✅ Proof your home studio is good enough

Just as I sat down for dinner with my wife and daughter last night, an Instagram notice popped up on my phone: the band Mt. Joy had tagged me in a post.

“OMG!” I shouted across the table, startling my family, “The Mt. Joy album just dropped– The one with the song I mixed– In The Middle, featuring Gigi Perez!! And they tagged me in their post!”

I was floored. Mt. Joy didn’t just tag everyone—they posted a screenshot of all the credits: musicians, producers, mixers, engineers… the whole crew. And they included a heartfelt note thanking their “village of talented, generous people” who helped bring the album to life.

Talk about CLASS! 🎩

Why am I telling you this?

Not just to celebrate a sick new release (though it is fun!), but to share 3 behind-the-scenes truths that I hope will seriously empower you, Reader.

1️⃣ Like you, I work from a home studio.

Sure, I’ve picked up a few fancy mics and preamps over the years—but my core tools? Same as yours:

💻 Computer + DAW

🔊 A pair of honest monitors

👂 Ears + 🫃 Gut

That’s it. No magic gear. No million-dollar room. Just honest tools and trained instincts.

Every song I’ve mixed—multi-platinum hits and Billboard chart-toppers from SZA, The Avett Brothers, Smashing Pumpkins, Santana, Neil Diamond, Damien Rice—they were all mixed right here. In a regular ol’ bedroom. In a house built in the 1940s.

2️⃣ All of my mixes are In The Box (ITB).

If you know me, you know I swear by faders. That’s why I often sign off emails with “Faders Forever!” I love the tactile feel and speed of physical faders under my fingers. With a mouse, you can only move one fader at a time.

The big console you see behind me on videos? It doesn’t pass ANY audio and it has no inherent sound. It’s just a controller. 1’s and 0’s, baby.

Take it from me: you can create any sound you want inside that DAW you already own.

3️⃣ That mastering credit on the Mt. Joy album?

Yep. Done in the same home studio.

I have huge respect for the mastering engineers I work with and don’t call myself one—but let’s just say… over the years, a lot of my “loud band ref” mixes have ended up being the version that makes the album.

If you’ve read this far, you might be sitting there thinking:

“Cool story Dana, thanks for the humble-brag… but how do I actually LEARN to do that stuff?”

Glad you asked.

🎛️ ENTER: ​Music MixLAB — a 4-week guided mixing journey starting this Monday, June 2nd.

You, me, and a crew of fellow Mix Protégés will all be mixing the same song at the same time—each of us working individually, but together, step-by-step.

No fluff. No guesswork. Just my exact mix process—broken down into bite-sized, repeatable steps—so you can finally crush that imposter syndrome and actually enjoy mixing.

✅ By Day 1: Know exactly where you stand

✅ By Week 4: Have a repeatable system, major clarity, and mixes you’re proud to share

Enrollment is open now and closes Sunday, June 1st at 11:59pm.

Spots are limited!

This is the very first time I’m offering this course—so yes, there may be a few bumps or tech quirks as we go. But that’s where the Founding Member magic comes in.

When you join this inaugural session, you’ll get:

🎯 The lowest price this course will ever be offered

🛠️ A chance to help shape the program as we build it together

🚀 Early access to new features and upcoming bonus content

If you were working with me 1-on-1, 3 hours a week, it’d run you about $3,000/month.

Joining MixLAB now as a Founding Member?

Just $224.

That’s less than I charge for a single hour—and you get a full month of hands-on guidance, community, and growth.

🧪 Step into The LAB

Our first session kicks off Monday, June 2nd at 11am PST, and the community is already live and buzzing.

Together, we’ll be mixing a mid-tempo acoustic song by one of our very own Mix Protégé members—featuring guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and some light overdubs. It’s a beautiful track, not too many audio tracks, and perfect for building your skills and confidence as a mixer.

I can’t wait to dive in with you and help your mixes soar. 🦅

Let’s make some noise,

Dana

PS ~ There’s a Course Outline pdf available on the registration page if you’d like to learn more

PPS ~ Faders Forever!

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​Somewhere with knobs and VU meters, Los Angeles, CA 90066