Hymn for the Weekend by Coldplay: how it was recorded

Lead vocal

Chris Martin

The real chain

Get the sound

Microphone

Soyuz Microphone (model not stated)

Verified

Main lead vocal microphone on this song, according to the session notes.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.

Soyuz SU17

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Chosen for Chris Martin's vocals on the album after shootouts against vintage Neumanns and newer 47-style and 251-style mics.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.

Shure SM58

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Hand-held vocal mic Martin sometimes preferred; a lot of these takes made the album.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.

Telefunken M80

Verified

Used for an extra lead vocal track, mixed in very low, from when Martin was using this mic.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.

Telefunken 251

Reported

A lead vocal double is marked 251, which Simpson takes to indicate that Martin also used that mic. (recalled with uncertainty)

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.

Input chain

Universal Audio UA-610

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Mic preamp used for both the Shure SM58 and the Soyuz on Martin's vocals across the album.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. No plugin equivalent mapped yet.

Mix effects

SPL TwinTube

Verified

On the main verse lead vocal, adding saturation.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Kush Audio UBK1

Verified

On the main verse lead vocal, adding crunch as one of several light compression stages.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Universal Audio UAD Fairchild 670

Verified

On the main verse lead vocal as one of several lightly used compressors.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Universal Audio Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection

compressor

The plugin named in the source.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Universal Audio UAD SSL E Channel

Verified

On the main verse lead vocal alongside other lightly used dynamics.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Waves H-Delay

Verified

Delay on a send from the main verse lead vocal.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Universal Audio UAD Pultec EQP-1A

Verified

Two instances on the main chorus lead vocal.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Universal Audio Pultec Passive EQ Collection

equaliser

The current version of the plugin used on the record.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

FabFilter Pro-DS

Verified

Two instances de-essing the chorus lead vocal, one for high sibilance and one lower down.

Settings: One instance targets high sibilance, the other the region around 2 kHz.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Waves Renaissance Vox

Verified

On the main chorus lead vocal.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Universal Audio UAD Maestro Echoplex

Verified

Mono delay on a send from the chorus lead vocal.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

FXpansion Bloom

Verified

Wide stereo delay on a send from the chorus lead vocal.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

EastWest QL Spaces

Reported

Main reverb on Chris Martin's lead vocal, per the caption.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Beyoncé vocal

Beyoncé

The real chain

Get the sound

Microphone

Telefunken 251

InferredUsual practice

Usual practice, not stated for this record: Simpson says Beyoncé favours this mic.

A suggestion, not a documented fact: Rik Simpson describes this as usual practice; it is not stated for this record.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.

Input chain

Avalon Mic preamp (model not stated)

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Preamp Simpson brought when recording Beyoncé at Chris Martin's house.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. The source does not name the model, so no specific plugin can be suggested.

Guitars

The real chain

Get the sound

Mix effects

Soundtoys PanMan

Verified

On the guitars to give them movement.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Universal Audio UAD SSL E Channel

Verified

Channel strip on the guitars, one of his go-to plug-ins.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Wavesfactory TrackSpacer

Verified

On the eBow guitar hook at the end, side-chained to the vocal so it makes space.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Bass

The real chain

Get the sound

Mix effects

Crane Song Phoenix II

Verified

Tape-emulation plug-in on the side-chained bass group.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

FabFilter Pro-C 2

Verified

Provides the kick side-chained compression on the bass group.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Universal Audio UAD LA2

Verified

Compressor on the bass group that has no side-chain.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Universal Audio UAD Pultec EQP-1A

Verified

EQ on the bass group that has no side-chain; Simpson praises it.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Universal Audio Pultec Passive EQ Collection

equaliser

The current version of the plugin used on the record.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Waves L2

Verified

On the 808 bass sample track that takes over in the bridges.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

FabFilter Pro-Q 2

Verified

On the 808 bass sample track that takes over in the bridges.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

FabFilter Pro-Q 4

equaliser

Current version of the plugin used on the record; Pro-Q 2 is no longer sold.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Drums and percussion

Will Champion, with programming by Stargate and Avicii

The real chain

Get the sound

Microphone

STC/Coles 4012

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Mono overhead microphone Simpson likes, used in his drum setup for the album sessions.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.

Telefunken 251

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Pair used as overheads in Simpson's drum mic setup for the album sessions.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.

