Nathan Lively's Blog, page 27
September 19, 2015
The easiest, cheapest, most valuable technique for long-term business success
Working with an accountability partner is the-the best technique for long-term business success in pro audio.
It’s easy to slow down and give up and say, “I’ve tried everything and nothing is working.”
It’s easy to forget to contact new potential clients you are busy with work.
It’s easy to feel isolated and alone when you never meet with your colleagues.
Unless…
You have an accountability partner.
Why?
[the following is adapted from Ryan Eliason]
Purpose
Inspiration – Hearing your partner’s successes and failures will keep things in perspective. When you realize that other people are sharing your struggles and your journey, they become less intense.
Keep focused on your vision, goals and priorities – Your partner will be aligned with your goals and remind you when your focus strays.
Staying in action – Apathy is a killer. Regular forward motion is the cure.
Building integrity – Your partner will hold you to your word.
Celebration! – Build momentum by celebrating regularly.
Suggested frequency and length of sessions
Split the time equally. Be efficient. Avoid giving advice.
Weekly 30-40 min call
Bi-weekly for 60 min
Monthly for 60-90 min
Combination of longer and shorter calls
Structure
Keep small chat to a minimum. Connect briefly then move to structure.
From last week or month (depending on how often you meet)
What would you like to celebrate?
Did you do ______ (specific action commitments from your last meeting)?
If yes, great!
If not, do you want to recommit to those actions?
What are you learning?
For next week or month (depending on how often you meet)
What two short-term goals would you like to set?
One business goal.
One lifestyle, well-being, or personal goal.
What specifically will you do next? Every goal needs at least a first action.
Wrap up by scheduling your next meeting.
Take notes on your own commitments as well as your partner’s commitments. Have the notes handy at your next meeting.
***This structure is a suggested guideline. If you and your partner want to create a modified structure, go for it! If you create something that works really well, I want to hear about it. Comment below.
Guidelines
Keep your agreements with your partner.
Show up to your appointments on time.
Keep everything your partner shares completely confidential.
…for the supporting partner
Listen for their greatness
Hold them as naturally resourceful and capable of overcoming any challenges.
Believe in them.
See them as having amazing potential way beyond where they are now.
Hold the space
Stick to the structure of the call.
Don’t get stuck in tangents, instead, ask the question again.
Don’t try to be a good coach or consultant, there is more power in simplicity here.
Don’t work too hard, let them do the heavy lifting in the conversation.
Keep track of time.
Do not give advice
You do not need to fix them.
You do not need to help them solve their problems.
Advice is overrated. People usually find advice somewhat annoying, and rarely helpful.
Whatever goal or challenge your partner is working on, don’t get sucked into focusing on it and problem-solving with them. Instead, focus on their goals and next actions.
Do not make them wrong
Do not make anything wrong about the person or what they are doing.
Trust their process and their journey. Let go of your ideas about how things should be.
Instead, suggest actions
At the very end of the call, once you have completed everything else, if you think you had a brilliant idea that might help them (something to do, someone to call, etc.) then, ask their permission to make a suggestion. If they say yes, keep it brief. For example, “Have you tried this?”, or “I suggest calling Mr. X. They might be a good resource for you.”
Guidelines for the partner being supported
Share powerfully, vulnerably and authentically.
This is not your time to look good or be impressive or keep it all together.
This is also not a therapy session. The goal is not to have a witness or support for darkest shadow and hidden feelings.
This is not a time to get sympathy or to seek agreement or validation.
Instead, the goal is to speak from your heart. Summon your inner wisdom and power. Use this time to get really clear about who you are, what you’re most passionate about, and what you’re committed to.
Don’t focus on the problem. Instead, focus on your vision and your goals. Focus on what you need to do to get where you want to go. Focus on your inspiration and your passion.
This article The easiest, cheapest, most valuable technique for long-term business success appeared first on Sound Design Live. Sign up for free updates here.
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September 16, 2015
Turn Your Audio Passion into Profits
Often we think about helping people and doing what we love, without necessarily considering the financial impact on ourselves.
What would it mean for you to get out of debt for good?
What would it mean to be able to pay your bills every month and still take a much-needed, extended vacation (whenever you want)?
What would it mean for you to invest your savings in such a way that you wouldn’t have to work for money anymore? (I don’t mean retirement.)
My guess is that it would mean a lot. But money is a commodity. It can come from many different sources. You and your time, on the other hand, are irreplaceable.
That’s why I’m here. I love audio. I love training. I love coaching.
