Reviews > Hardware Instruments

MTM 84	CME UF70 V2 We could all live with fewer cables, but will CME’s UF v2 keyboards get us connected? Hollin Jones goes wireless.	MTM 83	M-Audio Oxygen 49 M-Audio’s new Oxygen 49 is a portable MIDI keyboard with integrated DAW control. Hollin Jones takes it for a spin.
MTM 82	Novation Nocturn keyboard We’d all like our hardware to be more capable, but how about a MIDI keyboard that can also control any plug-in on your system? Hollin Jones road tests the Nocturn Keyboard.	MTM 82	CME VX7 V2 CME’s latest keyboard controller appears to be taking multifunctionality to new extremes. Hollin Jones puts it to the test.
MTM 81	Yamaha S70XS Yamaha’s S70XS is an all in one performance solution for the gigging and studio musician. Mike Willox sounds it out.	MTM 80	IK Multimedia Stealth pedal IK Multimedia’s latest hardware device gives guitarists greater scope and control over their tone. Mike Hillier gets rocking.
MTM 77	AKAI MPK25 The latest MPK controller keyboard shrinks the format to two octaves. Mike Hillier finds out if it still packs a punch.	MTM 77	Roland Juno-DI When it comes to busking, keyboard players are often left out in the cold. Hollin Jones asks if Roland has the solution.
MTM 76	Novation SL MKII If you think hassle-free, hands-on plug-in control is just a pipe dream, this might be the answer. Hollin Jones takes two.	MTM 74	Use Audio Plugiator Synths that work as well on stage as in the studio are gaining in popularity. Hollin Jones checks out Use Audio’s Plugiator.
MTM 73	MOTU BPM Producers are always looking for great beats and MOTU reckons that BPM can deliver. Hollin Jones gets groovy.	MTM 73	Kurzweil PC3X Kurzweil’s keyboards have earned the company an enviable reputation, so how will the company’s new flagship PC3X shape up? Hollin Jones tinkles the ivories.
MTM 73	Native Instruments Maschine Native Instruments is hoping to revolutionise the way we make beats with computers, but does its latest offering cut the mustard? Hollin Jones is in the driving seat.	MTM 72	Nord Nord Electro 3 The Nord Electro series is a firm favourite with serious players, so how will the Electro 3 measure up? Hollin Jones finds out.
MTM 69	Arturia Origin The long wait is finally over, so will Arturia’s hotly anticipated Origin live up to expectations? Hollin Jones finds out.	MTM 68	ESI KeyControl 49+ The market for USB MIDI keyboards is pretty crowded, so how will ESI’s KeyControl 49+ stack up? Hollin Jones finds out.
MTM 67	Yamaha MM8 If you’re after a flexible entry-level keyboard with real-piano feel, this could be the answer. Hollin Jones unwraps the MM8.	MTM 66	AKAI MPC5000 AKAI is the firm behind the legendary MPC series, but how will its new flagship MPC5000 fare? Hollin Jones digs in.
MTM 66	Moog Little Phatty Stage II Moog claims that its Little Phatty Stage II is the most accessible Moog synth to date, but can that actually be true? Hollin Jones puts the latest offering through its paces.	MTM 65	Yamaha Motif-Rack XS Almost 12 months after the original Motif XS7 appeared, Yamaha has finally released the rack-based Motif-Rack XS. Mark Cousins finds out if it was worth the wait.
MTM 64	Fatar Numa Fatar keyboards are well known for their excellent action, so how will the Numa stack up? Hollin Jones tickles the ivories.	MTM 64	Roland Fantom-G8 When Roland’s flagship workstations get a makeover, expectations are inevitably high. Hollin Jones finds out if the Fantom-G still does the business.
MTM 63	Alesis SR-18 The Alesis SR-16 was a staple of music production for years, so how does the SR-18 compare? Hollin Jones is on the beat.	MTM 63	Yamaha KX25 We’d all like a little more hands-on control over our software, but can Yamaha’s KX25 deliver? Hollin Jones finds out.
MTM 63	AKAI XR20 If you want to make beats without using a computer, AKAI’s XR20 could be the solution. Hollin Jones takes a test drive.	MTM 63	Access Virus TI Snow Access’ Virus synth is legendary in electronic music, and now it’s more portable than ever. Hollin Jones goes on the road with the Virus TI Snow.
