Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Recording Week 25
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • As It Was preset
  • Don't Give Up
  • Ron Wood's drum secret
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
Man plays Alesis Nitro Max drum kit with black sticks
Electronic Drums Best beginner electronic drum sets 2025: top-rated entry-level e-drums, reviewed by experts
The t.bone RB 500 ribbon microphone in front of a guitar amp
Microphones Best cheap microphones for recording 2025: Budget microphones for the home studio
A Boss RC-10R looper pedal on a wooden floor
Guitar Pedals Best looper pedals 2025: My favourite loop stations for every budget
Drummer sat at an e-kit places a pair of headphones over his head
Drummers Best headphones for drummers 2025: sound isolation for the studio, rehearsal room and stage
Kids hands on a beginner keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners 2025: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
Audient Oria Mini
Recording Audient’s ORIA Mini is the set-and-forget hardware that will fix your studio’s acoustic imperfections so that you can create better mixes
Earplugs being tested at a loud band rehearsal
Tech Best earplugs for musicians 2025: protect your hearing with these essential audio attenuators, for the practice room to your next gig
Arturia V Collection 11
Soft Synths “Still the synth and keyboard collection to beat”: Arturia V Collection 11 Pro review
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 9: Steve Porcaro performing with 'Toto' at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California on April 9, 1979. (Photo by Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Artists "It’s all over Rosanna, all over Africa”: Toto’s Steve Porcaro names his Top 5 synths
Baby Audio Tekno
Tech “The hardest hitting synthesized drums ever put in a plugin”: Baby Audio Tekno isn’t pulling its punches
jim-e stack
Tech “You can make the best album ever with just a laptop and plugins”: Jim-E Stack reveals his production secrets
Sonicware Liven Evoke
Digital Synths “It’s acoustic, it’s electronic, it’s in flux and it’s great”: Sonicware Liven Evoke review
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
A laptop displaying a software synthesizer
Software & Apps Black Friday plugin deals 2025: Get the lowdown ahead of the biggest sale of the year
  1. Tech
  2. Synths

The best music tech gear of 2011: synths, DAWs, plug-ins, keyboards, apps and more

News
By Ben Rogerson published 15 December 2011

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Best tech gear of 2011

Best tech gear of 2011

As we reach the end of 2011, the music technology market is more diverse than ever. While the computer remains the hub of most people’s workflow, we’re also seeing more and more capable standalone hardware solutions. And of course, it’s now possible to make tunes on your phone or tablet.

This year’s best gear round-up celebrates this diversity; whether you’re sitting in a studio, standing on stage or commuting to work, great tools have been released to help you create music.

We’re guessing that you won’t agree with all of our selections (some of the calls were very tough to make) but we’d love to hear about the gear that you’ve rated highest this year, so do let us know.

NEXT: Software synth of the year

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
Software synth of the year

Software synth of the year

There was a slight sense of disappointment when it transpired that this new NI synth was a Reaktor Ensemble rather than a self-contained product (it also works in the free Reaktor Player), but that’s one of the few bad things that anyone’s had to say about Razor.

It’s based on additive synthesis, but presents this in a friendly format: two oscillators, twin filters and three effects sections are onboard. Although it was initially pigeon-holed as a dubstep/drum ‘n’ bass synth - and those who produce in these genres will certainly love it - Razor is also great for pads and other atmospheric tones.

Phat, user-friendly and fantastically affordable, this is fine synth that’s very much of its time.

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Razor

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
DAW of the year

DAW of the year

This was the year that Reason truly came of age, with version 6 adding all the features from Record, its short-lived sister application, and three killer new effects devices.

The upshot of this is that not only is Reason now great for in-the-box music production, but its new-found audio recording capabilities mean that you can use it for capturing ‘real’ instruments, too.

Oh, and we should also give credit to Propellerhead for its ‘pay what you want’ upgrade offer for customers who already owned Reason and Record, even if its popularity did cause problems come launch day.

5 out of 5

BUY: Propellerhead Software Reason 6 currently available from Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Soundslive | WoodBrass | Hard To Find

FULL REVIEW: Propellerhead Software Reason 6

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
Plug-in effect of the year

Plug-in effect of the year

Dynamics plug-ins are hardly new, but this is one of the most configurable we’ve ever come across. It gives you compression, expansion/gating, transient shaping and limiting/clipping.

Thanks to the inclusion of both easy and advanced modes, Compassion can do a job for pretty much everyone, and it works in a wide variety of situations, too. Individual instruments, voices and busses can all benefit, and it’s a useful mastering tool as well.

