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Pluginweek logo
Plugins Plugin Week 2025: Exhibitor A-Z
rudimental
Tech "It's one of my favourite synths": Rudimental reveal their favourite plugins for drum 'n' bass production
Plugins Future owns
Plugins Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
ARMNHMR
Djs ARMNHMR on their tools of the trade
loukeman
Artists Loukeman reveals his favourite plugins and unusual production techniques
plugins
Tech "It's a stupendously powerful tool": 10 of the best sampler plugins in 2025
Silva Bumpa
Tech Breakout producer Silva Bumpa on the secret to creating sub bass and UKG rhythms
fl studio
Tech FL Studio 2025 introduces AI assistant that offers music production advice
linux
Digital Audio Workstation 14 of the best plugins and DAWs you can use on Linux
Leapwing Audio
Software & Apps Leapwing Audio on their stable of forensic mix plugins
Steven Wilson performs live onstage with his custom shop Fender Telecaster. The stage is illuminated in green stage lights.
Artists Steven Wilson reveals the $20 plugin he used on all the guitars on his new space rock epic
Serato DJ Pro 4.0
Tech Serato DJ 4.0 overhauls the DJ software's library with new search tools, easier analysis and an emoji rating system
API
Plugins Our pick of the very best VCA compressor software emulation plugins for any music project
rival
Artists “You end up doing different things with a plugin versus a hardware synth”: Rival Consoles on why he still uses a Prophet emulation – even though he owns the real thing
ableton
Digital Audio Workstation Ableton Live 12.2 gives this "incredibly versatile" device a much-needed refresh
  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
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
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Read more
Pluginweek logo
Plugin Week 2025: Exhibitor A-Z
rudimental
"It's one of my favourite synths": Rudimental reveal their favourite plugins for drum 'n' bass production
Plugins Future owns
Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
ARMNHMR
ARMNHMR on their tools of the trade
loukeman
Loukeman reveals his favourite plugins and unusual production techniques
plugins
"It's a stupendously powerful tool": 10 of the best sampler plugins in 2025
Latest in Software & Apps
bitwig
Bitwig takes its flagship DAW to "another level" with Bitwig Studio 6
Spotify transitions
Spotify responds to Apple Music’s new AutoMix feature by turning your playlists into ready-made DJ sets
the crow hill
"No strings attached": The Crow Hill Company releases Lo-Fi Strings, a free tape-treated string library with a warm and nostalgic sound
soundthread
Try out this free modular sound design playground used by Aphex Twin
ablaze
"Take your pig squeals to the next level": Ablaze's Screamer is a vocal production plugin "crafted for metalheads, by metalheads"
auxy
Auxy launches macOS version of its mobile music-making app and teases forthcoming hardware instrument
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“I never liked film music very much”: World famous film composer makes startling admission
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Here are the best Labor Day sales for musicians from across the internet
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“It wasn’t music that I really resonated with”: Josh Freese lifts the lid on his exit from the Foo Fighters
Boss PX-1 Plugout FX: the white compact series pedal has blue knobs, digital display, and is a platform for 16 digitally modelled Boss effects, one of which is available at a time.
A compact series stompbox you can turn into any one of 16 classic Boss effects? Meet the Plugout FX
Zak Starkey and Axl Rose composite
“C’mon bro... It could generate $2M for teen cancer”: Zak Starkey pleads with Axl Rose to give the go-ahead for charity cover of Bolan classic

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