We talk a lot about gear, technique, and training our ears - but Mr. Smith shows us something special in this interview that often separates the good producers from the greats. Personality. Fraser seems like such a joy to work with. The sort of creative space that people like him cultivate is so important to the record-making process, as it keeps everyone relaxed, open, and free to express themselves. Magic happens when artists get comfortable around each other - and people like Fraser expedite that. Of course, magic also happens when artists are all angry at each other, or hyper-competitive around each other, or are strangers trying to feel each other out. Depends on the musicians, and what aspect of human experience you're trying to translate into music. But damn if that comfortable and collaborative atmosphere doesn't do it the best.
Absolutely great! Such a gentle guy, relaxed and focused...must be fun to work with somebody like him. Anyway - many things learned and all details are really worth to know technically and musically. Thats how it should be done. Thanks for this feature.
Wow.... Fascinating! I love watching breakdown videos of well produced songs. I almost always try out the techniques presented in my own current projects and see what works. It's the best way to practice and learn is to to try them out!
I started buying SOS magazines in London 20 years ago, still learning from you guys today. Music is a journey, from creative and technical aspects, always something worth sharing. Thanks for enriching my musical journey!
This was such a powerful song, as with all great pieces of music it is the sum of parts, and this is no exception, its so interesting listening to Fraser and his process, clearly he's incredibly gifted and has an ear for what works compositionally.....bravo to all involved, this was special.
Thank you, just what I needed to get my music day going. What a nice chap. He illustrated how experimentation and the willingness to change your mind and experiment brings results but also simple is sometimes best. He also had the cojones to replace the drums when he decided that the originals, though good were not working with the song. I worked with one of the best violin players in the UK on a record, doing hours of takes and the producer made us do it all again with a different violin. Afterwards we agreed he was right. Fraser must be an amazing guy to work with and that is why he brings out the best in people. Cheers JS
I happen to now own the „guitar that 99% are not hearing on the track“. ;) It’s a Gibson ES-330 with a Bigsby from 1965 or 1964…? A cherished treasure that I have used on many songs I have produced. Thank you Mr. Smith!
What a fantastic interview. So awesome that he was able to work with Eric Valentine to have the console built. What a beautiful piece of gear. I could watch this interview over and over.
Great video and insight. Also, great and refreshing to hear Fraser reference U2 as an influence and being a big fan - rather than people bashing U2 because it is still "edgy" to do - excuse the pun.
Wow what a nice chap, goes to show that it’s a great virtue to be able to trust your guts when you feel that musical instrument has the right sound for the moment
I find it strange that there is a ton of UAD stuff at the beginning of this video, then he talks about how he rented a DIGITAL reverb unit (Lexicon 224) because it sounds better than "software reverbs", when UAD has modeled this reverb in a plugin using the original microcode/alogrithms of this unit bit for bit.
What a GREAT video!!! 💯👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Well shot & edited, calmly yet passionately and intimately explained, no showboating or posing or teaser-ish heavily edited pastiche trying to sell some "Members only/Academy course only/etc" full version like all the various MWTMs and PLAPs & assorted Sweetwater gear salesmen of YT do: hats off for that to SOS! 🎩 And to Mr. Fraser: fab piano, fab job, fab studio, but most importantly fab attitude! Think about it, to be making a demo for a song going off to be produced by Rick Rubin, and then a year & a half later the artist comes back dissatisfied with his version and asks you to just buff up that demo into the real thing... wel that IS something. And it takes, to quote the great Tom Petty, rhino skin - and elephant balls. But I'll also add in real class, and real talent. 🎩💯
It’s fascinating to watch a composer formulate every word in his mind before it comes out. 😂 Made for a super long video, but still enjoyed the result.
It's likely a diffusion filter used on the lens, probably a bit over-used
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It's just a Tiffen diffusion filter and a "high key" look. I think high key can seem to some "overexposed" probably cos the fashion on TH-cam at the moment is to be in the dark surrounded by pink LEDs and so on, but it's just an aesthetic choice as the footage has enough latitude to do what you want with it. Diffusion and halation is something I've always liked aesthetically so I ran with it here as the studio was bright and warm. Pretty much any actual "look" or stylistic choice can be described as a deviation from purity, whether visual or music production, but therin lies style, I think. I've noticed that on TH-cam in recent years it's become very popular to use diffusion, but I've been around a while so was doing before the "pogging thumbnail" crowd started using it 🤣
My piano tuner said the same thing about my crappy little spinet piano i got for free. Too bad ive been having him tune it for two years. I think he wants to sell me a grand piano.
