Hi Guys,
I've got a question and a complaint. So maybe you can help. I run a small sound company, but about half of my work comes from working for larger sound companies. The problem is that I am getting almost no work from the mid-sized companies I usually get gigs from. This has been going on for some time now. Are things just slow, or am I a bigger loser than I thought? What's your assessment on the state of live sound? Ron Thomas
Oakland, California
Jamie: Welcome to the ever-changing world of live sound reinforcement, Ron. I think live sound is healthy and better than ever–you are actually in a great place right now. Of course, this depends on your perspective. What you are currently experiencing has happened to me personally and many others of us out there. The big guys are getting leaner and in many ways smarter. This allows them to take smaller gigs that they wouldn't usually touch. And still make money at it. However, this tactic puts a real squeeze on the mid-sized outfits. If the big boys are moving into their territory and they can't make the smaller gigs pay, they are out of work.
Now that I think back, it has been more than a year since I last got a call from one of the bigger local companies to mix or even tech a show. But the good news is that I am currently making more money than ever. Let me explain. I run a very efficient small outfit. I can supply sound for anything from a corporate training event to a 2,000-person outdoor party. That is my company in a nutshell. A lot of gigs I get are one-man shows. I set it up, I tear it down, I get paid and I go. At the most, I will use a three-man crew and myself. Basically I am versatile, all my gear is paid off and I have very little overhead. So I can make money on a show that a mid-level company has to turn down. And don't think I am discounting my services or low-balling a gig. I make more dollars per show now than I ever have.
So on the one hand, I mourn the loss of some of my friends' companies out there who work hard and have been working hard in the middle of this business. On the other hand, opportunity always follows closely behind adversity. While some of the mid-sized outfits fade, guys like you and me can rise up and fill the gap. Let's face it, Ron, this is America. You know, home of the brave, land of the free and the best place in the world for a hard working, entrepreneurial capitalist to make a living. As for being a loser, I would only put you in that category if you don't take advantage of the opportunity that is right in front of you. Good luck and God speed.
Tim: Ron, I also believe you may be in a good position right now. Just keep the work coming. The more you create a demand for yourself, the more you'll be able to raise the ante, and in turn you'll be closer to competing with the larger sound companies. This may depend on whether you want to make a large company's income for yourself or if you'd like to actually be a large sound company doing
larger venues and owning/operating more equipment, trucks, employees, etc. If you get too busy, you won't have the time or the manpower to take on certain jobs. Right now you're placing yourself in a position to make more money, and sometimes a good portion of it by subbing out the work under your company's name and taking a commission.
Need answers or advice? Contact Jamie and Tim at anklebiters@fohonline.com.
