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  1. News

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

By Computer Music, Future Music
published 1 February 2016

Synths, plugins, controllers and more...

Focusrite Clarett 2Pre

Focusrite Clarett 2Pre

Our tech team has powered through a stellar selection of gear this month, tackling everything from plugins galore to Neat microphones and plenty in between.

Here we take a look back at all of the hi-tech reviews that were published on the site in January, starting with the Focusrite Clarett 2Pre.

MusicRadar's Verdict:

"Focusrite's attention to quality shines through with this relatively affordable, gorgeous-sounding, incredibly fast 10-in/4-out Thunderbolt interface.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Focusrite Clarett 2Pre

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

BUY: Focusrite Clarett 2Pre currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 1 of 25
Page 1 of 25
SampleScience SMROM

SampleScience SMROM

MusicRadar's Verdict:

"A great buy for chiptune fans, retro fetishists and anyone else with an interest in early console sounds.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: SampleScience SMROM

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 2 of 25
Page 2 of 25
XLN Audio Addictive Trigger

XLN Audio Addictive Trigger

MusicRadar's Verdict:

"Sample-import gripes aside, Addictive Trigger makes replacing drum elements fast and simple, if not literally addictive.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: XLN Audio Addictive Trigger

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

BUY: XLN Audio Addictive Trigger currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 3 of 25
Page 3 of 25
Sample Logic CinemorphX

Sample Logic CinemorphX

MusicRadar's Verdict:

"CinemorphX is up there with Spectrasonics Omnisphere when it comes to grand sound design, and we can't think of a bigger compliment than that.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sample Logic CinemorphX

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 4 of 25
Page 4 of 25
eMo D5 Dynamics

eMo D5 Dynamics

MusicRadar's Verdict:

"eMo D5 covers all dynamics bases with aplomb, from compression to de-essing, but at this price, you'd expect it to!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: eMo D5 Dynamics

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

BUY: eMo D5 Dynamics currently available from:
US: Full Compass

Page 5 of 25
Page 5 of 25
Sam Spacey Epica Bass

Sam Spacey Epica Bass

MusicRadar's Verdict:

"Epica Bass ably fulfils its straightforward remit and sounds lovely doing it.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sam Spacey Epica Bass

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 6 of 25
Page 6 of 25
Ableton Push 2

Ableton Push 2

MusicRadar's Verdict:

"A massive improvement on Push 1, Push 2 is everything the original has always wanted to be, and more.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ableton Push 2

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

BUY: Ableton Push 2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 7 of 25
Page 7 of 25
Beatskillz That Thing

Beatskillz That Thing

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”It falls short of its stated brief, and there's a whopping great filter bug, but this is still a fun and creative plugin at heart.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Beatskillz That Thing

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 8 of 25
Page 8 of 25
Joey Sturgis Tones Transify

Joey Sturgis Tones Transify

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”A few niggles aside, Transify makes good on its promise of easy multiband transient shaping, and sounds great doing it.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Joey Sturgis Tones Transify

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 9 of 25
Page 9 of 25
Audio Thing Vinyl Strip

Audio Thing Vinyl Strip

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”Much more than just a vinyl emulator, Vinyl Strip is one of the most interesting, versatile 'vintagiser' plugins we've used.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audio Thing Vinyl Strip

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 10 of 25
Page 10 of 25
Korg Minilogue

Korg Minilogue

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”We're not sure how Korg has pulled this off for the price but the company has nailed it. The Minilogue even gives more expensive synths a serious run for their money, and is pretty much an essential purchase.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg Minilogue

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Korg Minilogue currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 11 of 25
Page 11 of 25
Audio Technica ATH-R70x

Audio Technica ATH-R70x

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”A lovely balance of comfort and sound quality creates headphones that can help craft great mixes.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Audio Technica ATH-R70x

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Audio Technica ATH-R70x currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 12 of 25
Page 12 of 25
Akai MPC Touch

Akai MPC Touch

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”It narrows the gap between the software and hardware, bringing a more tactile/integrated experience.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Akai MPC Touch

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Akai MPC Touch currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 13 of 25
Page 13 of 25
Waves DiGiGrid IOS

Waves DiGiGrid IOS

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”An impressively integrated hardware/software solution. Not cheap, but quality never is.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Waves DiGiGrid IOS

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Waves DiGiGrid IOS currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 14 of 25
Page 14 of 25
WaveMachine Labs Auria Pro

WaveMachine Labs Auria Pro

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”Raises the iOS music making bar considerably. It's not perfect, but it is very impressive.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: WaveMachine Labs Auria Pro

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 15 of 25
Page 15 of 25
Neat Bumblebee

Neat Bumblebee

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”The Bumblebee not only looks ultra-cool – it's an excellent plug-in-and-play recording solution.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Neat Bumblebee

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Neat Bumblebee currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 16 of 25
Page 16 of 25
UAD Software v8.4 Plug-Ins

UAD Software v8.4 Plug-Ins

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”The H910 is enormously fun and the Marshall amps are capable of much more than axe-grinding.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UAD Software v8.4 Plug-Ins

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 17 of 25
Page 17 of 25
Steinberg Cubase 8.5

Steinberg Cubase 8.5

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”The 8.5 update comes highly recommended, and offers enough to warrant its price of entry.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Steinberg Cubase 8.5

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Steinberg Cubase 8.5 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 18 of 25
Page 18 of 25
Plug-In Alliance Lindell Bundle

Plug-In Alliance Lindell Bundle

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”A great set of emulations. They add colour, depth and punch but retain a great deal of finesse and detail.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Plug-In Alliance Lindell Bundle

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 19 of 25
Page 19 of 25
Arturia KeyLab 88

Arturia KeyLab 88

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”A top keyboard controller, and all those sounds make it one of the best synths on the market too.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Arturia KeyLab 88

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Arturia KeyLab 88 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 20 of 25
Page 20 of 25
Neat King Bee

Neat King Bee

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”Quirky styling but a nice-sounding practical large diaphragm cardioid condenser suited to many tasks.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Neat King Bee

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Neat King Bee currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 21 of 25
Page 21 of 25
XLN Audio DS-10 Drum Shaper

XLN Audio DS-10 Drum Shaper

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”DS-10 brings drum-specific transient shaping to your DAW, cleanly, simply and with excellent results.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: XLN Audio DS-10 Drum Shaper

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

BUY: XLN Audio DS-10 Drum Shaper currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 22 of 25
Page 22 of 25
Moog Minifooger MF Flange

Moog Minifooger MF Flange

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”Yet another Minifooger that takes a standard effect and offers the user a whole range of new possibilities.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Moog Minifooger MF Flange

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: Moog Minifooger MF Flange currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 23 of 25
Page 23 of 25
UVI Falcon

UVI Falcon

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”Capable of generating and processing a vast array of sounds, Falcon is a very big, powerful bird indeed – shame its included soundbank isn't similarly large, though.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: UVI Falcon

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

BUY: UVI Falcon currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 24 of 25
Page 24 of 25
PreSonus Studio 192

PreSonus Studio 192

MusicRadar's Verdict:

”An enormous amount in a compact frame, with high-quality interfacing, software control and oodles of I/O.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PreSonus Studio 192

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

BUY: PreSonus Studio 192 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 25 of 25
Page 25 of 25
Computer Music
Computer Music
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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.

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