With his unique heavy bass style, Skrillex has become a superstar of the EDM world, and quite possibly one of the most successful DJs ever. So what software does Skrillex use to get his sound? And what gear makes up his studio? Read on…
In both his studio and live shows Skrillex uses Ableton plus an array of plugins to enhance its functionality. These include things like the FM8 and Vanguard synths and effects units by Izotope and Ohm Force among others. He has also been also known to use Serato for some DJ gigs.
As with any successful producer, however, Skrillex’s arsenal is varied and vast, so let’s take a deeper look…
What DAW Software Does Skrillex Use Most?
Contents
Ableton Live
When Skrillex is asked what software he uses, Ableton Live is always cited as his DAW of choice. Ableton Live is an incredibly popular software among EDM and dance music producers as it is not only just a sequencer but it also allows you to build and arrange music.
As a piece of music production software, Ableton works slightly differently than a lot of other options. It is incredibly flexible as both a bit of studio software and for using live. It includes many features such as clip looping, live triggering, and cross-fading that can be used by DJs as well as in-studio producers.
Ableton’s arranger is based around clips. It is by manipulating these short pieces of audio that you build up a track. And, using full tracks, can be used by DJs to create mixes.
Ableton also allows you to use plugins and extra effects as well as inputting instruments and hardware to record.
Push to see the price on Amazon, Ableton is available in 3 levels: Intro, Standard, Multitrack. The Standard version will do you fine for DJing.
What Software Does Skrillex Use For Plugins?
As well as Ableton, Skrillex relies heavily on plugins to build a lot of his sounds. Some of the plugins he uses for his basslines include:
FM8 Synth
The FM8 is a plugin by Native Instruments. As well as creating your own sounds, it includes over 1200 preset sounds.
Which is what Skrillex will do to make his sounds unique.
Push to see price on Amazon (FM8 is part of the NI Komplete suite which comes in 2 levels: Select with 13 other instruments/effects or Full with 50+ other instruments/effects. You can also buy an upgrade from Select to Full).
Massive Synth
Another plugin he uses is Massive, again by Native Instruments. Massive is a synth that gives a producer complete control over things like the way the sound oscillates as well as being able to manipulate the waveform and modulation.
Massive is one of the most popular synths used in the dance music world.
Push to see price on Amazon (Massive is part of the NI Komplete suite which comes in 2 levels: Select with 13 other instruments/effects or Full with 50+ other instruments/effects. You can also buy an upgrade from Select to Full).
Sylenth1
LennarDigital’s Sylenth1 is another synth namechecked by Skrillex. Aiming to emulate a real-world synthesizer it incorporates everything from oscillators filters as well as adding effects like distortion, phaser, delay or reverb.
Again all of these plugins allow you to manipulate and change every single aspect of a sound. This is how individual DJs and producers can create their own unique style.
Vanguard analog synthesizer
Another synth plug-in that Skrillex has mentioned in multiple interviews is the Vanguard analog synthesizer.
This again allows you to manipulate oscillations, envelopes, the amplitude of music as well as delays and reverbs.
What Software Does Skrillex Use For Effects?
The question of what software does Skrillex use for effects probably has a thousand answers. Especially given how many plugins are available for Ableton. That said, some of the ones he has discussed are…
Ohm Force Ohmicide Distortion
Skrillex has been known to use the Ohmicide distortion plugin. This allows you to pass in sound that you have created with one of the above plugins and then distort it and manipulate it further. As the manufacturers themselves describe, you can change the sound from slight dearth dirt, to pure carnage.
Skrillex himself said it’s an absolutely crazy multiband distortion compression EQ and filter, which pretty much lets you do anything.
Armin van Buuren and Tom Rollins of the Chemical Brothers also reportedly use Ohmicide.
iZotope Trash2
Trash2 by iZotope is another distortion and effects plug-in that has been known to be used by Skrillex. It is using plugins like these that he can get his heavy, dirty sound.
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What Software Does Skrillex Use For Vocals?
When it comes to what software does Skrillex use to process his vocal recordings, then there isn’t a huge amount of information. He has discussed vocals a couple of times, however.
Celemony Melodyne
A feature of some of Skrillex’s tracks is the manipulation of vocals and for this, he often uses another plugin called Melodyne.
It is designed specifically to work with vocals and allows you to change everything from the length of notes so being able to change the pitch.
Editing pitch allows you to correct mistakes by singers or in extreme cases you can actually turn a bad singer into a good one. Melodyne essentially allows you to treat vocals like an instrument and manipulate them in a computer after recording.
