New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (March 2012)

1st Mar 2012 | 15:50

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New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (March 2012)

SoniVox Wobble ($150)

The synths are coming in thick and fast from this developer, but can its Dubstep Grime Generator deliver the urban goods?

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 synths, plug-ins, DAWs, interfaces, iOS apps and other products to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music, Future Music, Rhythmm Total Guitar and Guitarist’s test teams. All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Computer Music issue 175, Future Music issues 250, Total Guitar issue 224 and Guitarist issue 352.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: SoniVox Wobble

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Although undeniably grimy and boasting an impressive Pattern Generator, Wobble feels limiting in many other areas.”

FULL REVIEW:SoniVox Wobble

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

BUY SoniVox Wobble currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Cakewalk Sonar X1 Producer Expanded (£35)

The recent optional upgrade to Cakewalk's flagship DAW adds new pro features but has left some users grumbling…

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Some powerful extra features at a great price, but some fundamentals should be included in all versions as standard.”

FULL REVIEW: Cakewalk Sonar X1 Producer Expanded

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

BUY: Cakewalk Sonar X1 Producer Expanded currently available from:
UK/Europe: Scan Pro Audio
USA: Full Compass

Magix Music Maker MX Premium (£90)

Version 18 of this long-running entry-level music app arrives, with even more features crammed under its already bulging hood

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Music Maker's feature list is impressive, but in use it falls flat owing to numerous unresolved quirks and usability issues.”

FULL REVIEW: Magix Music Maker MX Premium

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

Tascam iXZ (£69)

The multi-track giant returns with an iDevice interface

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The iXZ isn't the only unit of its type, but at the time of writing, it is the best value.”

FULL REVIEW: Tascam iXZ

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 224)

Madgarden Glitch Machine (£1.99)

Take a wild ride down the perilous path of generative sound in its purest form

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Well worth a couple of quid, especially if you're of an esoteric or code-obsessed orientation.”

FULL REVIEW:Madgarden Glitch Machine

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

Waves Bass Rider (£155)

An alternative to compression for the management of low-end dynamics

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A viable alternative to compression and gain automation for 'live' bass parts that saves time and sounds great.”

FULL REVIEW: Waves Bass Rider

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

BUY Waves Bass Rider currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater

Cycling '74 Max 6 ($499)

Unparalleled digital geekgasm or epic confusion machine? As it turns out, Max 6 threatens and delivers both…

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Hard to learn but rewarding once you get it, Max 6 is equally adept at the processing and generating of video, audio and MIDI.”

FULL REVIEW: Cycling '74 Max 6

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

BUY Cycling 74 Max 6 currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater

Sample Logic Fanfare (£250)

A larger-than-life collection of brass patches ranging from the straightforward to the abstract

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you can do without included MIDI articulation, Fanfare is a great source of high-quality brass sounds.”

FULL REVIEW: Sample Logic Fanfare

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

BUY Sample Logic Fanfare currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater

VIR2 Fractured (£100)

Guitars get tormented in an excellent cause…

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Fractured offers excellent value compared with similar libraries.”

FULL REVIEW: Vir2 Fractured

(Reviewed in Computer Music magazine issue 175)

Tascam Portastudio for iPad (£1.99)

Four tracks are better than none

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If a Tascam four-track was good enough for Bruce Springsteen to record Nebraska, it's certainly good enough for us to fumble around with.

FULL REVIEW: Tascam Portastudio for iPad

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 224)

Griffin Stompbox (£69)

Four small steps…

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A great idea, waiting to be fully realised.”

FULL REVIEW: Griffin Stompbox

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 224)

BUY Griffin Stompbox currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater

Zoom H2N (£199)

Pocket-sized recorder offers two kinds of stereo and two kinds of surround sound

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If surround sound and control over the stereo picture is important to you, you should seek it out.”

FULL REVIEW: Zoom H2N

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 352)

BUY Zoom H2N currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

Akai EIE Pro (£200)

Akai's EIE I/O is a flexible interface but features limited audio resolution. We check out its big brother, the Pro, and find a remedy…

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“With unique features and enhanced audio resolution, the EIE Pro is impressive at this price.”

FULL REVIEW: Akai EIE Pro

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (£120)

Focusrite returns with a new collection of interfaces. We meet the Scarlett 2i2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Scarlett offers quality audio and distinctive styling - a winning compact package.”

FULL REVIEW: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

Moog Minitaur (£499)

Moog Music has packed its legendary bass sound into a compact unit that can still shiver your timbers. We get down to the bass-ics

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A powerful, deep bass synth with a flexible future. Well priced and solid Moog build.”

FULL REVIEW: Moog Minitaur

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

Sound Radix Surfer EQ ($129)

Sound Radix has a new pitch-tracking EQ that rides the sound waves. We get waxing our boards

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A really well-thought-out and innovative approach to EQ that gives us a new creative tool.”

FULL REVIEW: Sound Radix Surfer EQ

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

UAD Voice of God ($149)

UAD v6.1 sees Little Labs' Bass Resonance tool hit the platform

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A unique tool that makes mix management of bass levels infinitely easier.”

FULL REVIEW: UAD-2/Little Labs Voice of God

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

Steven Slate Drums Drums 4 Platinum (£199)

With a new player, 100 preset drum kits and loads of new sounds has Steven Slate kept up with the pack?

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An excellent drum instrument with stunning sounds and plenty of scope for sonic manipulation.”

FULL REVIEW: Steven Slate Drums 4 Platinum

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

BUY Steven Slate Drums 4 Platinum currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Vienna Symphonic Library MIR Pro (€795)

Vienna MIR comes of age as a mixing environment with direct integration in Ensemble Pro 5. We enjoy some space exploration…

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A stunning development in spatial placement that integrates seamlessly into any setup.”

FULL REVIEW: Vienna MIR Pro

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

BUY Vienna MIR Pro currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater

Blue Microphones Icicle (£40)

Why didn't someone do this XLR to USB converter sooner?

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A superb piece of kit.”

FULL REVIEW: Blue Icicle

(Reviewed in Future Music magazine issue 250)

BUY Blue Icicle currently available from:
UK/Europe: Thomann| Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

Liked this? Now read: The best music tech gear of 2011: synths, DAWs, plug-ins, keyboards, apps and more

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