Ben Fox Smith on SoundBetter

I am a multi-instrumentalist and producer, signed at a young age with a band called Stony Sleep on Big Cat Records and then with Serafin on Elektra Records. I've made several albums in top studios around the world with producers like D.Sardy, John Cornfield, Machine, KK and Ian Caple... and I've toured with fancy people like Muse and Frank Black.

Some bragging and fun facts:
My biggest song Day by Day featured on a video game called John Madden NFL.
My single This Kitten is Clean was chosen as single of the week by Ozzy Osbourne.
I appeared on the Big Breakfast with Johnny Vaughn.
I played two nights at Brixton Academy supporting Muse. Almost broke my arm climbing over the gate to their manor because they lost their keys.
I went to school with Johnny from Razorlight and John from the Libertines.
I worked on two great films in 2024.
I now produce, record, mix and master professionally; mostly Indie/Rock.
I started producing my own records with a 4-track recorder and now have an excellent studio set-up with the highest quality guitars, mics, amps, pre-amps, plugins, keyboards and a piano. I have an alternative rock background and this is my speciality though I enjoy being unpredictable and experimental while retaining cohesion.
I'm also grade 8 piano and on course for a First in Music at Surrey University :)

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Credits

Discogs verified credits for Ben Fox Smith

Serafin (2)
Stony Sleep
Stony Sleep
Various
Stony Sleep
Stony Sleep
Stony Sleep
Stony Sleep
Serafin (2)
Serafin (2)
Various
Various
Various
Various
Serafin (2)
Serafin (2)
Serafin (2)
Serafin (2)
Serafin (2)

Languages

English
French

12 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Ben Fox Smith

by Julien L.
Verified
Ben did such a great work (translation and voice track for my song). I'm very happy with the result. A total pro!
by Julien L.
Verified
It was great working with Ben! He translated a french song to english for me and provided a great voice track. I'm happy. Dont hesitate to hire him
by Patrick M.
Verified
Stellar experience! Ben brought my song to life with his amazing vocals and brilliant guitars. We were targeting at a sort-of cover version of one of my old songs and Ben's contribution was literally breathtaking. Ben is easy to work with, fast, patient, and committed. Hire him!
by Tom M.
Ben Fox Smith is an unrecognised musical genius whose unique and immeasurable talent for songwriting and compositio is almost entirely unequalled by his peers. His work mixing and mastering my upcoming single Scooch Scooch has brought out melodies, textures and backing vocals previously inaudible, giving a boost of energy and character that really bring the song to life. Ben’s combined natural, seemingly instinctive skills, paired with his trained academical expertise are both of the highest order possible, a combination unmatched in our time. Ben Fox Smith knows music. Full stop.
by Ron Haynes
Ben recently did some mastering for me and it came out really well. The song had already been mastered but Ben's job was much better, with a tighter overall treatment. He brought out the snare and kick drum through the mix and had a solid bass element without ever pushing any frequencies too high.
Totally recommend Ben, he got it done quickly, and is a bloody nice guy too.
by Dylan
Ben is a brilliant musician and producer. He creates a stress-free environment for creativity in his studio. He did an amazing work on my song and helped it come alive with his ideas on the arrangement. Will for sure be working with him again.
by Dylan
Ben is a brilliant musician and producer. He creates a stress-free environment for creativity in his studio. He did an amazing work on my song and helped it come alive with his ideas on the arrangement. Will for sure be working with him again.
by Darryn Harkness
If you are looking to master tracks go with Ben!... he recently mastered tracks for my band Loud Ghost and another client of mine, a band called Crying Ivy...excellent work and a very fast turnaround...top marks for a top gentlemen...RESONANCE
by Daisy
Ben edited and produced a podcast for me with a very quick turnaround and excellent results. I was really impressed with the sound quality and communication throughout. Thanks Ben!
by Tim
As an amateur, I turned to Ben for advice in a studio setting in recreating some songs as a passion project. What I didn’t realize was that I was working with a brilliant musician and guide through the musical process from concept, production, mixing and mastering at his studios. In addition, Ben is patient, shepherding a rookie like myself through countless takes, always encouraging and always kind and constructive with criticism. He is a veritable pleasure to work with. I encourage anyone to have a discussion with Ben on their musical goals.
by Ben Le Marchant
Fantastic service, quick turnaround and a super high quality end result. A pleasure to have such an expert ear (and all round great guy) working on my music. Would highly recommend!
by shian smith-pancorvo
I am a Prog Rock composer and regularly call on Ben Fox Smith for whatever I may need for my often ambitious projects - some tight rythm guitars, vocal layering, Romantic piano work, mixing and mastering - he performs all these tasks professionally, accomadatingly and at great prices.

Interview with Ben Fox Smith

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I made an album in L.A in 2003 in some of the famous studios there but nothing beats Sawmills in Cornwall where I made some E.Ps with John Cornfield. I wrote the music, sang and played guitar.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: My music degree
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Ian Caple is wonderful, worked with him in his splendid home studio near London.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both! I have lots in the box to play with, DAWs in general are of course indispensable. I love to record with real transistors and valves though, with real fingers on real keys... the result is richer and finer.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will listen and respond with care and consideration.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The fun that comes with creativity
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Do you have a YouTube channel? Yes :)
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: People don't realise how long it can take to edit/compile/print etc. in the DAW.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I like to get examples of music that they like and a bit of their history and why they do what they do regarding their music.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Don't go for ego, down to earth people will listen to you and respond to your needs.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Chandler TG2 preamp, Strat Pro 2 guitar, Arturia Polybrute synth, Kawai K2 piano, Sontronics Aria microphone.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I was signed at 17 years old to an indie label and went on to sign to bigger labels, recording with big producers and touring with big bands. Survived the changes to the digital paradigms and turned to musical academia to bolster my skills and experience.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Modern vintage rock/pop
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: PJ Harvey would be amazing to work with
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Have fun
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Usually rock and pop, alternative or otherwise.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Melody and harmony writing may be my strongest skill.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: 30 years of professional songwriting experience and 15 years of academic study at Surrey university and teaching ABRSM grades. I will be aware of genre, harmony and melody when making suggestions, appropriate for the idiom in question.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I'll sit with the material and discuss the project with the client until I have a way forward that works for the brief. I'll commonly get it right quite quickly and ask the client for feedback for improvements.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have the highest quality newly made vintage style outboard equipment. From Abbey Road's TG2 to Arturia's analogue Polybrute and my Strat pro 2. An array of great mics and valve units sit nicely with my plethora virtual instruments and plugins by SSL, Softube and Universal Audio.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Nick Drake's guitar playing and songwriting. Heinbach from Youtube is wonderful in the synth world. Holst's Planets is a masterclass of orchestration
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I'm a versatile vocalist and guitarist, recently did an interesting translation from French to re-contextualise a song into English.