Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • Lennon on Eleanor Rigby
  • Jimmy Page demos classic Led Zep gear
  • Classic rock riffs for beginners
  • Omnichord @ 70
  • SampleRadar: 163 tape loops samples

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

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Computer Music

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

By Future Music, Computer Music
published 7 November 2016

All of the latest tech reviews in one place!

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Sonic Faction Tricky Traps

Sonic Faction Tricky Traps

MusicRadar's tech reviewers have been spending their time playing with plugins and pad-based hardware recently, which is just how they like it.

Here's a look at everything our tech team reviewed during October. Up first, Sonic Faction’s Tricky Traps.

MusicRadar's verdict

"Tricky Traps is a fantastic and cohesive electronic music production toybox, especially for Push/Launchpad owners.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sonic Faction Tricky Traps

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
HoRNet Plugins TrackUtility Mk2

HoRNet Plugins TrackUtility Mk2

MusicRadar's verdict

"A handy addition to any producer's arsenal, and, at 99c, a 'might-as-well' upgrade for owners of v1.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: HoRNet Plugins TrackUtility Mk2

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
SampleScience AdLibXRom

SampleScience AdLibXRom

MusicRadar's verdict

"Cheap and cheerful it may be, in terms of both sound and design, but AdLibXRom does a solid job of bringing the YM3812 back to life for the plugin generation.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: SampleScience AdLibXRom

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
Plugin Boutique StereoSavage

Plugin Boutique StereoSavage

MusicRadar's verdict

"With its streamlined interface, impressive ability to stereoise, and its empowering LFO, StereoSavage is a plugin that any producer could find many uses for.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Plugin Boutique StereoSavage

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
D16 Group PunchBox

D16 Group PunchBox

MusicRadar's verdict

"There's quite possibly no conceivable kick drum sound for electronic music that PunchBox couldn't create!”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: D16 Group PunchBox

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
Pioneer DJ Toraiz SP-16

Pioneer DJ Toraiz SP-16

MusicRadar's verdict

"Some firmware refinement
is needed to justify its price, but there's a lot to like about this inspiring and intuitive standalone sampler.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pioneer DJ Toraiz SP-16

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
Native Instruments Maschine Jam

Native Instruments Maschine Jam

MusicRadar's verdict

"Jam is a great, creative controller in its own right, but it's best used as a counterpoint to the existing Maschine hardware.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Maschine Jam

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
Hercules DJ Control Instinct P8

Hercules DJ Control Instinct P8

MusicRadar's verdict

"Not bad on its own 
merits but in a highly competitive entry-level market there are simply too many better alternatives.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Hercules DJ Control Instinct P8

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
Antelope Audio Zen Tour

Antelope Audio Zen Tour

MusicRadar's verdict

"If you want a high-quality interface for studio, rehearsals and gigs you have to look at this.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Antelope Audio Zen Tour

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
Dreadbox Hades Bass Synthesizer

Dreadbox Hades Bass Synthesizer

MusicRadar's verdict

"The Hades is a fairly straightforward monosynth, but it's well-designed and packs some serious low-end punch.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Dreadbox Hades Bass Synthesizer

(Originally reviewed in Future Music)

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
Universal Audio Ampeg B-15N

Universal Audio Ampeg B-15N

MusicRadar's verdict

"It may not deliver all the bass tones you need, but B-15N beautifully captures that classic retro sound, transforming your clean DI into something totally mix-ready.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Universal Audio Ampeg B-15N

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
112dB Cascade

112dB Cascade

MusicRadar's verdict

"It might not be the gamechanger it thinks it is, but Cascade is a synth that lovers of hefty pads and animated textures should try out.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: 112dB Cascade

(Originally reviewed in Computer Music)

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Future Music
Future Music
Social Links Navigation

Future Music is the number one magazine for today's producers. Packed with technique and technology we'll help you make great new music. All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. Every marvellous monthly edition features reliable reviews of the latest and greatest hardware and software technology and techniques, unparalleled advice, in-depth interviews, sensational free samples and so much more to improve the experience and outcome of your music-making.

More about tech
Chompi sampler

The Chompi sampler has munched through its funding target and raised a whopping $1 million on Kickstarter

james holden

James Holden: "I got really bored of making music. But the moment I discovered modular and Live and Max/MSP, it all opened up again"

Latest
Millenium MPS-1000 in white and natural finishes

Millenium expands its MPS-1000 full-shell electronic drum kit with a new configuration and two new finish options

See more latest ►
Most Popular
Was Paul McCartney the "best drummer in The Beatles"?* Listen to the fab 4 tracks he played on, and the isolated drum parts, and decide for yourself

By Will Groves30 March 2023

Jackson and Anthrax’s Scott Ian join forces for a signature X Series King V that pays tribute to Dimebag Darrell

By Jonathan Horsley30 March 2023

This is Wikipedia’s new audio logo, which is designed to be ‘The Sound of All Human Knowledge’

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

Marshall has been sold to Swedish speaker company Zound, ending over 60 years of family ownership

By Jonathan Horsley30 March 2023

Soundtracking secrets: How to get started writing music to picture

By Andy Price30 March 2023

Spectrasonics’ Keyscape 1.5 includes a Double Felt Grand piano, and existing users get this “#1 most requested sound” for free

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

Best hardware vocal compressors 2023: analogue studio hardware to suit all budgets and styles

By Simon Truss30 March 2023

Gear Expo 2023 is coming - tune in on 28 April

By Gear Expo 202130 March 2023

Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962

By Rob Laing30 March 2023

A drummer has recorded 75 new versions of the Amen break for you to use in your music

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

DW announces Alex Gonzalez ICON snare drum

By Stuart Williams29 March 2023

  1. Paul McCartney and John Lennon in 1966
    1
    John Lennon on completing Eleanor Rigby's lyrics for Paul McCartney: "It's his first verse, and the rest of the verses are basically mine"
  2. 2
    Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962
  3. 3
    A faulty mixing console meant that Prince’s The Ballad of Dorothy Parker was recorded ‘wrong’, but he used it anyway
  4. 4
    How to use the '3 reverb approach' to nail reverb in almost any mixing scenario
  5. 5
    An audio engineer shows you "how the pros mix vocals" and get that ‘glued-in’ sound
  1. “It works, every single time,” says Streaky, as he reveals his winning formula
    1
    An audio engineer shows you "how the pros mix vocals" and get that ‘glued-in’ sound
  2. 2
    Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962
  3. 3
    Take a deep dive into drum recording at Foo Fighters’ Studio 606 courtesy of Lauten Audio's in-depth video
  4. 4
    Thom Yorke on his 'executive producer' role for Clark's new album Sus Dog: "I ended up being a kind of backseat driver"
  5. 5
    A faulty mixing console meant that Prince’s The Ballad of Dorothy Parker was recorded ‘wrong’, but he used it anyway

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Contact Future's experts (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

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