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
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  1. Guitars

The 6 best guitar innovations of 2018

News
By MusicRadar Team
Published 3 December 2018

The guitar gear moving things forward

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

6. DigiTech SDRUM

6. DigiTech SDRUM

The Total Guitar/MusicRadar Best in guitars 2018 polls received an astonishing 126,000 votes, and we're now ready to roll out the winners. The nominees were what we considered to be the guitarists and guitar gear that have excelled in 2018. Here, we present the best guitar innovations of 2018. First up we have the DigiTech SDRUM...

We say: For players who are seeking to get quick and easy rhythm tracks down, this is an inspirational tool.

Read the review: DigiTech SDRUM review

The MusicRadar Best in guitars awards are brought to you in association with Ernie Ball. #colorsofrocknroll

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
5. Line 6 Powercab Plus

5. Line 6 Powercab Plus

We say: Another guitar gear revolution from Line 6, and a perfect companion for modelling floorboard users.

Read the review: Line 6 Powercab Plus review

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
4. Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2

4. Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2

We say: Positive Grid has raised the amp plugin game with this fully featured, tone-filled update.

Read the review: Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2 review

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
3. TC Electronic Ditto Jam X2 Looper

3. TC Electronic Ditto Jam X2 Looper

We say: An innovative approach that offers clever beat sync functionality, the ability to slow down loops and tap tempo.

Read the review: TC Electronic Ditto Jam X2 Looper review

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
2. Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box

2. Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box

We say: The OX is a flawed yet potentially brilliant design, aimed shamelessly at the top end of the pro market, where most potential customers will already have the means to exploit its current capabilities.

Read the review: Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box review

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Winner: Fractal Axe-Fx III

Winner: Fractal Axe-Fx III

We say: Other, more affordable units will probably scratch the itch for most players, but if you simply, positively have to have the best road-ready modeller in the world, then accept no substitutes.

Read the review: Fractal Axe-Fx III review

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
MusicRadar Team
MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number 1 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 actual craft of music making that no other music website can.
Read more
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
A guitar VST running in Kontakt player on a computer
Plugins Best guitar VSTs 2026: Get the best simulated guitar tones for your next production
 
 
Stranberg x Jam Stik MIDI
Electric Guitars “Sounds you'll never have heard from a guitar before”: Strandberg x Jamstik Chameleon review
 
 
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals 2026: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
 
 
A worn, dirty pedalboard with a variety of different guitar pedals
Pedalboards Best pedalboards 2026: top choice 'boards for guitarists
 
 
Latest in Guitars
HeadRush unveils Prime, “the most powerful, versatile, and realistic-sounding floorboard FX processor ever”
Guitars HeadRush rolls out Tone3000 integration and native support for NAM captures to its amp modellers
 
 
Chris Payton shows Planet Guitar his Collings I-35, a gift from Bruno Mars
Artists Chris Payton reveals his rig for Bruno Mars stadium shows
 
 
Tony Iommi and Brian May pictured together in 2006.
Guitarists Tony Iommi on Brian May’s cameo on his new solo album and why the Queen guitarist is its only guest
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
Mastodon pictured after performing on Late Night with Seth Meyers in 2021 [L-R]: Brent Hinds, Troy Sanders, Brann Dailor, and Bill Kelliher.
Artists Mastodon's Brann Dailor and Troy Sanders on their complicated relationship with the late Brent Hinds
 
 
Tony Iommi sits at an old table and contemplates his guitar.
Artists Hear Tony Iommi's new single World Alone as the Black Sabbath icon announces his solo album
 
 
Latest in News
HeadRush unveils Prime, “the most powerful, versatile, and realistic-sounding floorboard FX processor ever”
Guitars HeadRush rolls out Tone3000 integration and native support for NAM captures to its amp modellers
 
 
Chris Payton shows Planet Guitar his Collings I-35, a gift from Bruno Mars
Artists Chris Payton reveals his rig for Bruno Mars stadium shows
 
 
David Rivkin Prince
Artists Prince collaborator David Z, who helped create one of his biggest hits, has died, aged 78
 
 
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 15: Raphael Saadiq performs onstage during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Artists “I don’t want any undos. There’s no ‘undo’ in good music": Raphael Saadiq on why he records to tape
 
 
Tony Iommi and Brian May pictured together in 2006.
Guitarists Tony Iommi on Brian May’s cameo on his new solo album and why the Queen guitarist is its only guest
 
 
Brandon Flowers lead singer of the Killers performing before the UEFA Champions League Final 2026 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Puskas Arena on May 30, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary
Singers & Songwriters “How much longer do I want to do this anyway?”: Brandon Flowers appears to be having an existential crisis
 
 

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 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...