We talk a lot about gear, technique, and training our ears - but Mr. Smith shows us something special in this interview that often separates the good producers from the greats. Personality. Fraser seems like such a joy to work with. The sort of creative space that people like him cultivate is so important to the record-making process, as it keeps everyone relaxed, open, and free to express themselves. Magic happens when artists get comfortable around each other - and people like Fraser expedite that.
Of course, magic also happens when artists are all angry at each other, or hyper-competitive around each other, or are strangers trying to feel each other out. Depends on the musicians, and what aspect of human experience you're trying to translate into music. But damn if that comfortable and collaborative atmosphere doesn't do it the best.
This is GOLD!!! Thanks Sound On Sound for sharing this insightful breakdown. Fraser did a phenomenal job on this classic album.
Man, this makes me feel better. I heard somewhere along the way that he wrote the song using Niko’s MIDI Chord Pack and Unison Audio loops…
Props to the piano tuner 😁😁
😂😂😂
You Sir are one of the best producers ever ❤ I absolutely love your work on Snowpatrols album 🥂🤯
Absolutely great! Such a gentle guy, relaxed and focused...must be fun to work with somebody like him. Anyway - many things learned and all details are really worth to know technically and musically. Thats how it should be done. Thanks for this feature.
Wow.... Fascinating!
I love watching breakdown videos of well produced songs.
I almost always try out the techniques presented in my own current projects and see what works.
It's the best way to practice and learn is to to try them out!
I started buying SOS magazines in London 20 years ago, still learning from you guys today. Music is a journey, from creative and technical aspects, always something worth sharing. Thanks for enriching my musical journey!
This was such a powerful song, as with all great pieces of music it is the sum of parts, and this is no exception, its so interesting listening to Fraser and his process, clearly he's incredibly gifted and has an ear for what works compositionally.....bravo to all involved, this was special.
Thank you, just what I needed to get my music day going. What a nice chap. He illustrated how experimentation and the willingness to change your mind and experiment brings results but also simple is sometimes best. He also had the cojones to replace the drums when he decided that the originals, though good were not working with the song. I worked with one of the best violin players in the UK on a record, doing hours of takes and the producer made us do it all again with a different violin. Afterwards we agreed he was right. Fraser must be an amazing guy to work with and that is why he brings out the best in people. Cheers JS
always obsessed with the strings. its so epic!!
I happen to now own the „guitar that 99% are not hearing on the track“. ;) It’s a Gibson ES-330 with a Bigsby from 1965 or 1964…? A cherished treasure that I have used on many songs I have produced. Thank you Mr. Smith!
Fantastic video! The questions and answers are brilliant! He is a very humble soul.
So talented! I had the same piano but was never able to record it so beautifully. Little did I know it was „the Adele piano“ when I gave to my nieces.
What a fantastic interview. So awesome that he was able to work with Eric Valentine to have the console built. What a beautiful piece of gear. I could watch this interview over and over.
Great video and insight. Also, great and refreshing to hear Fraser reference U2 as an influence and being a big fan - rather than people bashing U2 because it is still "edgy" to do - excuse the pun.
Wow what a nice chap, goes to show that it’s a great virtue to be able to trust your guts when you feel that musical instrument has the right sound for the moment
one of the songs that will become a legend...
This was so good ! Thanks Universal Audio, Sound on Sound & Fraser T Smith ❤❤
WHAT AN AMAZING STUDIO 😭
I find it strange that there is a ton of UAD stuff at the beginning of this video, then he talks about how he rented a DIGITAL reverb unit (Lexicon 224) because it sounds better than "software reverbs", when UAD has modeled this reverb in a plugin using the original microcode/alogrithms of this unit bit for bit.
Incredibly inspiring!
Great video and kind insights shared
Great video, Sir ! Thank you !
You are way better than Rick Rubin! 🔥 I’m glad they came back to you! 🙌🏻
18:05 i've heard that! but idk if thats a guitar...thought it was part of the strings 😮
love the sound of this album
Phenomenal video, this is what we need
Thank you so much for that one. My piano tuner says the same thing to me every time he comes in, but it's a lovely piano! haha
Fraser. That's a great name.
loved this
What a GREAT video!!!
