How It Was Recorded

Sam Smith · In the Lonely Hour, 2014

Stay with Me

Lead and backing vocalsBassDrums and percussionPiano and organVerified33Reported5

What the sources do and do not say

One Sound On Sound interview with Steve Fitzmaurice covers the Stay With Me demo mix, the final hybrid mix and the RAK band sessions. The final song is about 90 percent the demo, so RAK tracking rows (vocal chain, drum mics, bass, piano mic) are album-level and may not be on the released recording. The demo recording chain at Jimmy Napes's studio is largely unnamed; the article does not name the demo vocal mic.

Lead and backing vocals

Sam Smith

Microphone

Neumann U67 (modified)

ReportedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Fitzmaurice says he recorded Sam Smith with this mic, brought from his own studio, at RAK, and thinks it may have beaten a few others he tried.

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

Neve 1066

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Preamp for the lead vocal microphone in the RAK band sessions.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

Close match

Universal Audio Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Collection

preamp and EQ

The 1066 is a sibling of the 1073 with different equaliser frequencies. This models the 1073.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Teletronix LA-2A

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Studio compressor on Sam Smith's vocal at RAK, used in place of his own 1176; no EQ was added.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

Emulation of this unit

Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection

compressor

Universal Audio owns the Teletronix name; this is its own model of the LA-2A.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Also worth a look: Waves CLA-2A Compressor / Limiter (Models an LA-2A from Chris Lord-Alge's collection. Cheaper and runs without UA hardware).

Mix effects

Manley Massive Passive

Reported

Fitzmaurice says he would probably have used this EQ on the verse and chorus lead vocals of the demo mix, but did not record what he did in the analogue stage.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

Emulation of this unit

Universal Audio Manley Massive Passive EQ

equaliser

Made with Manley as a model of the Massive Passive.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Retro Instruments 176

Reported

Fitzmaurice says he would probably have used these compressors on the verse and chorus lead vocals of the demo mix.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. No plugin equivalent mapped yet.

Universal Audio dbx 160

Verified

In-the-box compression on both lead vocal tracks of the demo mix.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Universal Audio dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter

compressor

The plugin named in the source.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

EMT 140

Verified

Plate reverb on both lead vocal tracks of the demo mix.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

Emulation of this unit

Universal Audio EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverberator

reverb

Models three EMT 140 plates, made with EMT.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Also worth a look: Soundtoys Little Plate (A simpler EMT 140 model with one decay control).

Soundtoys Echoboy

Verified

Eighth-note delay on both lead vocal tracks of the demo mix.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Soundtoys EchoBoy

delay

The plugin named in the source.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Sony Oxford EQ

Verified

Some EQ on the lead vocals in the final hybrid mix, though Fitzmaurice says he uses less and less vocal EQ.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Sonnox Oxford EQ

equaliser

The same EQ: Sony's Oxford plugins are now made by Sonnox.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Maag Audio EQ4

Verified

Some EQ on the lead vocals in the final hybrid mix, alongside the Oxford EQ.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

Emulation of this unit

Plugin Alliance Maag Audio EQ4

equaliser

Made with Maag Audio as a model of the EQ4.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Bass

Jodi Milliner (RAK); Jimmy Napes (demo)

Instrument

Fender Precision Bass (1969)

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Hired bass guitar for the RAK band sessions.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. A bass guitar is the source of the sound, not a process applied to it. No plugin stands in for it.

Korg MS-10

Verified

Sine-wave sub-bass played by Fitzmaurice's assistant Darren Heelis, appearing in the choruses and middle eight of the final version.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

Close match

Korg KORG Collection

instrument

Korg's bundle includes the MS-20, the MS-10's larger sibling.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Input chain

Avalon DI (model not stated)

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: DI for the RAK bass, feeding an API mic pre on the console.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. A DI box passes the signal on cleanly. Plug the instrument straight into your interface's instrument input.

API Mic preamp (model not stated)

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Mic preamp on the RAK console taking the bass DI.

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.

