
INSPIRED MUSIC PRODUCTION FOR INDIE ARTISTS
RECORDING | PRODUCING | MIXING | SESSION MUSICIAN

about me
Hi, I’m Dan Stenhouse – sound engineer, producer and multi-instrumentalist.
I am a Whangarei born and bred musician and father of twin daughters. I live in Kensington, where I work as an audio engineer and graphic designer. I found my love for music as a child, when I began playing guitar and joined a country music band with my father at age 11. I have been in various bands pretty much my whole life since - and was often responsible for front of house sound from my early twenties.
I have self-produced my own works since dabbling in writing with a 4 track tape recorder in my late teens, and in 1994, I completed a Diploma in Audio Engineering at SAE Auckland, which gave me a passion for the technical side of music, along with insight into the industry and production. Ever since graduating, I have been recording and producing – primarily for personal projects I have been involved with.
In 2018, I attended a three day producer workshop with Sylvia Massey (Johnny Cash, Tool) at Roundhead Studios Auckland, and in 2019 I did a workshop with Andrew Scheps - both of whom have been huge influences in my career. I attended another five day workshop in 2025 at Roundhead Studios with internationally renowned producer Carmen Rizzo. I have also attended a few song writing workshops with Pat Pattison (professor at Berklee College of Music), which increased my skills in lyric writing, and added tools to help development in production skills.
I am inspired to bring out the best in others, and always work to that end, with intuition and sensitivity. I am driven with a sense of attention to detail, and enjoy collaborating with others to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
My studio takes the best from both the analogue and digital worlds. I use hi-end analogue outboard gear for tracking – Neve / SSL style pre-amps, a variety of compressors, and then all the benefits of the digital world for editing once we have the analogue warmth baked in on the tracks. I feel this is the most versatile and complete way to work that gives the very best results.
From a phone demo to a finished song ready for streaming, radio, CD, or vinyl – I’ve got you covered. And you don’t even need a band. I have a lot of great musicians on hand ready to help out, including drummers, bass players, guitarists, keyboard players, horn sections, and strings.
And just because it gets mentioned these days, I'm strongly against using any AI tools for writing or production. I believe the purpose of art is to evoke emotion in the listener or viewer, and there's only one place that can come from: you, the artist.
Please contact me to get your project started today!
latest releases




One Last Ride
The Advocators
Driftwood
Talute
Sicily
Merlia
Highlife
Osheen


studio
Welcome to Creative Lab - a boutique studio owned and operated by Dan Stenhouse, a sound engineer with countless hours of recording experience working with a variety of artists based in Northland.
I also do commercial work for voice overs, advertising, video narration and sound design for animations/games.
Below are some examples of work done in my studio here in Whangarei.

"It sounds stunning!! The spatiality and depth you have created sonically is beautiful."
Chris Chetland, Kog Mastering
mixing/
mastering
Already got your track recorded and need someone to mix or master it for you?
I've got you covered!

live audio
engineer
I've spent over 30 years mixing live music, from local venues through to international touring acts and major outdoor festivals.
I am available to travel nationwide and can offer a PA system for hire, with access to larger
scale sound systems for outdoor events and festivals.
Some live engineering highlights of recent years...
Troy Kingi – Forum North 2026
Daniel Champagne (international) – OneOneSix 2024, Forum North 2026
Otium – Seminoff Stadium 2025
Kim Churchill (international) – OneOneSix 2025
We Mavericks (international) – OneOneSix 2025
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – Forum North 2025
Korean Joyful Youth Orchestra – Forum North 2025
Battle of the Bands – Beer & Loathing 2025
Where's Jai – OneOneSix 2025
Mel Parsons – OneOneSix 2024
Greg Johnson – OneOneSix 2024
The Harmonic Resonators – Captain Bougainville Theatre 2024
Albi and the Wolves – OneOneSix 2023
Matt Joe Gow / Kerryn Fields (international) – OneOneSix 2024
Hot Potato Band (international) – OneOneSix 2023
This Way North (international) – OneOneSix 2023
Borderline – OneOneSix 2023
Diwali, The Festival Of Lights – Forum North 2023 - 2024
Dark Side of the Zep – Butter Factory 2024 - 2025
Festivals
Fringe Festival Whangarei 2022, 2024
Kerikeri Christmas in the Park 2022
TokaToka Festival 2019 - 2023
Whangarei Maritime Festival 2024 – 2025
MEWP and Working at Heights Qualified.

Electric Guitar
Acoustic Slide Guitar
Gutiar, Bass, Drum programming
Gutiar, Bass, Keyboards, Drum programming
session
musician
Here's a selection of tracks that I've played on. I have a large collection of instruments that include:
Acoustic Guitar / Steel / Nylon / Resonator
Electric Guitar
Baritone Electric Guitar
Slide Guitar
Electric Bass Guitar
Ukulele Bass Guitar
Ukulele
Mandolin
6 String Banjo / Banjitar / Ganjo
Keyboards
Drum Programming
Mandolin
Electric Slide Guitar
Banjitar / Ganjo





