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
  • Synth Week 26
  • 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
Don't miss these
jimmy jam
Artists Jimmy Jam on sampling, AI and his new EastWest drum machine plugin
Massive
Tech How Native Instruments’ Massive became the go-to bass synth for a generation of music-makers
Reinier Zonneveld performing in 2021
Tech “Everyone is using these tools, artists at all levels – but they don't want to talk about it”: How AI is changing electronic music
dj shadow
Artists “There have been times in my career where I’ve wondered: at the end of the day, am I going to own only 15% of my catalogue?”: DJ Shadow on why he stopped sampling and left the MPC behind
plugins
Tech The ultimate soft synth showdown: Serum 2, Pigments, Phase Plant, Vital and Massive X: But which is best?
GForce Software Oddity3
Synths How to master virtually any software synth
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
Moog
Synths We speak to Moog Music President Joe Richardson who exclusively reveals what's coming up
jimmy douglass
Producers & Engineers "This guy pops out of a trash can – it was Ginger Baker!": Jimmy Douglass on his early days working for Atlantic Records
DX7
Synths 5 vintage 1980s synths that cost less than a holiday
Arturia KeyStep mk2
Midi Controllers Best MIDI keyboards 2026: Find your perfect match for the home studio
A laptop on top of some music gear with Ableton Live 12 DAW displayed on it. To the left is a drum kit with some headphones and microphones on it.
Digital Audio Workstation I’m telling every producer I know to upgrade to Ableton Live Lite 12 today thanks to a 25% discount on all versions of this 4.5 star rated DAW
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
Ableton Drift
Soft Synths 5 amazing stock synths that come bundled with your DAW
reverb
Tech Mike Dean shows off his "crazy rare" wavetable synth that everyone wanted in the '80s
More
  • Synth Week 2026
  • Jimmy Jam
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Chinese synths
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

Lee Curtiss's favourite music software

News
By Computer Music published 3 January 2012

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 used this program extensively on every project I’ve worked on over the last six years. It’s truly the best creation station and makes it so easy to get things moving creatively. Even if other programs are used for mixing down, Ableton is easily rewired into other DAWs, opening even more doors and options for sound design and signal processing.”

Read Ableton Live 8 review

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Arturia Jupiter-8V

Arturia Jupiter-8V

“This has been one of my go-tos for synth work since it came out. I’ve worked with real Jupiter-8s, and even though the sound from the Arturia isn’t the same, it is in its own way easier to use. Plus it gives you more creative options and ways to manipulate the sound and effects that you can’t with hardware.”

Read Arturia Jupiter-8V review

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Arturia Moog Modular V

Arturia Moog Modular V

“This is one of the biggest and greatest synths packed into the size of a computer screen. You’re still able to manipulate it in the same way you would the classic synth, but the plug-in makes it so quick and easy to call up big, classic sounds with a really nice arpeggiator. This soft synth is one of the best bass machines I’ve ever used, and it really comes through with that Moog sound.”

Find out more about Arturia Moog Modular V

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
URS plug-ins

URS plug-ins

“When I was on a tight budget, these plug-ins really helped me out. They’re really fairly priced and can add so much sonic quality to your mixes. The Fairchild compressor settings and a lot of the other presets are perfect as a starting point for processing everything - vocals, strings, drums, bass and guitars.”

Find out more about URS plug-ins

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Korg Legacy Analogue and Digital Editions

Korg Legacy Analogue and Digital Editions

“I had a real PolySix and an M1 synth at one time, and I truly prefer the software version of the M1 to the actual synth. I find the PolySix software really comparable, too. As a bundle, all of the synths and even the simple effects are amazing - they’re everyday tools in my studio. The WaveStation has beautiful natural instrument presets that you can layer to make great soundscapes and pads, and the Mono/Poly is an absolute beast.”

Read Korg Legacy Collection Analog Edition review
Read Korg Legacy Collection Digital Edition review

Lee’s latest release - fabric 61: Visionquest - is available to buy now.
www.facebook.com/leecurtissofficial

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
Ableton Drift
Soft Synths 5 amazing stock synths that come bundled with your DAW
 
 
A laptop on top of some music gear with Ableton Live 12 DAW displayed on it. To the left is a drum kit with some headphones and microphones on it.
Digital Audio Workstation I’m telling every producer I know to upgrade to Ableton Live Lite 12 today thanks to a 25% discount on all versions of this 4.5 star rated DAW
 
 
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
 
 
GForce Software Oddity3
Synths How to master virtually any software synth
 
 
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
 
 
Jill Fraser
Artists Synth pioneer Jill Fraser on pushing boundaries in the world of electronic music
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
Neural DSP Darklgass Ultra
Bass Guitars Neural DSP unveils the Darkglass Ultimate plugin – a fully featured digital platform for studio-quality bass tone
 
 
iZotope RX 12 Advanced
Tech iZotope upgrades RX with a film-focused stem separation module and improved machine learning
 
 
jimmy jam
Artists Jimmy Jam on sampling, AI and his new EastWest drum machine plugin
 
 
A laptop on top of some music gear with Ableton Live 12 DAW displayed on it. To the left is a drum kit with some headphones and microphones on it.
Digital Audio Workstation I’m telling every producer I know to upgrade to Ableton Live Lite 12 today thanks to a 25% discount on all versions of this 4.5 star rated DAW
 
 
Man playing a moog at a desk in a field
Plugins Moog Messenger at Synth Week 26: One year with the new monosynth
 
 
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
 
 
Latest in News
Blonde Ambition Tour, Madonna, Feyenoord Stadion, De Kuip, Rotterdam, Holland, 24/07/1990. She is wearing a Jean Paul Gaultier conical bra corset. (Photo by Gie Knaeps/Getty Images)
Artists “I hired all the musicians and the engineers, and pretty much made the record”: Patrick Leonard on Madonna’s Like a Prayer
 
 
Rosalía performs on stage at the LDLC Arena on March 16, 2026
Singers & Songwriters “Is redefining what songwriting can be": Rosalia to be honoured at the Ivor Novello Awards in May
 
 
Arctic Monkeys in 2005
Bands “It was a culture shock for him to see such brainless violence”: Inside the early days of the Arctic Monkeys
 
 
Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field
Tech The Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field finally gets undo
 
 
PinkPantheress performs at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival - Weekend 1 - Day 2 on April 11, 2026 in Indio, California. (Photo by Katie Flores/Billboard via Getty Images)
Artists PinkPantheress on her lightbulb MIDI keyboard moment, and her whirlwind music production journey
 
 
Thomann Montreux Jazz Festival competition graphic
Gigs & Festivals Thomann launch Montreux Jazz Festival competition with hour long slot plus €3,000 performance fee up for grabs
 
 

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...