Power and emotion sit at the heart of "Syndicate," the new album from synthwave pioneer duo The Midnight.
It was also interesting to learn that Classic Clipper played a key role in achieving that balance. It's included in our T-RackS 6 collection, a lineup of mixing and mastering tools that deliver the same precision, warmth, and flexibility Tim McEwan, a member of the group, relies on in every project.
Together, they form a toolkit built to elevate an entire studio setup, not just a single plug-in.
Across its 17 tracks, "Syndicate" moves between cinematic synthwave and live instrumentation, demanding control at every step. McEwan used Classic Clipper to manage transient energy and shape tone, tightening drum hits, smoothing sharp synths, and adding gentle grit to bass textures. It helped him bring everything together while keeping the mix warm, cohesive, and emotionally alive.
In this interview, McEwan shares how clipping became a central part of his process, helping him handle dense layers and maintain the emotional weight that defines The Midnight's sound.
At a Glance
- Controlling punch with Classic Clipper
- Choosing clipping over compression
- Preserving tone in layered synths
- Keeping cinematic sounds modern
- Balancing live and electronic elements
- Clipping tips for younger producers
So let's get into it!
Syndicate is stacked with layers — full-bodied synths, heavy drums, live instruments. Where does Classic Clipper sit in that process to help everything hit without crowding the mix?
I love using a clipper to control transients and punch with individual drums or the entire drum bus.
The Classic Clipper is so simple to use, but it still lets you have lots of control. You can be as transparent or aggressive with it as you want.
When you're layering multiple synth parts, what tells you it's time to reach for a clipper instead of EQ or compression?
If I need to control the dynamic range of something, I sometimes prefer using a clipper over a limiter. It can sometimes sound more transparent and be more effective than just limiting the signal.
Nostalgic synth tones are such a big part of The Midnight's sound. How does Classic Clipper help preserve the character of those layers while still competing with modern loudness standards?
Classic Clipper is fantastic not only on drums, but I'm adding a really punchy bass that consists of layers.
I may want punchy transients, but I don't want them to spike my mix. I can add a bit of crunch to the bass attack while reducing the dynamic range. That's a great way to bring all your elements to the forefront of your mix, but in a very controlled way.
Syndicate leans into cinematic synthwave again. Did clipping play a role in making those widescreen sounds feel modern and competitive?
Yeah, there's a sweet spot between the retro aesthetic and bringing something into a more contemporary space, and presence and punchiness play a big part in that.
For me, it's about control of your dynamic range, and clipping is one of many ways to do that.
Does Classic Clipper make it easier to keep live instruments and electronic elements coexisting in the same space?
I don't tend to use a lot of live drums but a good example for me would be how to treat a lucky electric guitar.
I would throw the Classic Clipper on those plucks to give them a grittier edge or just to bring up the overall level while still controlling the peaks.
For younger producers working in synthwave or electronic music, what's the one piece of advice you'd share about using clipping to keep their mixes powerful?
Clipping is just a great way to add punch, presence, or level to individual tracks, a mix bus or sometimes to the master channel.
I recommend experimenting with a clipper to see what it can bring to your productions. It's one of many tools and is super useful.
Conclusions and Big Takeaways
On Syndicate, The Midnight found a way to make big, cinematic production feel personal again. Every sound feels intentional, from the way the drums breathe to the way the synths move through space.
For McEwan, Classic Clipper played a role in this process, enabling him to advocate for energy and cohesion while preserving the emotion that characterizes the project. It became less about loudness and more about feel, keeping the mix warm, powerful, and human.
The album captures everything that has made The Midnight such a distinct force in electronic music: nostalgia, precision, and heart. It is a reminder that great production is not about perfection, but about connection.
T-RackS 6 MAX features 62 plug-ins, including the Classic Clipper, and builds on its legendary sound quality, speed, and ease of use to offer everything musicians, producers, and engineers need to craft the perfect track. Learn more about T-RackS 6.
T-RackS 6 MAX