Behind the Gear: Laura Davidson On Balancing Life, Art and Authority

Chris Stone [: 00:00:01

Get ready to meet the woman who turns audio anxiety into authority while juggling her marketing leadership position at Shure World Tours and motherhood without breaking a sweat. Laura Davidson's here to reveal why worrying about your expensive mic might be your biggest mistake and share the real secrets to professional sound. Please welcome to dealcasters. Laura Davidson. Hey, Laura.

Laura Davidson [: 00:00:27

Yay. Hi. Wow. Okay, first of all, that new intro was, I was sitting there like, I know them, I know them. Oh my gosh. I feel very special being included on the show and I don't know how it hasn't happened before now because I know you guys and we've talked so many times and anyway, I'm just really happy to be here.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:00:49

So I, I think, I think it was that we're like, you're so busy because of not only your position with, you know, this amazing microphone company called shure, which I happen to be using a Shure microphone and, you know, no shameless plug there. And I know Chris is as well and I think you might be using one, Laura. I'm not sure. And then of course, you know, you've got the podcast, you've got, you know, we're talking about, you have a, you know, a child that you apparently have hidden away for the, for a little bit so you can have quality time with your spouse. So, you know, two kids.

Laura Davidson [: 00:01:26

Two kids.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:01:27

The fact that you're able to fit us in today, we, we're pretty, pretty excited.

Laura Davidson [: 00:01:32

Thank you. No, I'm so happy to be here.

Chris Stone [: 00:01:35

I think one of the reasons why, Laura, is that, you know, even though, you know, I consider you a friend, we've spoken many times and in a business sense and you know, out on the town in Chicago, you know, as well, I feel like I can catch up with you personally because you have a podcast and I really wanted to, I wanted to talk about that a little bit. And I think a lot of people, when they see Laura Davidson, Laura Clapp Davidson, they, they, they know that. And by the way, ladies and gentlemen, this woman doesn't just sing. She sangs.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:02:08

She can sing.

Chris Stone [: 00:02:09

Okay. And so is outstanding singer, by the way, do we have a date on the new album?

Laura Davidson [: 00:02:17

Oh, no, Chris, we don't.

Chris Stone [: 00:02:20

Okay, okay.

Laura Davidson [: 00:02:22

It's.

Chris Stone [: 00:02:22

Sorry to bring up a sore topic.

Laura Davidson [: 00:02:25

It really is because I have, we have, my, my friend is producing it and he is a brilliantly talented musician person, producer, engineer, but he, like me, works for sure and you know, has a family and a full time job. So it gets kind of time gets tight. So we have, we have Recorded several songs and he is making them incredible. So there's no date, but I did just learn of a new tool that I'm going to be getting us signed up for, which I signed up for, called Boombox, which, I don't know if you guys have heard of that.

Chris Stone [: 00:03:01

No.

Laura Davidson [: 00:03:03

Chris, learning about your past life at Sony, you might be interested in this. So, yeah, it's basically a tool where it's a website that stores your files. So let's say musicians are notoriously disorganized. I'm saying that about myself. Some of you might not be, but when we're making and recordings and storing all of our ideas and wanderings and projects and whatever, they can get a little bit lost, especially when you're trying to collaborate with someone across the country or even next door. So what it allows you to do is collaborate, store your files, share them easily, and also put them out there to try and get jobs and get feedback. So it's kind of a. Yeah, it's a really fascinating platform.

Laura Davidson [: 00:03:47

That's about all I know about it so far because I haven't really gone into it yet. But I think it's just a great way for us to keep each other accountable. So I'm hoping that that will get things moving along. Fingers crossed.

Chris Stone [: 00:03:59

So it has, like a social aspect to it. So. So you're basically like, here's. Here's my band, so to speak, here's my producer, here's everybody that I allow into my circle, and you're sharing files back and forth as opposed to sharing Dropbox links and things like that type of deal.

Laura Davidson [: 00:04:16

Yeah, and you build your community too. So you could put out, let's say you're writing a song and you go from, like, conception all the way through till fully produced track. It'll track your version history all within one spot, so you can see how it evolves and have this community that's joining up. Oh, nice. James chiming in. Hey, James, what's up? And, yeah, and. And having that ability for people to say, I like this beat, I like this sound, do more of this, do less of that. It's just a collaborative kind of thing.

Laura Davidson [: 00:04:46

So I'll let you know how it goes. I'm diving in.

