Phil Tan

Phil Tan is a celebrated mixing engineer whose career spans over decades of shaping the sound of some of the most iconic hits in music history. Born in Malaysia, Tan moved to the United States to attend Full Sail University in Florida, eventually making his way to Atlanta, Georgia, where he became one of the industry’s most sought-after mixers. Referred to as “one of the most successful mixing engineers of all time” by Modern Mixing, his career accomplishments speak for themselves.

With a resume that includes working on 26 singles that reached the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100, Tan’s mixing expertise has helped shape the sound of numerous chart-topping hits. His work is credited with over $220 million in sales, a testament to the widespread commercial success of the music he has touched.

Throughout his career, Phil Tan has mixed for some of the biggest names in music, including Mariah Carey, Ludacris, and Rihanna. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the success of Mariah Carey’s The Emancipation of Mimi (2005), Ludacris’ Release Therapy (2006), and Rihanna’s Only Girl (In the World) (2010), all of which won Grammy Awards. His work has earned him recognition as a key contributor to these highly acclaimed albums.

Known for his efficiency, Tan typically completes around 200 mixes each year, with each mix averaging a day and a half. Early in his career, he worked primarily with SSL consoles, but later transitioned to Pro Tools HD, mixing in the box for greater flexibility and precision. To manage the physical demands of mixing, particularly his carpal tunnel, Tan now uses a Digidesign Icon control surface to maintain a hands-on approach to his work.