Tomas Wolfe started the FOH/MON group on Facebook and is on tour with on tour with Underoath and Run The Jewels.

TOMAS: I would like to learn more about system tuning.

The easiest way to get started for free is by watching archived Meyer Sound webinars and reading the blogs written by Bob McCarthy and Merlijn van Veen. I also recently publish a video series on YouTube called Get Started with Sound System Tuning. (See ENDNOTES for links.)

Next, you should read Bob McCarthy’s book. It’s the only one I recommend.

I have discovered that a lot of people, myself included, have a hard time applying technical knowledge to their daily work. That’s why I created Seeing Sound. It’s a system tuning program that walks you through the most important steps to give you more confidence and consistency in your work.

TOMAS: I would like to learn how to better balance work with my personal life and to be healthier while on the road.

The most helpful tool for me has been a calendar that I update frequently with all aspects of my schedule. This includes time with my friends, family and time for myself! The busier you get, the more those relationships will weaken. If you wait until you “find” time, it will never happen. You have to reserve that time on your schedule.

A key point for avoiding stress is to stay flexible. Online calendars are great because you can just grab your phone and move stuff around. So if you have a gig that comes up for Sunday afternoon, when you were planning to see your brother, reschedule. Let everyone know that your work is really important to you and that there will often be scheduling conflicts. Ask them ahead of time for their understanding and flexibility.

Also, have a long term goal of building demand for your services so you can be booked solid one year into the future. There will always be surprise changes, but you can minimize those by booking yourself farther out.

TOMAS: I want to get work with people I can learn from to improve my business.

Sure, I totally agree. I guess the question, then, is how to make that happen.

“There is something to learn from everything you do in life.” -Karl Winkler, Lectrosonics

First of all, appreciate the people you are working with now and learn everything you can from them. It may not always be technical skills. It may be a great attitude, customer service skills, or knife fighting.

Through LinkedIn, trade magazines, and forums (SoundGirls has a mentor section), find someone who is doing what you want to be doing. You can then: A) approach them directly about a mentor relationship (come with specific request in mind); B) Ask them to let you shadow them for a day, or; C) Try offering a trade or free work like Charlie Hoehn.

Another method I’m fond of is hiring a coach. There are coaches out there that specialize in every kind of goal from running a marathon to building your career as a sound engineer. I specialize in helping audio professionals grow their businesses, often with theatrical, concert, and corporate sound. I recently saw a coach that specializes in helping you start a successful home studio side business.

ENDNOTES

1. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsfnoBcHUm22FvFFlnnvaN7W4sl2DGTCl
2. https://bobmccarthy.com/publications/
3. https://www.merlijnvanveen.nl/index.php/en/
4. https://www.proaudioworkshopseeingsound.com/
5. https://www.soundgirls.org/group/mentors
6. Charlie – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5qUR3tpEdA