Chris Stone [: 00:04:50

Nice. So, speaking of feedback and back to song 43, because I'm not going to let you get away from that. But one of the things I do love about the PODC podcast is how just I know people toss around, you know, authenticity, words like that, vulnerability, things like that. But. But you know, it when you hear it. And I. I do hear it. And I love how you're open with your audience and you just kind of say, hey, let me know what you want to hear.

Chris Stone [: 00:05:18

Let me know what your feedback is on this. Let me know this, let me know this. And I think a lot of people, ourselves included, are sort of reticent to. To ask for feedback from our key audience, from. From. From the people we know that we're. We're at least trying to serve. And we're just kind of like spitting content out and just hoping it sticks and throwing it over the fence and not really going, hey, is that what you want? Is this what you want to hear kind of thing?

Laura Davidson [: 00:05:43

Yeah, that's true.

Chris Stone [: 00:05:44

I feel like on your podcast, you do a really, really good job of that. And so I just wanted to just maybe start there and talk about song 43 and, you know, just ask you, what does the song 43 podcast mean to you?

Laura Davidson [: 00:06:02

So the song 43 podcast is something that I started because I was during COVID teaching people how to podcast and live stream, and I didn't have a podcast, and I felt like a fraud. So I had some other ideas come to me. Like I was going to do one called Songs from the Everyday, which was basically interviewing people and then writing a song based off of the interview, which I tried, and it was too much. It was too hard to do. And so one day I just listened to the advice of all of my wonderful creator friends, like you, and I just pushed record and then published, literally, from a plane on my way to the NAMM show out in Anaheim.

Chris Stone [: 00:06:46

And.

Laura Davidson [: 00:06:47

And, yeah, it just became this kind of way for me to keep track of what I was doing. I have taken a break from it right now because I realized I wasn't. I wasn't putting enough content out that I felt really proud of, even though it is a stream of consciousness. I was like, I need to take a minute because. Yeah, because I just wanted to make sure I wasn't repeating myself over and over again. But when I hit that 100th episode milestone, it was huge for me because I'm one of those people who, like, starts a journal and. And writes in it for five dates, and there's like 75 of those around my house. So to be able to say I did 100 episodes and bring exciting guests on and just share stories was really liberating.

Laura Davidson [: 00:07:30

So it's meant a lot to me for consistency, authenticity, like you said, and just having that kind of outlet and way to track where I was going. So I still love it, and I'm getting back to it. I just. I think I might change it up a little bit.

Chris Stone [: 00:07:45

Yeah. Even some of the things you just said, you've said on the podcast where you're. You're like, hey, I think I've said this before, and I don't feel like I want to repeat myself. And I know there's some sort of chatgpt that I think that I could do that probably, you know, and. And so. And you're probably right, but just hearing you say that, I think it. I don't want to say. People are.

Chris Stone [: 00:08:06

Are forgiving. It's okay to actually say that. Like, I think some. Some people are just afraid of, like, I. I messed up. I could have said that. Whoops. You know, and just kind of move along and feels like it's all done in one take.

Chris Stone [: 00:08:21

Do you do it all in one take or just 100?

Laura Davidson [: 00:08:24

Okay, 100. It is me. Awesome dream of consciousness. Just going for it. Even when I've had guests on. We've just had a conversation. I interviewed my mom twice, which was super fun. My drummer came on, my producer that I was talking about, and we just talk.

Laura Davidson [: 00:08:41

And yet the editing is really minim. Minimal. You know, taking out filler words using my favorite tool, Cast Magic is. Has been. I'm sorry, Descript, not cast Magic. I do love cast Magic, but Descript has been a lifesaver and made the editing lift light. But I know myself, and I know that I have to keep it light or else I'm going to get very frustrated because I don't have any time. So, yeah, I look for tools like that to make it super simple and then just going for it.

Chris Stone [: 00:09:10

Nice. So 5 years then with song 43 and over a hundred episodes. So congratulations. That's.

Laura Davidson [: 00:09:16

I think it's three years maybe. I don't even know if it's. I don't think it's five.

Chris Stone [: 00:09:21

Okay, so you said Covid. So I was thinking 2020, but you.

Laura Davidson [: 00:09:24

But it was 2020. 2020. We. We hit Covid and I, you know, had to start instead of going out and meeting people for sure, giving these presentations. And that's when I met the lovely people at ecamm and, you know, just started teaching people these things. And then I was like, I don't. I don't have a podcast. I need one.

