Native Instruments Pro-52
If you're looking for the sound of a classic -- and want the low price (US $199) and other benefits of software -- look no further: The Pro-52 is the ticket.
by David Korn

Steinberg LM4
A convenient way to access drum sounds within a VST 2.0-compatible sequencer. It offers drum machine-like features, such as hi-hat mode and pad polyphony, that you would not necessarily find on a sampler.
by David Korn

Taylor 814Bce
The 814Bce Limited Edition has it all: great sound, versatile electronics, almost effortless playability, and understated yet elegant looks.
by Emile Menasché

Yamaha SBV500 Bass
The Yamaha SBV500 bass offers sharp looks, decent -- though imperfect -- workmanship, and excellent playability, and its distinctly punchy tone sets it apart. At US $649, it's an affordable alternative for players looking to break outside of vintage-style boundaries.
by Emile Menasché

Tascam DA-78HR
The Tascam DA-78HR may not be as sturdy as the pro-oriented DA-98, and it doesn't enjoy format compatibility with the popular ADAT line, but with excellent 24-bit sound, extensive internal routing functions, and solid sync and MIDI implementation, the DA-78HR can integrate in both tape-based and desktop studios quite nicely.
by Emile Menasché

Bomb Factory moogerfooger Lowpass Filter and Ring Modulator Plug-ins
Capturing all the analog warmth of the hardware moogerfooger boxes in a software plug-in is not fully possible, but these are very successful replicas.
by Markkus Rovito

Parker P-38
The imported P-38 may not offer the cutting-edge materials and construction of Parker's domestic flagship models, but its shape, feel, and sound are pretty darn close.
by Emile Menasché

Epiphone Les Paul Standard Bass 5
The Epiphone LP 5 five-string's upscale looks and versatile electronics suggest the high end, but the price and relative simplicity make it a good bet for players who aren't ready to shell out big bucks.
by Emile Menasché

ART HPFX Headphone Monitoring System with Effects
The HPFX is a specialized device, but one with a number of applications. If you already have a hardware mixer, it can function as a conventional headphone amp (useful in and of itself) -- or, by taking advantage of its clever routing options and built-in effects, the artist can control his or her own monitor mix, freeing the engineer to concentrate on the recording.
by Randy Alberts

Oberheim OB·12 Analog Emulation Synth
The Oberheim OB·12's emulation of classic analog subtractive synthesis is a modern-day winner.
by Randy Alberts

Digital Sound for Guitar
Guitar modeling is hot -- so hot that it was tough to pick just three units for this roundup. Our choices were dictated by how the Johnson J-Station, Roland VG-88, and Line6 POD Pro each fills a different niche.
by Emile Menasché

T.C. Electronic M-One and D-Two
Another manufacturer normally associated with high-end signal processing takes its technology to a lower income level, and the results are stunning.
by Markkus Rovito

Korg Electribe S Rhythm Production Sampler
By virtue of its 12-track, 64-step sequencer and sophisticated motion sequence recording features, the Electribe S is the most powerful sampler in its price range.
by Markkus Rovito

Nemesys GigaStudio 160 for Windows
You may still need to pretty much dedicate a whole computer to the program (and build it to exacting specs), but for large orchestral sound libraries, it's a dream come true.
by David Korn

Red Sound Darkstar
If you've been dying to try a digital analog-emulation synth, but don't want to shell out the bucks for one of the big boys, look no further than the Red Sound Darkstar.
by Markkus Rovito

Two Acoustic Stompboxes Square Off
Can you fit an acoustic guitar into a stompbox? Maybe. The Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator and the Zoom 504 Acoustic are two stompbox-sized preamps designed to take any electric guitar and make it sound "acoustic."
by Markkus Rovito

Budget Phrase Samplers Go Head-to-Head
Two machines on the market, the Zoom SampleTrak ST-224, and the just-hatched Yamaha SU200 Loop Factory, dole out budget, loop-oriented sampling and effects for sampling beginners, dance music artists, or loop junkies of all kinds.
by Markkus Rovito

Tech 21 Trademark 10
The absence of a dedicated speaker-defeat switch pales next to the amp's upside as a responsive, good sounding analog alternative to both digital modeling preamps and to costlier (and often less versatile) mini tube amps.
by Emile Menasché

Waves Gold Bundle Plug-Ins (rev. 2.8.1)
Waves has made their name by bringing high-quality signal processing to the software realm -- and version 2.8.1 of their Gold Bundle will do their reputation no harm.
by Randy Alberts

Magix Music Maker Deluxe 5
Can this audio editor deliver the goods for 89 bucks? HC takes you inside an affordable suite of audio, video, and graphics tools.
by Randy Alberts

Danelectro Mod
While the Mod cheerfully tips its cap to Danelectros of yore, it is no reissue, but a completely new instrument with its own distinct personality and tone.
by Emile Menasché

Pro Tools 5: MIDI Included
At long last, Digidesign is getting serious about MIDI. So while Pro Tools 5.0.1 continues to be one of the best-selling DAWs, just how well does it rate as a sequencer? We put it to the test.
by David Korn

Kurzweil SP88
Long revered for creating quality piano sounds, Kurzweil finally releases a dedicated stage piano . . . with a twist.
by Sam Molineaux

Digitech Whammy
Today's Whammy is an enhanced reissue of the original design that adds some new features (improved 24-bit sound; MIDI) while retaining the original’s vibe.
by Emile Menasché