When you hear crazy vocals that have obviously been manipulated electronically, then there is a high chance it was done in Melodyne.
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Vocoders (kinda)
Another tool a lot of music producers use for human vocals are tools called Vocoders. However, Skrillex himself has stated that while he does use them, this tends not to be for vocals.
Instead, he will use them to manipulate other types of audio more than he will for vocals.
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What Microphones Does Skrillex Use?
Shure SM58
For all his vocal recording, Skrillex has said in interviews that he records everything through a Shure SM58 microphone plugged into his Sapphire audio interface.
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Blue Yeti USB Microphone
A Blue Microphones Yeti USB microphone can be seen in various interview photographs.
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What Hardware Does Skrillex Use?
On the Road
Focusrite Saffire PRO 14 Audio Interface
Skrillex has stated that he uses the Focusrite Saffire Pro to make up a vital part of his mobile setup.
With such a heavy touring schedule, he often has to produce on the road and uses the Sapphire Pro 14 on a MacBook Pro running Ableton Live.
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KRK Rokit 5 G3 Studio Monitors
Skrillex has mentioned in several interviews that he uses small KRK monitors while on the road.
Due to their sound quality and portability, specifically the KRK Rokit 5 G3 studio monitors.
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Novation 25SL MK II
With the importance of portability, Skrillex is known to use the Novation 25SL MK II while on the move.
Aside from the keyboard, this includes all sorts of buttons and triggers that allow you to map and use it with any modern DAW, Ableton in Skrillex’s case.
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Live Shows
When performing live Skrillex often goes way beyond what most DJs do. And he can often be seen creating sounds or playing keyboards live on stage.
Akai Professional MPK49 Keyboard
One of the keyboards he is known to use is the Akai Professional MPK49 USB MIDI keyboard.
Aside from being a keyboard, this includes drum pads, faders, and pots. You can choose exactly what you map those functions to within Ableton on the laptop, making it super flexible.
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Apogee Duet 2 Audio Interface
Skrillex also uses an Apogee Duet 2 USB audio interface directly plugged into his laptop.
The apogee duet is a headphone amp, MIDI interface and audio interface. Aside from anything else allows you to create and record professional-quality audio while on the road. Its small size makes it super portable.
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M-Audio Trigger Finger MIDI Controller
Another piece of live equipment often seen at Skrillex’s shows is the M-Audio Trigger Finger MIDI controller.
This is based around 16 pads that can be used to trigger drums or sound samples on a laptop.
This helps create more of a live feel rather than just straightforward DJing. Pots and sliders are also included on the trigger finger and can be used to manipulate audio or FX.
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Native Instruments Audio 2 DJ Soundcard
Another piece of equipment he uses for his live and DJ set is the Native Instruments Audio 2 DJ soundcard. This is a relatively simple bit of equipment that acts as a portable audio interface, allowing you to plug your laptop into larger sound systems.
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In His Studio
Akai Professional APC40
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SSL Matrix Digital Mixer
In his home studio, Skrillex can be seen to have an SSL Matrix digital mixer. This is a professional, large studio mixer that allows him to channel and manipulate multiple tracks at the same time.
Antelope Audio Orion 32 multi-channel AD/DA converter
Also as part of his studio setup Skrillex has an Antelope Audio Orion 32 multi-channel AD/DA converter.
This is an extremely high-quality audio converter that also provides an audio master clock that lets producers sync multiple bits of equipment to provide reliability when mastering recording.
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Focusrite Clarett 2Pre
For his permanent studio setup, Skrillex also uses Focusrite Clarett 2Pre. Which is an audio interface designed to provide low latency monitoring and recording for microphones.
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Alesis QX25
Another keyboard that Skrillex uses is the Alesis QX25 keyboard controller. A fairly no-nonsense and simple keyboard the QX25 can be connected to virtually all MIDI equipment and software.
It has 25 velocity-sensitive keys as well as simple pitch and modulation wheels. While being powered via the USB cable makes this a handy and durable keyboard for on the road producing.
Mastering
iZotope Ozone 5
Mastering is a hugely important part of any producer’s workflow. For his mastering, Skrillex uses iZotoype’s Ozone 5 Mastering System which he describes as super versatile and something that everybody uses.
Push to see price on Amazon (Ozone is available in 2 levels: Standard and Advanced)
What Headphones Does Skrillex Use?
Skrillex is often seen using various brands and types of headphones.
