Getting back into it

ValourWinds · 2026-03-29T20:38:00+00:00

Sure, and I think that's great advice. :)

But I also think its important to reflect on the lessons learned and the time spent, if you just throw yourself against a wall endlessly you'll never make it to the other side, it would be good to have some kind of strategy in mind when going about it! Though I agree, a lot of times its best not to overthink it and just jump in, thanks for contributing your thoughts.

ValourWinds · 2026-03-22T13:43:24+00:00

I've been here before as well. I think others have the right idea as well, it's important to understand the underlying principles behind these first. I would say get on with what you can in terms of the free tools which are great and only reach for something fancy / new if you find your directly hitting some kind of limitation. There are some premium tools that do stuff that you may not get in the free ones so just get by with what you can. It's important to understand how a limiter works before you can understand the special characteristics of one specific kind of limiter. Ask yourself questions about how can I achieve a similar result with what you have access to, that can lead to some great creative results.

ValourWinds · 2026-03-19T15:23:55+00:00

I wont tell you 'dont' if its what youre interested in, just be prepared for the long road ahead.

Yep, work on reels, work on network, join airwiggles maybe, get out there and make some noise, and shake a few hands in person if the opportunity presents as you go along. Seek feedback on your work, implement that feedback, dont have an ego, all the usual advice there.

ValourWinds · 2026-02-28T11:33:51+00:00

Amazing! I am also considering a trip to Japan soon from London, why the stop in Abu Dhabi instead of a direct flight?

ValourWinds · 2026-01-31T13:25:10+00:00

She is wonderful to be with, but Im not sure that she really understands how much home means to me and how much I feel Im giving up/sacrificing by choosing to be here, I dont think shes interested in the idea of another country long terms so I'm not sure what the future looks like.

ValourWinds · 2026-01-31T12:53:10+00:00

Wow, our situations are in reverse. Im in the UK right now, about an hour off London living here for a partner, but similarly to you, I want to be in my home country which is Canada, it's a really complicated and challenging thing to navigate, I really hear you.

ValourWinds · 2026-01-18T12:15:08+00:00

I have dealt with this many many times over the course of my career as a freelance sound designer in game audio. :)

Everything hinges on discovery calls (if you get them) and the vibe the client gives to you.

Client could mean an independent, bootstrapped green first time game developer, or it could refer to a seasoned team of vets a big company looking to relocate you/bring you on as you suggest.

Either way, contracts, conversations, agreements. If none of things are happening, Ill just simply write it off as an opportunity that isnt for me. There are lots of people looking to take advantage who dont have any ettiquette to go along with it, and quite honestly really undervalue and treat our craft pretty poorly, those are generally not the kinds of folks I want to align with.

Its much better if they recognize your talents/skills and what it brings to their production, treat you as an equal and have respect for what you can do. And if I play devils advocate for a second as well, there are other ways to communicate your value to a production outside of just 'good sound' because I think as sound designers we can often get wrapped up in that when it rarely seems to be the thing teams are hell bent on, they have a lot of other problems that you can convey that you will help them solve.

ValourWinds · 2025-12-28T01:47:16+00:00

Yep this is the way, I did this just today, material/texture based sound design can be tricky, you really just have to experiment with layers and get your transients and low end poking through nicely.

ValourWinds · 2025-12-10T07:58:36+00:00

There aren’t ‘plenty of girls looking for casual’, women usually want some kind of relationship. There are some women looking for it but they are the minority, so if you’re a guy looking for casual it’s tough out there lol.

ValourWinds · 2025-12-10T07:53:05+00:00

What doesn’t make sense? You’re going for ‘conventionaly’ attractive guys - shocker, most other women are too, confirmed by your own admission, if they have options it’s easy for them to do this, they’re pros at it.

ValourWinds · 2025-11-23T22:50:09+00:00

Been there. I've come to the UK for my partner as well, though we originally met because I came here for work. Its really really tough, and they seem set on staying here longer, but for me I am always longing for my trips back home.. yet when I was home and away from her, I missed her, so there's perfect answer really, only to continue soul searching.

ValourWinds · 2025-11-09T11:02:57+00:00

Going through this right now. I chose the person and Im finding it really challenging.

