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Sam Smith, Photo: PhilipRomanoPhoto

Photo: PhilipRomanoPhoto · CC BY-SA 4.0

Independent research by truerecs. Not affiliated with, endorsed or verified by Sam Smith. Every item links to its public source.
44 items · Last checked

What DAW does Sam Smith use?

Engineer Steve Fitzmaurice tracked all of Sam Smith's In the Lonely Hour vocals on a modified Neumann U67 into a Neve 1066 and an LA-2A, into Pro Tools HD. On Gloria the Tour their voice has been mixed on an SSL Live L650 with an SSL Fusion.

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AllTop 5StudioIn the Lonely Hour: vocal chainIn the Lonely Hour: mixIn the Lonely Hour: band sessionsGloria tour: front of houseWhat I wear
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What studio gear Sam Smith uses: a sourced gear guide

Independent research by truerecs: every item links to the public source it comes from.

Studio

8 items

In the Lonely Hour: vocal chain

10 items

In the Lonely Hour: mix

15 items

In the Lonely Hour: band sessions

5 items

Gloria tour: front of house

4 items

What I wear

2 items
Questions

About Sam Smith's gear.

What microphone does Sam Smith record with?

All of Sam Smith's In the Lonely Hour vocals were tracked through a modified Neumann U67, according to Sound On Sound.

What was the vocal chain on Stay With Me?

A modified Neumann U67 into a Class-A Neve 1066 preamp and an LA-2A, recorded into Pro Tools HD at 44.1kHz/24-bit. Lead vocals were also shaped with a Manley Massive Passive, Retro 176 compressors, a Maag EQ4 and Sonnox Oxford EQ.

What plugins are on Sam Smith's vocals?

The In the Lonely Hour mix used Soundtoys EchoBoy, a UAD EMT 140 plate, a UAD dbx 160, Brainworx bx_control, a Maag EQ4, Sonnox Oxford EQ and a Waves De-Esser on the vocals.

What DAW was Sam Smith's album recorded in?

Pro Tools HD, at 44.1kHz/24-bit, for both tracking and editing on In the Lonely Hour, per Sound On Sound.

What console is used for Sam Smith live?

Front-of-house engineer Jim Ebdon mixes Gloria the Tour on an SSL Live L650 with an SSL Fusion and The Bus+ on the mix bus, through a d&b audiotechnik GSL system, per Mix.

What did Sam Smith wear to the 2023 Grammys?

A custom red Valentino look, designed for them by creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, per Grazia. At the 2023 BRIT Awards they wore a custom inflatable latex suit by Harri.

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Sam Smith
About this guide · Last checked

Sam Smith is the English singer behind Stay With Me, Too Good at Goodbyes and Unholy. This guide covers the vocal chain and mix on In the Lonely Hour, the SSL front-of-house rig on Gloria the Tour, and the Valentino and Harri looks from their 2023 awards run.

truerecs put this guide together from public videos, interviews and posts. Each item says how we know and links to the source. Sam Smith didn't write it or choose anything on it. How we source gear guides.

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truerecs gear guides are independent research from public sources, not made or approved by the artist. Store buttons on this page may be affiliate links: truerecs may earn a commission when you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Sam Smith isn't paid for them. Report an error or ask for removal. Full disclosure.