Laura Davidson [: 00:09:44

So I. I think it was. I should know this, but I think it was 2023. Maybe it was 2023.

Chris Stone [: 00:09:50

Anyway, thing that will tell you that there is.

Laura Davidson [: 00:09:53

See, yeah, that's this is why I, I need a virtual assistant too, to, like, keep me in line. But Anyway, yes. So 100 episodes plus. But I think, yeah, I think I've got a new podcast idea brewing to talk about and, and bring shed light on musicians who are where I am in life, in my 40s or more beyond where we've made all this great music in our past lives or we're currently making music. Because one of the questions I get a lot, and I've said this on the podcast before, is, oh, are you still making music? And it's like the worst question you can ask a person. It's like, am I dead or something, so.

Chris Stone [: 00:10:34

Exactly.

Laura Davidson [: 00:10:35

Starting a podcast that shines a light on my awesomely talented friends who are making incredible music that you may not have heard. So that's what I think I'm going to dive into next and call it Midlife Musician. I think that's what it's going to be called. You're hearing it first on Dealcasters Live, Breaking news.

Chris Stone [: 00:10:56

You know, I'm, I'm not going to hit the sound effect, you know, like, whatever. I don't, I don't have it queued up here. But that's, I love that concept and I love the fact that, you know, before you were, before I, before you started your, your sort of business in terms of, you know, making your way to shore, you were, you were at other companies as well. TC Helicon, I think, was the, was the company before that. You were a musician before. Before that, and certainly a musician before you were a podcaster. And one of the things that, you know, myself being in the industry, also a musician, and then, you know, moving myself into the, into the podcast world. I'm curious, what have you learned about now? You know, here you are, three plus years in doing a podcast.

Chris Stone [: 00:11:43

What have you learned about podcasting that is. Was seamless because of what you learned? And then what new things have you learned that you're applying back to what you do in terms of your music and your industry knowledge?

Laura Davidson [: 00:11:59

I think I've learned so many things about video tools, editing tools. You know, I mentioned descript, I mentioned ecamm. I didn't know what those were pre podcast, pre Pandemic, you know, to be able to produce yourself like you're seeing right now on Dealcasters, that is such an empowering gift and tool. And so I've applied that to my music as well. Because I actually, during COVID I think it was during the Pandemic, I asked my husband For a gift of a subscription to this thing called Monthly. I think. I think maybe it was called Studio at the time. And it was this amazing program with Ryan Tedder from One Republic.

Laura Davidson [: 00:12:43

And it was a songwriting thing where you join with people from all over the world and you take this course that Ryan Tedder has pre recorded. So it wasn't like sitting on a zoom call with Ryan or anything, but he teaches you how to write three songs that you're going to release by the end of this 30 day course that you're taking with people around the world. And I learned so much in that 30 days. I learned more than I did in my four years of Berkeley in terms of music production. And it changed my life. And it's how this whole album kind of got kickstarted too. So I don't know if that answered your question, but I'm a tech geek and so I love it. I love bringing it into every aspect.

Chris Stone [: 00:13:23

I think that's a lot, you know, like someone that has sat for hours and hours and hours working on their vocals, working on their, you know, their chords, working on, you know, their arpeggios. The modes like the understanding music theory, you know. You know, even if it's like getting a YouTube video up and learning tabs and. And all of those things is spending hours and hours and hours, there's something about going through that process that when you open up the script or when you open up ecamm and that people that haven't had that experience prior go, holy crap, I quit. There's no way I can do it. I'm not a quote unquote peck person. Right? Yes. And because you had, you know, I mean, obviously when you were a musician, you recorded your music in some way, shape or form on some device or some.

Chris Stone [: 00:14:11

Used some software, right?

Laura Davidson [: 00:14:13

Yes, I used a four track. Remember those? Like when that was like all the rage. Still got mine, a digital four track. And that was like. That was so fancy. And then my computer. Yep. I don't remember what my first interface was, but yes.

Laura Davidson [: 00:14:32

And it was. The struggle was always so real because we didn't have that ability to just go to YouTube and be like, how do I record guitar? Blah, blah, blah. So you would ask friends, you would phone a friend. Right. So that was great. But then when I got asked to demonstrate for TC Helicon, that was my kind of first entrance into this side of the business. I was terrified because as a vocalist coming out of Berkeley College of Music, they don't really teach you the tech side of Things. And that's one of my biggest bones to pick with with vocalists in general, too, is that we don't really take ownership of our instruments because they live within our bodies.

