Sandy Vee: Crafting Chart-Topping Hits with a Unique Sound
Sandy Vee’s rise from a house music producer in France to a Grammy-winning songwriter and producer in New York is nothing short of meteoric. Known for his genre-defining work with artists like Rihanna, Katy Perry, and David Guetta, Sandy has left an indelible mark on modern pop music. We caught up with him in his new home of New York City to discuss his journey, his approach to music production, and his use of Sonnox plug-ins.
From Classical Roots to Club Music
Sandy’s music journey began in high school, where he was classically trained on the double bass. After transitioning to bass guitar, he explored jazz, funk, rock, and eventually club music through his DJ friends. "I liked the idea of mixing the different styles I enjoyed as a bassist—acoustic, rock, pop, funk—with electronic sounds to create a distinctive new, modern sound," Sandy explains. He invested in his first computer and studio gear without much initial knowledge, dedicating himself to learning the craft of music production.
His breakthrough came when he scored a number one hit in France with "Bleep," a track that featured a sample from Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant. From there, Sandy’s reputation as a talented musician who could engineer and manipulate sounds grew, setting him apart from other producers.
Crafting a Signature Sound
Sandy emphasizes the importance of sound design and mixing in defining his unique style. "Understanding mixing is a big part of production—it helps define my sound," he says. He spends considerable time crafting unique sounds, such as creating punchy kick drums by layering eight or nine kicks with different EQ and compression settings. "Some people overuse presets, but I love generating new sounds with software like Reaktor."
Understanding mixing is a big part of production—it helps define my sound
His meticulous approach extends to all aspects of production, from sound selection to final mix tweaks, often involving detailed work that many might overlook. This attention to detail has been a key factor in his success and his ability to create a fresh sound that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Breaking into the Global Scene
Sandy’s transition from France to the global stage began with a chance encounter with David Guetta at Pacha in Ibiza. After collaborating on Guetta’s album One Love, their track "Sexy Bitch" became a worldwide hit. This success pivoted Sandy’s focus entirely to songwriting and production, leading to collaborations with artists like Rihanna and Katy Perry alongside Norwegian production duo, Stargate.
Mixing with Sonnox Plug-ins
Despite his reputation as a producer and songwriter, Sandy is also known for mixing his own tracks, typically working entirely in the box using Nuendo and a range of plug-ins. He recently acquired a 48-channel SSL for summing, but his mixes for hits like "Firework" and "Only Girl (In The World)" were done entirely in the box, employing techniques to add warmth and depth.
A key element of Sandy’s mixing process is the Sonnox Oxford Limiter, which he first discovered while working on "Sexy Bitch." "The aim was to make it as loud as possible without distortion," Sandy recalls. He uses the Limiter extensively, often applying it to individual drum tracks, bass, and the master bus. "It might sound over the top, but that plug-in played a big part in shaping my 'sound'—which I think is quite a big sound!" He’s been known to drive up to 18dB of extra gain into the Limiter without it distorting, praising its transparency and ability to handle extreme settings while preserving transients and maintaining a robust low end.
Favorite Sonnox Tools
While the Oxford Limiter is Sandy’s go-to plug-in, he also relies on other Sonnox tools to enhance his mixes. The Inflator is a favorite for adding sub to kicks and creating a "big round bottom end" on bass, while the Oxford Reverb helps synths sound larger and more natural. "I would say that the Limiter is my most used plug-in from Sonnox. In my opinion, it’s the best Limiter on the market."
Looking Ahead
With a proven track record of creating chart-topping hits and a commitment to pushing sonic boundaries, Sandy Vee shows no signs of slowing down. As he continues to shape the sound of pop music, his innovative use of technology and relentless pursuit of a unique musical identity ensure that his influence will remain strong in the years to come.