Engineer Makes Rihanna's "Diamonds" Shine Bright

Join Full Sail Recording Arts graduate/Hall of Fame inductee Phil Tan as he walks through his mix session for Rihanna's chart-topping hit single, "Diamonds," talks about his career, and answers questions about his mixing techniques.
As a Graduate of Full Sail's Recording Arts program in 1990, Phil earned some of his first engineering credits working with Kriss Kross, Run DMC and Toni Braxton. Since those early years, Phil has also served as a solid member of Rapper / Producer / Songwriter / Record Mogul Jermaine Dupri's camp in Atlanta. Phil's studio work includes Mix Engineer credits on GRAMMY Nominated releases by TLC, Will Smith, Brandy, Usher, Lil Kim, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Anthony Hamilton, Snoop Dogg & Pharrell, Omarion, Nelly, Destiny's Child, Gwen Stefani, and Mariah Carey to name a few. Phil has also served as a Trustee for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Phil has been awarded three GRAMMYs for his work with Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Ludacris.
Learn more at w.fullsail.edu/fsrecordingarts

[@bogsbinny7124]

This guy has the rare talent of looking like he's bullshitting even when he's not.

[@d.j753]

+Bogs Binny ha

[@JonathonNeher]

I love that all the questions are answered with effectively, "It depends". But he's right!

[@MrFatfree]

What a guy! Such an engineer, such a success and so humble at the same time! Unbelievable!

[@elijahlucian]

he's like a genie, you need to ask very specific questions.

[@DwinCarlson]

48:35 "Are your speakers loud when you mix ?" ... "You and me could have a conversation the whole time..." ... "Oh sorry lolz". Guy though he was saying "quit hogging the mic", really he was just saying "no".

[@CrownedCorruption]

glad im not the only one that caught that lol!

[@BizzyMo]

Faaaiiill! 😂😂😂 haha

[@arvinmaryami3824]

+Edwin Chouvelon Nah he just already answered that question already so the guy just realized that and said sorry

[@mattvdh]

+Edwin Chouvelon he's so smart

[@KMamba-oo3ls]

+Edwin Chouvelon That's so funny b

[@YoungBlaze]

i like this guy voice....

[@busywl69]

+YoungBlaze Of Chitown lol

[@rootube808]

I got a lot out of it....no tricks and secrets, but ... listen, practice, think about it, understand the way things relate to each other. Put in the hours, good stuff.

[@recordedbybrandon]

There is secret sauce, it's the analog he was talking about, there a few pieces of gear that's better than in the box, and if it is expected a car payment 🤣

[@recordedbybrandon]

But that's not the only thing that makes a song great !

[@brucema12]

Phil was one of the best and most memorable students I ever had in 5 years of teaching at this school! Congrats Phil!

[@tonyhudspeth3861]

such a humble and graceful person Phil Tan is

[@askjdog]

I've read the comments, and it's interesting. I'm not in this industry, just a hobbyist. However, this is not a tutorial video of what techniques to use. It's a college guest speaker seminar of someone who graduated from said college and is successful in his industry. He talks about his career and the hit song is merely a starting discussion topic to generate interest. I give it a thumbs up. Success in most areas of life is about many things; timing, mentors, talent, connections, and seriously long hard work, and continuous self development.. Luck, opportunity, work ethic, passion, etc. There is greater talent than I will ever innately have, or develop in this area, and certainly never was a career consideration. It is also a business, and as such subject to cyclical change, and the impact of technological automation. Which affects salaries, and job opportunities.

[@mrconcept]

Get him on Pensados place.

[@Parmoss1640]

Even though the answers were not finite, I really appreciate his intention to be forthright and as direct as possible considering the vagueness of some of the questions. Remember how Bruce Lee answered questions... "Be like water...", vague, but speaks volumes. Phil's the real deal.

[@iamdanielwray8940]

I love the way he answered those questions. He real!

[@11TwentyThreePM]

He seems like a very humble dude. Good to hear a real engineer speak about 'sound selection' and show that sometimes less is more! Shout out to Phil Tan!!

[@dab7963]

Phil Tan is modest and kind. I really enjoyed watching him. He is open and honest and sincere and I believe that his emotion probably translates into his mixing. I would enjoy hearing more of his work. What a great video.

[@WorldSoulExotica]

I truly appreciate watching video of individuals in the industry who are so down to earth, genuine, and full of humility it's a beautiful thing, Very nicely done WorldSoulExotica

[@jparkhku]

Candid and straightforward talk

[@semimotomusic]

Pretty cool video. I enjoyed seeing producers and engineers break down there song and answer questions. Hope to see more soon.