My mission is to help every audio engineer reach their full potential, but this isn’t about me. The world needs audio engineers who know how to market themselves and deliver great service so that they are booked solid and paid well. I’m happy to help out the best way I can: by giving them the tools to do it.
It’s time to start taking action.
If you feel ready to turn your audio hobby into a full-time career, then I’d like to invite you to take advantage of a special Audio Passion to Profits one-on-one career consultation where we will work together to:
Get crystal clear on your vision for a thriving career in audio.
Uncover the hidden obstacles that are stopping your forward movement.
Create a next-step action plan for your new and exciting career!
If you’d like to take advantage of this very special, very limited, and totally FREE 30 minute Audio Passion to Profits coaching session, sign up now:
Sign me up
This article Turn Your Audio Passion into Profits appeared first on Sound Design Live. Sign up for free updates here.
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September 10, 2015
Turn Your iPhone into a Wireless Microphone
Support Sound Design Live on Patreon.
In this episode of the Sound Design Live podcast I talk with Tim Holladay about why customer service is so important and how Crowd Mics can solve your wireless microphone problem.
Notes from the podcast:
Crowd Mics and Tim on Twitter
Gary Vaynerchuk
Tony Hsieh and Delivering Happiness
Live chat service
This article Turn Your iPhone into a Wireless Microphone appeared first on Sound Design Live. Sign up for free updates here.
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August 25, 2015
Hate Pushing Boxes? Learn How to Build Functional Strength and Prevent Back Injury
Support Sound Design Live on Patreon.
In this episode of sound design live I speak with Brandi Smith-Young, a fellow at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, board-certified orthopedic specialist, and founder of Perfect 10.0 Physical Therapy, about preventing back injury. She specializes in injury care, injury prevention, and performance training for gymnasts, dancers, parkour athletes, and performing artists.
We answer these questions:
Is your job as a sound engineer breaking your back?
Is your job in a chair taking years off of your life?
What’s wrong with caffeine?
Does work count as exercise?
How often should you replace your work shoes?
Smith-Young discusses:
How to breathe for stability.
The top ways that people lift incorrectly.
Details from the podcast:
All music in today’s episode by Trash80.Brandi’s DVDs: Finding Your Inner Core, Finding Stability Within
Clips
Thank You clip from arytopia
Japanese clip from Reitanna
Thank you please wait for assistance from shadoWisp
Brandi’s list of priorities for preventing back injury on the job through proper recovery:
Diet & nutrition
Sleep
Core strength and stabilization
My interview with Wendy Jo Peterson
2 Tbsp. almond butter + 1 Tbsp. coconut oil = complete protein/omega lift that helps with your energy level.
Daily cardiovascular routine (3-4 days/week)
2min warm-up (jumping jacks, jogging, etc.)
30sec sprint (Start with 50% of your max heart rate where you can still have a conversation, work up to 90% of your max heart rate where you can’t talk.)
90sec recovery
repeat no more than 8x
Functional Movement
Quotes
The extreme ranges, where you are constantly lifting or constantly sitting, you’re at risk for injury.
The chair takes years off of their life.
People eat too many processed foods. Stay on the outside of the grocery store.
You need some form of cardiovascular activity every day outside of work.
It’s all about functional movement and postural alignment.
A dysfunctional core is one of the main contributors to injuries. [28:38]
The rubber in tennis shoes only has a 1-year shelf life. After a year, they start to degrade. [37:47]
You need to replace your work shoes every year at minimum. [39:14]
This article Hate Pushing Boxes? Learn How to Build Functional Strength and Prevent Back Injury appeared first on Sound Design Live. Sign up for free updates here.
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August 17, 2015
Get Unstuck–Permanently
What is the value of being able to get unstuck and stay that way?
As a sensitive person with big dreams, I know the value is very high.
Think about all of the times that you’ve felt lost and lacking direction. Think about all of the other sound engineers out there who fell into this work and are struggling to make a living.
Now imagine a world where every audio professional was operating from his strengths and getting paid what he deserved.
That’s the world I want to live in.
If you’ve been struggling with feeling stuck, then I’d like to invite you to take advantage of Get Unstuck–Permanently, a special one-on-one career consultation where we will work together to:
Get crystal clear on your location on the sound engineer’s path.
Uncover the hidden challenges that are sabotaging your success.
Leave the session renewed, energized, and inspired to finally go after what you want.
If you’d like to take advantage of this very special, very limited, and totally FREE 30 minute Get Unstuck–Permanently coaching session, sign up now:
Get Unstuck
This article Get Unstuck–Permanently appeared first on Sound Design Live. Sign up for free updates here.
