musicradar

Every month, MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the best independent and in-depth music-making gear reviews.

We've collated the latest plug-ins, apps, DJ gear and other hardware to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music, Future Music, Rhythm, Total Guitar and Guitarist's test teams. All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 184 and 185, Future Music issue 259 and Guitarist issue 361.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Without doubt the most powerful and genuinely useful percussion app on the App Store right now."

FULL REVIEW: Beep Street Impaktor

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 184)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The current cream of the virtual bass amp crop, Mark Studio 2 is awesome."

FULL REVIEW:Overloud Mark Studio 2

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 184)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"More than the sum of its parts, this amazing dual reverb will blow you away."

FULL REVIEW:2CAudio B2

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 184)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Esoteric, ambitious, sonically impressive and at times frustrating, MMBG is Melda's wackiest, most niche plug-in yet."

FULL REVIEW:MeldaProduction MMultiBandGranular

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 184)

BUY MeldaProduction MMultiBandGranular currently available from:
UK/Europe: Plugin Boutique

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Renaissance has the potential to surpass Maschine but it's down to Akai to swiftly fix early gripes."

FULL REVIEW:Akai MPC Renaissance

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 259)

BUY Akai MPC Renaissance currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Scan Pro Audio | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"With its 'vintage' layout and crazy, inspirational sound, this is a true one-off. Don't let it pass you by."

FULL REVIEW:Sonic Charge Permut8

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 259)

BUY Sonic Charge Permut8 currently available from:
UK/Europe: Plugin Boutique

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The updated XL is fresh for 2013 but retains all the features which made the original so popular."

FULL REVIEW:Korg microKorg XL+

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 259)

BUY Korg microKorg XL+ currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Scan Pro Audio | Gear4Music | Absolute Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A beautifully put together pair of monitors with a smooth, warm, distinctive and appealing sound."

FULL REVIEW:EVE Audio SC307 Active 3-Way Monitors

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 259)

BUY: EVE Audio SC307 Active 3-Way Monitors currently available from:
UK/Europe:Absolute Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A colourful and worthy upgrade to the original Maschine, but not a 'must buy' for existing users."

FULL REVIEW:Native Instruments Maschine mkII

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 259)

BUY Native Instruments Maschine mkII currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Scan Pro Audio | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A solid workstation, with great keyboard sounds and DAW integration, at a good price."

FULL REVIEW:Korg Krome Music Workstation

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 259)

BUY Korg Krome Music Workstation currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Scan Pro Audio | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An inexpensive box that's practical in several different scenarios, and can recreate the sound of a range of guitar speaker cabinets."

FULL REVIEW:A/DA GCS-2

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 361)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Workflow and sound are amazing. For this money we'd go for the X32 over a full analogue mixer/outboard combo."

FULL REVIEW:Behringer X32 Digital Mixing Console

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 259)

BUY Behringer X32 Digital Mixing Console currently available from:
UK/Europe: Thomann | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA:Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Evolution rather than revolution, X2 is a worthy upgrade for X1 users and a great PC DAW option for everyone else."

FULL REVIEW:Cakewalk Sonar X2

(Reviewed in Future Music issue 259)

BUY Cakewalk Sonar X2 currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Perfect if you fancy a karaoke duet but also a decent buy for a band on a budget that needs some extra BV firepower."

FULL REVIEW:Gear4Music Dual Wireless Microphone System

BUY Gear4Music Dual Wireless Microphone System currently available from:
UK/Europe: Gear4Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"At this price, a very good buy, especially if you value power and punch over crystal-clear transparency."

FULL REVIEW:Gear4Music 250W 12" Active ABS Powered Speaker

BUY Gear4Music 250W 12" Active ABS Powered Speaker currently available from:
UK/Europe: Gear4Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Great-sounding and easy to use, Addictive Keys successfully brings quality keyboard tones to the mid-budget software studio."

FULL REVIEW:XLN Audio Addictive Keys

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)

BUY XLN Audio Addictive Keys currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Scan Pro Audio | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"All things considered, it's an okay little monitor for the money - just watch your back when lifting it."

FULL REVIEW:Gear4Music DR30 powered personal monitor

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)

BUY Gear4Music DR30 powered personal monitor currently available from:
UK/Europe: Gear4Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Awesome choral sounds in a powerful interface, this is aimed mainly at the pro end of the market, in which it's a bargain."

FULL REVIEW:Soundiron Olympus Symphonic Choral Collection

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A versatile and well-featured digital piano that offers plenty for the money. Well worth a test."

FULL REVIEW:Gear4Music Minster MPD1600 Digital Piano

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)

BUY Gear4Music Monster MPD1600 Digital Piano currently available from:
UK/Europe: Gear4Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Providing the few aforementioned odd patches/edits are resolved in later updates, Hollywood Orchestral Woodwinds comes highly recommended."

FULL REVIEW:EastWest Hollywood Orchestral Woodwinds

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)

BUY EastWest Hollywood Orchestral Woodwinds currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Realistic, characterful and expressive - this quirky set of orchestral instruments is nothing less than inspirational."

FULL REVIEW:Spitfire Audio Albion II - Loegria

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Silent Way is essential if you love analogue as much as you do digital, offering superb DAW integration for hardware synths."

FULL REVIEW:Expert Sleepers Silent Way 2

(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 185)