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
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

Catz 'n Dogz's favourite music software

News
By Computer Music ( Computer Music ) published 30 December 2013

The house heroes reveal their top five tools

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

AudioRealism Bass Line Pro (ABL Pro)

AudioRealism Bass Line Pro (ABL Pro)

“This one is fundamental to our production. It’s super-intuitive and really easy to wire different oscillators together. It includes great delay, and the sound is very near analogue. Usually we just use simple compression. Secret tip: LFO Bass and Sine Sub presets.”

Read Audiorealism Bass Line Pro review

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Valhalla DSP ValhallaShimmer

Valhalla DSP ValhallaShimmer

“At first we were sceptical about Shimmer because it has a really digital sound, but actually this is its best feature. If you change Size and Feedback in real time, it creates weird pitch changes that are great for long build-ups. It’s important to cut the low end after because it creates a lot of sub bass.”

Find out more about Valhalla DSP ValhallaShimmer

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
D16 Group Devastor

D16 Group Devastor

“This one is tricky - it’s easy to overuse it. It’s a distortion plugin, but we usually use it to add a bit of crispiness on percussion. It sounds the best when you use it on just one or two parts; otherwise, it’s really hard to make a final mix.”

Read D16 Group Devastor review

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Audio Damage Ratshack Reverb

Audio Damage Ratshack Reverb

“This has a warm, old-school sound that’s great for making vocals a bit dirty. It’s also perfect for making quick and simple build- ups. When changing Delay/Repeat, you can do some really cool tricks. With max Repeat at the end and a bit of microphone distortion, you can make the club go crazy.”

Find out more about Audio Damage Ratshack Reverb

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Native Instruments Reaktor: Cyan

Native Instruments Reaktor: Cyan

“We think that Reaktor plugins are underrated. Every time we talk with friends that make music, nobody ever uses Cyan, yet it’s the best plugin for pads and synths we’ve ever heard. It adds a lot of space and also crazy off-tune chorus that makes everything sound a bit weirder.”

The Stinky Lollipop EP - with Eats Everything - is out now on www.pets-recordings.com

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.

Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects… image
Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects…
…with the latest issue of Computer Music magazine
More Info
Latest in Software & Apps
lalal.ai
LALAL.AI brings its AI-powered stem separation into your DAW with its first plugin
 
 
tape fiasco
This free, super-glitchy multi-effects plugin is designed for happy accidents
 
 
Apple Creator Studio Logic Pro
“Experienced producers might feel uneasy about the focus being put so heavily on AI and the Session Players, but it’s still an instant recommendation”: Apple Logic Pro for Mac 12 and Logic Pro for iPad 3 review
 
 
Native Instruments logo
Native Instruments is in preliminary insolvency
 
 
Harry Styles Aperture
How Harry Styles brought the sounds of minimal techno to the world of pop with new single, Aperture
 
 
Hottest music tech gear of NAMM
The best music tech gear of NAMM 2026: Epic polys, acoustic synths, budget samplers, a Behringer Juno and more
 
 
Latest in News
will.i.am attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards
“Robots will be here on the red carpet before 2030”: Will-i-am predicts Grammys will soon be given to AI
 
 
Leo Woodall in Tuner
“I’m just a piano tuner, man”: Could Tuner be the audiology thriller we never knew we needed?
 
 
Mark Ronson on June 13, 2019
"His creative influence spans every corner of contemporary culture”: Mark Ronson to receive Brits Outstanding Contribution award
 
 
Lamb of God's Mark Morton performs live on a stage lit in yellow and orange. He plays his new Les Paul Modern Quilt
Mark Morton and Gibson unveil a signature Les Paul that brings the fire with a “flamethrower” bridge humbucker
 
 
Vernon Reid of Living Colour [left] smiles as he plays his Reverend signature model live onstage. On the right, Jack White, bathed in blue stage lights, plays his Fender Triplecaster.
Vernon Reid says he hopes he and Jack White have started a trend for pro guitarists swapping signature models
 
 
Meryl Streep, Joni Mitchell, composite image
Meryl Streep to star in long-time coming Joni Mitchell biopic
 
 

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...