Sound Without Sight podcast

In this episode of the Sound Without Sight podcast, artist and producer, Andre Louis, demonstrates VOCR - a third-party add-on for macOS that enables VoiceOver to recognise text and other visual elements that would otherwise prove inaccessible.  Andre shares: Where to get VOCR and how to set it up, How to use VOCR to access graphical user interfaces, using examples such as Logic Pro's Quick S...

In this episode, we welcome Joey Stuckey, a performer, producer, studio owner, and accessible music tech connoisseur.  Joey shares insight into: The solutions he has found throughout his career to enable him to produce and perform, How he runs Shadow Sound Studio, Accessibility trends he is noticing in the industry, His top picks for accessible music tech from this year’s NAMM Show. Recorded...

Notes and links: https://soundwithoutsight.org/lachi-qa-artist-producer-and-music-industry-executive/ Hello and welcome to the Sound Without Sight podcast. In this episode, we welcome Lachi, a musician, producer, CEO and all-round disability icon. Lachi shares insights into her career journey so far, her organisation RAMPD, the process of writing her first book, and her approaches to songwriting a...

In this episode, we welcome gaming accessibility consultant, SightlessKombat, who shares examples of some of the audio innovations that are improving access to video games.  He shares clips showing how sound cues, narration and audio description are used to enable blind players to navigate and interact within game worlds and menus, as well as to support combat and driving. SK also answers que...

Notes and video version: https://soundwithoutsight.org/replay-now-playing-in-an-orchestra-at-the-bbc-proms-as-a-blind-musician/ In this episode, we welcome recorder player James Risdon. whose work has led him from Bach to Bowie, the Middle Ages to Minimalism. He recently performed with Paraochestra and the Breath at the BBC Proms.  James speaks about his experience as orchestral mus...

In this episode, we explore the making of the BBC Radio 3 documentary, “Joining the Dots - 200 years of Braille Music”.  We welcome Kevin Satizabal, the producer of the documentary, and Matthew Wadsworth, its presenter. Kevin and Matthew share insights into: How they got into their roles. The inspiration behind the documentary. Its recording and editing process, and the gear they us...

In this episode, we welcome Andre Louis, who composes a full track for our next season of podcasts in around an hour, using Logic Pro and Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol with a screen reader. Andre refers to the session as 'musical cheffing' and he takes suggestions for ingredients from attendees! He also answers questions from attendees throughout the session.  This podcast was recorded...

This episode demonstrates accessibility tips and tricks in MuseScore Studio. We cover how to access all the functions that might be useful to low vision and neurodivergent musicians, including: Customising the size and colours of the user interface,  Applying Modified Stave Notation styles to scores, to create larger and clearer music,  Saving your own style template according to your re...

This episode features an interview with Ciara Moser . Ciara is a world class session bassist, composer, and educator on a mission to inspire through music, break down barriers, and show the world that disabilities are not limitations. Ciara speaks about: Performing live, touring, and playing on recording sessions. The process of writing and releasing her debut album, “Blind, So What?”.  Takin...

This episode features a studio tour and Q&A with producer, engineer, and technology trainer, Byron Harden . Byron speaks about: His music career and his complex journey with sight loss. How he developed ‘I See Music’ - a vocational training provider specifically aimed at blind producers and audio engineers, based out of his own accessible studio. The expansion of I See Music to work with tutor...

So you’ve written something cool and you have a great sounding master … what next? How do you get your music out into the world and what are the different ways you can earn money from your recordings? This episode features a panel discussion about releasing and monetising music!  Prolific musician Andre Louis shares his experiences of using music distribution services to get his music onto st...

This bonus episode features an interview with young composer and performer Precious Akindele. Precious shares her experiences of studying at the prestigious BRIT School in the UK, as well as tips for succeeding in the application and audition process. We hope this episode will be especially valuable for young people who are considering studying music at college and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See aca...

In this episode, we share the recoding from one of our first ever Monthly Meet-up Sessions, in which welcomed Ben Price as the headline guest. Ben is a prominent advocate for accessibility, in the music industry and an established Artist Manager. His company, Harbourside Management, focuses on working with disabled artists.  Ben shares his thoughts on a range of topics, including: How he adap...

This episode features presentation and Q&A hosted by James Risdon! James is a professional recorder player and a founder member of Paraorchestra. He is also the Access Lead at ABRSM, and previously worked as the Music Officer at RNIB.  As part of the celebration of 200 years of braille, James takes a holistic look at how braille music fits into the practices of a modern-day classical...

In this episode, we share updates from the Audio Developer Conference, ADC, 24.  Community member Trahern Culver reported live from the event, and later in this podcast, you will hear the interviews he captured with heritage audio company SSL, musician Andre Louis, and software instrument company Spitfire Audio. Trey used a Zoom H4 essential recorder, with its built in accessibility voice gui...

In this episode, we host a panel discussion, curated by Zenny Jabeera, exploring the different approaches that blind musicians might take to learning music and communicating musical ideas.  We welcome three very special guests onto the panel:  Kevin Satizabal, a composer and music journalist, currently working for the BBC; Andre Louis, a jazz composer and music technology accessibil...

In this episode, James Bowden demonstrates all the basics of braille music translation using the Sao Mai Braille app (SMB). James shows how you can use SMB to convert MusicXML format scores into BRF files, ready for embossing or reading on a braille display. You can access the accompanying handout and notes at Sound Without Sight . James navigates SMB using his computer keyboard and a screen reade...

In this episode, James Bowden, Braille Technical Officer at RNIB, demonstrates all the basics of the notation app MuseScore Studio using a screen reader. Please also see the accompanying handout and notes . If you’re listening to this as an audio-only podcast but would like to see James’ screen, a video of this session is also available on the Sound Without Sight YouTube channel .  This...

In this episode, we welcome Emma Tracey. Emma is a blind podcast producer, presenter, and journalist working at the BBC. She presents BBC’s weekly disability and mental health podcast, Access All , and she can often be heard on BBC World Service, Radio 4, and 5 Live.  Emma shares insight into a range of topics including: Her pathway into journalism. Her current roles at the BBC.  An...

In this episode, we welcome Joanne Roughton-Arnold . Joanne is a visually impaired soprano and CEO and Creative Director of formidAbility , the UK's only disability-led opera company (to our knowledge).  Joanne covers topics including: • Her work as a leader in disability arts, including starting up formidAbility. • Her experiences of performing in opera with a visual impairment, includi...

In this episode, we host a panel discussion, exploring the educational and professional pathways open to musicians, and tips for navigating these with a visual impairment.  We welcome three very special guests onto the panel:  Bobby Goulder, who has built a career as a musician since graduating in 2015;  Sarah Bayley, who is a recent Music graduate, and Sound Without Sight intern, a...

We are excited to share the recording from our first Monthly Meet-up, featuring headline guest, Slau Halatyn . Slau is a New York based producer , studio owner , musician , and advocate for accessibility within music production tools. He is best known for his supporting the development of accessibility within Pro Tools and Sibelius , helping to ensure that these pieces of software are compatible w...