Our May Feature Profile is Fernanda Starling - Fernanda started her career in Brazil and is now a versatile engineer in Los Angeles. Working in Recording, Broadcast, and Film & TV Audio!

You Can’t Be What You Can’t See
We bring to you the stories of women working in audio, from the Groundbreakers to the Next Generation.

The SoundGirls Podcast

The SoundGirls Podcast is Here!

This week Susan Williams and Beckie Campbell interview Dave Rat on putting a diverse crew together, soundcheck secrets, and how curiosity is the key to success.

Part 1 & 2 are now on our YouTube Channel. Join Misty Roberts, Maxime Brunet, Dana Wachs, Tiffany Hendren, and Mary Broadbent as they share their knowledge and advice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ9BKXMh6tA&t=35s

Proof in Music

Anyone Who Says They Can’t Find Women to Work With Hasn’t Bothered Looking

Anyone Who Says They Can’t Find Women to Work With Hasn’t Bothered Looking!

Proof in Music a project of Jess Fenton a music producer, mix and recording engineer, launches today. A year and a half in the making, Proof in Music is another important platform to increase the visibility of women who are paving their own career paths behind the boards. The first season of 12 episodes shines a spotlight on women audio, mastering, mix engineers, and producers.

Find a Side Hustle

SoundGirl Alexandra McLeod shares how she is dealing with COVID-19. One day it’s all fun and games, others it can seem too overwhelming to stay on top of anything.

Alexandra is a recent graduate from the University of Exeter. Her main passion throughout university was her role as ‘Head of Station Sound’ for XpressionFM. She has had experience working at BBC Devon, Cornwall and Newcastle as well as PhonicFM (Exeter).

LIVING SOUND has been accepted for Production Assistance and Fiscal Sponsorship from Women Make Movies! Ethel Gabriel is one of the earliest woman producers. You can help to get this important documentary finished.

Resources to utilize during this forced downtime and unemployment. From best business practices, career development, continuing education, and side hustles to get us through this.

Kate Finan and Jeff Shiffman Co-Owners of Boom Box Post share how Boom Box Post is adapting to working during COVID-19

Kate Finan began her career as a post-production sound effects editor. Over the next several years, she worked her way up to being a supervising sound editor at Warner Bros. and then left to start her own studio, Boom Box Post.

Finishing a Song and Workflow

What finishing a song a week taught me about workflow.

Jen Athan is a composer and producer based in Glasgow. She has written music for theatre shows and short films and enjoys creating music to accompany a narrative.

Skills College Can't Teach You

A Commencement Speech for our 2020 Grads. Congratulations and Good Luck!

Alyasia Muhammad-Turner is a freelance sound engineer and musician, currently based in Atlanta. Alyasia’s goal is to continue education and training for women, non-binary, and LGBTQ+ in STEM fields.

Striving for Excellence

Until you’ve done a few shows and learn to trust in your abilities as a mixer, it’s easy to let your nerves get the better of you.

Heather Augustine is an audio engineer and graduated from Penn State University with a BFA in Theatrical Design and Technology, with an emphasis on Sound Design, and has been on the road for the past 7 years. Currently, she is the A1 for the first national tour of Mean Girls.

The Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide is a collective work by event industry professionals to help our peers who are planning to reopen during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The ABCs of Women in Theatre

"These women are heroes, bad-ass superstars. Let’s always make history remember who they are. Through pandemic ramblings, or word-press, or pen, keep spreading the word of these powerful women."

Elisabeth Weidner is a sound designer, composer, and engineer based on California’s Central Coast.

Minimalist Mixing Techniques

You might’ve noticed the title for this month's blog is called “Minimalist Mixing Techniques”, so you already know what I’m about to dive into...the art of NOT using 10,000 plug-ins on ONE song!

Virginia Haladyna is a musician, songwriter, performer, and freelance recording engineer based out of Austin, Texas.

SoundGirls and Modern Projects, Inc. presented an online panel of Theater Working Professionals where we discussed career trajectories, obstacles, access, success stories and more. The panel was moderated by Leslie Gaston-Bird. You Can View it Online!

Basic Networking For Live Sound Engineers

Arica Rust gives us a basic understanding of what is a network and how we can create and connect to a network.

Arica Rust is a live sound engineer specializing in systems engineering. She currently freelances under her company Wavelength Engineering and has extensive experience working with L-Acoustics and d&b audiotechnik systems.

Before I started to design, I needed to answer questions like, what is their purpose, what kind of room they would be in. This allowed me to form a basis to work off of and led me to more technical specifications.

Sarah Calvert is a sound designer and composer. She feels the most satisfaction when mentoring and teaching younger students. She is working on a master's degree in sound design and an undergraduate degree in music composition and theory.

AES Video - What it Takes to Have a Successful Career in Audio, Presented by SoundGirls from the AES New York 2019 Convention
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUW_JGFjtBA&list=PLb8Du_9J2LLbMuF7JTTUC1jAw32yPwC3O&index=3&t=11s

Meet Liina of LNA Does Audio Stuff

Liina Turtonen is an independent music producer and educator. She also runs YouTube channel LNA Does Audio Stuff. She also co-owns an organization called Equalize Music Production, where they teach Ableton Live and production for women.

