Phil Humphreys - Mix Engineer

Mix, Smoke, Coffee, Sleep, Mix

I love mixing music with big balls and attitude, genre doesn't matter - if it's got passion music is music to me. I mainly work on rock & metal but I mix all songs with the exact same sentiment. If the mix doesn't make me feel an emotion, it's not finished.

I've been making records for 15 years, the first 10 as an artist, the last 5 exclusively as an engineer and somewhere in the middle I did both for a while.

My musical journey has taken me all around the UK and some nice parts of Europe. I've had the pleasure of working with producers such as David Prater (Dream Theater, Firehouse), Will Maya (The Answer, Breed 77, Panic Cell) and more recently engineering for Joe Gibb (Funeral for a Friend, Jane's Addiction, Catatonia, Leftfield).

As a musician, I've been lucky enough to share festival stages, shows and tours with the likes of Opeth, Black Label Society, Heaven & Hell, Thin Lizzy, Budgie, Skindred, The Treatment & Million $ Reload to name a few.

My studio career has included work for Cargo Records, BME Entertainment & AOR Heaven and my mixes have been played on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Wales and various other local FM stations around the UK. Some artists I've worked with (as an engineer, mixer, producer or all 3) include Buffalo Summer, Serpentine, Evyltyde, Tidal, Beautiful Strangers & Arms Like Legs.

Been mixing in the same control room for 5 years now so I know my way around the sound in there. Hybrid set up, mixing both in the box and with analogue outboard gear, sometimes both. If you've got great music, I'd love to mix it.

Check out my Soundcloud showreel somewhere on this page.
Probably over there --->

Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.

Interview with Phil Humphreys - Mix Engineer

  1. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  2. A: For production I learned a lot from David Prater & Will Maya when they produced my previous band, they both really helped me learn how to take an unbiased and objective view of someone else's music. I also learned how to (and how not to) give / take criticism. I've spent many years now working alongside Andrew Francis at The Boneyard Studio, his instincts during a session are 2nd to none, he knows how to make a song work when it's lacking something and isn't afraid to step up and tackle it head on. Mix wise, I love the work of Andy Wallace, Joe Barressi, Randy Staub, Rich Costey, Chris Lord Alge, Jamie Mefford, Eric Valentine. There's a whole lot more. Basically anyone who can make me feel the music and the band / artist.

  3. Q: How would you describe your style?

  4. A: I like aggressive, I like epic and I like mellow but not a lot in between. Go large or go home.

  5. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  6. A: If it sounds bad while you're recording, keep changing things until it doesn't. I wish someone told me that 15 years ago.

  7. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  8. A: Rock & Metal often. Indie and Acoustic music coming a close 2nd.

  9. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  10. A: Mixing is the skill I work on the most but from my previous band experience I'm pretty good at coming up with a cool guitar part or catchy melodies but harmonies are like a 2nd language for me which helps save time when a band wants harmonies but haven't written them.

  11. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  12. A: I try and pull every emotion out of the speakers. I try to make the artist cry on their first mix playback. Cruel? Yes. Job done? Yes. Does it happen every time? No, but when it does, it's the most validating, yet humbling feeling ever.

  13. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  14. A: To date, I exclusively mix at The Boneyard Studio, South Wales. Tracking is through a soundtracs CP6800 desk and a whole bunch of rack gear including a stunning UA6176 preamp. Mixing is mostly in the box (Cubase) although there are some outboard options including a Joe Meek SC2.2 compressor

  15. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  16. A: Producing & Mixing. Most clients get "on the go" production during the tracking stage, it's not a personal favourite as I love pre-production where you can really get your teeth into a song but it has had some inspiring results on a a number of occasions. Mixing a well arranged and hook filled song for me is always the goal, no matter who the artist is or their genre.

Terms Of Service

Half up front, half on approval of preview mix / master (start and end missing - only enough to slightly piss you off), full mix / master delivered once approved and paid for. Recalls are fine.

Gear Highlights
  • UA 6176
  • Joe Meek SC2.2 Compressor
  • Focusrite Liquid Mix
  • Orange Rockerverb Mk II
  • Slate & Waves
More Samples
SoundBetter Deal

I'm very negotiable for EP / Album work