Laura Davidson [: 00:15:14

So learning that tech and then having the power to be like, I know how to run a live sound situation. I know how to record myself, I know how to mix myself. It's been like, yes, because it's intimidating as hell. But I think now I'm so grateful to have the ability to ask and phone friends and go to YouTube. Oh, there I am in 2009.

Chris Stone [: 00:15:38

Whoa.

Laura Davidson [: 00:15:39

That is.

Chris Stone [: 00:15:42

There we go. There you go. Working for TC Helicon and doing the demonstration.

Laura Davidson [: 00:15:47

Yep.

Chris Stone [: 00:15:48

Do you miss those days at all? Was it.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:15:50

Were.

Chris Stone [: 00:15:50

Were you having. Were you having as much fun as you are now?

Laura Davidson [: 00:15:54

I. That was such a different kind of fun. And. Absolutely. I mean, getting up there that particular show was grueling. I think 2010 was even harder because I had to do a demonstration on that stage, and then I had to run around to the other side of the booth, which was like 40ft song, and do another demonstration. So I was demonstrating for 40 minutes, an hour, and for nine hours. It was a lot.

Laura Davidson [: 00:16:24

But I was. I was young. It was fine. It was fine. So, yes, I missed that. And that got me a gig as a backing vocalist for Howard Jones. And I got to tour the world, and I got to tour the world with tc. So it was.

Laura Davidson [: 00:16:37

Yes, it was super fun. This is a different kind of fun, the gig that I have now, and I love it.

Chris Stone [: 00:16:43

I want to know about your touring with Howard Jones. That was on my list. So you. You went there? We got. We got.

Laura Davidson [: 00:16:48

I mean, yeah, some people are like, who the heck is Howard Jones? Because it sounds like your neighbor or something, right? But like, in our generation, we're like, yeah, Howard Jones, 80s artist, started in 19.

Chris Stone [: 00:17:03

Sweet hair.

Laura Davidson [: 00:17:03

Sweet hair. Yes. He still has sweet hair. He's legendary. He is still touring and crushing it. And, yeah, I got asked to tour with him because I was using this TC Helicon vocal harmonizer called the Voice Live that could create eight voices of harmony, four technically from one voice. So he was able to. Because he's always very technically cutting edge.

Laura Davidson [: 00:17:27

Like, he always wants to be on the forefront. So, yeah, three of us went out and created a full band sound and a full choir with just me on. On Voice. So that was super fun.

Chris Stone [: 00:17:39

Awesome. And we've got a. We've got a question here that I know you can answer for us. Laura from Davidson. All Davidson's all natural Gym. Can we find your music on YouTube?

Laura Davidson [: 00:17:51

Yes, you can. Although I have two YouTube channels which I have to consolidate into one. But you can find me under Laura Clapp Clapp. That is my artiste name and my maiden name if you're playing along. So if you put Laura Clapp into YouTube, you're going to find lots of product demonstration videos and you're going to find lots of Song 43 podcast videos. There you go. That's it. And my music, my music, if you just Google it, will find Laura Clapp.com is the best place to find me and videos and music and all those things.

Laura Davidson [: 00:18:30

There you go. That's it. That's where the most recent stuff is. That's where all my shows are listed. My full catalog is on there. Yeah.

Chris Stone [: 00:18:38

Awesome, awesome. And for those of you who are only listening and maybe not watching it is Laura Clapp clapp.com, where you can listen to hey, hey Sister right there on. On the. And also song 43 link is on there as well. Lyrics, videos, images, all the things we a. We have another comment here from Alan Debay. I knew a German sound engineer and a Czech one too.

Laura Davidson [: 00:19:11

Well played, Alan. Well played.

Chris Stone [: 00:19:15

So.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:19:15

So, Laura, I've got. I've got a question especially thinking about that 2009, you know, experience for you is how have you seen the change in that? And I think that's where you know, what shure is doing with audio is so important, how now you don't have to have like all this equipment and these huge studios to produce sound. How have you seen that change? And you know, just the ability to even in a sense be mobile and create things. And I think even a couple of your song 43 podcasts, I think. Weren't you even almost like just doing it with your phone?

Laura Davidson [: 00:19:52

I was doing it with. For those watching with the MV88 plus stereo condenser microphone, which I love. And then now we've got the wireless version of it that pairs directly to your phone. So yes, Jim, I have done that. I also Travel with my MV7 plus, which is what I'm talking into right now, which is a USB XLR hybrid mic. So I love that one because, you know, I can plug it into an interface or I can plug it into my computer or I can plug it into my phone and it's really mobile. But yeah, the MV88 plus, for those wanting something that's super small, lightweight, portable. Yeah, it's just, it's very key.