Mix effects

FabFilter Pro-Q 2

Verified

Used as a high-pass filter on almost all the drum tracks to clear low end.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

FabFilter Pro-Q 4

equaliser

Current version of the plugin used on the record; Pro-Q 2 is no longer sold.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

FabFilter Pro-G

Verified

Gate on the main kick track.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Universal Audio Little Labs VOG

Verified

Kick tracks are sent to it to add controlled low end through harmonic sub-synthesis.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Brainworx BX_refinement

Verified

On one of Will Champion's crash cymbal tracks to reduce harshness.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Kush Audio UBK1

Verified

On the toms for analogue-style colour.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Universal Audio UAD Maag EQ4

Verified

On the ride cymbal to add air.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Universal Audio UAD API 2500

Verified

Compressor on the main drum group track.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Slate Digital Virtual Mix Rack

Verified

On the main drum group track.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Slate Digital Virtual Mix Rack

channel strip

The plugin used on the record.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Universal Audio UAD Fatso Jr

Verified

On the parallel drum group track.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Keyboards and synths

The real chain

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Instrument

Sequential Prophet 12

Verified

Hardware synth part played by Guy Berryman, on the track named for the end section.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. No plugin equivalent mapped yet.

Mutable Instruments Clouds

Verified

Modular harmoniser, pitch-shifter and granulator used for a small part at the end of the song.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. No plugin equivalent mapped yet.

Mix effects

EastWest QL Spaces

Verified

Reverb on the Prophet 12 track.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Brass

The real chain

Get the sound

Mix effects

Thermionic Culture Culture Vulture

Verified

Brass parts were sent through it and recorded back into Pro Tools, then chopped to sound like a sample.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

Emulation of this unit

Universal Audio Thermionic Culture Vulture

saturation

Made with Thermionic Culture as a model of the Culture Vulture.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Soundtoys Decapitator

Verified

On the brass tracks, which are edited to sound like a sample.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Mix bus and stereo bus

Rik Simpson (mix)

The real chain

Get the sound

Mix effects

Slate Digital Virtual Mix Rack

Verified

Insert on the main bus track that the whole session feeds.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Slate Digital Virtual Mix Rack

channel strip

The plugin used on the record.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines

Verified

Insert on the main bus track that the whole session feeds.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines

tape

The plugin named in the source.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Kush Audio Clariphonic DSP MkI

Verified

EQ insert on the main bus track.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Thermionic Culture Phoenix

Verified

Hardware insert fed by a pre-fader send and blended in parallel with the main bus.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. No plugin equivalent mapped yet.

Thermionic Culture Culture Vulture

Verified

Hardware insert fed by a pre-fader send and blended in parallel with the main bus.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

Emulation of this unit

Universal Audio Thermionic Culture Vulture

saturation

Made with Thermionic Culture as a model of the Culture Vulture.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Slate Digital FG-X

Verified

Saturator on the pre-limiter master track, adding glue.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

iZotope Ozone 5

Verified

Used for some compression on the pre-limiter master track.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

iZotope Ozone 6

Verified

Its EQ boosts low end and a little top end on the pre-limiter master track.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. This is already software, so the stand-in is the thing itself. No product link has been added for it yet.

Crane Song HEDD 192

Verified

D-A converter the mix was run through on the way to the print rig.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. A converter between analogue and digital. Your audio interface does this job, so no plugin is needed.

Vertigo Sound VSM2 Satellite

Verified

On the stereo mix while printing, with switchable M-S and L-R inserts adding harmonics.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. No plugin equivalent mapped yet.

SSL Compressor (model not stated)

Verified

On the stereo mix while printing.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. The source does not name the model, so no specific plugin can be suggested.

GML Equaliser (model not stated)

Verified

On the stereo mix while printing.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. The source does not name the model, so no specific plugin can be suggested.

Sources

Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Rik Simpson (Inside Track: Coldplay ‘Hymn For The Weekend’), Sound On Sound, 2016-03. Accessed 15 Nov 2026.

Verified

Stated by the engineer, producer or artist, or by the manufacturer.

Reported

Stated by a reputable secondary source.

Inferred

An educated suggestion, not a documented fact.

Disclosure: plugin links currently go straight to the maker and earn us nothing. If that changes, affiliate links will be marked here. Suggestions are chosen on fit, never on commission, and are kept separate from the recording facts. More.