💯👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Well shot & edited, calmly yet passionately and intimately explained, no showboating or posing or teaser-ish heavily edited pastiche trying to sell some "Members only/Academy course only/etc" full version like all the various MWTMs and PLAPs & assorted Sweetwater gear salesmen of YT do: hats off for that to SOS!
🎩
And to Mr. Fraser: fab piano, fab job, fab studio, but most importantly fab attitude! Think about it, to be making a demo for a song going off to be produced by Rick Rubin, and then a year & a half later the artist comes back dissatisfied with his version and asks you to just buff up that demo into the real thing... wel that IS something.
And it takes, to quote the great Tom Petty, rhino skin - and elephant balls.
But I'll also add in real class, and real talent.
🎩💯
brilliant !! adele knew what she had in the demo ! love it !
excellent, what a grounded soul. One day I would love a half decent upright piano in my studio. beautifully recorded. Thank you
That was cool thanks for making this !
Excellent Production Breakdown!!
Amazing piano and beat ,thank you
Absolutely enjoyed every second of this. You’re a craftsman of the music world. I Idolize Adele too. Thanks.
I absolutely love this type of stuff. Breakdown of these songs. You can release any song and i will watch it!
Fantastic interview. Bravo!
love it so much inspirational ~! 🥰😃💖
Great one right here!
This is great :)
It’s fascinating to watch a composer formulate every word in his mind before it comes out. 😂 Made for a super long video, but still enjoyed the result.
lol.....good One About The Piano.......Its Not About What u Have, Its How U Use It And Make The Best Of It🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
SOS Please get back with Fraser and do a piece on Stormzy's Blinded By Your Grace. Shout out to Fraser T Smith on the Chords!!
28:00 "I always thought this piano's really got something special about it" 😂😂
just that the meaning of the word special changed lol
Love this
If anyone knows, what is in the rack above the tube tech just to his left. Thanks
Awesome!!
Thank You for Sharing!
More vids like these please 🙏🏼
This is amazing!
Amazing video! Very entertaining and inspiring!
This was great! More videos like this one, please :-)
Incredible ❤
This was great! Thanks
How many tools does it take to tune any piano? Can it fit in a fishing-tackle box? I think I have seen that a few times.
You and me together nothing is better !
Brilliant interview.
I love these! More please
I did a 31-second TH-cam _Clip_ from 17:29 because that bit amuses me lol 😄
Nice, but wouldn't a digital reverb like the Lexicon 224 sound exactly the same in its plugin version?
Incredibile disco!! ❤
This everything 🎉
Fantastic Video
19:09 the simpsons
exactly!!! ;)
So damn kewl! Thank you!
Amazing!
Great video Thank You👍🏻
what a dream to work creatively wow 🎤🐝✨🔥🌟🤙🍄
I would I've watched an extra half hour on the Undertone console alone.
Is the video that overexposed or is this guy just such a radiant Saint? 😊😇🎙
It's likely a diffusion filter used on the lens, probably a bit over-used
It's just a Tiffen diffusion filter and a "high key" look. I think high key can seem to some "overexposed" probably cos the fashion on TH-cam at the moment is to be in the dark surrounded by pink LEDs and so on, but it's just an aesthetic choice as the footage has enough latitude to do what you want with it. Diffusion and halation is something I've always liked aesthetically so I ran with it here as the studio was bright and warm. Pretty much any actual "look" or stylistic choice can be described as a deviation from purity, whether visual or music production, but therin lies style, I think. I've noticed that on TH-cam in recent years it's become very popular to use diffusion, but I've been around a while so was doing before the "pogging thumbnail" crowd started using it 🤣
@ It definitely works for this video and the very likable producer! 👍
❤
✨✨👌🏻👌🏻
very very clever !! : )
❤️💛💚🤲🏾👑
My piano tuner said the same thing about my crappy little spinet piano i got for free. Too bad ive been having him tune it for two years. I think he wants to sell me a grand piano.
interesting content.
the sad thing, not far from now AI and sound libraries will do most of the work...
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I ask you as a artist please do not show me on your concerts
what a smok wearing nobody
Really bad tunes, bad era for music, shows everything that is wrong with British music at the time
Amazing!