Meet Dallas Taylor | Sound Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dallas Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dallas, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I was in my 20s, early in my career, I had a lot of free time. I didn’t have kids, and my focus was entirely on my craft. I was building a reel, meeting people, investing in relationships, and immersing myself in work. My life was essentially work.

At the time, I often sought advice from seasoned professionals in the film and television industry, many of whom were nearing retirement. A consistent piece of advice they gave me was to always be on guard against burnout. They emphasized that burnout is inevitable at some point. You don’t know when it will hit, but it will. Their question to me was: knowing this, what would I change about my life to delay burnout and push through when it happens?

This advice has stayed with me throughout my career. To prevent burnout, I made choices early on to foster a team that could help distribute the workload and allow for breaks. Even when I’m working standard business hours, I aim to balance the hyper-creative projects that require deep focus with those that allow me to show up, do great work, and recharge.

As I got older, I realized how crucial it is to stay connected to culture. Attending concerts, experiencing art, and exploring other people’s work keeps me grounded and aware of the ever-changing world. When it’s all work and no play, you risk losing perspective on those cultural shifts. Without that awareness, you can unconsciously work yourself out of relevance.

Art is deeply tied to the human experience, so how can you create meaningful work if your life lacks experiences outside of work? This is why I’ve taken a strong stance on work-life boundaries, especially since starting my business. At Defacto Sound, we don’t send or respond to emails after hours. It’s a matter of respecting each other’s time and ensuring a healthy balance. Responding to emails late at night might seem productive, but to me, it’s a sign of weak boundaries and, frankly, a little amateurish. The best professionals I’ve worked have clear boundaries.

By prioritizing mental rest, spending time with family and friends, and engaging with life outside of work, I’ve found that I’m better equipped to sustain creativity. Work-life balance isn’t just good for individuals—it’s essential for creating meaningful art.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I split my time between two main pursuits. First, I run Defacto Sound, a sound design and mix company specializing in post-production audio. We work on splashy ads, trailers, promos, films, and branded documentaries for some of the world’s most thoughtful brands and creative agencies. My role as the Creative Director involves collaborating with writers, editors, companies, and agencies to develop strong sonic strategies and ensure our sound design and mixing elevate each project to its fullest potential.

The other side of my life is focused on my passion project turned full-scale operation: Twenty Thousand Hertz, a podcast that tells the stories behind the world’s most recognizable and interesting sounds. I serve as the host and executive producer, working alongside a small and dedicated team of writers, reporters, and contributors. Each episode takes 200 to 300 hours to produce, with lead times ranging from 8 to 12 months. The level of sound design and production we pour into every story is immense, and it’s all centered around some unique emotional connection to sound.

While many assume Twenty Thousand Hertz is a podcast for audio professionals, it’s actually designed for the general public. Its goal is to showcase how deeply human and emotionally resonant sound can be, all through beautifully crafted stories. Check it out in your favorite podcast app.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Los Angeles for a week, I’d plan a trip full of history, entertainment, great food, and a good amount of downtime to soak it all in. We’d kick things off at Universal Studios, mainly for the backlot tour. It’s the best way to get a real sense of Hollywood’s filmmaking history, and it’s just a fun experience. While we’re there, we’d hit up Super Nintendo World and maybe squeeze in a few classic rides if time allows. After that, we’d grab some pastries and lunch at Porto’s Bakery, a must-stop spot. The afternoon would be for a scenic drive down Mulholland Drive to take in the views. We’d wrap up the day with a visit to Hollywood Forever Cemetery to wander around and learn about some of the fascinating people who helped build Hollywood.

The next day would be all about the beach. We’d head to Manhattan Beach to walk the pier, grab some great food, and just take it easy. It’s the perfect spot to slow down and enjoy the ocean. In the evening, we’d find one of LA’s legendary taco spots because you can’t visit LA without eating tacos.

Another day, we’d go full tourist again with a trip to Warner Bros. for their studio tour. It’s a fantastic way to dive deeper into the world of film and TV. Afterward, we’d make a stop at Zankou Chicken for dinner because it’s a classic, and you can’t go wrong with their garlic sauce. Then we’d take a relaxed driving tour around LA, checking out neighborhoods like Silver Lake or Los Feliz for a more modern and creative vibe.

We’d definitely dedicate one day to Disneyland and California Adventure. Between the nostalgia, the new attractions, and all the food, it’s an all-day event worth the drive.

For some variety, we’d visit The Getty Center or LACMA later in the week to get a dose of LA’s incredible art and architecture. The rest of the day would include trying out one of LA’s newer restaurants to explore its ever-changing food scene. At some point, we’d take a day to just relax. Maybe hang out at a park, grab coffee, or revisit a favorite spot.

To close out the trip, we’d do a sunset drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s the perfect way to end a week in LA, with incredible views and a little time to reflect on everything we’d experienced before dropping them off at LAX.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I grew up in a very poor area in the Mississippi River Delta of Arkansas, and I owe every success in my life to the band directors and music teachers who recognized my potential and did everything they could to give me a platform to thrive. Without their support and belief in me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Specifically, I want to recognize Mrs. Jernigan and Mrs. Humphries. These two incredible teachers went above and beyond to push me forward and provide opportunities I never could have imagined.

Later, as I started my professional career, I was fortunate to have sound professionals who took me under their wing. Benny Benavidez, who worked at a local news station, taught me so much about signal flow and was genuinely excited to mentor someone passionate about audio.

Beyond them, there are countless individuals who have helped me at every step of the way. What I’ve learned is that relationships are the key to success. For me, it’s been a combination of preparation and practice meeting individuals who recognized that effort and wanted to help me get to the next level. Both elements, hard work and supportive relationships, have to come together to create the momentum needed to grow and thrive. Without one, the other doesn’t work. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of my journey.

Website: https://dallastaylor.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/dallastaylor.wav

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/dallastaylor

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dallas_taylor

Other: https://streamlink.to/20k

Image Credits
Phillip Slaughter (all except for the blue photo which was from Apple)