About Dave

As the Head Engineer and Producer for Dark Horse Recording for over ten years, 2020 Grammy Award winner Dave Hagen has helped hundreds of artists realize their vision to create unique and powerful music. His dedication to each project and client goes far beyond the tracking session hours to include editing, mixing, mastering, and production. His obsessive attention to detail and love of collaboration means each project isn’t finished until the client is thrilled.

As a producer, Dave strives to find a unique but familiar sound for each project which will help the songs and artists stand out from the crowd. Dave learned the art of collaborating with bands early while working on records with artists like Relient K (under the mentorship of Mark Lee Townsend). His experience and musicianship have helped many artists create and capture their best sounding instrumental and vocal performances. At the same time, Dave has forged excellent relationships with many of the top session players in Nashville, who trust his input and recording abilities. These players can help a solo artist create unique and radio-ready music to support their songs. Dave’s speed and comfort in the studio allow them to create unique tracks quickly and take full advantage of the session time in the studio.

As a mixer and mastering engineer, Dave strives to create a classic space and depth while still pushing for modern tastes in loudness and excitement. While often mixing projects tracked in-house, he also frequently mixes for remote clients from across the globe. Dave can facilitate live video and audio conferencing throughout any part of the process to ensure that the client’s vision is realized.

In 2019, Dave was asked to finish overdubs and mix on the Keb’ Mo’ album Oklahoma, which won Best Americana Album at the 62nd Grammy Awards. This was his first, but not last, Grammy Award. His unique blend of skills, from traditional Nashville precision to modern off-the-wall creativity, have allowed him to work and contribute across all genres. Clients have included artists in Pop, Hip Hop, Country, Blues, Americana, Christian, Metal, Rock, Jazz, and more, not to mention work with major TV and film projects.

Credits

Keb’ Mo’ — Oklahoma (Grammy Winner — Best Americana Album)

Relient K — The Birds and the Bee Sides; Forget and Not Slow Down; K Is For Karaoke

Carrie Underwood — Platinum Certified single The Champion

Red — Declaration

Chris Tomlin — God’s Great Dance Floor Newsboys for Veggie Tales — League of Incredible Vegetables

For KING & COUNTRY — Baby Boy; Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.

Dennis Quaid (ft. Tanya Tucker and Kris Kristofferson) — One My Way To Heaven

Reba McEntire — I Needed Christmas; Reba: Revised Remixed Revisited

Foghat — Under the Influence

Citizen Way — Love Is a Lion

Kevin Max and Michael Tait — Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Ashley Judd: Voiceover for an Emmy Winning Kentucky Derby Clip NBC

Many songs on the Facebook Sound Collection

Voiceover for Disney’s Tangled and many more!