Phil Da Costa

Mixing and Music Production

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16 Reviews
Phil Da Costa on SoundBetter

I am a Mixer, Music Producer, Songwriter, Engineer and Programmer. In a career spanning over 30 years I have enjoyed success with many hit records and Platinum, Gold and Silver awards and millions of units sold. I have worked with a wide variety of hit artists and many genres of music in countless studios in the UK and abroad.

My services and rates are flexible and I can usually fit in with most budgets and deadlines.I have my own studio set-up running Logic Pro and Pro Tools and most major virtual instruments, synthesisers, samplers and effects plug-ins.

I am always open to new projects and I look forward to hearing from you.

•Honors and Awards:
Double Platinum disc (600,000) for engineering on "Greatest Hits" by Take That - RCA 1996
Platinum disc (300,000) for engineering and mixing "Subject To Change" by Vanessa Mae - EMI/Liberty 2001
Double Platinum disc (700,000) for engineering and mixing on "Shine" by Bond - Decca 2002
Platinum disc (300,000) for engineering, programming and mixing on "Dive In" by Darius - Mercury 2002
Silver disc (60,000) for engineering and mixing "Beyond Imagination" by Opera Babes - Sony 2003
Gold disc (150,000) for engineering, programming and mixing "A Whole New World" by Katie and Peter - K+P 2006
Platinum disc (500,000) for engineering and mixing "Voices Of The Valley" by The Fron Choir - Universal 2006
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards "Spirit Of The Glen - Journey" won the 2009 Classical Brit Award for Best Album. Mixed by Phil Da Costa
Multi disc award to celebrate over 2 million album sales in partnership withUCJ and Decca Records.
Platinum disc (600,000) for engineering and mixing "Wherever You Are" by The Military Wives Choir - Decca 2011

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Phil Da Costa
  • Gregory Porter
  • Cantus
  • Cantus
  • Justin Fletcher
  • Laura Wright
  • Military Wives
  • Military Wives
  • Military Wives
  • Military Wives
  • Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards
  • Band of Coldstream Guards
  • Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards
  • Band of Coldstream Guards
  • Band of H.M. Royal Marines
  • Dinnington Colliery Band
  • Central Band of the Royal Air Force
  • Was (Not Was)
  • Fron Male Voice Choir
  • Faryl Smith
  • Faryl Smith
  • Mantric
  • Loveshy
  • Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
  • Romane Serda
  • Romane Serda
  • Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
  • Alison Moyet
  • Alison Moyet
  • Alison Moyet
  • Fron Male Voice Choir
  • Fron Male Voice Choir
  • Fron Male Voice Choir
  • Peter Andre
  • Katie Price
  • Peter Andre
  • Katie Price
  • Peter Andre
  • Katie Price
  • Shakin' Stevens
  • Shakin' Stevens
  • Shakin' Stevens
  • Fron Male Voice Choir
  • Fron Male Voice Choir
  • Amy Nuttall
  • Bond
  • Darius
  • Darius
  • Shirley Bassey
  • Myleene Klass
  • Bond
  • Bond
  • OperaBabes
  • OperaBabes
  • OperaBabes
  • Darius
  • Darius
  • Darius
  • Bond
  • Bond
  • Lulu
  • Bond
  • Vanessa-Mae
  • Vanessa-Mae
  • Boyzone
  • Boyzone
  • Boyzone
  • Boyzone
  • Tony Momrelle
  • Louise
  • Seventh Avenue
  • Angie Gold
  • Angie Gold
  • Carol Jiani
  • Carol Jiani
  • Croisette
  • Hazell Dean
  • Louise Thomas
  • Marsha Raven
  • Midnight Sunrise
  • Moonstone
  • The Exciters
  • The Exciters
  • Seventh Avenue
  • Seventh Avenue
  • Jaki Graham
  • Jaki Graham
  • Jaki Graham
  • Peter Bardens
  • Peter Bardens
  • The Monitors
  • Peter Bardens
  • Peter Bardens
  • Was (Not Was)
  • Peter Bardens
  • Linda Griner
  • Band of Coldstream Guards
  • Band of Coldstream Guards
  • Vera Lynn
  • Katherine Jenkins

16 Reviews

Endorse Phil Da Costa
  1. Review by Kit Rice
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    by Kit Rice

    I have worked with Phill on 2 incredible projects so far. He is an amazing producer & his vocal production is truly stunning. It’s been a joy working with him & I look forward to doing more in the future! KIT

  2. Review by Robin Datta
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    by Robin Datta

    I have worked with Phil on a number of projects for advertising music. Phil always works in a professional manner, keeps to deadlines and hands in very well composed and produced music. He is very able to understand the requirements of a brief, is articulate and a pleasure to work with.

