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
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Heart of Gold
  • Vince Clarke's favourite synth
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The Beatles' medley masterpiece
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

Benji Vaughan's favourite music software

News
By Computer Music published 28 May 2012

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

Native Instruments Maschine

Native Instruments Maschine

“I bought this a couple of weeks ago, and it’s brought such a change to the way I work - it’s the percussive hub of every track I do now. For a while I found the process of making percussion parts frustrating, but Maschine makes beat programming fun, fast and intuitive.”

Read Native Instruments Maschine 1.5 review

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Audio Damage Automaton

Audio Damage Automaton

“Automaton does great random glitch stuff. It’s baffling to use but ace! There are so many sequence-based glitch FX out there, but I particularly like the way Automaton sews the granularised samples back together - it sounds grainy and unique.

“For me, it works best on sounds with a thin, rhythmic tone, like guitar arpeggios or upper-octave pianos.”

Read Audio Damage Automaton

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Apple Logic Pro

Apple Logic Pro

“I have a love-hate relationship with Logic. It’s buggy as hell, but it’s like a girlfriend - I just can’t leave, cos I love it!

“It’s such an amazing package. The instruments and FX are pretty good, but the main thing is the sequencer and the limitless nature of the Environment - it can seem daunting, but it’s worth getting your head round.”

Read Apple Logic Pro 9 review

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Universal Audio Lexicon 224

Universal Audio Lexicon 224

“Reverb is the spice that brings sounds to life, and this is the best reverb plug-in I’ve found.

“It’s based on a classic Lexicon from the early ‘80s. The UAD version is stunning. It has that magical quality of creating a clear space around sounds without adding a mushy, muddled sheen to a mix.”

Read Universal Audio Lexicon 224 review

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Future Audio Workshop Circle

Future Audio Workshop Circle

“The genius interface makes this synth a joy to use. I find many soft synths so uncreative. Nothing kills the feeling of being creative for me more than scrolling though presets on a synth, and so many of the interfaces are too complicated.

“Circle is the opposite. It works beautifully and invites you to be creative. It tends to need a bit of processing to bring the sound to life, but it’s my go-to synth at the moment as I can think of a sound and design it in five minutes. That’s how your workflow should be, I think.”

Read Future Audio Workshop Circle review

Benji is playing at Glade festival, Norfolk, from 14-17 June

Liked this? Now read: The stars' favourite music software

Connect with MusicRadar: via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Computer Music
Computer Music
Social Links Navigation

Computer Music magazine is the world’s best selling publication dedicated solely to making great music with your Mac or PC computer. Each issue it brings its lucky readers the best in cutting-edge tutorials, need-to-know, expert software reviews and even all the tools you actually need to make great music today, courtesy of our legendary CM Plugin Suite.

Read more
GForce Software Oddity3
Synths How to master virtually any software synth
 
 
A MacBook Pro running Ableton Live DAW
Digital Audio Workstation Best DAWs 2026: The best digital audio workstations for PC and Mac
 
 
jasper tygner
Artists "There's something about it that you just don't get with soft synths": Jasper Tygner on why he loves his Moog Grandmother
 
 
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
 
 
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
 
 
An Apple Mac Mini M4 on a light green background
Computers Best PCs for music production 2026: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
sonic charge
Tech Is Synplant 2's new prompt-based patch generator the future of synthesis?
 
 
Fender Studio Pro
Digital Audio Workstation Fender embraces AI as its Studio Pro DAW integrates Moises stem separation and a smart studio assistant
 
 
UA
Tech Universal Audio takes on Auto-Tune with Topline Vocal Tune – and promises pitch-perfect vocals "from the first take"
 
 
Cockos
Digital Audio Workstation We explore how Reaper is taking over the production world one enthusiastic user at a time
 
 
ableton
Tech After seeing them in action, I’m convinced that Ableton’s Extensions are going to change how music-makers use Live forever
 
 
Arturia Memory V synth plugin
Tech Arturia Memory V “resurrects the analogue majesty of the Memorymoog with breathtaking authenticity”
 
 
Latest in News
Graham Coxon of The Waeve performs on the Castle Stage during Day 2 of Victorious Festival on August 24, 2025 in Southsea, England.
Guitarists “Ray Davies is the best songwriter we ever had”: Graham Coxon on his influences and why his new album is coming out late
 
 
Taylor Swift attends the SongWriters' Hall of Fame induction ceremony 2026
Singers & Songwriters “I will never be able to express my gratitude”: Taylor Swift pays tribute to her parents at Songwriters Hall Of Fame ceremony
 
 
Mike Stock
Artists Producer Mike Stock on the secret sauce in Rick Astley's biggest song and hating being called a 'hit factory'
 
 
Elvis Costello and Olivia Rodrigo composite image
Singers & Songwriters "Too silly to talk about”: Elvis Costello won’t be suing Olivia Rodrigo over supposed plagiarism
 
 
Anika Nilles of Rush performs during the opening night of their first American tour in 11 years at The Kia Forum on June 07, 2026 in Inglewood, California
Drummers “I thought, 'I have no idea how I'm learning that'”: How Anika Nilles prepared for the Rush tour
 
 
Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi perform as Earth, just before the band was renamed Black Sabbath
Artists How Tony Iommi found the secret to his Black Sabbath tone (and how he lost it)
 
 

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...