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August 10, 2015
SPECIAL REPORT: Sound System Design for Small Venues with Bob McCarthy
Support Sound Design Live on Patreon.
Are you ready for over an hour of on-the-job training on sound system design for small venues with one of the most experienced sound system technicians in the world? Yeah you are!
In this episode we cover:
How to measure sound systems in heavy wind.
Dealing with highly reverberant spaces.
The precedence effect.
When to subdivide your system.
The advantages and disadvantages to coupling your subs.
How to setup a basic cardioid subwoofer array.
How to aim a pair of L/R mains.
The next update to SIM3.
Combining speakers and microphones with shape and scale in mind.
The best way to potty train your dog.
Details from the podcast:
All music in this podcast by Steve Knots
McCarthy’s book: Sound Systems: Design and Optimization
Sound Design Live eBook
Meyer Sound
USITT
Community hashtag: #XOVR
McCarthy’s blog posts about subwoofer arrays
6 Smart, Proven Methods To Control Feedback Onstage (Without EQ)
Quotes:
Outdoors you take picture after picture and then lay them over and see where the trends are. You have to throw out certain ones that are not plausible.
Nobody goes into acoustics because they think I’m going to get really good at putting fiberglass on the walls to make dead rooms, but in the world of small spaces that are going to do loud music that is exactly what you need.
The overflow that you have potentially on a wall is no worse than you have, as a certainty, into the other speaker that’s coming from the other side.
The HASS effect or precedence effect (or whatever you want to call it) is vastly over simplified in people’s brains.
System design for small rooms is much more challenging and difficult than large spaces.
Goran O.
Q: What’s the approach in sound design for venues with bad acoustics that are very reverberant? I have mixed in these places and I must say that I’m trying hard to forget the feeling. It is very often the case that the owner of the club has spent money buying a decent sound reinforcement system, but then doesn’t care about acoustics. Or, there are cases when a concert is produced in some kind of multipurpose venue (which is normally a warehouse) and you are expected to create great sound. Would it help to try a more “distributive” approach.
Q: What about using the Haas (or precedence) effect in sound distribution? Bob says that delaying sound systems further then the first arrival of direct sound will mess with the phase, but what about spatial feeling?
Q: I mix a lot of great bands at a student club. Capacity is about 300-400 people. It has a balcony and under-balcony space. It would be great to have Bob’s opinion on how to distribute the speakers because this venue is part of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing and some students (volunteers) in the club are studying in the Department of Electroacoustocs so they are hungry for knowledge (as I am).
Left side of venue is a wall of mirrors
One EV bass speaker (tour-x TX2181) per side
Four bass speakers in first raw are just barrier for audience.
Mid/high boxes (EV XI-1152 – Rotatable 60° x 40°) are 2.4m from floor to bottom of speaker.
You’ll see also some JBL speakers behind EV (on middle of stage), but those are not in use.
Download Google SketchUp Design
Interactive Panorama
(download for best results)
Goran KSET Venue
Goran KSET Stage
Goran KSET Balcony
Simon E.
Sound system design for a rock show with six actors on close-mic’d wireless, and a band of piano, bass, drums, violin, and sampler in the stage-right wing.
I really wanted to fly speakers over the stage, but in this space it’s not going to happen (no roof infrastructure at all, not even for lighting) so I am resigned to two speakers on tall stands at the sides, angled in and tilted down in an attempt to get an even coverage. Based on the basic rule from Bob (summarized in your earlier article) of “back row on axis at distance 2D, front row at bottom edge of coverage at distance D”, I think it’s close enough. In this case, with 90×60 speakers, it works out to ~9′ up, 15 degrees down, and about 25-30 degrees in to avoid the hard side walls.
If all goes well, I will be borrowing a pair of Nexo PS15s (original version – 100ºx55°) and a pair of PS8s (100ºx55°) which will go on the floor in the middle as front-fill.
Mark N.
I am in the process of redoing a PA in a 650 seat worship room and have been trying to find the best placement for the subs and mains. The stage is in one corner with mains directly above the steps currently aiming at each aisle.
The center speaker has moved slightly off center and the x-over between the mains is in the middle of seats. I have stressed the concern of rearranging the seats so the x-over is in the aisles.
I can rehang, reposition, and the speakers can be visible. My thought was to flip the mains over so the horn is at bottom to get past the projectors. EV has seen the room and suggested that, too.
Here is the info of our current set up, along with photos and drawings of the room.
