Essential Tools For Music Making
DIGITAL POLYSYNTHS
Korg Modwave £699
Full Review: FM373 (MkI) | The latest of Korg’s digital synths to get a MkII overhaul, Modwave is the most innovative hardware Wavetable synth on the market right now, enhanced with an expanded voice count and parameter feature flexibility.
ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe £1,489
Review: FM383 The Deluxe is a great-sounding, flexible polysynth, ideal as a performance-led keyboard that can successfully reach a wide range of tones and textures.
Expressive E Osmose €1,799
Review: FM398 With expression at the forefront, Osmose could be the all-in-one, future-proofed synth and controller you’ve been waiting for.
Roland Jupiter-X £2,432
Review: FM396 A fabulous-sounding instrument that, despite being 100% digital, manages to capture the spirit and grandeur of its famous analogue namesake.
Arturia MiniFreak £539
Review: FM391 Although less of a trailblazer than the original MicroFreak, this is a stellar, versatile-sounding hybrid synth that’s a joy to get hands-on with…
DJ CONTROLLERS
Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 £1,469
The latest flagship controller from Pioneer DJ is revamped to take control of Rekordbox’s new stems capabilities. It also has vastly improved jog displays and connectivity.
NI Traktor Kontrol X1 £259
It’s been several years since NI brought out any new Traktor hardware. The X1 is designed to aid looping and effects with an innovative lighting system to help key your eyes off the screen.
Pioneer DJ DDJ Rev-5 £940
This top-of-the-line scratch controller for Serato boasts large jog wheels and quality faders, which aim to make it a cut above other bits of all-in-one scratch hardware.
Denon DJ Prime4+ £2,200
More than just a DJ controller, this is an all-in-one standalone system powered by Denon’s increasingly powerful Engine DJ system. A fantastic option for event/working DJs.
Rane 12 MkII £635
Rane’s motorised turntable-style controllers are the closest thing you’ll find to the feel of true vinyl turntables in the controller realm. Perfect for modern scratch DJs.
AUDIO INTERFACES
Universal Audio Apollo Twin X £880
As with Apollos before it, the Twin X is pricey for the amount of ins and outs it offers, but the quality of the build, preamps and design, plus DSP in Duo or Quad justifies the outlay.
Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig £1,150
Arturia’s new flagship AudioFuse interface is designed as more of a studio hub than just an interface, with MIDI, USB and CV connectivity considered alongside audio I/O.
Audient iD4 MkII £138
Review: FM373 A simple 2-in/2-out design coupled with smart, user-friendly featur
