The Business of Audio Podcast | Podcast on RSS.com

The Business of Audio Podcast

The Business of Audio Podcast

by Donny Baker

Entrepreneurship Music

Season 4

The Best Studio Investment I Ever Made

The best investment I ever made in my studio wasn't a microphone or a plugin. It was a simple system that made running my business easier and my clients happier. Watch the full video to see why.

Top 10 Things Clients Say That Drive Audio Engineers Crazy

The Top 10 Things Clients Say That Drive Audio Engineers Crazy If you've spent any time in a recording studio, you've probably heard a few phrases that make every audio engineer smile... or quietly shake their head. After more than 40 years in recording studios and on the road, I've heard just about everything. From "We'll fix it in the mix" to "It'll only take five minutes," some client comments have become legendary. In this episode, I share ten of the funniest, most common things clients say—and more importantly, what they usually mean. Along the way, I'll tell a few stories from my career and explain why learning to communicate with clients is just as important as knowing how to run Pro Tools or place a microphone. Whether you're an audio engineer, producer, studio owner, or musician, I think you'll recognize a few of these. Start your 7-day trial and join The Business of Audio community: https://www.skool.com/sound-foundations-8658/about Inside you'll find practical audio training, business systems, live coaching, mix critiques, and a community of engineers, producers, and studio owners building real careers together. Learn to make your living making music happen.

My Favorite Recording Session Didn't Involve a Rock Star

I've been fortunate to work with Grammy winners, chart-topping artists, and some of the biggest names in the music industry. But my favorite recording session wasn't with any of them. It was with four young musicians who walked into my studio carrying crumpled one-dollar bills they'd earned delivering pizzas and working at Trader Joe's. They believed they had one great song, and they were willing to spend everything they had to record it. What happened next became one of the biggest turning points of my career. In this episode, I share the story behind my first Gold Record, why I chose to take a chance on an unknown band, and the lesson that has stayed with me ever since: never underestimate passion, preparation, and people who truly believe in what they're creating. If you're an audio engineer, producer, musician, or anyone chasing a dream, I think you'll enjoy this one. Start your 7-day trial and join The Business of Audio community: https://www.skool.com/sound-foundations-8658/about Inside you'll find live coaching, practical business training, mix critiques, and a community of audio engineers, producers, and studio owners building real careers together. Learn to make your living making music happen.

I wish I Knew......

If I Could Go Back 40 Years, I'd Tell Myself This If I could sit down with my younger self at the beginning of my audio career, what would I say? After more than 40 years as an audio engineer, studio owner, producer, and mentor, there are a few lessons I wish someone had shared with me much earlier. Some I learned the easy way—but most came through mistakes, setbacks, burnout, and experience. In this episode, I share the advice I'd give my 20-year-old self about gear, clients, business, relationships, work-life balance, and what success in the audio industry really looks like. Whether you're just getting started or you've been doing this for years, I hope these lessons help you avoid some of the mistakes I made and build a career you'll be proud of. Ready to build a real career in audio? Start your 7-day trial and join our community: https://www.skool.com/sound-foundations-8658/about Every lesson in this podcast was learned in the real world—not the classroom. My hope is that you can borrow my experience instead of spending 40 years making the same mistakes.

From Big Studio to Home Studio: The Mindset Shift That Saved My Career

For more than 20 years, I owned and operated a commercial recording studio. Like many engineers, I believed success meant a bigger studio, more gear, and a full calendar. Then everything changed. When the building was sold and I had to close the studio, I found myself questioning everything. I felt burned out. I felt like I had failed. I wondered if it was somehow my fault. On top of that, I had to begin parting with equipment I'd collected over more than 40 years in the audio industry. It wasn't easy. But looking back, losing the studio forced me to make the biggest mindset shift of my career. In this video, I share that journey honestly—the struggles, the lessons, and why I believe success in audio has much less to do with buildings and gear than it does with adaptability, relationships, and serving people. If you've ever faced a setback, this podcast is for you.

The Difference Between Hobbyists and Professionals Isn't Skill

Most people think success in audio comes down to talent. It doesn't. The biggest difference between hobbyists and professionals is mindset. Here's one lesson from 40+ years in audio.