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
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
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
Piano under a Christmas tree with gifts
5 reasons a gift card is the most stress-free present you can get a musician this Christmas
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score big savings on music gear ahead of Christmas from the likes of UAD, Casio, Waves, PRS and more
 
 
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
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in News
D'Angelo and Prince
D’Angelo was so in awe of Prince that he refused to play his guitar on the one occasion they shared a stage
 
 
Portrait of British musician Kirsty MacColl (1959 - 2000) and Irish musician Shane MacGowan, the latter of the group the Pogues, as they pose together, each holding a toy gun with one hand and, in the other, a Christmas cracker over an inflatable Santa Claus, 1987.
“In operas, if you have a double aria, it's what the woman does that really matters. The man lies, the woman tells the truth": The story of Fairytale Of New York
 
 
Chris Rea circa 1970
Tell Me There’s A Heaven: Chris Rea has died, aged 74
 
 
Lady Gaga performs during her 'JAZZ & PIANO' residency at Park MGM on August 31, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada
“Being a human being isn’t going to go out of style anytime soon”: Why Lady Gaga is unafraid of AI
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Alanis Morrisette performs live on stage at The O2 Arena on July 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage for ABA)
Alanis Morissette reveals what she thinks is “the real irony” of the fuss caused by the lyrics in her 1996 hit
 
 
 Morrissey performs at The SSE Arena, Wembley on March 14, 2020 in London, England
Back To The Old House: Morrissey signs again to Warners subsidiary Sire
 
 

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...