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
  • Black Friday
  • 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
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
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
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
EVE Audio EXO
Studio Monitors Why EVE Audio’s all-new EXO Series is the ultimate modern monitoring solution
the t.bone IEM D2.4
Headphones “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
Headphones IK Multimedia’s new ARC ON·EAR finally lets headphone producers mix with a pro studio sound
teenage engineering
Tech Teenage Engineering launches EP-40 Riddim, a spin on its EP-133 sampler deeply inspired by reggae, dancehall and sound system culture
Ableton Move
Tech One year on, I’ve finally clicked with Ableton Move – all because I’ve stopped trying to make music with it
Ableton Live 12.3
Tech Ableton is playing catch-up with Live 12.3… but its best features are hidden beyond the headlines
A pair of Sennheiser in-ear monitors on a pink background
Headphones Three of our highest-rated in-ear monitors just got a massive discount in the Thomann In-Ear Days sale - IEMs starting from just £91
Strymon PCH Active Direct Interface: the little black box from the digital effects powerhouse offers routing for sending your signal direct from a pedalboard to a PA or FRFR speakers, and it has a headphones output for silent monitoring.
Guitars Strymon unveils the PCH Active Direct Interface – the missing link for your amp-less pedalboard setup?
focusrite
Tech Scarlett 16i16 & 18i16: Powerful and portable interfaces with pro-grade sound and a bundle of creative tools
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Guitars Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
V-Moda M-100 Pro
Headphones “Designed for DJs and beat makers, they offer punchy loud delivery in a stylish and robust design”: V-Moda M-100 Pro review
More
  • Black Friday plugin deals
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • 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
Deals not to miss
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
 
 
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
A Fractal Audio VP4 Virtual Pedalboard multi-effects pedal on a concrete floor
Best multi-effects pedals 2025: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
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
 
 
MusicRadar logo
Never miss a MusicRadar thing: Google has made it easier to keep us in your feed
 
 
Latest in News
Harley Benton Custom Line King-12CE NT: the cutaway jumbo 12-string features an all-maple build, gold hardware and Fishman electronics
Harley Benton unveils Custom Line jumbo 12-string with a $350 price tag that’s for the Byrds
 
 
Positive Grid Mini on a shelf
Positive Grid just set the tone for Black Friday with up to 30% off their range of top-rated smart amps and software - including the Spark 2, Spark Mini & Bias X
 
 
Brand New Heavies and Prince
"I thought, 'I can’t play now'": The Brand New Heavies say that Prince came to watch them three times
 
 
Simon Cowell and Bob Dylan
“I would’ve gone, ‘Forget it’": Bob Dylan would fail American Idol audition, according to Simon Cowell
 
 
Warner Music Group logo on a phone
"Artists and songwriters will have full control”: Warners and Suno link up to create new legal AI platforms
 
 
A Macbook running Universal Audio plugins on a studio desk
Universal Audio just dropped a genuine Black Friday freebie - take your pick from an 1176, LA-2A, Pultec EQ, and more completely free of charge
 
 

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...