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  1. Home
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  3. Computer Music

Will Hicks’ favourite music software

By Computer Music
published 19 January 2018

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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