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
  • 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
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps
  3. Digital Audio Workstation

Valentino Khan's favourite music software

News
By Ben Rogerson published 26 September 2016

The genre-hopping producer and Skrillex collaborator on his DAW and top plugins

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

Mr Versatile

Mr Versatile

“Valentino Khan makes everything,” says the DJ/producer’s website, and one look at his CV confirms that he’s nothing if not versatile.

His production credits are impressive, having worked with the likes of B.o.B., T.I., Bruno Mars, 2 Chainz, Iggy Azalea, Tyga and Kid Sister. He’s also signed to Skrillex’s OWSLA label; in fact, the pair recently collaborated on Slam Dunk.

Throw in countless remixes and a successful DJing career, and Khan has all the hallmarks of a man who’ll be on the scene for many years to come. Right now, though, he’s here to tell you about the software that he favours when he’s in the studio...

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Apple Logic Pro X

Apple Logic Pro X

“I will preface all of this by saying that Logic is what I personally feel most comfortable with and there's no right or wrong software (or plugin) for anyone to use.

“Logic always has been my preferred software because it's so easy to manipulate MIDI, and I play 99% of my tracks in on a controller keyboard (even my drums). It's about what's best for the individual, though. If you can make your hottest beats banging on a trash can then stick with the trash can.”

Read Apple Logic Pro X review

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Xfer Records Serum

Xfer Records Serum

“I just love the versatility of Serum. It seems like it's really easy to make unique sounds from scratch - more so than in any other synth. I've always been a guy that was big on designing my own sounds instead of using presets or packs, so Serum is right up my alley.”

Read Xfer Records Serum review

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Native Instruments Massive

Native Instruments Massive

“There's just something classic about the sounds you can get with Massive. Everything just comes out so clean and precise and it's actually very useful for adding layers to other synths in your song.”

Read Native Instruments Massive review

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Camel Audio CamelCrusher

Camel Audio CamelCrusher

“I get really good distortion out of this plugin but it always ends up being really clean. It's the best of both worlds when you're looking for something in your face that can still sit nicely in your mixdown.”

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6

Nicky Romero Kickstart

Nicky Romero Kickstart

“I use this a bunch in my tracks. It really helps you to be really precise with sidechaining and getting your drums to cut through in your mixes.”

Find out more about Ricky Romero Kickstart

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson
Social Links Navigation
Deputy Editor

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it. 

Latest in Digital Audio Workstation
fl studio web
"FL Studio is coming to your browser": Image-Line announces FL Studio Web in bid to "lower the barrier to entry" for new users
 
 
dnksaus
Stuck for ideas in Ableton Live? This free Max for Live device could snap you out of writer's block
 
 
ableton
I switched to Ableton Live from Logic Pro, and I've never looked back. If you want to do the same, you can still score 25% off in the Sweetwater Cyber Week sale
 
 
melosurf
Is this the future of the DAW? Melosurf is a voice-controlled AI assistant that lets you talk to Ableton Live
 
 
Ableton Live MIDI tools tutorial
Stuck for ideas? Here's how to create fresh basslines and melodies with Ableton Live 12’s MIDI tools
 
 
Creating chord progressions in Ableton Live
Creating chords for electronic music: 3 ways to generate more interesting progressions in Ableton Live 12
 
 
Latest in News
D'Angelo and Prince
D’Angelo was so in awe of Prince that he refused to play his guitar on the one occasion they shared a stage
 
 
Portrait of British musician Kirsty MacColl (1959 - 2000) and Irish musician Shane MacGowan, the latter of the group the Pogues, as they pose together, each holding a toy gun with one hand and, in the other, a Christmas cracker over an inflatable Santa Claus, 1987.
“In operas, if you have a double aria, it's what the woman does that really matters. The man lies, the woman tells the truth": The story of Fairytale Of New York
 
 
Chris Rea circa 1970
Tell Me There’s A Heaven: Chris Rea has died, aged 74
 
 
Lady Gaga performs during her 'JAZZ & PIANO' residency at Park MGM on August 31, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada
“Being a human being isn’t going to go out of style anytime soon”: Why Lady Gaga is unafraid of AI
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Alanis Morrisette performs live on stage at The O2 Arena on July 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage for ABA)
Alanis Morissette reveals what she thinks is “the real irony” of the fuss caused by the lyrics in her 1996 hit
 
 
 Morrissey performs at The SSE Arena, Wembley on March 14, 2020 in London, England
Back To The Old House: Morrissey signs again to Warners subsidiary Sire
 
 

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...