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
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Tiny Dancer
  • Browser DAWs
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Restring your guitar
  1. Tech
  2. Gear & Gadgets

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

News
By Future Music, Computer 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.

Read more
plugins
Tech The ultimate soft synth showdown: Serum 2, Pigments, Phase Plant, Vital and Massive X: But which is best?
 
 
Superbooth 2026
Tech I went to Superbooth and these are the 10 bits of gear I wanted to take home with me
 
 
Superbooth header
Tech Superbooth 2026: all the latest synth news from Berlin - LIVE!
 
 
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
 
 
A Yamaha URX44V audio interface on a worn wooden surface with a laptop and a mixing desk
Audio Interfaces Best audio interface 2026: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
 
 
Software vs Hardware
Synths The ultimate synth shoot-out 2026: Hardware classics vs. their software successors - but can you really tell which is which?
 
 
Latest in Gear & Gadgets
Donner DBM-100 metronome review
Gear & Gadgets “It's extremely easy to use, but only once you’ve got to grips with what is quite an esoteric control interface”: Donner DBM-100 metronome review
 
 
Image of a recording studio with wood panels in the backround
Gear & Gadgets Amazon Prime Day has over 100 sound treatment deals. I run my own studio – these are the only 5 products that will actually work in your space
 
 
3 fans on a patterned blue background
Gear & Gadgets 4 Prime Day fan deals to keep your home studio cool and your creativity flowing during the UK heatwave – plus, 3 practical reasons it's a wise investment for any musician
 
 
Kawai ES-120B in our testing studio
Gear & Gadgets Thomann has taken the fight to Amazon with its Prime Day-beating Music Days sale – save up to 60% on big gear brands including Kawai, D'Angelico, Slate Digital, and so much more
 
 
Electro-Voice speaker on green and blue background
Gear & Gadgets Thomann just dropped a massive sale on gig-ready live sound gear with up to 50% off
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in News
LONDON - JUNE 20: David Bowie and Mick Jagger performing on stage at The Prince's Trust 10th Birthday Party at Wembley Arena, London, United Kingdom on 20th June 1986. (Photo by Brian Cooke/Redferns)
Artists “I took John's advice. It was stupid of me”: So why does Mick Jagger still regret listening to John Lennon?
 
 
Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age performs onstage in 2025.
Artists Queens Of The Stone Age drop a brand new single out of nowhere and it features Nikki Lane on vocals
 
 
launchkey
Tech Novation tops off its Launchkey MK4 range with 88-key MIDI controller keyboard
 
 
Morrissey in swimming pool
Artists Bernard Butler shares with us the odd events that led to him almost teaming up with Morrissey
 
 
Blackstar DA5 Ruby Doug Aldrich Combo
Artists Blackstar shrinks Doug Aldrich’s fire-breathing tube head into a compact 5-watt combo
 
 
Nopia
Tech We got an exclusive look at Nopia, the viral synth and "harmony machine" that broke the internet
 
 

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...