Dereck Blackburn records, mixes and masters records for independent artists at Quiethouse, his studio near Boston. He started in a DIY collective in a small Midwestern town, recording hardcore and punk bands on an eight-track cassette machine at house shows. The approach hasn't changed since: the record belongs to the artist, and his job is to make it sound like them at their best.

Since 1998, that has meant recording, mixing, and mastering records across pop, shoegaze, goth, metal, hardcore, americana, and electronic music with artists including Imogen Heap, Dead to Fall, Chainlacing, Ship Burial, Lincoln Durham, Sidewave, Mint Green and Crippling Alcoholism. He also produces the High Pass Podcast.

He co-founded the Audio Builders Workshop through AES Boston to teach people to build their own recording gear, served as the Boston section's Secretary and Treasurer, and runs a mentorship program every April and October focused on elevating under-represented voices in audio and music.

He is a voting member of the Recording Academy, sits on its Producers & Engineers Wing committee, and mentors through GRAMMY U. He has been nominated multiple years for Producer of the Year and Studio Engineer of the Year at the Boston Music Awards and New England Music Awards.