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
  • Cyber Monday
  • 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
MPH
Artists “I got woken up at 3 AM by a fan spamming my DMs. I’m still in disbelief”: UKG phenom MPH on featuring in Thomas Bangalter’s comeback DJ set
Semtek aka DJ Persuasion
Artists 7 great house and techno tips from Don’t Be Afraid label boss Semtek (aka DJ Persuasion)
modeselektor
Artists "The 808 is still one of the sexiest drum machines ever built": Modeselektor on classic Roland gear
kid harpoon
Producers & Engineers “There’s a reason that the Juno-106 is still the greatest”: Kid Harpoon on vintage synths and studio secrets
decap
Artists “I'm getting on an airplane, I'm listening to a song and it has my sound in it”: How DECAP's Drums That Knock became the must-have sample pack for modern producers
ELMONT, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Sombr performs during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for MTV)
Artists “In the actual song you hear today, the guitars, the riff, the bass, the drums and all the vocals are from those initial takes I did in my bedroom”: Sombr on the making of viral hit Undressed, and his formula for creating "a legendary indie rock song"
jim-e stack
Tech “You can make the best album ever with just a laptop and plugins”: Jim-E Stack reveals his production secrets
Dave Ball Soft Cell
Synths Classic Interview: Soft Cell’s Dave Ball – “To my mind, Kraftwerk are as influential as The Beatles”
verses gt
Artists Jacques Greene and Nosaj Thing on the making of their new collaborative project, Verses GT
Adrian Sherwood
Artists Dub pioneer Adrian Sherwood on embracing AI and playing the studio like an instrument
trevor horn
Artists "It was the best-sounding piece of kit ever – but they were so up themselves": Trevor Horn on the pioneering synth that defined the sound of Welcome to the Pleasuredome
Adam F
Artists Adam F on making '90s DnB classic Colours – and why he’s re-recording it for 2025
Geoff Barrow
Artists Geoff Barrow on pigeonholing, production and beating imposter syndrome to become a film soundtrack composer
imad royal
Producers & Engineers “I’m a big preset guy. If a preset’s called Fat Bass, there’s a 90% chance it’s actually a fat bass”: Rico Nasty and Benson Boone producer Imad Royal on saving time and staying focused in the studio
MARIBOU
Artists “Each of our albums had a synth that really excited us. The first was a Prophet ‘08, the second was the MS-20, and this time the Moog Matriarch is on every track”: Maribou State on Hallucinating Love
More
  • Cyber Monday plugin deals - LIVE
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

David Zowie's favourite music software

News
By Computer Music ( Computer Music ) published 14 September 2015

The man behind this summer's party anthem reveals his software secrets

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

Apple Logic Pro

Apple Logic Pro

For years, I worked on PC and held out with Logic 5.1. Eventually, I had to bite the bullet and switched over to Mac.

Logic sounds were integral to the making of House Every Weekend. ES2 and ESM… Both very basic synths but capable of so much.

Read Apple Logic Pro X review

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Universal Audio Ampex ATR-102

Universal Audio Ampex ATR-102

My Apollo Twin interface has finally unlocked the world of UAD. The Fairchild Tube Limiter is great for vocals, but it’s the Ampex that gets the most use.

My only tip? Think carefully about what you really want from a UAD - they ain’t cheap!

Read Universal Audio Ampex ATR-102 review

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Native Instruments Komplete 10 Ultimate

Native Instruments Komplete 10 Ultimate

There’s not much you can say about this, is there? So much in one package… Razor, Reaktor… Massive, of course.

What I love about Native Instruments stuff is that you think you know a synth, but then you delve a bit deeper and it’ll suddenly open up a whole new set of sounds.

Read Native Instruments Komplete 10 Ultimate review

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Lindell Plugins 6X-500 CM

Lindell Plugins 6X-500 CM

I’ve been reading Computer Music for years, and some of the free software has been awesome. This is a very simple preamp, but it adds so much character to a sound.

