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Recommended reading

Riva Starr
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  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

Steve Lawler's favourite music software

News
By Computer Music ( Computer Music ) published 4 July 2011

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

Ableton Live

Ableton Live

“I use Ableton Live as a slave in the background of Logic on most of the singles and remixes that I make. It’s a really cool program for chopping up loops and messing around with noise to create intricate sounds. I create a lot of my soundscape here - those sounds and noises that sit quietly in the background of a track to give it some depth and mood.”

Read Ableton Live 8 review

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Spectrasonics Trilian

Spectrasonics Trilian

“This is the ultimate bass module - a one-stop shop for every kind of bass sound you could ever want or need to use. Trilian also includes the classic - and now discontinued - Trilogy bass module. I like the way that I can envelope the bass to really squeeze it tight and produce a beautiful compressed warm bass. In my opinion, Trilian is a must for every studio.”

Read Spectrasonics Trilian review

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Sonic Charge MicroTonic

Sonic Charge MicroTonic

“This is a powerful little tool for coming up with techy rhythms and randomisations. If you’re playing around with it and it drops something very strange on you, you can then dissect it and take away just the small intricate sounds/parts that you want. After that, you can add onboard FX and move the sound pattern around to create some very interesting ideas. MicroTonic has a unique sound - very synthetic and futuristic. It’s a must for any techno or dubstep producer.”

Read Sonic Charge MicroTonic review

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Native Instruments Reaktor

Native Instruments Reaktor

“You still can’t beat this modular synth for out-there sounds. When you’re searching for something to make your weird and wonderful, glitched-up, futuristic leads, this is the place to go. Reaktor is a monster of a plug-in, and it contains so much to do and fuck with.”

Read Native Instruments Reaktor 5.5 review

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Native Instruments Maschine

Native Instruments Maschine

“I like using Maschine because it reminds me of the old Akai samplers. It’s a nice way to play around and create some interesting drum programming. I always appreciate having something in my studio that allows me to get hands-on with tasks like the programming of drums.”

Read Native Instruments Maschine review

Steve Lawler’s Loopmasters sample pack is out now - click here to buy.

www.djstevelawler.com

Liked this? Now read: Carl Craig's favourite music software

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Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Computer Music
Computer Music
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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
Read more
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“I have an original 909 – every time I use it I feel like I’m ruining it”: Riva Starr's studio essentials
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10 producers share the studio gear they can’t live without
lone
Lone on how he creates his technicolour, rave-adjacent electronica
Steve Levine
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The ultimate compression cheat sheet – go-to settings to help you make better music
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Ableton Live 12.2 gives this "incredibly versatile" device a much-needed refresh
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Haim push back again against people who question their songwriting, production skills and musicianship
The Fender Richie Kotzen Stratocaster is made in Japan and features a contoured ash body with a stunning figured maple top, and comes with DiMarzio pickups and Gotoh tuners.
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I Wanna be Your Man: The Bootleg Beatles are after a new Paul McCartney
Gibson Marcus King ES-345 in Sixties Cherry: the NC soul/rock phenom's new signature model is based on his 1962 heirloo, Big Red, and offers a slightly different set of specs as his Custom Shop version.
Gibson unveils new signature ES-345 for Marcus King, and it is the evolution of a family heirloom
ANTHEM SYNTH
Universal Audio's Anthem synth plugin promises to "put the biggest, baddest analogue sounds at your fingertips"
Supro Airwave: the new 1x12 tube combo combines old-school looks and tones with onboard cab sim tech from Two notes Audio Engineering.
Supro teams up with Two Notes for the Airwave, a vintage-voiced 25W tube combo with onboard cab sims

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