Beats Pro / Beats Studio / Beats Mixr
There are plenty of photos of him wearing all versions of Beats by Dre headphones. The Studio versions, the Beats Pro and even the Beats Mixrs on-ear headphones.
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Audio-Technica ATH-M50
Skrillex is also known to use the Audio-Technica ATH-M50s in the studio as well.
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Sennheiser HD 202 II
Skrillex has also been photographed wearing the Sennheiser HD 202 II.
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SOL Republic Master Tracks
Live he has also used the SOL Republic Master headphones over-ear headphones.
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Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay H6
While DJing has also been seen to use the Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay H6 headphones.
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So it seems when it comes to headphones that Skrillex doesn’t have any one particular brand that he sticks to consistently. It may well be that he just uses the best ones for the job he is doing at that time.
To see our recommended headphones head here, they’re a banger!
Monitors / Speakers
Skrillex has had many types of monitors in his studio setup and of course, these will change over time.
Barefoot MiniMain12 Studio Monitors
At some point, he had some Barefoot MiniMain12 studio monitors.
Barefoot MicroMain27 Gen2 Studio Monitors
Skrillex also has some Barefoot MicroMain27 generation 2 monitor speakers in his studio. Whether they are still set up and actively used is unknown.
Does Skrillex Play Any Other Instruments?
Yes, Skrillex plays guitar.
He has several guitars including a Fender Classic Series ‘72 Telecaster Deluxe, as well as a standard Fender Stratocaster (see price on Amazon).
He also has a Moog E1 electric guitar that he has taken on tour with him.
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What DJ Equipment Does Skrillex Use?
Being such a prolific DJ means that Skrillex uses a wide array of different DJ equipment.
Pioneer CDJ-2000 Nexus & Pioneer DJM Mixers
Not surprisingly, often it is the industry standard Pioneer CDJ2000NX2 (push to see price on Amazon).
And a wide variety of mixers from the Pioneer DJM-450 mixer, Pioneer DJM-900NXS mixer and a DJM2000NXS, which he uses to control the overall sound when performing a live set (push to see Amazon prices).
What Software Does Skrillex Use for DJing?
To organize and manage his music library Skrillex uses Pioneer’s Rekordbox.
When performing things like radio mixes he has been seen using Serato Scratch Live DJ software (push to see price on Amazon).
What Laptop Does Skrillex Use?
Skrillex uses an Apple MacBook Pro for his live shows which he runs Ableton, as well his various plugins.
He has said in interviews that he is purely Apple, this suggests that his studio is run by Apple computers as well.
Push to see MacBook Pro price on Amazon.
How Does Skrillex Write His Tracks?
Skrillex himself has said that he very writes depending on how he’s feeling at the time.
So while he keeps a library of everything he’s created, he is constantly growing and learning new ways to use his software and create new sounds. This means his production can take him in lots of different directions.
Where Does Skrillex Get His Inspiration From?
Skrillex is known to take inspiration from all around him. He has even attributed the writing of some tracks to things like the sounds he heard while having breakfast at Denny’s.
He’s also known to imagine things in his mind’s eye which he then turns into music. This helps him portray the feeling that he may have had at the time.
Being such a good producer he also often just plays around with sounds and with music. This helps him come up with his unique take on things and the Skrillex style that you are familiar with.
Where Did Skrillex Learn His Skills?
Skrillex is self-taught when it comes to production and this has helped inform his style over the years.
If a producer’s learning is too formalized i.e they studied it at a university, this can lead to their sound being slightly generic. Unless they are extremely talented of course. However, Skrillex was self-taught he created his own rules for doing things and it’s this interpretation that allows him to push the boundaries.
Skrillex is also known to produce and work very quickly. This helps him be prolific, create lots of music and learn very fast. He is then able to choose and develop the best ideas and make decisions quickly. When something doesn’t sound right he does not get stuck on endlessly trying to fix it.
So in conclusion, What Software does Skrillex Use?
Being so talented and loving equipment so much Skrillex’s software and setup is ever-evolving. But one thing that remains consistent is Ableton as the base. He then uses any and every plugin he wants to design the sounds that he has imagined in his head.
What next?
- If you have any questions or know any equipment not mentioned then drop it in the comments!
- Has Skrillex inspired you to become an EDM DJ? Find out how to do it here
- Looking for tips to taking you DJing to the next level, check our HUGE list here
Sources
- Skrillex image by Rob215, licensed under CC 2.0
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