Music Radar Team

Emulate the tones of other guitars using Variax technology

Pete Engelhart's range of affordable handcrafted instruments might be too lively for some, but their innovative looks and sounds are wonderful

Valve-driven distortion offering Metallica-style crunch

US and British-style overdrive from a new team of ex Marshall men

An excellent valve-driven boost pedal from some ex-Marshall men

Apart from a few minor details, Gibraltar have delivered something for both classic kit-lovers and bear-like rockers alike with these crops of metalwork

Absynth has always been a big favourite with intense sound designers - this version allies accessibility to its power features

NI has given its powerhouse sampler a facelift and produced what could be the most comprehensive sampling solution ever seen

Decent, affordable hardware isn't always easy to find but if you can live without a big brand logo, the Elites are a good-looking option

The Elite is a welcome addition to British custom drum-making and despite the lack of original hardware, this is an impressive kit

NI has improved the sound of its amp and effects system and made it easier to use. Result

If you're sick of programming your drums on a MIDI keyboard, give this neat little controller a try

A pedal that serves up overdrive flavours of the '60s

Engl's latest features a six-pack of EL34s for a knock-out punch

An electric sitar simulator from UK boutique builder

Brit-built boutique tremolo at an affordable price

The neighbour-friendly answer to the sonic boom of a pumping valve amp on full

Little valve amps are currently all the rage, but to Laney they're nothing new. Their latest is a little beauty...

A superbly versatile phaser from New York's E-H

Sabian's most expensive, labour-intense cymbals are so classy that you'll find it very hard to find better

Yamaha's performance-friendly box of audio and visual delights isn't perfect, but it's certainly a whole lot of fun

Vault crashes and Artisan rides have a well deserved reputation for inspired design and these additions are nothing but textbook

Scaled down from the Brazilian rosewood model, but still reassuringly expensive, meet the new 513

Zildjian's A Custom Fast splashes and crashes are modern, sophisticated and super quick, perhaps too quick for some

High-end processor offers a rack full of guitar sounds and smart editing functions