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68 Modern Musical Innovations

From Modular Music Stands to Musical Smart Rings

— January 25, 2018 — Tech
Music is something almost everyone can enjoy and with so much emerging tech, it only makes sense that it would work its way into this auditory art form. There is something to say about classics and simplistic design, but it's hard to ignore the impact of technology on music. Starting from basic amplifiers to what is possible now may seem daunting, but embracing technology is art is the first step to embracing it in everyday life.

Featured on this list is a musical smart ring that is built to enhance music through technology. The ring allows keyboard players to control pitch, vibrato and other effects with a simple hand gestures. These commands feature full customization through companion software and can easily add musical flair with very little effort.

Also on this list is a beautiful indie game built around singing. With so many videogames opting for violent resolution, it can be quite refreshing to see something that uses music as a solution to problems. The games mechanics have the player control octaves with each eliciting a different response. While not a direct musical innovation, games and other media like this look to elevate the craft and may even inspire future musicians.
5.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
68
DJ-Made Music Mixers
DJ-Made Music Mixers
Techno DJ Richie Hawtin Designs his own DJ Mixer to Break Boundaries
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67
Music-Upgrading Portable Amplifiers
Music-Upgrading Portable Amplifiers
The Oppo Portable Headphone Amplifier Richly Enhances Tunes
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66
Connective Musical Interfaces
Connective Musical Interfaces
This MIDI Interface Bridges Computing Devices & Musical Instruments
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65
Visible Component Headphones
Visible Component Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 820 Headphones were Announced at CES 2018
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64
Co-Branded Audio Electronics
Co-Branded Audio Electronics
IKEA and Sonos are Collaborating on a Collection of Sound Products
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63
Song-Based Indie Games
Song-Based Indie Games
The Indie Game 'Wandesong' is a Whimsical Adventure of Music and Friendship
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62
Vibrational Instrument Tuners
Vibrational Instrument Tuners
The 'Roadie 2' Guitar Tuners Automatically Adjust Your Equipment
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61
WiFi Router Speakers
WiFi Router Speakers
The ASUS 'Lyra Voice' Eliminates WiFi Dead Spots and Has Amazon Alexa
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60
Easy-to-Learn Pianos
Easy-to-Learn Pianos
The Yamaha Clavinova Piano Flashes Lights Above Keys to Quicken Learning
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59
Horrific Music Machines
Horrific Music Machines
'The Apprehension Engine' is Designed to Make Horror Movie-Style Music
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58
Bluetooth Workout Headphones
Bluetooth Workout Headphones
Japan's Audio-Technica Took Part in CES to Unveil New Headphones
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57
Beginner Percussion Synthesizers
Beginner Percussion Synthesizers
Moog's DFAM is a Drum Synth Made for Those with No Experience
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56
Portable Directional Speakers
Portable Directional Speakers
The Samsung S-Ray is a Contactless Alternative to Earphones
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55
Digital Audio Amplifiers
Digital Audio Amplifiers
The Element Headphone Audio Amplifiers Optimize the Listening Experience
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54
Virtual Keyboard Apps
Virtual Keyboard Apps
This App Allows Users to Create Custom Sounds with Their Smartphone
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53
Novel Sound Synthesizers
Novel Sound Synthesizers
Google's NSynth AI Creates Completely New Sounds
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52
Tone-Tweaking Guitars
Tone-Tweaking Guitars
The Custom Collection 50 Deluxe Guitar Offers Four-Way Knob Switching
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51
Virtual Music Synthesizers
Virtual Music Synthesizers
The VR Lyra Allows For Mid-Air Touch Control Of a Software Synthesizer
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50
Professional Home Audio Products
Professional Home Audio Products
Sennheiser Broadens Its Product Collection to Home Speakers
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49
Premium Smart Home Speakers
Premium Smart Home Speakers
The Google Assistant-Powered LG ThinQ Heads Up the 2018 Speaker Lineup
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48
Intelligent String Instruments
Intelligent String Instruments
The Populele Smart Ukulele's App and LEDs Trim the Learning Curve
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47
Secure Smart Speakers
Secure Smart Speakers
Mitipi Facilitates a Secure Household with This Smart Speaker
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46
FM Radio Bluetooth Speakers
FM Radio Bluetooth Speakers
The HiFi MC Micro Portable Music System Can Be Carried Anywhere
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45
Handheld Music-Creating Gadgets
Handheld Music-Creating Gadgets
The Motus Lets You Make Music Without Having to Play An Instrument
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44
Intuitive Music-Learning Systems
Intuitive Music-Learning Systems
'Dodeka Music' Teaches Music Theory Through a Revamped Keyboard
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43
Studio-Quality Audio Recorders
Studio-Quality Audio Recorders
The Roland R-07 Offers Premium Results
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42
