Full Circle at Mix LA Studio D: A GRAMMY-nominated engineer whose roots trace back to Sound Castle and the golden era of A&M Studios, Marc DeSisto has come full circle creatively in recent years, stepping into a purpose-built space at Mix LA in Tarzana that has reignited both his technical curiosity and artistic instincts. After years of working from a home studio, he outgrew the limitations—and loves capturing vibrant performances, lead vocals, a killer bass, drum takes, and loud guitar solos in his current space. The studio is fully equipped environment centered around an SSL Origin analog console. With 32 channels of onboard preamps, additional routing via 16 busses and a flexible patchbay system, DeSisto can approach sessions with an elevated level of depth and spontaneity. “You can be dial in the EQ and really shape things in a musical way,” he says of the console, noting its lineage to SSL’s classic 4000 series sound. The expanded routing options also allow for more creative parallel processing and live tracking setups, particularly when working with full bands. Combined with Focusrite RedNet converters and an intuitive studio layout, the space is designed for efficiency and inspiration—“turn on the coffee and get to work,” as he puts it.
A New Wave of Clients: While DeSisto continues to work with famed longtime collaborators like Dwight Yoakam and Australian guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel, his current roster reflects an increasingly diverse mix of artists. These include rising indie band Dyes, whose genre-blending sound moves from atmospheric textures into high-impact rock, as well as country artist Johnny Marfa & The Lights and singer-songwriter Jesse Money, whose deeply personal material explores loss and legacy related to her legendary father Eddie. DeSisto has also worked on solo material with Aaron McLain, guitarist and music director for Air Supply; he also recently mixed a PBS special for the legendary soft rock duo, further showcasing his versatility across formats.
One-Stop, Artist-Focused: Increasingly focused on mixing and mastering—while still producing select projects—DeSisto has positioned himself as a full-service partner for artists at all levels. From tracking and co-production to final masters and DDP delivery, his goal is to streamline the process without sacrificing depth. “The artists I work with want to step back and hear the music again, not just the details,” DeSisto says. His approach often begins with identifying the emotional anchor of a track—whether it’s the vocal, drums, or bass—and building the mix outward from there. “If the bass isn’t right, nothing feels right. That groove has to hit. No matter who I’m working with, my goal is always the same—to make sure the song comes through in the mix in a way that feels natural and undeniable. You can have all the production in the world, but if the song gets lost, you’ve missed it. When everything locks in and the track just blooms out of the speakers—that’s the moment I’m chasing. That’s when I know we’ve got something real.” It is also great to know that artists trust you with their music, that is big!
Contact Marc DeSisto 818-259-4235
