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
Elektron Tonverk
Samplers “Easily one of the most inspirational and accessible Elektrons we've used”: Elektron Tonverk review
Arturia KeyStep mk2
Midi Controllers Best MIDI keyboards 2026: Find your perfect match for the home studio
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
An UDO Super Gemini synthesizer on a white table
Synths Best synthesizers 2026: Top analogue, digital, mono and polysynths
An Apple Mac Mini M4 on a light green background
Computers Best PCs for music production 2026: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found $200 off an accessible Yamaha turntable, $100 off an iconic Korg synth and healthy discounts on guitars and much more
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals 2026: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
plugin
Tech You might want to open a window before using The Crow Hill Company's filthy new synth
Nord Piano 6
Keyboards & Pianos Best stage pianos 2026: Our pick of the finest keyboards for live performance
Korg MiniKorg 700Sm
Analogue Synths “A stunningly creative and beautiful sounding synthesizer”: Korg miniKORG 700Sm review
Akai MPC Sample
Samplers Akai MPC Sample review
Beetronics Pollinator Hazee Delay
Guitar Pedals “It feels more like a DIY creator building something weird for themselves”: Beetronix Pollinator Hazee Delay
A metronome lying on sheet music with guitar picks and a capo in the background
Gear & Gadgets Best metronomes 2026: The top mechanical and digital metronomes for musicians
Akai MPK Mini IV
Midi Controllers Best MIDI keyboards for beginners 2026: Entry-level controllers for those starting out in music production
inear
Tech I just stumbled on a treasure trove of free glitch plugins
More
  • Jimmy Douglass speaks
  • Ultravox's Vienna
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Elektron Tonverk Review
  1. Tech
  2. Gear & Gadgets

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

News
By Future Music, Computer 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.

Read more
Hottest music tech gear of NAMM
Tech The best music tech gear of NAMM 2026: Epic polys, acoustic synths, budget samplers, a Behringer Juno and more
 
 
timbre wolf
Tech "Boy, do people hate it": 10 of the most divisive products in music tech history, from iLok to the Akai Timbre Wolf
 
 
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
 
 
An UDO Super Gemini synthesizer on a white table
Synths Best synthesizers 2026: Top analogue, digital, mono and polysynths
 
 
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
Guitars The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score hundreds off PRS, Bose, and Moog - and grab a new guitar pedal for less than £10!
 
 
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s
Gear & Gadgets A whopping $900 discount on a stunning Gibson Les Paul is the headline act of Guitar Center's early Presidents' Day sale, plus a generous up to 30% off a range of music-making gear
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Save a colossal $500 off one of my favourite Sterling by Music Man guitars, grab $200 off a super cool D'Angelico, plus all the week's biggest sales on music gear
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $600 off one of our favourite Casio pianos, $200 off top-tier Sennheiser studio headphones, and so much more
 
 
Piano under a Christmas tree with gifts
Gear & Gadgets 5 reasons a gift card is the most stress-free present you can get a musician this Christmas
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets 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
Gear & Gadgets These 58 Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for musicians are still live - but they'll be gone soon
 
 
Latest in News
Prince embraces Apollonia Kotero in a scene from the film 'Purple Rain', 1984. (Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images)
Artists Prince’s Purple Rain co-star recalls the moment he had the idea for one of his greatest songs
 
 
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Olivia Rodrigo performs with Robert Smith of The Cure on the Pyramid stage during day five of Glastonbury festival 2025 at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 29, 2025 in Glastonbury, England. Established by Michael Eavis in 1970, Glastonbury has grown into the UK's largest music festival, drawing over 200,000 fans to enjoy performances across more than 100 stages. In 2026, the festival will take a fallow year, a planned pause to allow the Worthy Farm site time to rest and recover. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Artists Olivia Rodrigo still has The Cure’s Robert Smith on her mind on new single, Drop Dead
 
 
boc
Artists Boards of Canada are back with their first new music in 13 years
 
 
plugin
Tech You might want to open a window before using The Crow Hill Company's filthy new synth
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found $200 off an accessible Yamaha turntable, $100 off an iconic Korg synth and healthy discounts on guitars and much more
 
 
David Lee Roth performs at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival - Weekend 1 - Day 1 on April 10, 2026 in Indio, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
Artists David Lee Roth has clarified his creative role in Van Halen (again)
 
 

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 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...