I’m Dan Tinkler, a record producer and mixing engineer based near Chicago, dedicated to helping artists bring their music to life.Whether you need your next record mixed, a FOH engineer for your live show, or mentorship to sharpen your production skills, I'm here to help.
SERVICES
Mixing & Production – Turning your recordings into release-ready mixes. Learn more about mixing services →Live Sound – FOH and Monitor mixing for your shows. Learn more about live sound services →Mixing Mentorship – One-on-one guidance for beginner engineers looking to level up their mixes. Learn more about mixing mentorship →Ready to work? Let’s make something that lasts. Get in touch →
PRODUCTION AND MIXING
Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked on hundreds of projects with artists from all over the world, from Grammy winners to independent artists. No matter the scale, my focus stays the same; capturing performances that feel real and mixing them so they hit with impact and clarity across the board.Ready to hear more? Check out some of my recent clients and hear my work for yourself below!I currently work out of Trail Blazer Sound, a comfy studio in Hammond, Indiana. I am also open to working in other studios if you're looking to record elsewhere! I care about the details, but I care even more about how it feels. that’s what makes a mix worth hearing. Ready to get started? Get in touch and let's get to work!
Rates
Recording - $350/day (8 hours) @ Trail Blazer Sound in Hammond, IN
Mixing - Starts at $150/song
Mastering - $40/song
Mixing Mentoring - please reach out for rates and availabilityAll bookings include a project consultation to define your goals before we begin.
Hear what others have to say!
"Working with him was an absolute game-changer for my music... If you’re serious about taking your music to the next level, I can’t recommend him enough.""Dan truly delivered outstanding results in mixing and mastering, showcasing exceptional creativity and musicality. His professionalism is unmatched, making collaboration smooth with his proactive communication and expertise going ABOVE AND BEYOND. Highly recommend working with Dan – he's a game changer! ""Thank you Dan for your amazing job ! Our first EP couldn’t sound as good without you ! Hope to work with you again soon.""I had Dan mix an album for me after previously mixing a couple of singles. He showed an excellent sense for the music, an intuitive feel for what it wanted to do and the best way for it to sound, and the end result was a great job. He was also unfailingly polite and pleasant to work with."*
Mentorship
If you’re just getting started with production and mixing, I can help you build a solid foundation without sifting through all the noise and advice floating around online. My one-on-one mentorships focus on real-world skills, understanding balance, clarity, and emotion in a mix, and developing your own workflow. You’ll walk away knowing why your mix decisions work, not just what buttons to push.If you’re interested in learning more or seeing if we’re a good fit to work together, please reach out to apply for Mentorship!
Live Sound
Beyond the studio, I tour as the Front of House engineer and Tour Manager for The Lawrence Arms, and have mixed live shows for bands including Jawbreaker, Cobra Skulls, and Ratboys at legendary Chicago venues like The Metro and Green Mill Cocktail Lounge.Whether it’s the stage or the studio, my approach is the same; clear communication, solid workflow, and a focus on helping artists sound their best.
Education
As the Senior Program Manager for The Last Mile’s Audio and Video Production program, I help deliver the only Pro Tools and DaVinci Resolve training offered inside U.S. correctional facilities. I believe in the transformative power of creative education, giving students the skills and confidence to build their own opportunities and pave the road for personal growth.If you would like to learn more about how to support our mission, please reach out at [email protected]
Mixing & Production FAQsQ. What’s included in your mixing rate?
My rate includes a full mix of your song(s). I also include some light editing as needed to help clean up the tracks. Full audio editing and manual vocal tuning is available for an extra fee.Q. How should I send my session files or stems?
Whatever platform works best for you. I typically use Google Drive, WeTransfer, or Dropbox for file sharing. Please have your stems labeled correctly (avoid "audio 1" or "track 1") and have them exported as .wavs so that they all properly align when I import them into my mixing session. If you have questions about format please reach out ahead of sending files.I always encourage artists to send a demo or rough mix of the song you'd like to work on. That can help give me an idea of what we're working with before getting started. If you have reference tracks for a direction that you'd like to go in, please send those along as well.Q. Do you offer revisions? How many are included?
Of course! I don't have a set cap on revisions, within reason. I am happy to work on revising your mixes until you are completely satisfied. The average number of mix revisions that artists request is around three per mix.Q. What genres do you typically work with?
My bread and butter is punk rock and other alternative genres. I also have extensive experience with hip-hop, indie, and singer-songwriter genres. I encourage you to reach out to chat about your project to see if we are a good fit!Q. Can I attend the mix session remotely?
Yes! I offer virtual mixing sessions at 50 minutes per session to finalize mixes and make real time adjustments.Q. How long does a mix usually take?
My standard turnaround for the first pass of a single mix is 5 days. I ask for 2 weeks for a full length album (10/12 songs). If you have specific deadlines please let me know before we get started so I can accommodate!Q. Do you offer mastering as well?
I do! I am not a dedicated mastering engineer, so I do encourage artists to seek out dedicated mastering after working on a mix together, but I can master the finished mixes as well.Q. Can you fix poorly recorded tracks?
This certainly depends on what issues are in the recorded tracks and what your end goals are. I strongly encourage sending a demo or rough mix ahead of time so that I can evaluate the tracks and make sure to set expectations.Q. Do you mix in the box or use analog gear?
While I have worked in both environments, I choose to mix in the box for the ease of saving projects, recalling mixes, and making quick revisions and adjustments. Mixing in the box doesn't sacrifice sound or quality and can make the mixing process much smoother for my workflow.Have a question you don't see answered here? Don't hesitate to reach out!
Work with a Professional Mixing Engineer in ChicagoWhether you need your next record mixed, a live engineer for tour dates, or mentorship to sharpen your production skills, I can help. I’m a mixing engineer and producer based in the Chicago suburbs, working both locally and remotely with artists worldwide.