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I'm trying to find funding sources for accessible studio gear? (self.Blind)
submitted by guitarandbooks
The sub guidelines say not to post personal info on here so I'll try not to do that for now. I do need some help though so hopefully some of you will have some suggestions I haven't thought of yet...
I'm a blind multi instrumentalist with a BA degree in studio production. I have a small basic home studio setup and would like to upgrade to some newer gear and software that is more accessible for a totally blind user. (I don't want to bore you to tears with the specifics but if you're interested, put it in the comments and I'll explain it piece by piece.) I work alone and although I do get some gigs from time to time, they don't pay enough for me to hire an assistant. Having this newer gear with better accessibility would allow me to work on more complex projects and would put me on a bit more of a level playing field with my sighted competition.
I am not able to get a loan and although I have a credit card, my credit limit is below the cost of the cheapest item I need. I have brought this up with the state agency for the blind and they told me flat out that they will do nothing to help me with this as I would be working as an independent contractor and not as an actual employee of a company. (Which is correct in most cases. More often than not, it's a freelance/independent contractor thing from gig to gig and if you don't have the tools for the job, you are passed over.) I did find a program that could assist blind people in my state with a small business but it turns out that the program folded a couple years ago due to lack of funding so that's no longer an option.
I setup a go fund me page where I'm giving an album of mine to every person that helps out with $5 or more. I've put it on Twitter and Facebook etc but I'm just not getting enough traction. At five bucks a pop, it's going to be a long road and I, like most people, do not have any famous or wealthy connections!
So if any of you have any suggestions, I'm all ears!
I'm a blind multi instrumentalist with a BA degree in studio production. I have a small basic home studio setup and would like to upgrade to some newer gear and software that is more accessible for a totally blind user. (I don't want to bore you to tears with the specifics but if you're interested, put it in the comments and I'll explain it piece by piece.) I work alone and although I do get some gigs from time to time, they don't pay enough for me to hire an assistant. Having this newer gear with better accessibility would allow me to work on more complex projects and would put me on a bit more of a level playing field with my sighted competition.
I am not able to get a loan and although I have a credit card, my credit limit is below the cost of the cheapest item I need. I have brought this up with the state agency for the blind and they told me flat out that they will do nothing to help me with this as I would be working as an independent contractor and not as an actual employee of a company. (Which is correct in most cases. More often than not, it's a freelance/independent contractor thing from gig to gig and if you don't have the tools for the job, you are passed over.) I did find a program that could assist blind people in my state with a small business but it turns out that the program folded a couple years ago due to lack of funding so that's no longer an option.
I setup a go fund me page where I'm giving an album of mine to every person that helps out with $5 or more. I've put it on Twitter and Facebook etc but I'm just not getting enough traction. At five bucks a pop, it's going to be a long road and I, like most people, do not have any famous or wealthy connections!
So if any of you have any suggestions, I'm all ears!
guitarandbooks [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I've done a lot of research and did get the cost down a little bit.
Yes, I have two albums on cd baby, amazon, and apple music etc but I only make a few dollars a month from that. What I really need to do is license my work but so far, I haven't managed that yet. If people buy mp3s or actual cds, I do make a little money but like for most music makers, streaming doesn't pay anything.
I played in bands for years in a few different places but the bands that have been interested in having me audition here are not in this town. They rehearse in places that would cost me between $30 and $50 to get to with Lift or Uber etc. I keep checking classified ads etc and I'm hoping that I'll eventually find a local band interested in landing paying work that won't cost me an arm and a leg to rehearse with.
Yes, I have two albums on cd baby, amazon, and apple music etc but I only make a few dollars a month from that. What I really need to do is license my work but so far, I haven't managed that yet. If people buy mp3s or actual cds, I do make a little money but like for most music makers, streaming doesn't pay anything.
I played in bands for years in a few different places but the bands that have been interested in having me audition here are not in this town. They rehearse in places that would cost me between $30 and $50 to get to with Lift or Uber etc. I keep checking classified ads etc and I'm hoping that I'll eventually find a local band interested in landing paying work that won't cost me an arm and a leg to rehearse with.
CynicalDropper 1 points 3y ago
It's hard to give specific advice from your post, but here are a few thoughts.
First, if you haven't already use a service like DistroKid to put your music up for sale and streaming. You may not make much more than the GoFundMe that way, but if you know enough people you can get some traction on the services, and people can stumble across your work at any time.
Second, have you researched all of the gear alternatives? Depending exactly what you're upgrading you may be able to find free or less expensive software options or less expensive hardware that can accomplish the same goals. There are multiple DAW options, plenty of accessible software effects and there are quite a few blind gearheads messing around with all sorts of hardware from interfaces to guitar gear to some serious synth rigs.
The next option is to make yourself available on some of the online task platforms like Fiverr and music-specific colab services. A great way to get experience and make a little extra.
If you're in an area where you have the option to travel by yourself you can find a local band that plays music you like and needs someone on an instrument you can play. Even if it is just a consistent cover gig every week that can add up to a piece of gear quickly.
Finally, don't expect gear to make the difference. That's not how it works. I can say that from hard-won experience over the years. My file at my preferred gear shop is pages and pages long and I'm still learning. The most important thing you need to improve and compete is to work on your skills. Completely producing your own music is hard, and there is an incredible amount to learn to be able to handle all of the aspects. Thankfully, learning online is easy and generally inexpensive, and some of the biggest names in the business are getting into teaching.
Hope some of this helps.
First, if you haven't already use a service like DistroKid to put your music up for sale and streaming. You may not make much more than the GoFundMe that way, but if you know enough people you can get some traction on the services, and people can stumble across your work at any time.
Second, have you researched all of the gear alternatives? Depending exactly what you're upgrading you may be able to find free or less expensive software options or less expensive hardware that can accomplish the same goals. There are multiple DAW options, plenty of accessible software effects and there are quite a few blind gearheads messing around with all sorts of hardware from interfaces to guitar gear to some serious synth rigs.
The next option is to make yourself available on some of the online task platforms like Fiverr and music-specific colab services. A great way to get experience and make a little extra.
If you're in an area where you have the option to travel by yourself you can find a local band that plays music you like and needs someone on an instrument you can play. Even if it is just a consistent cover gig every week that can add up to a piece of gear quickly.
Finally, don't expect gear to make the difference. That's not how it works. I can say that from hard-won experience over the years. My file at my preferred gear shop is pages and pages long and I'm still learning. The most important thing you need to improve and compete is to work on your skills. Completely producing your own music is hard, and there is an incredible amount to learn to be able to handle all of the aspects. Thankfully, learning online is easy and generally inexpensive, and some of the biggest names in the business are getting into teaching.
Hope some of this helps.
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