IK Multimedia iLectric PianoAs long as you have a decent MIDI keyboard, iLectric Piano is a blast to jam on, and once it gets the inevitable Audiobus support, it'll be able to serve as a vital part of your iPad studio.
Cymbal Doctor Home Pro Cymbal Cleaning KitUsed judiciously, Cymbal Doctor is way more effective than anything else we have encountered.
ProjectSAM LuminaThe lighter side of orchestration is well catered for with Lumina, and it sounds gorgeous, but it needs updating to reach its true potential.
New Sonic Arts NuanceNuance more than lives up to its joyous promise of being quick, capable and fun.
Roland GR-D V-Guitar DistortionA cost-effective way to buy into the V-Guitar world, with a useful range of distortion textures and a synth sound thrown in.
Gear4Music WHD 14"x6.5" Steel Snare And GigbagThis might not be the most subtle of snares, but for less than £100 – including a gigbag! – it's a great little drum and is certainly worth checking out.
Minster MLP200L Digital PianoA smaller-than-usual digital that sounds and feels good and won't break the bank.
Minster MPS-8H Digital PianoFor a studio or home piano with excellent sounds, touch, and USB capability at an excellent price, this is a serious contender.
Bullet & Kitch/Natal Double KickHaving experimented with the various settings during the review, the pedals remain set pretty much as they arrived - they feel amazingly natural underfoot and perform beautifully with little compromise on the dilemma of power versus speed.
Universal Audio API 500 Series EQ CollectionAmong UA's most impressive analogue emulations yet, these are two truly beautiful-sounding EQs.
Peavey TNT 115 Tour SeriesPeavey amp designs just seem to be able to deliver more power, and this packs a lot of punch.
Gretsch Roots Collection G9500 Jim Dandy Flat TopAdds some character to the entry-level acoustic market.
Amplesound Ample Guitar MA hugely convincing virtual guitar/guitarist, beautifully recorded and sonically editable enough to easily make your own.
ValhallaDSP VintageVerbAnother cracking plugin by ValhallaDSP that makes a great Lexicon-style wingman to ValhallaRoom.
Faith Naked Series Mercury ParlourIf you pick more than you strum, you need a parlour. The choice is wide, but add this Faith to your list - it's impressive on all levels.
Audio Damage BitcomDefinitely one for the serious experimentalist rather than the 'everyday' user, Bitcom is bloody bonkers.
Image-Line FL Studio 11FL Studio continues to age gracefully, still with its own identity but adding features that bring it into line with current music making paradigms.
SubZero Easy-3 3-piece MIDI Controller SetIf you're looking to get physical with your laptop music, the Easy-3 set is an excellent, comprehensive solution.
Truth Custom Drum KitThis is a typical American custom kit, powerful sounding and comprising carefully worked Keller shells with generic hardware. Truth undertakes to build any sizes and finish you can dream up.
Garritan HarpsIf a virtual harp is on your shopping list, put this one at the top - it's approachable, intuitive and sonically stunning.
