Derek Henbest
Mix Engineer // co-Producer
Derek Henbest
is a mix engineer, songwriter, and producer. He also has opinions about your low end. You’ll thank him later.
He handles everything from the first idea to the final master — which sounds like a lot, but mostly it means you don’t have to explain your vision to three different people who will interpret it three different ways and then blame each other. One person. One set of ears. One person to call if something feels off.
His specialty is making tracks sound intentional — like every choice was made on purpose, even the happy accidents. Massive drums, clear vocals, guitars that finally agree on a frequency. He’s been mediating those disputes for years.
But the technical stuff is almost beside the point. What Derek actually does — what he’s been doing quietly in every session — is help artists say the thing they came in knowing but couldn’t find the words for. The feeling that was always there. The version of the song that lived in the demo they recorded into their phone at midnight. He helps it survive the production process.
He works with artists who care more about identity than image. Who’ve had the experience of walking out of a session with a finished product that looked right on paper and felt wrong in their chest. Who are done handing their music to people who don’t ask the right questions — or any questions at all.
If you want a polished, commercial sound that still sounds like you — not like you ran your demo through a plugin and crossed your fingers — Derek’s probably your guy.
He takes the craft seriously. Just not himself.
WHAT ARTISTS ARE SAYING…
Management: Carl Bahner carl@studiolandmgmt.com
“Working with Derek has been an incredible experience, his attention to detail and quality is unmatched. He has a very efficient workflow that keeps the creative process moving without sacrificing quality. Most impressively, his mixes are always top-tier, bringing out the full potential of every track and can easily stand against what you hear on the radio. I highly recommend him to any artist that’s ready to take their sound to the next level.”
“From the very first mix, it was clear; Derek doesn’t just polish tracks, he amplifies their soul. He has this rare ability to bring clarity, depth, and energy without sterilizing the emotion. Every decision he makes, from the low-end treatment to vocal placement, feels intentional and in service of the song.
What stood out most was his attention to detail and how collaborative he is. He listens, really listens, not just to your notes, but to what the song is trying to say. There’s no ego, just this deep commitment to getting it right. The mixes came back feeling bigger, cleaner, and more alive than I imagined.
If you want your music to hit harder, translate emotionally, and sound truly professional, Derek’s your guy. I’d work with him again in a heartbeat.”