Over the last couple of years, software seems to be getting really close to the feel of analogue. And I got this one for free!

Find out more about Lindell plugins 6X-500 CM

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Waves Platinum bundle

Waves Platinum bundle

I’ve got to mention this because it’s the package that’s really taught me so much about mixing.

In the past, I had a tendency to be a bit slap-dash with my mixes, only to regret it later. With Waves, I’ve learned how to take my time. Patience pays dividends when it comes to mixing.

Find out more about Waves Platinum bundle

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
Deals not to miss
MPH
“I got woken up at 3 AM by a fan spamming my DMs. I’m still in disbelief”: UKG phenom MPH on featuring in Thomas Bangalter’s comeback DJ set
 
 
Semtek aka DJ Persuasion
7 great house and techno tips from Don’t Be Afraid label boss Semtek (aka DJ Persuasion)
 
 
modeselektor
"The 808 is still one of the sexiest drum machines ever built": Modeselektor on classic Roland gear
 
 
kid harpoon
“There’s a reason that the Juno-106 is still the greatest”: Kid Harpoon on vintage synths and studio secrets
 
 
decap
“I'm getting on an airplane, I'm listening to a song and it has my sound in it”: How DECAP's Drums That Knock became the must-have sample pack for modern producers
 
 
ELMONT, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Sombr performs during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for MTV)
“In the actual song you hear today, the guitars, the riff, the bass, the drums and all the vocals are from those initial takes I did in my bedroom”: Sombr on the making of viral hit Undressed, and his formula for creating "a legendary indie rock song"
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
 universal audio
“We built Paradise to make any guitarist feel like they’re playing in a dream studio": Universal Audio releases Paradise Guitar Studio – and it's 25% off for Cyber Monday
 
 
ableton
I switched to Ableton Live from Logic Pro and I've never looked back. If you want to do the same, there's no better time than now, with 25% off Live this Cyber Monday
 
 
Best impulse buy $50 plugins Cyber Monday 2025
19 of the best plugins under $50 for last-minute impulse buying this Cyber Monday
 
 
Toontrack Hitmaker SDX
I've waited for Toontrack's Hitmaker SDX Expansion to be discounted ever since it was released. Now it's nearly half-price for Black Friday and I'm about to ruin Christmas by spending way too much on Superior Drummer samples in Thomann's Cyber Week Sale
 
 
Soundtoys SpaceBlender
Soundtoys makes some of the best effects plugins we've ever tested - and they're discounted by up to 75% for Black Friday
 
 
UJAM Virtual Pianist
I’d long thought virtual piano plugins were cheating but this amazingly creative instrument from UJam changed my mind. This Black Friday it’s going cheap!
 
 
Latest in News
Ableton Push 3 deals on Cymber Monday
If you were wondering if the deals aren't as good this year, then this saving on Ableton Push 3 Standalone is all the proof you need
 
 
Victory The Duchess Deluxe MKII Head
Get the most out of your pedals and save £422 on one of the best pedal platform amps I've played - the Victory V40 Duchess Deluxe MKII Head
 
 
Yamaha PSS-A50
I love the Refaces, but at just £59, the Yamaha PSS-A50 is the best Cyber Monday ‘couch keyboard’ deal I’ve seen - and it’s perfect for kids, too
 
 
An Epiphone Dave Gorhl DG-335 semi-hollow guitar lying on a guitar case
Who needs the £10,499 Gibson Dave Grohl signature DG-335 when the excellent Epiphone version is just £777 today?
 
 
A pair of Sennheiser HD 490 Pro studio headphones on a light purple background
I’ve tested 13 studio headphones this year and my top choice just landed a serious Cyber Monday deal - save $110 on the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
 
 
user18081971, aka Aphex Twin, on Souncloud
“Got many requests for this one from a few years back”: Aphex Twin uploads new tracks to his Soundcloud page
 
 

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...