[@Kydnice]

Thank you Full Sail & Thanks to Phil for this lecture . Great advice. #FullSailAlumni

[@KonoplevAndrew]

full sail university, thank you for sharing this)

[@ksimokovich0312]

27:14 ~"What your here is getting in the habit of learning." Truest statement about the entire industry in a while.

[@MarvinSmile132]

Phil Tan seminar was awesome at the Full Sail Hall of Fame. He is so humble and the real deal.

[@mixey01]

This man is a legend. Thanks Full Sail!!

[@SoundToyzAreUs]

WOW! Thanks for posting this!

[@madnuts123]

Thanks for the quality uploads)))

[@theericbeaty]

It's so nice to finally hear someone say there's no right or wrong, just as long as you're not clipping and the mix still sounds good.

[@GweeGwee]

this guy is great. you can tell he loves doing what he's doing. hope i can continue getting my mixing skills up

[@SoundreplayStudio]

Great lecture with honest answers. Main message for me: create your own sound, and practice a lot...respect.

[@ieroen]

What a modest, soft spoken fellow. Pleasant guy all the way.

[@Tryggvasson]

This guy is great! I love his common sense approach his simplicity, and his modesty and I actually think he means it. I wish he'd shared more case specific problem solving examples, especially with tegard to eq.

[@soloj100]

I love the fact that he tells it like it is, and not sugar coat it.

[@Harrysound]

Lots of great stuff here , I like this guy....

[@alexanderqvarnstrom]

Such a humble guy. With a great producer, mixing can be a really delicate thing. This guy listens, doesn't just mix for the sake of it...

[@themarinect]

He seems like a laid back, down to earth person. I like it.

[@Daycomb]

So good!

[@realjamaicanjones]

Surprisingly enough, your'e not the first to have told me something of that sort. I'm actually reconsidering it now. Thanks much.

[@thimzity]

Thanks for sharing this, great stuf!

[@1masterfader]

Ya got to let the music tell you what it needs". I loved it when he said that. I live by that rule.

[@AtTheAlex]

This guy is a big inspiration. I hope to be where he's at one day and to have his knowledge as well.

[@YosuaSimanjuntak]

Thnaks for sharing this video..

[@bigtizzo]

I like seeing people who are willing to give seminars like this. These students are hungry for information. So you can't fault them for asking what people may see as stupid questions. But no matter what you learn... it's what your ear has to offer that determines how good your mix becomes. Listen and don't be afraid to experiment.

[@Channel-vu9jx]

Thnaks for sharing this video

[@AndrewFerrisOnline]

This is really useful, thanks!

[@AlessandroPitus]

"I never graduated". Love this man :)

[@ElectricGospel]

That was a great Q & A bro. Thanks much #InJesusName

[@shavemangin]

what a humble awesome guy!

[@alvinfrazierTV]

I enjoyed that immensely.

[@Tx66]

I absolutely love this guy.

[@m.p.958]

Thanks for this nice video !

[@wholewheat3132]

This is a pretty honest interview you can tell he has not been exposed or very interested in mixing in that sort of technical aspect, it shows that it really is all selective hearing and making the right decisions, though he is withholding some kind of information but I felt it may be info we already know but just haven't mastered, he really did seem honest about most of the things.

[@MyLoMein]

this guy is thaaa man!!

[@charmister]

48:40 when the student asks whether he has his speakers loud during mixing phil says, "you and me can have a conversation," and the student responds, "sorry," not realizing he answered the question

[@sebaba001]

drgdrf that's it's not that loud when he mixes and he can actually talk with other people while mixing, it is at a conversational level or barely above it

[@Digiphex]

Wow the engineer who mixed Prince just got fired.

[@michaelkhan]

phil tan da man

[@JamSlam007]

Great video. I would have appreciated some more tips ON the actual session!

[@matthewshell]

It's all about getting in the habit of continual improvement. A very inspiring tutorial.

[@alexspartacus]

They should definitely have a screening for these questions.

[@punchline3nt]

i look up to this guy

[@GettingliveTV]

Awesome

[@07kdrums]

I like this guy...

[@derekonlinenow777]

hard work pays off. here's an example

[@SiennaLine]

very good...

[@wherewascharlie]

what a friggin nice guy!!

[@ExtraDomus]

I like how he never answers the question

[@futurebeats898]

well... it depends again... !

[@macoygunida]

sounds like autism. and when an autistic person likes something he's really really good at it just like this guy.

[@SubscribersWithoutAnySubscribe]

@Beeblebrox One Well yes and no, it really depends

[@vlissblisskiss]

that opening humble flex

[@KEZOSON]

didnt really learn much but it was really cool to watch

[@guinessbeer]

One of Rihanna’s best songs.