MTM 61	CME UF80 A master keyboard with wireless MIDI capabilities and an attractive price tag? Hollin Jones checks out the UF80...	MTM 59	AKAI MPK49 AKAI’s MPK49 aims to be the ultimate performance controller while remaining equally adept on stage. Mike Hillier is in key...
MTM 58	Kurzweil SP2X If you’re more of a performer than a programmer, Kurzweil may just have produced the stage piano you’ve been waiting for. Hollin Jones checks out the SP2X...	MTM 55	Novation ReMOTE 49SL Compact Novation’s innovative AutoMap feature comes to a new range of controllers. Mike Hillier goes remote...
MTM 54	Korg M3 The Korg M1 had the distinction of being the world’s first workstation, so is the company’s new M3 likely to be equally distinguished? Hollin Jones finds out...	MTM 53	Roland V-Synth GT FREE FULL REVIEW. Roland's V-Synth re-wrote the book on innovative sound creation, so can the company's new V-Synth GT live up to the family name? Hollin Jones finds out...
MTM 51	Yamaha MM6 Entry-level workstations are becoming increasingly powerful, so does Yamaha’s new MM6 have enough features to make it a worthy contender? Hollin Jones finds out...	MTM 48	Roland VP-550 Don’t have sufficient room to accommodate a gospel choir in your studio? Help is at hand, as Hollin Jones finds out when he stirs up the Roland VP-550...
MTM 46	Roland Juno-G Its heritage is undeniably second to none, but will Roland’s latest synth live up to the high standards set by its predecessors? Hollin Jones lifts off with the Juno-G...	MTM 44	M-Audio MidAir 25 M-Audio’s new MIDI controller brings wireless technology to the popular Oxygen8. Mike Hillier breathes in the Air...
MTM 43	Yamaha CP300 Yamaha was a key player in the digital piano revolution, which changed the way pianists thought about playing live. Hollin Jones meets the company’s latest model – the CP300.	MTM 41	Korg Radias Good things do sometimes come in small packages, as Hollin Jones finds out when he test-drives Korg’s new baby, the deceptively compact Radias.
MTM 40	Akai MPC2500 They’re a favourite with hip hop artists the world over, but will the AKAI MPC2500 be able to live up to the reputation? Hollin Jones samples it for himself.	MTM 40	Korg X50 Korg’s new baby packs all the punch of a heavyweight sound engine in a light and portable package. Will it be a knockout? Hollin Jones gets a handle on the X50...
MTM 39	Alesis Fusion 8HD The latest feature-packed workstation from Alesis promises to fulfil your every studio need. Hollin Jones gets it together with the Fusion 8HD...	MTM 38	TerraTec Axon AX 100 mkII The synthesis and sampler market is dominated by keyboard players, but TerraTec is hoping the Axon will help guitarists to gatecrash the party. Mike Hillier picks up his Ax.
MTM 38	Yamaha M08 Yamaha’s newest workstation certainly boasts a wealth of player-oriented features, but does it cover all the bases? Hollin Jones test-drives the MO8.	MTM 38	Creamware Pro-12 ASB Creamware’s latest Authentic Sound Box synth is modelled on a genuine classic. Hollin Jones goes retro...
MTM 37	Roland SP-404 Roland’s new SP-404 takes sampling out of the studio and onto the stage. Mark Cousins hooks up his decks and puts it through its paces...	MTM 36	M-Audio ProKeys 88 The days of using one dedicated keyboard in the studio and another on the stage are seemingly numbered. Hollin Jones tinkles the ivories of M-Audio’s new ProKeys 88.
MTM 33	Hammond XK-3 The Hammond B3 is one of the best-known instruments of all time – and now the XK-3 looks set to continue its legacy. Hollin Jones gets fired up...	MTM 32	Yamaha S90 ES Tired of taking two keyboards on stage? Fear not, Yamaha’s S90 ES is here – and it’s going to change the way you think about playing. Hollin Jones explains why.
