Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • 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
Don't miss these
chris lake
Artists “People have been imitating my sound for a long time, but now someone can type a prompt and make a song that sounds like Chris Lake – that's wild!”: Chris Lake on how AI is putting music-making “under threat”
nopia
Tech "You don't need to know music theory – Nopia takes care of that": Two years after going viral, this pastel-coloured, harmony-focused synth has finally broken cover
A Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 on a desk with various audio interfaces in the background
Audio Interfaces Best audio interface 2025: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
Man playing Roland TD716 electronic drum set in a studio
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
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
A laptop in a music studio with Universal Audio plugins running on it
Plugins UAD's free plugin offer is the biggest no-brainer I've seen this year – but time is running out to get your hands on a world-class studio weapon for nothing
bicep
Artists “Omnisphere’s like a Korg Wavestation on crack – you press one button and 16 things happen at once”: Bicep on soft synths, sampling glaciers and club-focused new project CHROMA 000
Arturia Pigments 7's updated Play Mode
Tech “Quickly grasp tone, timbre and intention behind each preset”: Arturia Pigments 7’s new reactive UI offers in-app tutorials and lets you visualise every sound
An Apple MacBook Air M4 on a desk with audio interface, headphones, and MIDI controller
Computers Best laptop for music production 2025: For home studios and mobile music-making - tested by experts
An Arturia MicroLab Mk3 on a desk with a pair of headphones
Midi Controllers Best MIDI keyboards 2025: Find the perfect match for your studio workflow
A Fractal Audio VP4 Virtual Pedalboard multi-effects pedal on a concrete floor
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals 2025: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
amenbreak
Tech AmenBreak VST is a break-slicing, sample-mangling junglist powerhouse - and there’s a free version
Halina Rice
Tech 'Immersive first' electronic musician Halina Rice on creating unique live experiences and new album, Unreality
push
Tech Ableton and Arturia reign supreme as Reverb reveals best-selling synths, samplers and drum machines of 2025
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech

The best music tech innovations of 2017

News
By MusicRadar published 5 December 2017

Not just new products, but new ideas

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

Music technology was born out of innovation, and software developers and hardware manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Some do this by creating products of the sort that we’ve never seen before, while others consider how we work and attempt to make our creative lives easier.

In recognition of those who’ve sought to break new ground this year, we put together a list of what we considered to be the best music tech innovations of 2017 and asked you to vote for the one that you considered to be the most game changing. Click through the gallery to discover your winner.

The MusicRadar Best in music tech awards 2017 are brought to you in association with Softube - Tools for the Audio Professional

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
nuraphone

nuraphone

They say: "We all hear differently. The nuraphone uses a self-learning engine to automatically tune to your unique hearing bringing your music into stunning focus. Discover the magic of the nuraphone."

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
Sonicsmith Audio Controlled Oscillator

Sonicsmith Audio Controlled Oscillator

They say: "The ACO chip can track the fundamental frequency (aka pitch) of an incoming audio signal and play an analogue synth along with the source at extremely high and dynamic rates so latency is imperceptible. In fact, the ACO’s latency cannot be measured in milliseconds. You’ll have to steer off to single-digit microseconds to measure latency from this silicon marvel. This ACO can also harmonise from the input audio on a musical scale. The result? It’s the quickest and smoothest “pitch-tracking and harmonisation” effect you’ve ever heard. Only this is not a sound effect. It’s an actual synth."

Find out more about Sonicsmith Audio Controlled Oscillator

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
Sensel Morph

Sensel Morph

We said: "Morph is a pressure-sensitive, multitouch input device. Nothing unusual about that, you might think, but the Big Idea here is that the control surface is completely customisable, so you can turn it into anything you like."

Find out more about Sensel Morph

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
Accusonus Regroover Pro

Accusonus Regroover Pro

We said: "Regroover may be a little unsure of its own remit, but that just makes it intriguing and open-ended. We can see it evolving into something truly special."

