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
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
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
Man playing Roland TD716 electronic drum set in a studio
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
An Arturia MiniFuse 1 audio interface on a desk
Audio Interfaces Best budget audio interfaces 2025: Cheap USB interfaces for home recording, streaming, podcasting, and more
A pair of Sennheiser HD 490 Pro studio headphones on a mixing desk
Headphones Best studio headphones 2025: my pick of cans for mixing, mastering, and monitoring - tested by a working musician and producer
An Apple MacBook Air M4 on a desk with audio interface, headphones, and MIDI controller
Computers Best laptop for music production 2025: For home studios and mobile music-making - tested by experts
A Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 on a desk with various audio interfaces in the background
Audio Interfaces Best audio interface 2025: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
Shot of a podcasting microphone in a studio setting
Microphones Best podcasting microphones 2025: my expert picks for every budget and level, including audio demos
A pair of KRK Systems Kreate 5 studio monitors in a studio
Studio Monitors Best budget studio monitors 2025: Make your mixes sing with these wallet-friendly home studio speakers
An Asus Aspire 5 laptop
Computers Best budget laptops for music production 2025: Affordable laptops for making music
Apple iMac M4
Computers Best PCs for music production 2025: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
Kids hands on a beginner keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners 2025: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
Cose up of external hard drive sitting on a laptop
Tech Best external hard drives for music production 2025: Back up your music and boost your computer's performance
More
  • Pete Townshend on smashing - and fixing - his guitars
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • AI slop hits #1
  • The pain that birthed Don't Speak
  • Europe vs AI
  1. Tech
  2. Gear & Gadgets

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

News
By Future Music, Computer Music ( Computer Music, Future Music ) published 7 November 2016

All of the latest tech reviews in one place!

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

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
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
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
 
 
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
 
 
Man playing Roland TD716 electronic drum set in a studio
Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
 
 
An Arturia MiniFuse 1 audio interface on a desk
Best budget audio interfaces 2025: Cheap USB interfaces for home recording, streaming, podcasting, and more
 
 
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Black Friday has officially kicked off, with the likes of Sweetwater and Guitar Center dropping massive sales
 
 
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
Mani of the Stone Roses, 1992
Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, dies, aged 63
 
 
STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA - AUGUST 30: Jimmy Jam performs onstage during Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Friends 40th Anniversary Tribute concert at VyStar Amphitheater at The Bridge on August 30, 2025 in Stockbridge, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Jimmy Jam says that Prince’s LM-1 association influenced Jam and Lewis’s decision to switch to a Roland TR-808
 
 
One Love of Arrested Development performs at Santeria Toscana 31 on October 31, 2025 in Milan, Italy
"It just shows the power of community skills and generosity": Local repair cafe save hip hop legends' gig
 
 
Popumusic PartyStudio
Popumusic’s PartyStudio is “the world’s first wireless MIDI synthesizer speaker”
 
 
Bob Dylan performs in concert during Farm Aid 2023
“The idea of being excluded from future shows is truly devastating”: Owner of Dylan fansite is kicked out of gig
 
 
Whitesnake in 1990
"Your golden pipes remain this guy’s all-time favourite rock voice": Steve Vai salutes Whitesnake legend David Coverdale
 
 

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...