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

Christian Smith's favourite music software

News
By Computer Music ( Computer Music ) published 16 March 2016

The Majorca-based tech-house don and Tronic boss will now happily accept imitations

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

Ableton Live

Ableton Live

“I’ve been using Ableton for a long, long time. At first, I missed the excitement of a hardware studio, but moving onboard gives you so many more options and so many more sounds. Ableton is an amazing DAW.”

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
AudioRealism Bass Line

AudioRealism Bass Line

“Another one that reminds me of the analogue era. When I first heard the software 303s, I didn’t think they were quite as deep as the real thing, but these days… I cannot tell the difference. I was talking to Richie Hawtin about this, and even he says that the plugins are getting it right.”

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
UAD MXR Flanger/Doubler

UAD MXR Flanger/Doubler

“I think it’s hard to find a really good software flanger; not many developers have managed to get that warm analogue sound. For me, the MXR is the best one out there.

“To be honest, I would have been happy to talk about any of the UAD plugins. I’ve got the whole set and every one sounds incredible.”

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Arturia Mini V

Arturia Mini V

“Because I come from a hardware background, I was drawn to the Arturia V collection. The Minimoog gets used for most of my basslines and stabs. The only problem is that it eats up a lot of processor because you have to EQ it, compress it and really shape the sound. If you feed it straight into a track, it feels way too heavy.”

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Soundtoys PanMan

Soundtoys PanMan

“I love panning… adding some serious width to a track. I’m really getting into panning my hats at the moment; a fast pan that doesn’t affect the sound too much, but gives you so much space. Any producer who doesn’t investigate the Soundtoys plugins is a fool. They will make your music sound better!”

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
UJAM
“I’ll be having fun with this for a long time to come”: UJAM's Voxcraft delivers creative vocal manipulation without the menu-diving
 
 
filter delays
Ableton Live co-creator Robert Henke updates a classic Live effect with free M4L device Filter Delays
 
 
roland
Cherry Audio’s SH-MAX takes on a trio of classic Roland monosynths called upon by everyone from Kraftwerk to Tame Impala
 
 
Fractal Audio ICONS; the amp modelling company debuts its first-ever plugin suite for guitarists.
Amp modelling titan Fractal Audio unveils its first guitar plugin suite
 
 
ableton
Ableton Live 12.4 introduces Link Audio and updates Erosion, Delay and Chorus-Ensemble devices
 
 
lalal.ai
LALAL.AI brings its AI-powered stem separation into your DAW with its first plugin
 
 
Latest in News
Paul Gilbert and Joe Satriani jam at the 2012 Marshall 50 Years of Loud Live anniversary concert
Paul Gilbert on why it can be so hard to resist the urge to shred
 
 
Line 6 Helix Stadium
Could the Line 6 Helix Stadium Floor be a serious rival to the Quad Cortex?
 
 
MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 19: Billy Idol, Steve Stevens and The Warning Rock Band with Alejandra Villarreal, Daniela Villarreal and Paulina Villarreal perform during the GRAMMY celebration of Latin Music on October 19, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images)
“Digs deep into his emergence as a prototypical punk rocker”: Billy Idol doc to be released next week
 
 
MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 20: The band Gorillaz during their performance at the Pulse of Gaia Festival, at the Universidad Autonoma, on September 20, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. Gorillaz, the iconic virtual band led by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, is in the spotlight this 2025 for the announcement of their new album, "The Mountain," which will be released worldwide on March 20, 2026 through their own label, KONG. The band is celebrating its 25th anniversary with special concerts in London and the tour to present the new album, which in 2026 will tour Manchester, Birmingham, Dublin and culminate at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. (Photo By A. Perez Meca/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Damon Albarn suggests that Gorillaz helped to lay the groundwork for the success of KPop Demon Hunters
 
 
Josh Middleton takes a solo on his signature ESP / LTD electric guitar during a Sylosis live show in San Francisco, 2025.
“You can have a great amp but if the speaker sucks it won’t sound good”: Sylosis' Josh Middleton on the most important link in your signal chain
 
 
Close-up of headphones on the table in the broadcasting room at the radio station.
“These chemicals may be migrating from the headphones into our body”: Research suggests headphones contain dangerous toxins
 
 

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...