Complex without being confusing, Compassion works brilliantly and sounds great.

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DMG Audio Compassion

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
Hardware synth of the year

Hardware synth of the year

History might show that the Kronos was the product that killed workstation development: not because it’s bad, but because it does so much that it’s hard to imagine a keyboard that could trump it.

The Kronos comes with a whopping nine different sound engines and is capable of producing some truly fantastic tones. There’s plenty of real-time control, plus the obligatory sequencer and sampler.

There’s so much to the Kronos that we couldn’t begin to summarise its full feature set here, so we should probably just round off by saying that it’s one of the most impressive keyboards we’ve ever encountered.

5 out of 5

BUY: Korg Kronos Workstation currently available from Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Soundslive | WoodBrass | Hard To Find

FULL REVIEW: Korg Kronos Workstation

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
Compact hardware synth of the year

Compact hardware synth of the year

Few products have been surrounded by as much pre-release hype as the OP-1, and given that it was in development for two years after it was originally announced, there was certainly plenty of time for said hype to build.

It’s to Teenage Engineering’s credit, then, that the finished article comes pretty close to delivering on its promise. Yes, there are those who just don’t get (or like) the concept of an expensive, retro-looking instrument with a button-based, non-velocity-sensitive keyboard, but its fun and surprisingly musical workflow is conducive to high productivity.

The OP-1 is definitely a luxury item, then, but don’t let its unique style make you believe that it’s lacking in substance.

4.5 out of 5

BUY: Teenage Engineering OP-1 currently available from Soundslive

FULL REVIEW: Teenage Engineering OP-1

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
Stage piano of the year

Stage piano of the year

If you want to know how highly regarded the Nord Stage pianos are, just go to a few gigs or watch some live music on TV. You’ll see loads of them.

Version 2 of the Stage improves significantly on its predecessor, most notably in the fact that you can now upload your own samples or those from the Nord Sample library. There’s a much-improved synth section, too, which provides you with an arpeggiator and a dedicated LFO.

Most importantly, though, the Stage 2 does acoustic/electric piano and organ sounds brilliantly, and plays very well too. Expect to see it at even more gigs next year.

5 out of 5

BUY: Clavia Nord Stage 2 HA88 currently available from Andertons Music Co. | Soundslive | Hard To Find

FULL REVIEW: Clavia Nord Stage 2 HA88

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
Compact MIDI controller of the year

Compact MIDI controller of the year

M-Audio got it just right with the Keystation Mini 32, neatly bisecting Akai’s LPK25 and Korg’s microKey to create a controller keyboard that strikes a great balance between size and playability.

Two and a half octaves’ worth of keys means that you can just about get away with two-handed playing, and iPad-compatibility (via the Camera Connection Kit) is a real bonus. It looks nice and there’s a chunky knob for you to grab, too.

4.5 out of 5

BUY: M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 currently available from Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Soundslive | Studiospares | Scan Pro Audio | WoodBrass

FULL REVIEW: M-Audio Keystation Mini 32

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
Hybrid product of the year

Hybrid product of the year

The software that ships with this shrunken version of Maschine is exactly the same as the ‘full’ product, so there was never any question that this was going to be a feature-packed groove production tool. The only worry was that, in making a smaller controller, NI would have to make compromises on the workflow front.

While it’s true that Maschine Mikro doesn’t feel quite as ‘instant’ as its big brother, the good news is that it still flows very well. In fact, if you haven’t used Maschine before, you won’t feel like there’s anything missing at all. And of course, the downsizing means that this version is available at a substantially reduced price.

4.5 out of 5

BUY: Native Instruments Maschine Mikro currently available from Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Soundslive | Scan Pro Audio | WoodBrass | Hard To Find

FULL REVIEW: Native Instruments Maschine Mikro

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
Monitor of the year

Monitor of the year

We didn’t think that there was much wrong with Adam’s original A7 monitor, but the A7X manages to improve on it in several respects.

There’s a new X-ART folder ribbon tweeter that offers flat response all the way up to 50kHz, while the 7-inch mid-woofer and baffle have been redesigned. The amps have been improved, too.

The end result is an extremely precise sound, with slightly less brightness at the top end than with the A7s (a good thing, in our book) and great stereo imaging.

There’s plenty of competition in this mid-range sector of the monitor market, but the A7X is one of the very best in its class.

5 out of 5

BUY: Adam Audio A7X currently available from Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Soundslive | Studiospares | WoodBrass | Hard To Find

FULL REVIEW: Adam Audio A7X

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
iOS app of the year

iOS app of the year

Wisely, Apple didn’t seek to recreate the Mac version of GarageBand when they ported it to iOS: this is very much a re-imagined piece of software that’s specifically tailored to mobile devices.

