Records that translate everywhere they play.
I mix and master for bands, labels, and artists who want a fresh set of ears and a defined point of view — masters that hold up on streaming, vinyl, and cassette, delivered on time.
Apple Digital Masters Certified · Vinyl & cassette pre-masters · 3–5 day turnaround
Two things, done exceptionally well.
Mixing and mastering are the whole focus here. Send me a finished production and I'll give it cohesion, weight, and a point of view — without overwriting yours.
Mixing
Remote mixing for artists and labels who want an outside perspective. My background is deep in indie rock — especially shoegaze, dream pop, and dense, atmospheric guitar music — but the approach is always song-first: what does this track need, and what's in its way?
- Fresh ears & a defined point of view
- Dense guitars, layered atmospherics, vocals that sit inside the music
- Multiple revisions until it lands
- Stems and printed mix delivered ready for master
Mastering
The final shape and weight of your record. Full digital masters optimized for streaming — Apple Digital Masters certified — plus vinyl and cassette pre-masters cut for the format. If you're chasing editorial placement, I know what those masters need to do.
- Apple Digital Masters Certified
- Vinyl & cassette pre-masters
- Stem mastering & DDP with CD-Text + ISRC
- Alt masters: clean, instrumental, acapella
Engineering & Music Production
My approach is technical without being clinical and collaborative without losing perspective. I focus on the identity of the artist, the emotional purpose of the song, and the decisions that help a record feel complete. I am available to work in my private studio or at a number of excellent studios in the US and Europe.
Recent mixes and masters.
A cross-section of releases mixed and mastered at Quiethouse — indie rock, shoegaze, and adjacent sounds, from digital singles to full vinyl LPs.
There's a reason so many artists trust me with the final master.
Every master gets full attention to balance, tone, dynamics, and translation — then quality-controlled before it ships. Specialized in vinyl and cassette pre-masters.
Simple, remote, and built around your record.
Reach out
Tell me about the record — genre, references, timeline, and whether you need a mix, a master, or both. We'll confirm scope and format before anything starts.
Send your files
Upload stems or your finished production. I work remotely with artists and labels worldwide, so location is never a barrier.
Review & deliver
You get a first version fast, honest feedback both ways, and revisions until it lands — delivered in every format your release needs.
The work speaks. So do the people behind it.
20+ years working with independent musicians, engineers, and producers across the world.
“Songs simply sound different when they have Dereck's touch. The mastering comes out better than I imagined — and he's considerate, professional, and reliable.”
Jo StrogatzMeira“He really listened to my ideas and did whatever it took until I was happy with the final product. Notice the depth, clarity, and low-end punchiness in our record.”
Phil GolyshkoSidewave“Working with Dereck is the best experience I've ever had with an audio engineer. He quickly produced incredible results and gave thoughtful feedback and revisions when asked.”
Ryan BreenLucy Spacehead · Engineer & Artist“A rare mix of top-tier quality engineer and openly generous with his time. Feedback is honest, culturally sensitive, and always pushes the music forward.”
Kevin KleinValleyheart“Dereck keeps sessions fun yet disciplined, listens deeply to ‘vibe'-level feedback, and makes my band feel like his top priority from tracking to final master.”
Mary DumontRoser“He was actively involved in the creative process but never intrusive, which always made the demands of studio tracking much more enjoyable.”
Quentin MoyerTrue FaithDereck Blackburn
I've spent 25 years in studios helping artists turn strong ideas into finished records. Mixing, mastering, production — I bring what most projects actually need: experienced ears, honest feedback, and the judgment to know what serves the song.
Along the way I've advised audio companies and helped educate the next generation of engineers, but the work always comes back to the same thing: making music that connects and lasts.
Work with me
Frequently asked
Do you work remotely?
Yes. I mix and master remotely for artists and labels worldwide. You upload files, we communicate throughout, and you receive masters in every format your release needs. Boston-area tracking is also available if you want to record in the room.
What's your turnaround?
Mastering turnaround is typically 3–5 days or less, with multiple revisions included. Mixing timelines depend on the scope of the project — we'll set a realistic schedule before we start.
What formats do you deliver?
Digital masters optimized for streaming (Apple Digital Masters certified), vinyl and cassette pre-masters cut for the format, DDP with CD-Text and ISRC, stem masters, and alternate versions — clean, instrumental, and acapella.
What genres do you specialize in?
My background is deep in indie rock, with a particular home in shoegaze, dream pop, and dense, atmospheric guitar music. That said, the approach is always song-first, and I work across genres.
How should I send my files?
For mixing, send well-organized, labeled stems. For mastering, send your final mix (plus any alternates you need mastered). I'll give you exact specs when we confirm the project so everything arrives ready to work.
Do you take on label rosters?
Absolutely. I work with labels on single releases and full rosters, and I'm happy to build a consistent sonic identity across a catalog. Reach out and we'll scope it.
Ready when you are.
Tell me about your project — genre, references, timeline, and whether you need a mix, a master, or both. I'll get back to you personally.
Start a Project
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