Sie Medway-Smith:The tools you need with FX Collection 5
Renowned producer and engineer Sie Medway-Smith has been a pivotal figure in the music industry for over two decades. Known for his collaborations with iconic artists like Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, and Björk, Sie brings a wealth of experience and passion for sound to every project he touches.
We recently visited him at Dan Lacksman’s legendary Synsound Studio in Brussels, where he demonstrated his mixing process on a pop R&B track by Belicious using a range of plugins from FX Collection 5 - Arturia’s premium suite of studio mixing tools and creative production effects.
250,000 cups of tea later
Sie began his journey into sound as a 'tape op' at Milo Studios in London’s East End. This was during a period of rapid transformation in the industry when digital technology started to crossover with analogue. It was in this environment and the convergence of old and new technology that ignited Sie’s passion for sound engineering and production. Over the years, he has become a go-to mix engineer and producer for artists and record companies worldwide, known for his ability to work across a range of genres, from electronic and pop to film composition and experimental sound design.
I must have made around 250,000 cups of tea before becoming an engineer.
Go-to sound engineer
Sie's career is marked by a range of high-profile collaborations. His work has led to the making of some landmark recordings and productions with true legends in the scene including Depeche Mode's "Playing the Angel", Gang of Four's post-punk album "Content", Massive Attack's “Heligoland” and Björk’s “Homogenic”. These artists alone demonstrate his versatility and expertise working between the lines of classic and modern sound design.
One particularly memorable project was the collaboration between Martin Gore and Vince Clarke of Depeche Mode, who had not worked together in 23 years. Daniel Miller, the founder of Mute Record, suggested they create an album using their extensive synth collections. Initially hesitant, they agreed when Sie was brought in to produce.
Working with both of them for six months in California, choosing a different synth every day, was one of the highlights of my career.
He is also the co-founder of the Music Production Academy and is committed to sharing his insights and supporting new talent in the industry. From post-punk to trip-hop, avant-folk and beyond, Sie’s mixing and mastering prowess has surely made a mark on the contemporary music landscape - a sonic jack of all trades combining originality with high production quality that has resulted in a diverse and accomplished career.
Music has always been my safe space…no matter what's going on externally, I can open my laptop, use a plugin, sit behind a console, and know that space for me can't be touched.
The tools you need for the job, and more
Making the most of the Synsound speaker array, Sie showcased how Arturia's FX Collection enhances his mixing and production workflow. His aim with the session was to maintain the fresh, live feel of the track while adding some modern elements. This is where the FX Collection really comes into its own, providing Sie with all the modern tools and iconic outboard emulations needed to add depth, character, and clarity to his mixes.
The FX Collection gives you the tools you need for the job, and more.
Drums and Bass:
Sie uses the Arturia Pre V76, a vintage tube preamp, to add character to both his drum and bass channels, moving them both to be just “on the edge of saturation”. This adds some subtle presence and drive.
Hammond Organ:
For the Hammond organ, Sie employs the Rotary CLS-222 to achieve the swirling effect known and loved on the beloved Leslie rotary speaker.
I can blend this parallel effect with the original recording, keeping the direction of the Hammond but with a spin on the edges.
Electric Piano:
The Chorus Dimension D, an analog chorus emulation, is Sie's choice for introducing some width and voicing to a wurlitzer recording.
I'm sitting in a room with an actual Dimension D, and I have to say, this one could not be more spot on. It's fantastic.
Vocals:
To enhance vocals, Sie uses the Reverb Plate-140 combined with a new addition to FX Collection 5, the Bus EXCITER-104.
I was really happy with that vocal when we had it, but with these new additions, it's day and night. The exciter's harmonic saturation brings the vocals right on top of the mix.
Master:
Finally Sie utilizes the Bus PEAK on the master track to increase perceived loudness and high-end detail.
I can push my mix into the new Bus PEAK, and wow, it's really something.
Sie’s articulate demonstration of the FX in his mixdown reveals both his passion for vintage outboard gear as well as the diverse sonic applications of FX Collection 5 - offering meticulously engineered and great sounding solutions to any sound processing need.
If you are someone like me who has experience or you’re someone who's new, you know how to work this stuff. It’s intuitive.
Conclusion
Sie Medway-Smith's ability to blend traditional and modern techniques makes him a true explorer of sound. His use of Arturia's FX Collection exemplifies this approach—combining the clarity and creative possibilities of modern tools with the warmth of analog. Whether working on hit releases or teaching the next generation of pro-audio protégés, Sie's dedication to his craft is evident.
What makes Arturia plugs special to me is the attention to detail, hands down, its beyond the expectation, it goes further. It goes to the point where I’m saying to myself, how are they doing that?”
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