Premium Music-Enhancing Devices
Premium Music-Enhancing Devices
The McIntosh MHA50 Portable Decoding Amplifier is Compact
<
41
Immersive Vehicle Sound Systems
Immersive Vehicle Sound Systems
The New Audi A8 Features a Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System
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40
Powerful Palm-Sized Speakers
Powerful Palm-Sized Speakers
The Sphereo X2 Speakers Offer Premium Quality and a Compact Design
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39
Smart Multi-Feature Drum Pads
Smart Multi-Feature Drum Pads
The 'BopPad' Smart Drum Pad is for Drummers and Percussionists
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38
Retro Rechargeable Speakers
Retro Rechargeable Speakers
The Klipsch Capitol One Speaker Celebrates Capitol Records
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37
Antiquated Audio Amplifiers
Antiquated Audio Amplifiers
The Klipsch Heritage Headphone Amplifier Provides Impressive Features
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36
Smart Digital Keyboard Cases
Smart Digital Keyboard Cases
The Seaboard RISE Flip Case by Roli Provides Function and Protection
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35
Music-Focused Smartwatches
Music-Focused Smartwatches
The Garmin Forerunner 645 Music Watch Has Garmin Pay and More
<
34
Responsive Illumination Speakers
Responsive Illumination Speakers
The Harman Kardon Allure Smart Speaker Provides 360-Degree Audio
<
33
Nostalgia-Inducing Stereo Systems
Nostalgia-Inducing Stereo Systems
The Capitol One Speaker Series Has an Analog or Bluetooth Option
<
32
Bamboo Smartphone Amplifiers
Bamboo Smartphone Amplifiers
This Product Works to Enhance the Sound of Smartphones Without Tech
<
31
Multi-Purpose Sound Devices
Multi-Purpose Sound Devices
Toshiba's Symbio is a Smart Home Hub, Intercom and Sound Detector
<
30
Illegal Firearm-Made Headphones
Illegal Firearm-Made Headphones
The Yevo X Humanium Headphones are at CES 2018
<
29
Modular Music Stands
Modular Music Stands
The 'Senstand' Converts into a Bevy of Different Standing Units
<
28
Audiophile-Approved MP3 Players
Audiophile-Approved MP3 Players
The HiBy R6 Android HiFi Music Player is Professional Quality
<
27
Music Preference Dating Apps
Music Preference Dating Apps
The 'soundm8' Musical Dating App Bases Matches on Your Tune Taste
<
26
Recording Studio Restaurants
Recording Studio Restaurants
Nando's in London Features a Free-to-Use Recording Studio
<
25
Multipurpose Sampler Synthesizers
Multipurpose Sampler Synthesizers
The Deluge Synthesizer Offers Countless Sound Production Tools
<
24
VR Music Festival Apps
VR Music Festival Apps
Beldent Infinit Wants to Make Music Festivals Accessible to All
<
23
Affordable Digital Amplifiers
Affordable Digital Amplifiers
The 'NAD D 3020 V2' is a Digital Amplifier that Keeps Costs Down
<
22
Premium Plywood Turntables
Premium Plywood Turntables
Clearaudio Used Plywood and Aluminum for Its Luxurious Turntable
<
21
Cubic Multi-Room Loudspeakers
Cubic Multi-Room Loudspeakers
The Teenage Engineering OD-11 Speaker Comes in Four Color Options
<
20
Vintage Director-Inspired Speakers
Vintage Director-Inspired Speakers
Bang & Olufsen is Retailing 30 David Lynch-Inspired Speakers
<
19
Assistive Smart Piano Systems
Assistive Smart Piano Systems
The One Piano Strip Offers Portable Piano Learning Help
<
18
Music-Enhancing MP3 Players
Music-Enhancing MP3 Players
The Sony NW-A45 Hi-Res Walkman Offers Up to 45 Hours of Playback
<
17
Compact Smartphone Guitar Amplifiers
Compact Smartphone Guitar Amplifiers
The 'JamStack' Connects Guitar Players to a Bevy of Effects
<
16
Rotating Dial Control Headphones
Rotating Dial Control Headphones
These Mobile Wireless Earbuds Boast a Physical Control Aesthetic
<
15
Tech-Updated Iconic Guitars
Tech-Updated Iconic Guitars
The Spirit of Innovation Continues in the New Fender Classic Guitars
<
14
Surround Sound Helmet Devices
Surround Sound Helmet Devices
Domio's New Helmet Audio Device Turns Any Helmet into a Sound System
<
13
Modular Home Theater Speakers
Modular Home Theater Speakers
The Damson S-Series Lets Consumers Mix and Match Units
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12
Bluetooth-Connected Digital Guitars
Bluetooth-Connected Digital Guitars
The Digital Rhythm Guitar Helps Users Play Music More Quickly
<
11
3D-Printed Aluminum Guitars
3D-Printed Aluminum Guitars
Olaf Diegel's Latest Guitar is the First Instrument Of Its Kind
<
10
Powerful Portable Boomboxes
Powerful Portable Boomboxes
The BeatBringer Can Be Carried Around In Your Backpack
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9
Luxury Car Brand Speakers
Luxury Car Brand Speakers
The Mercedes-Benz Wireless Speaker Incorporates a Vehicle Aesthetic
<
8
Motion-Controlled Musical Instruments
Motion-Controlled Musical Instruments
The Wiggle Kit is a Motion Instrument to Control One's Voice
<
7
Musical Smart Rings
Musical Smart Rings
Enhancia Enhances Performance Through New Music Technology
<
6
Vintage Wireless Smart Speakers
Vintage Wireless Smart Speakers
Klipsch Unveiled Smart Speakers with a Vintage Look at CES 2018
<
5
Newfangled String Instruments
Newfangled String Instruments
This Yamaha Electric Violin Gives Time-Honored Sound a New Form
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4
Artistic Wooden Wall Speakers
Artistic Wooden Wall Speakers
The Room One 'Surface' Speaker Hides in Plain Sight
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3
Connected Hybrid Guitars
Connected Hybrid Guitars
The Sensus Smart Guitar Blends Acoustic and Modern Sounds
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2
Fireplace-Inspired Bluetooth Speakers
Fireplace-Inspired Bluetooth Speakers
The Fireside Audiobox Features Flames That Respond to Music
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1
MIDI Interface Violins
MIDI Interface Violins
The 'IMI' Electric Violin Instrument Has No Strings and a Refreshing Design
<