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
  • Black Friday
  • 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
FabFilter screen grab
Software & Apps FabFilter's killer Black Friday sale just launched, including hefty discounts on the essential production tools I reach for with every mix
Two guitars and a pedal on a blue and white background
Guitars Thomann just carved some serious cash off Harley Benton guitars, pedals and accessories for Black Friday - here's 4 of my favourite deals for you
Quentin testing a Yamaha piano
Keyboards & Pianos Best digital pianos 2025: I'm a professional piano and music gear reviewer, and these are my top picks
Drum kit with a red overlay and blue text saying 'best Christmas gifts for drummers'
Drums Best Christmas gifts for drummers 2025: my pick of affordable festive gifts they'll actually use
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 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
Santa Claus playing piano in front of a Christmas tree
Keyboards & Pianos Best Christmas gifts for piano players 2025: the ultimate festive gift guide for pianists, covering all budgets
Apple iMac M4
Computers Best PCs for music production 2025: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
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
An Asus Aspire 5 laptop
Computers Best budget laptops for music production 2025: Affordable laptops for making music
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
Pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors sat on a case
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
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
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
A home music studio with MIDI keyboard, Mac, and dual screens showing a DAW
Recording Best Christmas gifts for music producers 2025: 9 affordable ideas they'll actually use
More
  • Black Friday plugin deals
  • Pete Townshend on smashing - and fixing - his guitars
  • AI slop hits #1
  • The pain that birthed Don't Speak
  • Europe vs AI
  • 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.
Deals not to miss
FabFilter screen grab
FabFilter's killer Black Friday sale just launched, including hefty discounts on the essential production tools I reach for with every mix
 
 
Two guitars and a pedal on a blue and white background
Thomann just carved some serious cash off Harley Benton guitars, pedals and accessories for Black Friday - here's 4 of my favourite deals for you
 
 
A Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 on a desk with various audio interfaces in the background
Best audio interface 2025: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
 
 
Santa Claus playing piano in front of a Christmas tree
Best Christmas gifts for piano players 2025: the ultimate festive gift guide for pianists, covering all budgets
 
 
Apple iMac M4
Best PCs for music production 2025: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
 
 
Kids hands on a beginner keyboard
Best keyboards for beginners 2025: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
 
 
Latest in Tech
A Universal Audio Apollo Twin X audio interface on a blue background
I’ve tested 12 audio interfaces this year and 5 of my favorites are already on sale for Black Friday with some hefty discounts – find out which is best for your workflow
 
 
FabFilter screen grab
FabFilter's killer Black Friday sale just launched, including hefty discounts on the essential production tools I reach for with every mix
 
 
An ESP and Kramer electric guitars on a blue background
Thomann just came out firing for Black Friday with up to 70% off a massive line-up of music gear
 
 
MPH
“I got woken up at 3 AM by a fan spamming my DMs. I looked at the stream and was like, ‘no way!’ I’m still in disbelief”: UKG phenom MPH on featuring in Thomas Bangalter’s comeback DJ set
 
 
Kraftwerk, German electronic band, during a concert, September 16, 1978. (Photo by Christian Rose/Roger Viollet via Getty Images)
I went to the Kraftwerk auction to buy their chairs, but came back with a studio's worth of gear instead
 
 
IK Multimedia iLoud Sub
“If the studio fits on a desktop, iLoud Sub fits right in”: IK Multimedia’s new sub is perfect for small setups
 
 
Latest in News
Queen perform in concert with Freddie Mercury wearing black leotard at the Forum on December 22, 1977 in Inglewood, California
“I’m very taken with the idea that we can be the original Queen again” Brian May says he's looking at a possible hologram show
 
 
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: Billie Eilish performs onstage during "Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour" at Kaseya Center on October 09, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Live Nation)
Billie Eilish wraps her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour… then immediately confirms the release date for her 3D film
 
 
Jimmy Cliff at Island Records' Studio One in London
“His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations”: Jamaica, and the world mourns Jimmy Cliff
 
 
Richard Christopher Wakeman CBE, English keyboardist and composer best known as a member of the progressive rock band Ye
"I still seem to be very capable of hitting the odd wrong note”: Rick Wakeman shares positive health update
 
 
Jellybean Johnson
Jellybean Johnson, drummer with Prince associates The Time, has died, aged 69
 
 
Two guitars and a pedal on a blue and white background
Thomann just carved some serious cash off Harley Benton guitars, pedals and accessories for Black Friday - here's 4 of my favourite deals for you
 
 

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...