Subscribe on iTunes or SoundCloud. Being self-employed can be both a dream and a nightmare. In this episode of the Sound Design Live podcast I speak with Stephen Fishman, attorney and author of Working For Yourself: Law & Taxes for Independent Contractors, Freelancers & Consultants. We answer the following questions: What are the pros and cons of being a freelance sound engineer (independent contractor)? How do I choose a business structure (sole proprietorship, LLC)? How … [Read more...]
Kickstart This!
One of my new year's resolutions is to grow the Sound Design Live Media Empire (TM). Enter, the sponsorship. Do you know someone in audio/event technology, audio education, or connected services who would like their message to be heard by over 2,500 event industry professionals world wide per month? Contact me. Ideally I would like a 6-12 month relationship with someone whose work I would be inclined to feature on the show even if they weren't a sponsor. I love new technology, books on audio … [Read more...]
Behind Moldover’s Kickstarter Success
Subscribe on iTunes or SoundCloud. In this episode of Sound Design Live, I talk with musician and electronic instrument maker Moldover about the Kickstarter campaign for his new album. Moldover shares the mistakes he made with his first album and the important changes he is making this time around. We also discuss the new hardware he's working on, in-ear monitors, and the importance of tragedy in art. [quote … [Read more...]
The State Of Sound Engineering In Greece
Dimitris Sotiropoulos is a Greek sound engineer who has appeared on Sound Design Live in How To Use Plugins with an Analog Console And Wireless Control, How Much Do Live Sound Engineers Make?, and Sound Design Live Podcast Greatest Hits Volume 1. He is a good friend, a great engineer, and I really appreciate his views on business, audio, and life. In this post he describes the prerequisites for being a successful sound engineer and gives us a detailed look into how the ongoing economic crisis … [Read more...]
Make A Living As A Sound Engineer, Part Two: How To Get Played
In the last article we looked at proactive steps that sound engineers can take to demonstrate value and make money. Now let's take a look at some common ways to lose money in the exciting conclusion to Stevie Weenie's Making A Living As A Sound Engineer, Part One: How To Get Paid. PART II: HOW TO GET PLAYED Clients With Unlimited Demands + Zero Technical Audio Vocabulary example 1: broke actor Problem: She is starting a solo show and needs a soundtrack that feels like a Disney movie with a … [Read more...]