Room Info:
70’x70′ square, ceiling height is 20′ from floor, 18′ from stage.
Walls are just drywall, 2 being outside walls with brick veneer on outside.
The ceiling is gypsum, suspended. Above it is empty with metal roof. This part of the building is actually shaped like a pyramid so roof peaks near center of audience about 45′.
PA:
Main Cluster- (3x) EV 1122s/66 (60ºx60º)
Amps: (1x) 2ch EV cps2.9
Subs: (2x)
Thorsten B.
Q: When is the next update to SIM III coming out? It’s been a while.
Q: I have a theory that if I use the same model of microphone on every input and the same model of loudspeaker on every output, the sound will be more even and smooth because in the interaction between microphone and speaker there is only one frequency response instead of 12 or more if I use the typical 4-6 types of microphones and speakers. Do you agree? Does this work in the real world?
This article SPECIAL REPORT: Sound System Design for Small Venues with Bob McCarthy appeared first on Sound Design Live. Sign up for free updates here.
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August 4, 2015
11 Professional Networking Improvements You Can Make Today to Find Work in a New Niche
I just fell into it.
That’s how most people respond when I ask them how they got into audio.
But what about when you want to make a change? What about when you want to break out of your current cycles and create a career on purpose?
Why you should care about professional networking = pro audio is based on personal referral.
So if you want to transition within the industry you are going to need new referrals.
At first, this can seem like an impossible obstacle because relationships take years to build, right? Prepare to go outside of your comfort zone.
#1 – Get clear on who you want to meet
When sound engineers ask me “How do I meet the right people?” I say, “Who are the right people?”
Sometimes this is easy to answer. It may be other sound engineers in the new niche that you are moving towards. But sometimes it may take more research to figure out exactly who will be referring you to the kinds of job you want.
The number one person to ask: Someone who has this job already.
Schedule a quick skype date and ask who referred them to the jobs that they have now.
#2 – Where do they hang out?
When you are clear about who you want to meet, then do some research and find out where they spend time.
Online
One quick way to do this is to look them up on LinkedIn, Facebook, or other social network and look at what groups they are in and what events they attend. You can join the same groups and start participating. People will get to know you and you can start asking questions related to finding new clients or employment.
Offline
I broke into theatrical sound design in San Francisco by connecting with another designer at an event I knew he would be attending and asking him for a referral. We hit it off and he never gets this kind of request, so he was happy to help.
Check Meetup.com, Eventbrite, and local industry events for more ideas.
Although some sound engineers don’t like to be approached at work, you can also go to the kinds of events that you want to work on and connect with the people working them.
#3 – Go direct
You can skip all of the group friendliness and just contact them directly.
It is easy to contact them if they have their own website or are on Twitter. If you’re stumped, try this.
#4 – Ask for an introduction
After finding someone on LinkedIn, you can often connect with them simply by joining the same professional groups, but a more personal way to ask for an introduction is through a mutual connection. On LinkedIn, there is a little triangle next to the Connect button. If you have some a connection in common you will see an option that says Get Introduced.
First you’ll need to message that common connection and ask for the introduction. Remember that they might not remember how they know that person. I have over 500 connections and there are plenty whose origin I have forgotten.
#5 – Like Dating for LinkedIn
What if you were automatically paired with potential referral sources who were down to chat?
Treatings is an app that has the goal of helping you create new professional relationship. I really want this app to take off because it would make this whole process sooo much easier, but I haven’t had a lot of success with it. Just like dating apps, there are a lot of people who don’t reply. But it only takes a minute to setup, so I recommend you give it a shot.
#6 – Make introductions
If you want to start getting introduced to new people, follow the golden rule and start doing the same for others.
I just received the best email introduction ever. It looked like this:
SUBJECT: X meet Nathan, audio expert
Hey X!
It’s been a while since we’ve connected. I hope all is well.
This is where I met Nathan. He’s super talented.
Here’s some of the super stuff he does.
Anyway, I respect your work so much that I thought you two should meet. The audio world is too small for two of the good guys to not even to be aware of each other.
No need to include me in any future conversations that y’all have, but forge ahead!
#7 – Activate weak ties
In fact, in landing a job, Granovetter discovered, weak-tie acquaintances were often more important than strong-tie friends because weak ties give us access to social networks where we don’t otherwise belong. Many of the people Granovetter studied had learned about new job opportunities through weak ties, rather than from close friends, which makes sense because we talk to our closest friends all the time, or work alongside them or read the same blogs. By the time they have heard about a new opportunity, we probably know about it, as well. On the other hand, our weak-tie acquaintances—the people we bump into every six months—are the ones who tell us about jobs we would otherwise never hear about. –Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit
So what can you do?
