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Plugins Future owns
Plugins “Whether you’re looking to liven up a dull snare or beef up a lacklustre bass sound, these plugins are extremely handy”: Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
Ed Sheeran and Jimmy Fallon
Artists “At the time, I wasn't, like, the coolest kid, and people didn't want to be in a band with me”: Ed Sheeran explains why he started using looper pedals, then demonstrates one by performing a number one hit that he wanted to give to Rihanna
Fraser T Smith
Producers & Engineers “When I started I didn't really know what a producer was. I just thought artists would produce themselves, because that's what I would have done”: Adele, Stormzy and Kae Tempest collaborator Fraser T Smith on the shifting definition of a ‘producer’
eats everything in his studio
Tech “Entrance Song is a massive 808 sub and a 909 kick. Those two shouldn’t work together - I’m not sure they were even in key”: Eats Everything on his ever-changing approach to production and DJing
eli keszler
Artists “I’d urge anyone wanting to make music to avoid waiting around for others to give you permission”: Eli Keszler on staying true to yourself as an artist, working with Skrillex and Oneohtrix Point Never, and his self-titled new project
Behringer Model D
Soft Synths “It's probably my Behringer Model D monosynth. So simple and obviously cheap, but it’s just so versatile. I’ve used it on basically every track that I’ve created”: 10 producers share the tech they can’t live without
dan nigro in the studio
Artists "That's what it takes to make music that's gonna last forever": Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan producer Daniel Nigro on crafting timeless tracks
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

Will Hicks’ favourite music software

News
By Computer Music ( Computer Music ) published 19 January 2018

The producer - who worked on Ed Sheeran’s Divide - reveals his top music production picks

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

Avid Pro Tools 12

Avid Pro Tools 12

“Still the best DAW around. It’s reliable and already in a format that is perfect for the mix engineer.

“I used to make stuff in Logic - the MIDI is better - and then, halfway through a project, change over to Pro Tools for recording. But Logic X, or whatever it’s called now, just doesn’t suit me; I like working with audio rather than MIDI. Not only is it easier, but it also sounds tighter. The ‘commit’ function in Pro Tools 12 is a gamechanger when it comes to using MIDI in Pro Tools.”

Read more about Pro Tools 12

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Universal Audio UAD plugins

Universal Audio UAD plugins

“I like hardware and I own a lot of it, but I have a UAD interface on both my portable and studio rigs. The converters sound great, and using the Unison plugins - especially on a portable setup, when I haven’t got the hardware with me - can really help.

“I own most of the UAD stuff now. The new 1176, 660, 670 and LA-2A feature on every production at some point. Like the hardware units and unlike many rival software emulations, they make things sound bigger, not smaller, when stacked up in a mix. The 1073 emulation and the Ampeg SVT bass amp get a heavy workout too.”

Read Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII review

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Particle Sound JNO II

Particle Sound JNO II

“This is a sample-based recreation of the classic Juno 106. It’s not always practical to carry around a delicate Juno from job to job.

“Sample-based synth plugins definitely have a place in the modern studio; it means you can get the exact sounds straight from a laptop.”

Read more about Particle Sound JNO II

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Acoustic Samples B-5 Organ

Acoustic Samples B-5 Organ

“One of the best sounding Hammond Organ plugins. Not only does it sound much more realistic than ‘the most popular one’, but it’s also in tune! It’s another one of those tools that’s earned its place in the studio because it’s much quicker and far more convenient than recording the real thing.”

Read more about Acoustic Samples B-5 Organ V2

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Slate Digital VerbSuite Classics

Slate Digital VerbSuite Classics

“As far as I’m concerned, this is the unsung hero of the Slate Everything Bundle. It’s packed with fantastic sounding reverbs, but the Bricasti library is a favourite… and it’s indistinguishable from the hardware.

“I’m very familiar with Bricasti, so having it inside the computer comes in very handy.”

Read Slate Digital VerbSuite Classics review

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
Plugins Future owns
“Whether you’re looking to liven up a dull snare or beef up a lacklustre bass sound, these plugins are extremely handy”: Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
Ed Sheeran and Jimmy Fallon
“At the time, I wasn't, like, the coolest kid, and people didn't want to be in a band with me”: Ed Sheeran explains why he started using looper pedals, then demonstrates one by performing a number one hit that he wanted to give to Rihanna
Fraser T Smith
“When I started I didn't really know what a producer was. I just thought artists would produce themselves, because that's what I would have done”: Adele, Stormzy and Kae Tempest collaborator Fraser T Smith on the shifting definition of a ‘producer’
eats everything in his studio
“Entrance Song is a massive 808 sub and a 909 kick. Those two shouldn’t work together - I’m not sure they were even in key”: Eats Everything on his ever-changing approach to production and DJing
eli keszler
“I’d urge anyone wanting to make music to avoid waiting around for others to give you permission”: Eli Keszler on staying true to yourself as an artist, working with Skrillex and Oneohtrix Point Never, and his self-titled new project
Behringer Model D
“It's probably my Behringer Model D monosynth. So simple and obviously cheap, but it’s just so versatile. I’ve used it on basically every track that I’ve created”: 10 producers share the tech they can’t live without
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From bedroom to billions… The Sunday Times Rich List 2025 just revealed the wealth and rankings of the UK’s biggest music stars
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“I love making bangers. Someone’s got to make them. I’m really proud when they come out of me”: Lorde reveals that she used the drums from Radiohead’s Reckoner while she was writing new single What Was That, and they probably weren’t too hard to find
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"I snuck in an easter egg that most people don't know about - I don't think anyone's found it yet": Teenage Engineering engineer reveals hidden Pocket Operator feature
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MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $550 off a premium Fender Strat, £380 off the Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335, and £189 off the Boss SDE-3000D delay pedal

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