[@fullsailuniversity]

Shine bright like a Diamond 💎

[@onetoughbabe]

excellent

[@setsuro.splice]

Thanks! :D

[@TwinjoEnt]

This gut is so real about the this industry. It is a very wierd to make money in this industry. There are alotta lesson to learn in this industry. There will be a lot of bad business deals as an industry but it will teach you how how to build the right relationships and become a valuable asset. These are important things, but the most important thing is to perfect your craft and learn as much as you can to make sure your clients are getting the best product at the end of the day.

[@AudioLabbStudios]

I like the idea about eartraining and taste cuz it true about we all have some of the tools the pros use

[@LeeDaHitman]

very true

[@soloj100]

its really the best answer, and you just got to find out the area or room the music should sound like its in.....

[@charlespettingle2156]

awesome

[@PressPlayProductions1]

@Treibsandtv you are totally right!!

[@ElijahBeale]

This guy seems really cool.

[@LanceCampeau]

He's right about the Prince track... it is full of clipping... but the vibe of the that song has an early Kravitz or White Stripes kind of sound to it... lots of dirty audio. That type of recording and mixing gives the track a more "live session" feel even though it is quite sonically harsh to listen to.

[@Son0fEL]

I would nearly 100% agree.I have found there are multiple ways of obtaining the "sound" that you want and none of them are "wrong", just better than others. But after attending the "SHKU" I found I still lacked a lot of the skills and understanding more so, on why you would do something the way it was portrayed in a youtube video. Being taught in person by multiple people that know what they are doing, is still, in my opinion very much worth it. And no I'm not broke ;)

[@kbyer]

I wish that the students asked more questions about the session and techniques used etc.

[@kunstprodukt]

shine on you crazy diamond...

[@theDrumkilla]

The host John Yandell is the shit! Great video. Thanks!

[@CKDrumsInc]

I wanted to see him take apart the mix, students ask the same questions over and over..

[@in.miscare]

Pretty ironic talking about clipping in mixes with PA mix going into feedback from time to time and clipping audio out from PT...

[@DjKingMorice]

Why is the audio of the playback so distorted?

[@AVAtticus182]

PHILLUP

[@MrEncosto]

Listen to what Phil says at 48:17 about Prince's 'Screwdriver' song, it really is terribly mixed I was mind blown.

[@gatlinproduction]

Great Stuff. That's the way I mix.

[@Drew46Hill]

I was just thinking the same thing.

[@Arealproducer]

damn i wish i was there to ask him questions

[@WaveMagnetik]

yes

[@shaqloco7671]

I knew he'd say Atlanta. That's where I'm from and it's a lot of diversity.

[@TheSuperMegaHyper]

that track is clipping balls! :O

[@sauelalmonte]

HE SAID SOMETHING THAT IS KEY, "CLARITY" IT IS EVERY THING. IF YOU CAN HEAR OR BY USING A SPECTROGRAM, U CAN SEE WHERE EACH SOUND FALLS IN, IN THE FREQUENCY SPECTRUM/CHART.

[@JimmyWestra]

I learned one thing , that I'm ahead of my time. I already do what this guy does.

[@Supernovabrown1]

Damn Jimmy, you just got played SON, Bwwwwaaaaaahhaahhaaaa

[@JimmyWestra]

i am getting played Blackblack you been Hit From Behind jimmywestra and it's not even mastered yet.

[@ChrisValle321]

If you already do what this guy does you would actually be BEHIND your time. Music isn't about doing what the other guy is doing, it's about creating your own sound that makes you as an artist stand out.

[@JimmyWestra]

Which makes you ahead correct? Well Chris show me what you got and I 'lll place you exactly amongst the one category you want to be so you may belong.

[@ChrisValle321]

Jimmy Westra​ Which is why you'll never stand out or make it. You're talking about belonging, while I'm talking standing out and originating.

[@ironik4400]

Honestly, I think the clipping was intentional. It gives it kind of a grungy sound. i dont think Prince would have put anything out that terribly mixed unless he wanted it that way. Remember.. Nobody plays Prince, if they think they are theyre really playing themselves :) RIP

[@3houseco250]

God bless the ending of this comment. I miss him :(

[@witheredmedia]

CLIPPING CAN DAMAGE SPEAKERS YOU POOP

[@drummerjen]

Anyway thanks for the vid!

[@myleskaleb2084]

Explaining your work is often hard...

[@TeleporterM11]

Its her best song.

[@marcuspee93]

really interesting how its probably a workshop or something for audio people, yet the headset was not placed at the right position on Phil's face, the wedges or FOH was hot enough that it was ringing, almost feeding back like almost all the time. Last I checked attention to detail was needed in the audio industry

[@kamelot511]

This guy knows what he is saying buy he explains ver y general, for moré focus answers check out nicky romero future mag, los guetta masterclass