  3. Review by Ketil Schei
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    by Ketil Schei

    Phil Da Costa is a true gem in the world of producers, writers and engineers! I started working with Phil back in the 90´s when he was doing the boybands, and he has been an inspiration to me ever since. From the late 2000´s Phil and I have done several projects together, where his skills truly enhances the the product. Phil is also a one of a kind guy to be around, always extremely kind and calm.

  4. Review by Phil Molloy
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    by Phil Molloy

    Phil is a brilliantly talented music mixer, engineer and producer. Thoroughly enjoyed working with him on both short form/series scores and song production at Mattel/HIT Entertainment.

  5. Review by Bob James
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    by Bob James

    Have known Phil for years and he has worked on numerous artists that we manage. One of the Industries nice guys and someone who is passionate about music. Great all round Producer, Mixer and writer! One to trust!
    Bob James - Intune Addicts

  6. Review by Sam Bardens (SCENE)
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    by Sam Bardens (SCENE)

    Phil is not only one of the industries most talented Producers/Mixers he is also the nicest guy you will ever have the pleasure of working with. Not only will he have your tracks sounding like gold but you will have many a laugh and a lot of fun on the journey. Phil is a one in a million and a credit to the industry!

  7. Review by Scott Ciscon
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    by Scott Ciscon

    I've had the pleasure of working with Phil for over 10 years on a range of material and every project is met with the same professionalism and attention to detail, no matter what I/we have thrown at him. A great pair of ears for your mix & to bounce creative ideas off of, plus the kind of guy you want to share a pint and a laugh with at the end of a tough working day.

  8. Review by Mike Kintish
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    by Mike Kintish

    I've worked with Phil for over 10 years now. He has amazing A&R ears and first spotted the potential in my band - as a result of his guidance and work on our tracks we eventually signed to Island Records and Phil helped produce and engineer the album. I've also worked with Phil as my go to mixer and general fixer on many subsequent projects. He's also a Man United fan and that helps.

  9. Review by Robin Goodfellow
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    by Robin Goodfellow

    I've worked with Phil for over 30 years. He has fantastic ears, and his attention to detail is astounding. He is a great technical engineer, but also, as a musician and programmer, he has that innate ability as a producer, to hear the whole track, both sonically and musically. He is fun to be around and diligently puts a huge effort into refining tracks. Robin Goodfellow

  10. Review by Paul D.
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    An amazingly talented and professional individual , I had the pleasure of Phil by my side as we enjoyed a 10 year remix career that bore many number one dance hits and several top 40 national successes , Phil was dedicated and focused and I could always rely on him to go that extra mile with a smile !..

  11. Review by Nick
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    by Nick

    I've worked very closely with Phil for the past 12 years on a range of projects & can't speak highly enough of the man as a person & highly skilled professional! Phil had a huge role to play in helping me get signed to Island Records in my band The Yeah You's & subsequently went on to co produce our album. Phil's attention to detail and conscientiousness is second to none. Would recommend to all!!

  12. Review by Stuart Evans
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    by Stuart Evans

    I've worked with Phil on 104 episodes and a feature of Bob the Builder, and he provided a whole range of original songs in a variety of styles. Briefing Phil is always a pleasure as he brings a knowledge and enthusiasm that I'm always looking for as a director: he also brings fun and imagination to the whole process. Phil is a joy to work with and I look forward to working with him again.

  13. Review by Don Gallacher
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    by Don Gallacher

    I have worked with Phil Costa for sdome time now, mostly in my role as a music supervisor and film producer. Phil is a ver talented engineer, producer, writer. I would recommend him to anyone.

    Don Gallacher

  14. Review by Adrienne Aiken
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    by Adrienne Aiken

    I have known Phil for many years and seen/heard a lot of his engineering and production work, which is of the highest professional standard. Personally, I've worked with him as a mixing engineer, and Phil brings not just his experience, technical and creative skills to a mix, but his empathy to the artist/genre. Not only that, but he's a bloody nice bloke!

