Simon Climie: Crafting Iconic Sounds with Sonnox Plug-ins

Simon Climie’s remarkable career as a producer, songwriter, and artist has taken him from pub bands in London to working with some of the most legendary names in music. From penning hits for Aretha Franklin and George Michael to producing for Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder, Climie’s versatility and expertise have made him a sought-after talent in the industry. A constant in his creative process is his reliance on Sonnox plug-ins, which he uses on every production and mix to achieve his signature sound.

Simon Climie playing an acoustic guitar in a mixing studio in front of a computer screen with Pro Tools displayed

From Humble Beginnings to Global Hits

Climie’s musical journey began with a simple yet profound inspiration: watching George Harrison on TV and dreaming of being a musician. "I was a huge Beatles fan," he recalls. His career took off when he was signed as a songwriter to Ringo Starr’s publishing company, Chrysalis. One of his early successes came with the song "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)," which Clive Davis recognized as the perfect duet for George Michael and Aretha Franklin. The track became a global hit, marking Climie’s first major breakthrough.

His talents as a vocalist were discovered while working with record producer Steve Lillywhite. Climie’s demos with Rob Fisher caught Lillywhite’s attention, leading to the formation of the band Climie Fisher. Their hits "Love Changes Everything" and "Rise to the Occasion" became chart-toppers, and Climie quickly became a sought-after record producer, known for his ability to make vocals shine.

The Power of Sonnox Plug-ins

Climie’s work with legendary mix engineers like Bob Clearmountain and Mick Guzauski opened his eyes to the potential of mixing technology. He recalls how Guzauski’s work on a Sony Oxford console influenced his approach to mixing and his eventual adoption of Sonnox plug-ins. "Working with Mick on his ‘Million Dollar’ Sony Oxford console opened my eyes as to the potential and what was possible mixing with what has become the Sonnox plug-ins," Climie says.

Integrating Sonnox into Every Mix

Climie has been using Sonnox plug-ins extensively, particularly since they became available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. He notes, "They really have overtaken the best analogue equivalent now." One notable project was Eric Clapton’s The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale, where Climie used Sonnox Dynamics and EQ to manage the vocals. He set up dedicated busses for lead and backing vocals, applying Sonnox plug-ins to bring clarity and cohesion to the mix. "I would say 50% of a really great record has to be the vocals," he emphasizes.

They really have overtaken the best analogue equivalent now.Simon Climie on Sonnox Plug-ins

In the live album Slowhand at 70: Live at the Royal Albert Hall, Climie faced the challenge of stage mic leakage. He turned to Sonnox Dynamics as a powerful tool for filtering and expanding sound, allowing him to control what came through before compressing or limiting. "It’s an incredible tool for filtering in an intuitive way, and I don’t mean just gating," Climie explains.

Crafting Surround Sound with Sonnox

Climie’s work isn’t limited to stereo mixes; he also excels in surround sound projects. On Slowhand at 70, he constructed a virtual Sonnox Oxford ‘console’ within Pro Tools. "We effectively built a Sonnox Oxford ‘console’ in the box by using the bussing within Pro Tools," he explains. By using Sonnox Dynamics, GML EQ, and Oxford Limiter, he was able to recreate the feel of a classic Neve surround summing mixer. Climie highlights the flexibility of Sonnox EQ, which offers multiple settings that mimic various classic analog consoles.

Finding the Magic Frequency

A key part of Climie’s mixing process is identifying the "magic frequency" in a vocalist’s sound. Using Sonnox EQ, he can fine-tune and bring out the best in each voice. "All singers have a magic frequency and some have more than one," Climie notes. Whether it’s mid-range for Tom Petty or the high-end overtones of Michael McDonald, Sonnox EQ helps Climie enhance the unique characteristics of each artist’s voice.

The Sonnox Inflator: A Secret Weapon

Among his favorite tools is the Sonnox Inflator, which he describes as a "secret weapon." "It’s like the energy and lift you’d get with great outboard," Climie says. He often uses it on synths or instruments that need a bit of extra presence and character. The Inflator acts as a unique blend of tape saturation and compression, enhancing the sound without altering its core qualities.

Creating a Virtual Console in Pro Tools

Climie has developed a method to emulate the experience of mixing on a high-end analog console using Sonnox plug-ins within Pro Tools. By splitting outputs and applying Sonnox EQ across busses, he can create a cohesive and flexible mixing environment. "In essence, I effectively recreate a vintage Neve mixer and outboard inside Pro Tools, using only Sonnox plug-ins!" he explains. This approach allows him to maintain consistency across multiple tracks and achieve a professional, polished sound even without physical analog gear.

Looking Ahead

With a career spanning decades and a track record of working with some of the greatest names in music, Simon Climie continues to push the boundaries of music production. His innovative use of Sonnox plug-ins, combined with his deep understanding of both analog and digital mixing techniques, ensures that his productions remain at the forefront of the industry. As Climie himself puts it, "A huge thanks to Sonnox and partners for creating the tools we use to sculpt these records!"

content