MTM 32	Creamware Minimax ASB Creamware’s latest synth is more real than virtual and aims to faithfully re-create a much-loved classic. Hollin Jones takes it to the max...	MTM 26	Future Retro Revolution If you want fat, acid sounds you might want to check out this unusual-looking synth from US manufacturer Future Retro. Hollin Jones joins the Revolution...
MTM 25	Roland RD-700SX Roland’s flagship stage piano derives its compelling sounds from multi-sampled concert grands. Hollin Jones gets in on the action.	MTM 22	Roland TD-20K V-drums The flagship version of Roland’s innovative V-Drums range comes with more options than Joe Silva can shake a stick at…
MTM 22	Clavia Nord Modular G2X The mighty Nord Modular G2 gets a bigger brother, with more keys and more power. Hollin Jones finds out if it has the X factor…	MTM 17	Roland Fantom-X8 Roland dispatches a new variant of its battleship class of audio workstations. Joe Silva discovers whether she’s seaworthy…
MTM 17	Korg Electribe EA-1 mkII Korg revamps its analogue synth sequencer with up-to-the-minute sounds and styles. Hollin Jones goes in search of the Electribe…	MTM 16	Korg Triton Extreme 88 Korg’s Triton gets some new toys, including a real-life valve for warming up your sound. Hollin Jones takes it to the Extreme….
MTM 13	Korg PA1X Pro Korg’s new flagship arranger keyboard is a heavyweight when it comes to playing and performing. Hollin Jones finds out if it can do the business…	MTM 13	Elektron SFX-6 MonoMachine It’s silver, it’s Swedish, and it’s designed like no other instrument you’ve ever seen. Mark Jenkins gets to grips with the latest synth from Elektron...
MTM 12	Akai MPC1000 Akai has released the latest model in a long line of sampling drum machines – but is it an adequate compositional tool? Mark Jenkins is set adrift on an MPC...	MTM 09	Yamaha Motif ES7 Sequencing isn’t all about computers and sophisticated software – it can be done on a workstation synth. Bob Dormon checks out Yamaha’s Motif ES7.
MTM 09	Roland RS-70 Synthesizer ‘Forget about MIDI and get on with playing’ is the concept behind the RS-70 – but does it take the mystery out of multi-track recording? Keith Gemmell goes loopy…	MTM 09	E-mu PX-7 Command System E-mu’s new PX-7 sets out to make you commander of your own drum station. Mark Jenkins gives it a beating…
MTM 08	Roland Fantom-S Synthesizer Roland has released a new version of its Fantom synth/workstation, but is it the machine to put the company back on top? Mark Jenkins looks for spirits in the material world…	MTM 08	Korg Electribe MX-1 Music Production Station The first of the long-awaited additions to the Electribe range is here. But is the MX-1 Production Station a worthy flag bearer? Pete Crisp gathers the ’Tribe…
MTM 05	Bob Moog Voyager Analogue Synth Synth pioneer Bob Moog has updated his classic Minimoog analogue monosynth for the 21st century. Simon Trask finds out if Voyager has what it takes to go the distance...	MTM 04	Roland VR-760 Keyboard Simon Trask finds out whether Roland’s performer-friendly VR-760 keyboard adds up to more than the sum of its parts...
MTM 03	GEM ProMega2 GEM follows up its ProMega3 digital piano with a sleek new version sporting a lower price tag and a more contemporary appearance – but at the expense of some features. Simon Trask wonders if it’s the instrument to raise the company’s profile…	MTM 02	Yamaha DTXpress II Having lost their eighties New Romantic associations, electronic drums are back with a vengeance. Nigel Lord climbs onboard Yamaha’s latest kit…
MTM 02	Yamaha Motif-Rack Proving that size isn't everything, Yamaha's new rackmount module offers more polyphony, more patches and more effects than its Motif keyboard counterparts, but are there also compromises? Simon Trask sizes it up…	MTM 02	E-mu Vintage Pro E-mu's latest sound module takes its cue from the seemingly unquenchable desire for old keyboard sounds. Simon Trask samples a modern vintage…
MTM 01	Roland V-Synth With increased competition from the software sector, can Roland’s new flagship synth cut the sonic mustard? Simon Trask plays a awhile.

Reviews > Hardware Instruments

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