Ask your friends to tell two of their friends. Make your request easy to remember and transmit. Craft a clear email that can be easily forwarded.
#9 – Volunteer
This can be a tough pill to swallow if you have years of experience in one niche already, but both Darryn de la Soul and Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato told me that if they were transitioning within the industry they would do whatever it took to make new in-person contacts, especially a work relationship so that more people would become familiar with their abilities.
#10 – Hire a labor broker
You can join a labor provider like SoulSound Agency in the UK or VTS in the US. They have contracts and contacts across the industry and will get you started in the areas of your choice. In exchange, they’ll take a percentage of the labor paid.
#11 – Hire a coach who knows that niche
There are career and business coaches for every industry in the world. See if there’s one for your niche. Even if you don’t want to hire them right now, they are sure to have some free material to get you started.
How to fail at networking
There are two ways that your new networking strategy will fail:
You don’t try. Maybe you have a lot of fear or confusion around getting started. Everyone does. Create a simple, personal strategy and schedule time to work on it every day. Every day?? Well, if it’s important to you, then yes.
You do it wrong. Maybe you are too cold or informal. Don’t break out of the gate with “How do I get a job?” You sound like a college student. Show genuine interest in the other person first and they will be more interested in you.
This article 11 Professional Networking Improvements You Can Make Today to Find Work in a New Niche appeared first on Sound Design Live. Sign up for free updates here.
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July 29, 2015
One Critical Skill You Need to Get Stage Theatre Jobs: How Surrey University Is Training Audio Engineers
Support Sound Design Live on Patreon.
In this episode of Sound Design Live, I speak with Paul McConkey, the sound module coordinator at the University of Surrey, about the most important skill you need to get stage theatre jobs in the West End of London. We talk about his career path, from earning a record contract to building a recording studio, touring with rock bands, and finally teaching the professional production skills course at the University of Surrey. We also discuss training for the stamina to succeed and how work placements serve the performing arts.
There’s a lot to deal with in the entertainment business, and most of it requires people skills.
Details from the podcast:
All music in this episode by iso999
Guildford School of Acting
Depping = Acting as a deputy.
Quotes
You work for free for us for a while, but eventually you get a reputation and that reputation is gold dust. (11:17)
Getting a job is a lot of fitting in, half the time, because it’s a family. (11:51)
There is a wealth of work within audio. There is a possibility to diversify.
If you are good with your people skills, you can train yourself up to be good at [a particular] area. (14:24)
This article One Critical Skill You Need to Get Stage Theatre Jobs: How Surrey University Is Training Audio Engineers appeared first on Sound Design Live. Sign up for free updates here.
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1 Critical Skill to Get Stage Theatre Jobs: How Surrey University Is Training Audio Engineers
Support Sound Design Live on Patreon.
In this episode of Sound Design Live I speak with the sound module coordinator at the University of Surrey, Paul McConkey, about the most important skill you need to get stage theatre jobs in the West End of London. We talk about his career path from earning a record contract to building a recording studio to touring with rock bands and finally teaching the professional production skills course that the University of Surrey. We also discuss training the stamina to succeed and how work placements serve the performing arts.
Details from the podcast:
All music in this episode by iso999
Guildford School of Acting
Depping = Acting as a deputy.
Quotes
You work for free for us for a while, but eventually you get a reputation and that reputation is gold dust. (11:17)
Getting a job is a lot of fitting in, half the time, because it’s a family. (11:51)
There is a wealth of work within audio. There is a possibility to diversify.
If you are good with your people skills, you can train yourself up to be good at [a particular] area. (14:24)
This article 1 Critical Skill to Get Stage Theatre Jobs: How Surrey University Is Training Audio Engineers appeared first on Sound Design Live. Sign up for free updates here.
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July 12, 2015
The good, the bad, and the ugly of being a Tour Managing FOH Engineer
Support Sound Design Live on Patreon.
In this episode of Sound Design Live I talk with Brian Adler about good and bad of being a tour managing FOH engineer and how he lost his passion for audio in the recording studio and rediscovered it in concert sound. We discuss:
Why getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to his career
The benefits of working at smaller concert venues
How to control your relationship with an artist (even if you work at a shitty club)
One important demand you should make when taking tour managing gigs
Staying healthy on tour
Brian’s industry secret for optimizing a sound system on tour