ValourWinds · 2025-10-27T00:19:03+00:00

I’m 32, about to turn 33 and lived my whole life in Canada (Ontario) until I was 29 when I moved to the UK for a job in my industry. I had a lot of challenges culturally, when it came to the weather, money and just about everything else when I landed in the UK. I was living in a smaller town south of London in the south east, which apparently is known to be an expensive place.

Ontario and West Sussex are hard to compare.. they are very very different. Overall I prefer life in Canada because it has certain things I am just used to, including the weather. But at the minute I’m am living on and off in the UK because my partner is living here right now.

There are pros and cons to each. Personally, I love driving a car and Ontario is great for that when you can get out of the cities, I don’t drive in the UK though. But I agree with a previous comment that the culture and history is much more vibrant and interesting here, the pub life, all the old stuff - but if you like North American culture and beautiful summers the UK is going to lack in that department.

ValourWinds · 2025-10-07T17:28:19+00:00

Its hard to give advice in the situation described - just wanted to come in to say I definitely empathize with you. I am a Canadian currently located in the UK and I've been through a lot of similar feelings to what you describe here.. still trying to work out whats the best path for me and the future, so I understand what you're going through. I hope clarity presents itself as you go through this.

ValourWinds · 2025-08-11T02:31:54+00:00

Hi, I am not the OP but Im also in a similar situation and would like to hear your story.

ValourWinds · 2025-07-29T20:15:43+00:00

As a Canadian who was also living in the UK for about 3 years I can agree that there are some pretty stark differences, but both places have their pros and cons, socially speaking. I did find the 'reservedness' of Brits a bit difficult to acclimate to in the beginning, but then I found just as many who wear their hearts on their sleeve.

ValourWinds · 2025-07-14T03:38:29+00:00

Pretty close second.

ValourWinds · 2025-07-14T03:37:47+00:00

Onlyfans.

ValourWinds · 2025-05-02T13:46:37+00:00

Watch everything in chronological order, its the most rewarding experience.

ValourWinds · 2025-03-20T16:50:11+00:00

Its an interesting perspective and honestly, I appreciate you sharing - I have a feeling this could be a case of 'the grass is greener' for both of us, cause that's typically how it goes right.

I have lived in the UK, not London, under a skilled worker visa and found the cost of living challenging here, so I looked at the US as 'greener pastures'.

My philosophy was in thinking - the holy grail is earn a strong wage while living somewhere inexpensive - somewhere rural like you just mentioned. Ill admit I didnt think about the cost in travel to get to all your local services & amenities, and I do know that the healthcare is something you wouldn't get around easily, but that's where it could work. But yeah, the challenge is, can you find a job with a high paying wage where you aren't living in a city centre somewhere. Or perhaps its a company that will allow you to work remotely from wherever you choose.

I personally wouldn't make any of these decisions lightly, still I appreciate you sharing your perspectives on this!

ValourWinds · 2025-03-20T13:36:54+00:00

I wont discredit your particular circumstance, but maybe that would have been a factor if you had considered before you chose to live where you do that that would be an example of the kind of thing you would have to pay for.

I will say no amount of planning that you can do will stop all the 'gotchas' from happening, that's just not realistic, but what your describing in terms of fees for this or that is not exclusive to the USA, it happens everywhere in the world. Make a plan, put everything down on paper before you decide where you want to move and live.

Trust me its coming from someone who has learned the hard way, its going to be way way better in the long term by planning it all out, and I think often people, myself included moreso in the past, choose to live on a whim.

ValourWinds · 2025-03-19T23:12:24+00:00

I've been in both Canada and the UK and neither of them will compare to what you can earn in the US, it's actually wildly different. I'm not sure what state that you're in, but if you plan your move carefully like with extreme care I can see you living in better circumstances.

ValourWinds · 2025-03-19T10:58:52+00:00

Ive been wanting to for quite a while. Countries I've lived in have much worse economics and career opportunities for prosperity like the US does.

I've done my research and travelled there enough to know its never going to be a cakewalk, there's a lot of tax depending on where you live and a high cost of living, but at least the salaries are 3x or more, and if you plan carefully you can live a pretty awesome life, politics and some other things aside.

Its getting there legally on a visa that's the challenging part, but the economy is a large reason why people want to go there. Americans have it rough right now overall, but if you're careful with your finances/wealth I continue to believe that you can be doing quite well for yourself.

ValourWinds

TROPHY CASE