About Dan

Dan De La Isla is an Emmy-award winning sound designer, recording engineer, mixer, mastering engineer and producer in San Diego, California, with over four decades of experience in the entertainment industry. 

A multi-instrumentalist, Dan has played music his entire life, and started his recording endeavors in his teenage years. He co-founded his band Natasha’s Ghost in 1989 (and continued to play and tour for 30 years). Shortly thereafter in 1989, Dan opened a small studio: DLI Productions in San Diego. 

In 2000, DLI moved to its current facility in Pacific Beach, becoming the state-of-the-art studio you’ll see today. Since opening his studio’s doors, Dan has recorded with Grammy-award winning musicians and charting bands and artists, ranging from alternative to punk, country to metal, classical piano to mainstream pop. 

Beyond music, Dan has produced 3,500+ audio books, and has spent the past few years producing San Diego-based podcasts. He also does sound design and music composing for film, national ads, and local commercials.

DLI Productions is a family business — Dan’s daughter Cole works as an editor and junior producer. His close connection with Cole fueled his personal mission with the studio and its projects: elevating female creators. “I want to do my part to support female creators and artists, and lessen the gender gap in the industry,” he says. “Women’s voices deserve to be heard and amplified, whether they’re sharing stories through songs, podcasts, or audiobooks.” 

As a San Diego native, Dan’s studio and personal work style are laid-back and fun by nature; combined with his decades of mastery, this casual energy finds perfect balance with well-planned efficiency, allowing creativity to flourish in an environment of mutual trust. 

Regardless of genre, project, or creator, Dan’s priority is to ensure every client is always delighted with their final product. 

When production isn’t in progress (which is rare!), you can catch Dan enjoying his passions: Formula 1 racing, hockey, and surfing.

Quick Takes

FIRST CONCERT

Rolling Stones, when I was 9

FAVORITE INSTRUMENT

1980 Dean ML Guitar

FAVORITE PODCAST

My Favorite Murder, or This Is Fine!

WHAT I’M DRINKING

Better Buzz Mocha

GO-TO STRESS RELIEVER

Surfing

Studio Facts

FOUNDED

1989

ADDRESS

5111 Santa Fe St, Ste A, San Diego

FACILITIES

Booth, studio, podcast room, lounge, kitchen, and also Dan, who is there so much he’s become a part of the facility

EQUIPMENT

All the good sh*t. Some stuff we found in a dumpster, mostly.

INSTRUMENTS

The ones you want to use

RATES

Email for details

HOURS

24/7

WHAT’S IN THE FRIDGE

Wine from our podcast girlies

AMENITIES

Water, tea, apples (what’s up, vocalists), snacks, blankets, scented candles, talk therapy, moral support, video games, overpriced hand soap