Evidence of this comes with the excellent Touch and Smart Instruments, which make creating respectable-sounding keyboard, drum and guitar parts easy and enjoyable. The sequencer works well, too, though the lack of MIDI editing remains a problem (something for version 2 perhaps?).

Crucially, projects started in GarageBand for iOS can be opened in GarageBand for Mac and Logic 9 too, so even if you don’t use it to finish tracks, you know that good ideas can easily have a life beyond your iDevice.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: GarageBand for iPad (now GarageBand for iOS)

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
Sampler of the year

Sampler of the year

If we could have given an award for the most insane product preview video, it would have gone to Elektron for the Octatrack trailer, but since we don’t have one of those, it’ll have to settle for receiving this best sampler gong.

The Octatrack is a hardware sampler that succeeds at a time when hardly anyone’s making hardware samplers any more. Its sampling engine is considerably more advanced than its rivals’, and there are powerful sequencing options, too.

Its features combine to create an instrument that works great in a studio or performance environment, and proves that hardware sampling can still be relevant and forward-thinking.

5 out of 5

BUY: Elektron Octatrack DPS-1 currently available from Thomann | WoodBrass

FULL REVIEW: Elektron Octatrack DPS-1

Liked this? Now read: The best guitar gear of 2011: guitars, amps, FX and more!

Connect with MusicRadar: via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

Get MusicRadar straight to your inbox: Sign up for the free weekly newsletter

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson
Social Links Navigation
Deputy Editor

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it. 

Read more
Arturia V Collection 11
“Still the synth and keyboard collection to beat”: Arturia V Collection 11 Pro review
 
 
Kids hands on a beginner keyboard
Best keyboards for beginners 2025: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 9: Steve Porcaro performing with 'Toto' at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California on April 9, 1979. (Photo by Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
"It’s all over Rosanna, all over Africa”: Toto’s Steve Porcaro names his Top 5 synths
 
 
Baby Audio Tekno
“The hardest hitting synthesized drums ever put in a plugin”: Baby Audio Tekno isn’t pulling its punches
 
 
jim-e stack
“You can make the best album ever with just a laptop and plugins”: Jim-E Stack reveals his production secrets
 
 
Latest in Synths
modx m
Yamaha's MODX M synth squeezes the power of the Montage M into a more affordable package
 
 
kid harpoon
“There’s a reason that the Juno-106 is still the greatest”: Kid Harpoon on vintage synths and studio secrets
 
 
Cherry Audio Trident mkIII
“It could be easy to think that the strings and brass sections are somehow weaker than their synthesizer counterpart, but this would be an enormous mistake”: Cherry Audio Trident mkIII review
 
 
Steve Porcaro
Steve Porcaro on the rise, fall and resurgence of Toto, working with Michael Jackson and his new solo album
 
 
sequential synth
“We wanted to make the barrier as low as we could": Sequential on designing the Fourm and continuing Dave Smith's legacy
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 9: Steve Porcaro performing with 'Toto' at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California on April 9, 1979. (Photo by Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
"It’s all over Rosanna, all over Africa”: Toto’s Steve Porcaro names his Top 5 synths
 
 
Latest in News
Charvel Limited Edition Sean Long Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT M: the While She Sleeps guitarists artist model is now officially available in Neon Pink by popular demand.
By popular demand, Sean Long of While She Sleeps’ Charvel signature model now comes in Neon Pink
 
 
Apple M5 MacBook Pro 14-inch
Apple announces its new M5 chip and puts it in the MacBook Pro 14-inch, iPad Pro and Vision Pro headset
 
 
brian eno
"It felt fitting to broadcast it into the unknown, into dark matter": Brian Eno to beam his new album into space tonight
 
 
DJ Seth Troxler performs on stage during the Primavera Sound Festival at Distrito Anhembi on November 5, 2022
“It’s just too emotional”: Seth Troxler is offering €10 an hour to anyone willing to help him clean up his vinyl
 
 
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 20: Musician D'Angelo plays a private concert at a media event announcing updates to the music streaming application Spotify on May 20, 2015 in New York City. The latest updates include the ability to stream video content, podcasts and radio programs as well as original songs for the application. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill, Jacob Collier, Flea and many more pay tribute to D'Angelo
 
 
The Strymon Olivera is a five-knob stompbox in bronze-brown that offers an emulation of an oil-can delay
Strymon’s Olivera is a oil can delay without the oil, without the mechanics, and with a lot more control over your tone
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...