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Fedde in action at Ministry Of Sound, London

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His name became synonymous with the stop, drop electro-house sound of 2006, until a change in style saw him emerge from the underground in to a fully rounded, superstar DJ.

He recently supported Coldplay as part of their world tour after being asked to remix their smash hit Paradise and continues to play the biggest venues around the globe. We caught up with after his recent set at Ministry Of Sound, London.

It feels like you resisted the temptation to continue solely on the back of Put Your Hands Up and Let Me Think About It… and headed back to the underground club style with your sound. Tell us about this decision and what it was like at the time, did you actively turn your back on the radio?
"It wasn't something I did actively, I never make a conscious decision to do my music one way or another, I just make what feels right for me at the time. If a more commercial sound had been buzzing round my head after Let Me Think About It then that's what I would have gone with, but it wasn't, so I didn't."

What have been the main changes in the way you produce now?
"The main change has been my new studio which I installed at the beginning of this year. I've built a totally perfect acoustic studio that gives me more control of the sound and it's such an inspirational place for me. I'm getting closer to the ideal mix every day."

Tell us about the process in creating the Coldplay remix.
"I use Logic Pro. Before I start with a remix I make sure I have a certain idea where I want to go. With this one I wanted to have the main hook but still make it danceable."

Do you have a special master plug-in chain?
"I'm a big fan of the Sonoxx Oxford range – they have some quality plug-ins including limiters, compressors and everything I need. Plus, they're really easy for me to use. I also like UAD, I get a really warm analog sound from using them which sounds so much better and gets the rounded effects that I want in my music."

What are your three favorite plug-in synths/ effects right now, and why?
"1. Sylenth: it's highly editable; it's got an easy interface and good sound quality

"2. Nexus: not so editable but has amazing useful presets

"3. NI Massive: super highly editable, pretty much makes any sound you have in mind, not the easiest interface but worth working on it."

What's on your DJ rider right now, including tech!
I don't really need anything too outlandish, just four CDJs and a Pioneer DJM 800 mixer. And enough Barcardi and coke to last the night.

Are you going down the DJ 'show' route, like SHM, Deadmau5, Mason etc, with lights / visuals / pyros?
I've definitely upped things as far as putting visuals and VJ shows into my own Takeover parties go. I think it's important to give clubbers a full experience when they come to see you at a showcase party, to really push the boat out so that they walk away buzzing about everything that they've encountered on the dance floor. Having said that, for me the most important thing is always the music; as much as lights and visuals and pyros can add a certain 'wow' factor, it's the music that has to blow people away. Sometimes the best nights don't have the best production but the music just blows your mind and you walk away feeling like you've been lifted to another level.

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