  15. Review by Alex Milne
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    by Alex Milne

    Composer, Josh Winiberg, and I released an album in 2017 of modern classical film music that Phil mixed for us in 2016. Phil has years of experience in mixing a variety of music and this shows in how he manages to extract the best production possible for a project, no matter what the source material is. Phil is also a warm and funny guy to be around and makes the mix process enjoyable.

  16. Review by Jon Cohen
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    by Jon Cohen

    I have worked with Phil DaCosta for twenty years both in his capacity as a very gifted co-writer and producer, and also as an outstanding mixer and audio engineer. He's brilliant and is able to take work in progress to polished finished project with no fuss and in good time. Amazing ears, great skills, and great guy. Totally safe hands.
    Jon Cohen

Interview with Phil Da Costa

  1. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  2. A: Analog outboard and digital inboard.

  3. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  4. A: To do the best job I possible can with a smile on my face and a glint in my eye!

  5. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  6. A: Working with music it's different every day.......like a box of chocolates! So there's always something to inspire you and get excited about.

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

  8. A: Never be afraid to experiment. Don't always get hung up with sonic quality - if it's got a vibe then roll with it. And most important of all always record the first run-through of anything. There will be some magic in there that may never be repeated!

  9. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  10. A: In 2011/12 I worked on the Military Wives project, which was the Christmas no 1 single in the UK and then the UK no1 album (knocking Bruce Springsteen off top spot!). Their second album got to no 5 in the UK chart I was engineer, additional production and Mixer on the project.

  11. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  12. A: Q: Do you like my music and how much do you charge? A: Yes, I like your music and lets talk about your budget.

  13. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  14. A: A large axe, a desert island survival book, an acoustic guitar with spare strings and a 2-way satellite radio set-up!

  15. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  16. A: I started working with my older brother in early 80s on 8 track analogue. Went freelance and worked as an engineer and mixer in most major studios in London and some in the USA and Norway over the next 35 years embracing all the technological changes along the way! I also have always written songs and produced records as well.

  17. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  18. A: Pink Floyd / David Gilmour The music is still relevant today and will always be.

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

  20. A: Pop, dance, edm, classical cross-over, indie-rock, singer/songwriter.

  21. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  22. A: Mixing and song structure - and a fanatical attention to detail.

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

  24. A: 35 years of experience of of working in studios - recording and mixing music of all genres. Energy and enthusiasm for the making of new music.

  25. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  26. A: DAWs - Logic X and Pro Tools (Native). Apple Mac Pro with UAD2 Quad DSP card Plugins by Waves UAD SoundToys Native Instruments Antares Eventide Izotope Lexicon and most other major developers. Outboard by Yamaha Focusrite Tube-Tech Line 6 Lexicon Roland DBX. BK Butler Synths/keyboards by Moog Yamaha Korg Arturia Akai Roland. Mics by Neumann, SE, Sennheiser, Shure, Lauten. Guitars and bass by Fender, Brian Moore, Aria, Cort, Peavey, Westfield. Monitoring by Quested and AR. Headphones by Beyer and Sennheiser I have a Yamaha 02R desk but I mainly mix in-the-box for the ease of recalls

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

  28. A: Trevor Horn Dave Bascombe Dave Gilmour Dave Stewart Anybody called Dave it seems!

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

  30. A: Additional production and mixing of songs and tracks Music/song composition and full production.

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Laughing Boy - Our Day In The Sun

I was the Producer, Engineer, Mixer and co-writer in this production

Terms Of Service

I allow up to 3 revisions on mixes and masters before I charge low extra costs. Turnaround time is 3-4 days on a mix.

GenresSounds Like
  • Imelda May
  • The Military Wives Choirs
  • Laughing Boy
Gear Highlights
  • Logic X
  • Pro Tools
  • outboard by Yamaha
  • Focusrite
  • Tube-Tech
  • Line 6
  • Lexicon
  • Roland
  • DBX. Synths/keyboards by Moog
  • Yamaha
  • Korg
  • Arturia. Quested monitors. Mics by Neumann
  • SE
  • Sennheiser
  • Shure. Guitars by Fender
  • Brian Moore
  • Peavey
  • Shergold.
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