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Darrell John (August 12, 1948 - June 17, 2020) was an American mastering engineer who began his recording career in 1966 while studying film at UCLA. He started mastering in 1967 and co-founded Great Mandella in January 1968 with former Capitol Records A&R Executive Jack Chartoff. They established a multi-track recording studio and offices in Studio City, California, on the site of Foto Kem, a major motion picture film laboratory. Great Mandella was affiliated with BMI and ASCAP, signing several artists and releasing singles, EPs, and LPs on various labels. After Chartoff's untimely death, Darrell returned to studio engineering and mastering. In December 1969, he mastered for a 1970 release, followed by additional projects. By mid-1970, he was under contract with MCA, where he worked extensively with MCA Decca's renowned country producer, mastering numerous country hits as well as pop material, including early releases for Elton John and Lynyrd Skynyrd, often inscribing his work with "DJ" or "DWJ." Darrell became the first Mastering Engineer and Director of Engineering at JVC, where he utilized a special half-speed mastering system for CD-4 Quad records, later adapted for stereo audiophile half-speed disc mastering, leading to his "DWJ/2" inscription. In 1977, he founded a new venture with partners. Additionally, Darrell

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