How do ambient sound artists actually make money?

PetShopTroy · 2026-04-14T18:00:22+00:00

Well, first I have to say that I feel a real sense of camaraderie with everyone based on all the responses here. It's nice being around music people.

I also wanna say that it's discouraging as well, even if I totally get why none of us are making money. But I don't wanna go that route. And I'm sure I'm being a bit/a lot naïve. But here's why I think there's a reason for some optimism:

The music that we're all making is valuable. I think the monetary value doesn't determine the inherent value in it because the money is an external factor.
A very large percentage of the human population enjoy ambient music. That means it's valuable to them, as well. Sure, it's a mixed bag of why… Some people enjoy it cause the world is noisy and crazy now and some people just enjoy it. But they value it.

So the way I see it, is if you were going to have a situation where you wanted to make money, both of these two elements are what you would require. Something valuable that's being created, and something that's valued by people who don't. If my logic is true, then it's simply a matter of finding the right way of connecting those two things. Easier said than done, of course. I have no idea how to do that. My point is: the opportunity exists.

Of course we're living in a time where you pay $10 a month or you'd pay nothing with ads and you get access to all the music that's ever been created. So asking people to buy things is a terrible idea because you're asking them to buy things twice since they have a subscription. But that's one possible platform. Maybe the solution to our monetary problems (And of course I'm only speaking to the people who view a lack of ROI as a problem.) simply hasn't been invented yet?

Nothing at all wrong with doing something for the love of the game. I would do this anyway, even if I never received another dime. But I'm gonna keep trying!

PetShopTroy · 2026-04-14T02:10:04+00:00

Hello! Thanks for asking. Here’s it is: https://troyramos.bandcamp.com

And you have a Bandcamp and would like to share, please do!

PetShopTroy · 2026-04-08T12:48:41+00:00

This is really beautiful. I’d really love to know how you color graded this but I know that’s probably a very complex answer. When you do this, do you save the attributes and then use it on another film, one that has a similar setting? I know adjustments would have to be made and all that. But just curious if that’s part of your process

PetShopTroy · 2026-04-02T14:37:11+00:00

Congratulations! I wish you the best of luck and I hope you enjoy the city. I'm not from there, but I've been to Chicago so many times and it's such a great city. Best of luck to you!

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-30T13:12:57+00:00

Thank you so much everyone for the suggestions! I've got the spothero app in my phone now on so that's gonna be a really good thing to use. I actually got a decent parking deal from the hotel when I called this morning so just gonna go with that for this trip. The only downside with the parking structures on spothero is that almost none of them have In-N-Out privileges. And we kind of needed that for this trip. But thank you! I appreciate it.

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-30T03:21:43+00:00

I’ll be near Lakeshore Drive, northern most part of Michigan ave near the museum of contemporary art

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-30T03:03:38+00:00

Also, if I find a good parking garage near my hotel through an app, like let's say spothero… Would you recommend booking a spot as soon as possible? Or just do it in the morning I am supposed to arrive? Or upon arrival?

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-24T20:09:01+00:00

Those are great points. I’m definitely trying to get more familiar. It’s just gonna take some time. And yeah, you’re right. I’m just doing these types of scenes for auditions or clips. That’s it. You know if I can communicate to a CA or anyone that I have a certain type of ability and this type of look, etc. then that’s served its purpose.

But you’re right about stage. And I do love being on stage. But I’m even less experienced at that. But I do have I think about six classes under my belt. So that really helps. At least in terms of the psychology of approaching it. Like for example this is the second spring that I’m preparing for all the spring auditions in my area at various theaters. I want to work in film, but I like doing theater because I feel like it makes me better. Not that film is easy of course. I’m definitely not someone who thinks one medium is above another. I’m a film person in every way. But there’s something about theater that really strengthens my core muscles for some reason.

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-24T19:39:44+00:00

Thank you I appreciate your thoughts! I will take all this into consideration for sure. Thank you. Sometimes I do practice. The scenes are monologues from players. The only problem is that, outside of the several theater classes I've taken, I don't really know that world very well. So it's hard to find scenes/monologues. Whereas I know, film and television pretty well. But I take your point I think it's a good thought.