Mix effects

Soundtoys Echoboy

Verified

Eighth-note delay on the bass stem in the middle eight of the final mix.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Soundtoys EchoBoy

delay

The plugin named in the source.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Drums and percussion

Jimmy Napes (demo loop); Earl Harvin (RAK kit)

Microphone

Unidentified Overhead microphone (model not stated)

Verified

The demo drums, played by Jimmy Napes, were captured with a single overhead mic, from which a looped section was made.

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.

Neumann U 47 fet

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Kick drum mic on Earl Harvin's kit in the RAK sessions, alternating with an Electro-Voice RE20 depending on what suited the Yamaha NS10 sub 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.

Yamaha NS10 (woofer used as microphone)

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Sub microphone on the kick drum of the RAK drum kit.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

No plugin suggested. No plugin equivalent mapped yet.

Shure SM58

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Snare mic at RAK, chosen instead of an SM57 because he prefers the sound.

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.

AKG C414

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Snare-bottom mic at RAK.

Position
underneath the snare
Settings
with pad and filter

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.

Mercenary Audio KM69

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Hi-hat mic at RAK.

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.

Coles 4038

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Pair of ribbon overhead mics on the RAK drum kit.

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.

Sennheiser MD 421

ReportedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Fitzmaurice believes this mic was on the rack tom at RAK.

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. The MD 421 is still made.

Neumann M50

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Pair of mics placed low down on the RAK kit.

Position
low down, at bass drum height and at 45 degree angles

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.

Sennheiser MD 441

ReportedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Dynamic mic in front of the RAK kit, sent through a SansAmp pedal; Fitzmaurice says he would probably have brought it in at certain points.

Position
in front of the kit

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.

B&K Omni microphone (model not stated)

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Two omni mics set high in the room as far-away ambient mics on the RAK kit.

Position
really high in the room

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

Massey CT4

Verified

Compressor on the snare-sample track that doubles Jimmy Napes's clanky snare in the demo mix.

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.

SoundRadix Auto-Align

Verified

Used to phase-align the two added kick drum samples in the demo mix.

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.

Tonelux Tilt EQ (Softube)

Verified

EQ on the live tambourine of the demo.

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.

Massey CT5

Verified

Compressor on the live tambourine of the demo.

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.

Audio Ease Altiverb (spring reverb)

Verified

Spring reverb sent from the tambourine in the demo mix.

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

Sub-harmonic plug-in on the stem of drum samples added to the mix, adding bottom end; turned off whenever the Korg sub-bass plays in the choruses.

Settings
adds around 40Hz

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.

Pultec EQ (plug-in, model not stated)

Verified

Used on the AttackBD kick sample added in the final mix, to lift the mids and cut much of the highs.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

Emulation of this unit

Universal Audio Pultec Passive EQ Collection

equaliser

Models the Pultec EQP-1A, MEQ-5 and HLF-3C.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Also worth a look: Waves PuigTec EQs (EQP-1A and MEQ-5) (Models Jack Joseph Puig's Pultec EQP-1A and MEQ-5).

Piano and organ

Tourist (piano); Jimmy Napes

Microphone

AEA R88

VerifiedAlbum sessions

Album sessions, not stated for this song: Ribbon mic on the piano in the RAK sessions; the article separately says the piano kept on Stay With Me was recorded at Jimmy Napes's studio.

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

Tonelux Tilt EQ (Softube)

Verified

Filters low end and a lot of high end (down to about 5kHz) on the low organ track of the demo mix because the organ was noisy.

Settings
high end filtered down to 5kHz

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.

Audio Ease Altiverb (spring reverb)

Verified

The same spring reverb as the tambourine on all the keyboards in the demo mix.

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 RX3 De-noiser

Verified

Removed hiss from the original piano in the final mix.

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 Trident A-Range EQ

Verified

EQ on the piano in the final mix, adding mid-range as the bigger drums needed it.

Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Universal Audio Trident A-Range Classic Console EQ

equaliser

The plugin named in the source.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Sources

  1. Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Steve Fitzmaurice (Inside Track: Sam Smith's In The Lonely Hour), Sound On Sound, 2014-09. 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.