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

Plastician's favourite music software

News
By Computer Music published 30 March 2012

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

Image-Line FL Studio

Image-Line FL Studio

“Until this program makes the jump to Mac, the PC vs Apple argument is null and void for me.

“I started out using a demo version of Fruity Loops back in the early 2000s. Its novice-friendly drag-and-drop functionality and the drum map and timeline made it so easy to pick up.

“Now FL Studio 10 does everything I’d expect from a high-quality DAW, and it’s still a joy to use.”

Read Image-Line FL Studio 10 review

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Rob Papen Albino 3

Rob Papen Albino 3

“This has been my instrument of choice for bass for such a long time now. It’s such a great-sounding synth, and I find it the easiest one for building sounds from the ground up.

“If sound design is not your cup of tea, it’s also got a great range of presets.”

Find out more about Rob Papen Albino 3

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Native Instruments Massive

Native Instruments Massive

“If you’re trying to make what people are now calling ‘the dubstep bass’ then look no further.

“It’s astounding how many amazing presets Massive comes packaged with, although I was surprised by just how many I recognised from the Distorted Bass section!

“I like the way everything inside is easily tweaked – it takes a matter of seconds to get the sound you’re after.”

Read Native Instruments Massive review

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Native Instruments Absynth 5

Native Instruments Absynth 5

“I first came into contact with Absynth when it was in stage 3.0 - about the same time I came into contact with the alcoholic substance of the same name. Funnily enough, this program emits sounds similar to those you hear if you drink the green elixir.

“I’m now using version 5, and in my opinion it still offers the best creepy atmospheres out there - great for really dark tracks.”

Read Native Instruments Absynth 5 review

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Image-line FL Studio Bass Boost

Image-line FL Studio Bass Boost

“OK, it’s bundled into FL Studio and it’s the most simple bit of kit ever. Who cares? I’ve used the Bass Boost plug-in on every single bass I’ve ever produced.

“It’s a tiny effects plug-in, and there may be more complicated alternatives on the market, but this does the trick with a simple frequency boost between 60 and 100Hz wherever your bass needs it most. Works every time!”

Plastician takes over Rinse FM every Sunday from 9-11pm.

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
A MacBook Pro running Ableton Live DAW
Digital Audio Workstation Best DAWs 2026: The best digital audio workstations for PC and Mac
 
 
Ableton Drift
Soft Synths 5 amazing stock synths that come bundled with your DAW
 
 
GForce Software Oddity3
Synths How to master virtually any software synth
 
 
plugins
Tech The ultimate soft synth showdown: Serum 2, Pigments, Phase Plant, Vital and Massive X: But which is best?
 
 
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
 
 
Massive
Tech How Native Instruments’ Massive became the go-to bass synth for a generation of music-makers
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
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”
 
 
Ableton Live 12.3
Tech Ableton Live 12.4 is out now, with Link Audio and updated Erosion, Delay and Chorus-Ensemble devices
 
 
Splice/YouTube
Plugins Thinking of making your next music tech purchase on a rent-to-own plan? Read this first
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in News
Ace Frehley plays his 1975 Les Paul Custom backstage in '77.
Guitars Ace Frehley’s iconic ‘Budokan’ Les Paul Custom sells at auction for $512,000
 
 
Peabo Bryson attends The Golden Touch Tour at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom on April 12, 2025, in Warren, Michigan
Singers & Songwriters "His voice and his talent will be missed": R&B singer Peabo Bryson has died, aged 75
 
 
Ronnie Wood
Artists Ronnie Wood on the first Stones song he helped to create – before he was in the band
 
 
JHS Fumble
Guitars “I had confused the two similar circuits and made a horrible mistake. I made a video. I told everyone”: JHS Pedals unveils the Fumble – an $89 boost pedal with a seriously complicated back story involving John Mayer, Dumble amps and a ‘70s acoustic preamp
 
 
Jesus and Mary Chain portrait, 2026
Guitarists “Eddie Van Halen ruined rock guitar all through the '80s and '90s”: Fighting talk from the Jesus And Mary Chain
 
 
Taylor Swift performs onstage during  "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Johan Cruijff Arena on July 05, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)
Artists Taylor Swift reunites with Jack Antonoff for Toy Story 5 song, I Knew It, I Knew You
 
 

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...