Read Accusonus Regroover review

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
Eventide Fission

Eventide Fission

We said: "With its innovative Structural Effects splitting algorithm and stunning signal processors, Fission is a brilliant plugin for both corrective and creative manipulation."

Read Eventide Fission review

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
Loopmasters Loopcloud

Loopmasters Loopcloud

We said: "Sample maven Loopmasters is promising what it describes as an "industry first" with Loopcloud, a new platform for managing your samples, MIDI files and presets."

Find out more about Loopmasters Loopcloud

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
Polyend Perc Pro

Polyend Perc Pro

We said: "Perc Pro is straightforward to set up, can handle most ‘human’ drumming tasks, and also delivers a hefty dose of creativity to your music-making life." 

Read Polyend Perc Pro review

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
Winner: Teenage Engineering PO-32 Tonic

Winner: Teenage Engineering PO-32 Tonic

We said: "The PO-32 is a fun and inspiring noise-maker, and the added MicroTonic compatibility broadens its sonic scope considerably."

Read Teenage Engineering PO-32 Tonic review

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
MusicRadar
MusicRadar
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number one website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers...

  • GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
  • TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
  • STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the craft of music-making that no other music website can.
Read more
Elizabeth J. Birch
How innovative minds are developing new technology to support music makers with disabilities
 
 
push
Ableton and Arturia reign supreme as Reverb reveals best-selling synths, samplers and drum machines of 2025
 
 
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
 
 
PreSonus Studio 24c in a home studio
My go-to audio interface is now even better value at under £80 in Gear4Music's early Black Friday sale
 
 
melosurf
Is this the future of the DAW? Melosurf is a voice-controlled AI assistant that lets you talk to Ableton Live
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score big savings on music gear ahead of Christmas from the likes of UAD, Casio, Waves, PRS and more
 
 
Latest in Tech
amenbreak
AmenBreak VST is a break-slicing, sample-mangling junglist powerhouse - and there’s a free version
 
 
behringer
Behringer says its $55 Oberheim-inspired UB-1 Micro is the "world's smallest full-featured analogue synth"
 
 
Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X – The latest and most high-profile addition to the Finnish brand's signature plugin range, Mayer's plugin is replete with captures of boutique, rare and one-off amps and pedals
It’s official! Neural DSP’s John Mayer Archetype plugin suite is here – and with Dumble, Klon and Reverberator captures, it is the motherlode for boutique electric guitar tone
 
 
nopia
"You don't need to know music theory – Nopia takes care of that": Two years after going viral, this pastel-coloured, harmony-focused synth has finally broken cover
 
 
Dua Lipa and Sir Elton John attend the 29th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on April 25, 2021
“The government must now back British music”: The UK public backs tougher laws to stop AI firms scraping copyright material
 
 
Gary Numan Cars Video
How to emulate the sound of Gary Numan’s synth-pop classic Cars
 
 
Latest in News
Dijon
The 'secret sauce' that creates Dijon’s distinctive vocal sound isn't what you thought it was
 
 
Keeley Electronics Nocturne: this new stereo reverb is the latest signature pedal for Andy Timmons and has a dark metallic blue enclosure with a similar control surface to his Halo Core pedal.
“I turn this thing on, I don’t want to stop playing”: Keeley Electronics has made Andy Timmons fall in love with reverb with his new signature Nocturne pedal
 
 
Money
“They represent rent paid, instruments bought and careers sustained”: PRS has distributed nearly £275 million in 2025
 
 
Paul McCartney points to the crowd and raises an eyebrow as he performs with his iconic Höfner Violin Bass
Paul McCartney's favourite bass company is in trouble – Höfner's future uncertain as it files provisional insolvency proceedings
 
 
Jane's Addiction
“We have come together one last time to resolve our differences”: Peace breaks out between Perry Farrell and Jane's Addiction
 
 
Digital generated image of abstract multicoloured wave pattern.
“So many ways a fan can support an artist they love”: Billboard attempt a chart repair job
 
 

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

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • 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...