You are not a unicorn: The transferable skills you already have

Whether it’s an injury, family illness, recession or global pandemic keeping you from working, or you simply want a bit of a change for a while, knowing you have an alternative job you can fall back on (preferably one you can do in any health, from anywhere) can be invaluable

Beth O’Leary is a freelance live sound engineer and tech-based in Sheffield, England.

Using OBS for Content Creation

My students have been moved online for the past couple of months, and I had to find a way to still have them produce content with what they had available, usually just a laptop, interface, and a microphone at best.

Susan Williams is an educator in Winter Park, FL. Susan has spent her career working for various theatres, including the Orlando Repertory Theatre, The Garden Theatre, & the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.

Be Resilient

How we choose to deal with this rollercoaster is extremely important. We must be resilient. We must be able to bounce back from the lowest of lows the industry has seen, but we must also be able to bounce back as individuals when faced with hard times."

Heather Holm, holds a BA in Broadcasting & Digital Media Communication & an MS in Organizational Change Leadership. Heather works in higher education dealing with event logistics and production technology.

13 Ways To Support Music and the People Who Make It

Here are some ideas about how we (as a community and as musicians, ourselves) can keep music and the people who make music afloat, alive, and a-thrive.

Singer - Songwriter Willa Mamet lives in Oakland, CA, with her beloved upright, her uncle’s guitar, a whole lot of elderberry bushes, and her six-pawed cat. She travels. A lot. For music.

SoundGirls of Mexico Blog

Cuándo no sabemos cómo van a salir las cosas? Sentir inseguridad porque no sabes si lo que estas haciendo va a funcionar o no? Cómo manejas la inestabilidad? Eres positiva y piensas que todo va a salir bien? O comienzas a pensar en lo peor? Te inclinas por los extremos?

SoundGirls of Mexico Blog
How to Face Uncertainty

Carolina Anton on facing Uncertainty - When we are anxious we can be fatalistic, pessimistic and awaken our greatest fears. We have all lived through these moments during our lives and it is normal, but how about coping with uncertainty?

Copyright in the 21st Century

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 the music industry at large has been extremely quiet, but before the outbreak and lockdown rules became widespread there were several interesting events and technological advances relating to music copyright law.

Michelle Sciarrotta is a singer/songwriter, composer, and musician. Michelle has worked all over the UK and Europe. She is passionate about women’s rights and education for girls.

The Perfect Bedtime Story

"I, like many of you, hit the “buy” button immediately once Women in Audio by Leslie Gaston-Bird was published. A textbook about us, for us, and most importantly, by us! Reading a textbook has never been this empowering."

Nicole Kirch is a recording engineer and musician. In her short career, she has worked on location sound, post-production, stage crew, and electronics.

A Note on Saying Thank You

I feel very strongly that it’s important to pass on these thank-you notes because it’s often underestimated how much weight a band’s attitude can have. How simply being friendly and rolling with the punches makes or breaks stressful situations, and makes all the difference between a rushed soundcheck being doable or downright miserable.

Sydney Bolton is a live sound engineer based in Seattle. When, not behind a soundboard she may be found in a darkroom, skateboarding, or playing drums.

The EQL Directory
Powered by SoundGirls, Made Possible by Spotify

The EQL Directory is a global database of professionals that seeks to amplify the careers and achievements of women working behind the scenes in music and audio. Any person around the world can add their name and claim their space. And, any person looking to hire a more inclusive creative team can find professionals in their area.

Editing SoundGirls into Wikipedia

Wikipedia Hackathon to add Women in Audio into Wikipedia. Nicole has provided SoundGirls with a roadmap. It is a great step by step guide.

Nicole Kirch is a North Carolina based recording engineer and musician. In her short career, she has worked on location sound, post-production, stage crew, and electronics.

Helpful insight and advice as you navigate the industry as a young freelance musician. It identifies common challenges facing freelance musicians, and signposts sources of support that you can access.It also includes tips on identifying and managing anxiety and other issues, and when to seek help or access specialist support.

Career Paths in Film and TV – Highlights

Guide to Supporting Women in Audio

A resource for men and all people interested in social equity in audio. In Collaboration with Yorkshire Sound Women Network, Big Bear Audio, Huddersfield University, and #HeforShe

Report Sexual Harassment or Assualt - JDoe App

Sexual misconduct remains a difficult crisis for women and men. Fear, social blaming, and isolation continue to be key factors that cause victims to remain silent. JDoe is an encrypted and anonymous reporting platform. By linking victims of mutual offenders with lawyers. JDoe is designed with survivors and witnesses in mind. A detailed index of sexual misconduct laws by state is built directly into the app to help guide users through the reporting process. Quickly browse for nearby resources and the latest policies concerning sexual misconduct.

You can view the first webinar on tour managing on our YouTube Channel! Moderated by Misty Roberts, and parting their knowledge and wisdom Maxime Brunet, Dana Wachs, Tiffany Hendren, and Mary Broadbent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ9BKXMh6tA&t=15s