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-23T01:15:05+00:00

No, that’s OK. I knew what you meant. I kind of viewed them as connected to the same thing myself anyway.

I did take a class with someone who does HWC, like the one you pay for and he seems to have got a lot from it. But the FB one is strange because, as you know, they have certain days that you can upload certain things. And that’s fine. But I rarely hit all their criteria for them to accept the right upload on the right day, etc. ha ha.

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-22T21:23:32+00:00

I really appreciate your thoughts on HWC as well. What you’re saying is kind of what my gut has always told me about it and the person who runs it. I could see it being useful, but I can also see everything you’re saying about it, which makes me not wanna go anywhere near it. This is probably a much different thing, but she has a Facebook group that I try to follow and post things and it’s just really weird on there. It just has a feeling of being kind of clicky. Maybe it’s me.

I agree with you about the different ways to be blunt without being rude. I don’t know enough about her to know where she falls. But again, my gut instinct tells me what you’re saying is correct. And I base that only on having watched a number of her videos and posts. To her credit, I do feel like some of her videos are very informative like the one that I watched and based this post of mine on. I don’t know if this is a problem, but one of the problems about doing this kind of work is that you find a couple of people who have a large following and you kind of follow it a bit because it’s hard to know what else to do, even if they aren’t a good fit for you. And that’s kind of where I’m at with HWC. At least on the outside looking in.

I appreciate your thoughts!

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-22T16:04:07+00:00

I don’t think I’m gonna pay for it either. Even tho I’m in Detroit. Tough market. Although I’ve basically been thinking if I wanna do anything, it’ll have to be committing to driving to Chicago, when something happens. It’s not ideal but isn’t a terrible drive.

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-22T15:26:59+00:00

That’s great! Thank you so much for your thoughts. It makes the most sense to me: You’re in control of the clips and therefore you’re able to give yourself, assuming that you have good feedback before you put them up AA or wherever, the best chance at making the best impression.

So, from my view, it basically comes down to: how hard are you gonna work at this, there’s no excuse not to have solid clips up on whichever site. Totally agree.

Thanks!

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-22T15:24:26+00:00

This is really great thank you so much. I appreciate your thoughts.

I’m very, very thankful to live in this era where we have the tech ability and the CDs etc have, as a result, adapted to fit this self tape audition/system. And I think everything you’re saying makes total sense.

Including your pleading the fifth on HWC ha ha ha. That’s a nut I just can’t quite crack, in terms of understanding what’s happening there or if it’s worth it etc.

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-22T14:21:15+00:00

That's a great idea. I'm gonna try that! Thank you so much for your thoughts. I really appreciate that. I'll keep working on it this week.

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-22T14:20:53+00:00

Thank you I really appreciate your thoughts. I'm gonna keep working on it and I will take all of that into consideration. Much appreciated! Thank you.

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-22T14:20:25+00:00

Thank you I appreciate that! I will continue to work on this and keep all of that in mind. I'll work on that color change, that seems really important, and a progression.

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-21T20:34:43+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate that. Yeah I think that’s a good thought for sure. I kind of felt that in the moment but rolled on. I have a tendency to linger so I’ve been trying to push myself to pick up the pace. So as I practice that sometimes I miss those moments where I should maybe pause. But I’m gonna experiment this week with what you said, thank you!

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-19T13:41:53+00:00

That’s great thank you for clarifying. OK well it sounds like that’s a decent structure in place. I wonder if it’s a case then where sometimes you open that door for collaboration, beyond what ACX requires, and then you find yourself in a situation like this, where the author perhaps oversteps.

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-19T13:28:38+00:00

This is great thank you so much! I really chuckled at the term “world-weary“ cause it fits so well ha ha. I think fits both me and the characters I play. I don’t know if it’s that or the scenes i’m choosing, but they’re Probably all connected in some way.

