( Computer Music, Future Music ) published 2 August 2016

A dozen new products for your consideration

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Madrona Labs Virta

Madrona Labs Virta

There have been plugins aplenty here at MusicRadar, as our reviews team has grappled with the great and the good of the software world - plus the odd piece of hardware - over the past month.

Here, we look back on all of the tech reviews that appeared on the site in July. We start with Madrona Labs Virta.

MusicRadar's verdict

“A cross between a vocoder and a semi-modular pitch-tracking synth, with routing options galore, Virta sounds fabulous but is absolutely brutal on the host system.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Madrona Labs Virta

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
2nd Sense Audio Wiggle

2nd Sense Audio Wiggle

MusicRadar's verdict

“A truly remarkable synth bursting with life and movement. We can't find fault with the instrument, but it does need more presets!”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: 2nd Sense Audio Wiggle

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
AudioThing Hats

AudioThing Hats

MusicRadar's verdict

“A powerful option for electronic hi-hats, cymbals and FX.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: AudioThing Hats

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
Audionomy DM2

Audionomy DM2

MusicRadar's verdict

“With its meaty sonics, intuitive workflow, and IAA, AudioBus, Ableton Link and CoreMIDI in place for studio integration, DM2 is a winner at this price.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audionomy DM2

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
UVI Attack EP88

UVI Attack EP88

MusicRadar's verdict

“It might be a bit pricey, but Attack EP88 is quite possibly the coolest sampled Rhodes out there.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UVI Attack EP88

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

BUY: UVI Attack EP88 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
HoRNet Wah-Wah

HoRNet Wah-Wah

MusicRadar's verdict

“A cracking plugin for guitarists and producers at with pocket money price tag.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: HoRNet Wah-Wah

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
Kilohearts Ring Mod

Kilohearts Ring Mod

MusicRadar's verdict

“A solid addition to Kilohearts' roster, Ring Mod is a plugin that lovers of interesting distortion will get plenty of mileage out of.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Kilohearts Ring Mod

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
Audio Assault Transfreak

Audio Assault Transfreak

MusicRadar's verdict

“One of the edgier transient-shaper plugins on the market, Transfreak find its own path thanks to its extended attack/sustain shaping and excellent Post effects.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audio Assault Transfreak

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
Arturia V Collection 5

Arturia V Collection 5

MusicRadar's verdict

“Synclavier V is essential. The rest of the V Collection remains an impressive and good value package of classic emulations.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Arturia V Collection 5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Arturia V Collection 5 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
Thermonic Culture The Swift

Thermonic Culture The Swift

MusicRadar's verdict

“Beautifully constructed and without a doubt one of the very finest EQs we've seen. Truly wonderful.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Thermionic Culture The Swift

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
MFP Tanzmaus and Tanzbär Lite

MFP Tanzmaus and Tanzbär Lite

MusicRadar's verdict

“Workflow-wise the Tanzmaus and Tanzbär Lite are pretty flawed, but when they sound this good, we can just about overlook that.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MFB Tanzmaus and Tanzbär Lite

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: MFB Tanzmaus and Tanzbär Lite currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
Spitfire Evo Grid 3

Spitfire Evo Grid 3

MusicRadar's verdict

“Certainly not an orchestral string all-rounder, but the textures on offer here would fit in many musical contexts.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Spitfire Evo Grid 3

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
Computer Music
Computer Music
Social Links Navigation

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.

Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects… image
Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects…
…with the latest issue of Computer Music magazine
More Info
Read more
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
 
 
EVE Audio EXO
Why EVE Audio’s all-new EXO Series is the ultimate modern monitoring solution
 
 
the t.bone IEM D2.4
“A very capable piece of kit that will see most players a long way into their gigging career”: the t.bone IEM D2.4 review
 
 
IK Multimedia
IK Multimedia’s new ARC ON·EAR finally lets headphone producers mix with a pro studio sound
 
 
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
Cyber Monday deals badge over a neon EQ
These 58 Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for musicians are still live - but they'll be gone soon
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Black Friday is over a week away, and the sales are in full swing - save up to 80%
 
 
PreSonus Studio 24c in a home studio
My go-to audio interface is now even better value at under £80 in Gear4Music's early Black Friday sale
 
 
Helen Anahita Wilson makes music with plants
We speak to the artist who has just made an album with dangerous plants
 
 
Positive Grid Spark LINK XLR
Time to go wireless? Positive Grid’s Spark LINK XLR offers cable-free connections for live performance
 
 
Rocktober
Amazon Prime Day is a bust for music makers, but don't worry, the Musician's Friend Rocktober sale is here to save the day with up to 40% off big-name brands
 
 
Latest in News
ALM Busy Circuits Pamela's Disco module
ALM Busy Circuits new Pamela’s Disco module lets you sync a Eurorack rig to a CDJ or mixer
 
 
Text saying 'Just the way it is'
“It’s quite normal to be groped by men”: Harassment, low pay and exploitation all reported by young musicians and artists in new survey
 
 
Dirty Boy SilverBOY: This high-end all-analogue preamp pedal was inspired by a digital plugin
Dirty Boy turns the tables on guitar’s digital revolution with an all-analogue preamp pedal inspired by a plugin
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: Chappell Roan and Dan Nigro perform at Spotlight: A Night With Chappell Roan and Dan Nigro moderated by Brandi Carlile at GRAMMY Museum L.A. Live on November 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Dan Nigro says that he always knew that Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club was something special
 
 
tape double track
This $99 plugin recreates a classic studio technique invented at Abbey Road for The Beatles – and it's free for the next three days
 
 
Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow perform at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 held at Toyota Park on July 28, 2007 in Bridgeview, Illinois.
"They put it on hold so nobody else can record it. But he didn’t actually record it. That was when Don Henley said, ‘You need to quit giving your songs away’”: Sheryl Crow says that she once wrote a song for Eric Clapton that never saw the light of day
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...