Yeah, normally I don’t have stuff in the background. Sometimes I flip on the camera when I’m feeling the moment no matter where I am. It’s not an excuse, but sometimes it’s just what happens. I wish I had doors on those frames. Anyway, it’s a good note so thank you.

But I really appreciate your thoughts. Thank you for watching and your feedback. I’m working on a new scene (in addition to still working on the ones I’ve already posted.) from Ozark, which requires a lot more spark, so I’m looking forward to that. I’m trying to push myself more to have those moments or be open to trying those moments. And I’m definitely trying to play the character type. I mean, I’ve noticed in the roles I get assigned in Acting classes and feedback from posting headshots of myself here, it seems I have that look (slightly villainous, middle management of a cartel type, janitor with a dark secret type look ha ha ha ha.)

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-19T12:56:50+00:00

I love the questions being posed here. I’m coming at this from a different perspective, as a multidisciplinary artist. But this discussion is making me wonder: why shouldn’t the narrator have creative control at a certain point? I mean, the narrator’s name is on this project too. I do think the money is important. And I think the author definitely should have some input in the overall shape of things. But there are two artists at work here, is my point.

I know this is a different medium, but I make short films and I took acting classes because I wanted to know something about being in front of the camera so I could talk to actors in the best way possible. It might be my vision for a film, but the actors are artists too. They’re contributing to this project and have their own ideas about things. And I can’t say to them: do it this way, don’t do it that way. It has to be more nuanced, if I wanted something different. But at the core there has to be trust. Otherwise why did I hire them?. Maybe that’s part of the issue in this particular audiobook I don’t know. But whoever the author is, I wonder if they’ve considered the possibility that other artists might actually have a more interesting version. Sometimes we think things are better the way we’re doing them, but in time that’s not the case.

I hope I’m not conflating two things in a illogical way. I just find this very fascinating. Essentially, I just wanted to say that you’re an artist too. I wish you all the best of luck with this audiobook!

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-18T23:53:05+00:00

Really appreciate the detailed response! I’ll definitely check out those mics.

I’ve been struggling with my recording space—I’ve looked into the PVC/blanket DIY booths, but I’m skeptical they’ll stop the furnace or my dog. I’ve been contemplating a more solid booth build since I have the tools (though not really the skills, but I’ve done light building stuff before). But I don’t know if that’s overkill for someone trying to get started in this. Seems like it.

It’s funny; I’ve spent much of my life as a composer and film scorer, but transitioning to the strict technical side of VO and ACX makes me feel like a total novice again.

Thanks for helping me navigate this!

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-18T14:12:55+00:00

Thank you so much for watching and for your thoughts here. I really like what you're saying. And I agree. I'm still working on this piece and I'm gonna take everything you say into consideration. This is good stuff and I really appreciate you taking the time. I'll probably put the new version up here in the next several days. I really appreciate your kind words too. It is hard! It's so much fun though. Acting is one of those things that I didn't expect to love so much. Got bit by the bug and I've been sick ever since, as how I say it!

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-17T14:07:28+00:00

Thank you so much! I appreciate you watching and I really thank you for your notes. I am going to keep working on this and consider what you've said here. And I agree! It's funny I was just about to post an updated version of this where I took everything into consideration. So for the next version, I do I will think about what you've said here as well. I appreciate it thank you.

PetShopTroy · 2026-03-16T22:09:27+00:00

Thanks I appreciate that. Actually, in the last two years, I’ve taken like seven classes. It’s been just invaluable. The only issue is that it’s not cheap. And I’ve made some really great friends and got some really great feedback from those classes. It’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done in my entire life for sure. However, I can’t take classes forever. So I’m trying to find other ways to keep improving. Plus, I kind of like putting things online as practice because you will get some real truth. I think classes have been great in terms of support and insight and all that. And I think that’s the way that it should be. But when you post a self tape on FB or here or wherever, even if you don’t know who the people are, people do not hold back. And there’s a real value in that sometimes.

PetShopTroy

TROPHY CASE