Laura Davidson [: 00:20:35

I love this little guy.

Chris Stone [: 00:20:37

I haven't gotten used to like, holding it, like, you know what I'm saying? Like, it's just one of those things. I know that was a thing and probably still is a thing now. I'm seeing people holding the wireless mic with the dead cat on top of it, too. And I know the furry dead cat, and I'm like, you realize you're pulling all kinds of attention away from, you know, your eyes, like, what you're saying, because everyone's like, what is that furry thing in front of their face? This is actually right in between.

Laura Davidson [: 00:21:06

Yes. And I like. So the. The Move Mic 88 plus, which we're both holding, the wireless variant is. It's got, like, a nice enough handle to it to where you can do, like, man on the street kind of stuff and. And feel a little bit more authentic, if there is such a thing. But, yeah, I'm so with you. It's.

Laura Davidson [: 00:21:24

It's interesting holding, like a little block.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:21:26

Like, if I were holding it triggers me a little bit personally, I'm like, why. Why are you holding this wireless micro. I mean, that's. I guess that's also why I like the move mic because I can just slide it in and with this black shirt and I have the LED off, it's like, you can't tell that I have a microphone.

Laura Davidson [: 00:21:42

I know. Yeah, I know. So that one's really small. But I think what it comes down to, Jim, is also the fact that people don't trust that this little mic is going to pick them up. I think that's what I've witnessed. And they think that it's going to rustle too much. And some of them do. But this one, especially, like Jim said, it's so small, like, you could get it just way up close to the source.

Laura Davidson [: 00:22:09

And that's the key. You want to get your mic as close to your source as you can, because they don't reach out and grab sound. You have to bring the sound to it. So, yeah, I think that's just kind of the thing. Plus, it has become kind of the aesthetic for some of the videos with the tiny mic going back and forth. But I'm with you. I want to clip it on and not think about it.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:22:27

Well, and I. And I think, like Chris says, I think it then you lose the focus of you're not focusing on the person. Like, why are they holding that? You know, because, like, I can move my hands around. I can be, you know, more demonstrative. Is that. Is that a word?

Chris Stone [: 00:22:41

Chris, Jimmy, y' all using all the.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:22:43

Job out of you as Opposed to demonstrative.

Laura Davidson [: 00:22:46

Yes.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:22:47

And so I, I think that, you know, so then it kind of throws you off. It's like you want people to focus on you. Like right now, when Chris changes some of the views around, right. We're focused on your message and you. And that's like, why is she doing this? Or that? And I think that's what people forget about. But I think, if anything, all this stuff has made us realize that the most important thing in video is audio.

Laura Davidson [: 00:23:15

Audio, yes. So true.

Chris Stone [: 00:23:17

Yeah. And I think, listen, if I'm gonna have a choice between somebody holding a furry dead cat in front of their face and not having a mic and listening to like terrible audio, it is give me the furry. Give me the furry dead cat 100 out of a hundred times because. And I think this is a good segue to talk about this because I think a lot of people are still maybe in that. You know, we have this curse of knowledge, Laura. We've been in these industries and we've, We've, you know, we've been musicians and worked with microphones and all this stuff. And we think everybody should know about mic technique and everybody should know what, why you should be using a dynamic microphone in a certain situation and why a condenser microphone is better in a certain situation. This conversation we just had about a lav mic and all of these things, and most people just like, they just can't, like, just give me the one thing and whatever.

Chris Stone [: 00:24:12

So I want, I wanted to roll it over to you because I think, you know, you see it on all fronts. Like, you know, even with, with all this, like, what, what would you say is like, maybe the biggest mistakes that you're seeing entrepreneurs, creators sort of make in specifically for audio, I'd say they're.

Laura Davidson [: 00:24:31

Wanting the camera or the microphone to be out of their shot for some reason, like Die Hard. And so they're expecting the microphone to do things that it can't do. So if I move this even that much further away, you hear the differ, the loss, loss of audio quality, and it becomes thin. Because microphones are again, designed for you to go to them, not for it to come to you. So I think I'm seeing that a lot people really want that off camera option. So what I usually guide them towards is the lavalier option. Whether they use something like the movemic that we were just talking about or a more professional lavalier, which I don't have within arm's reach, but, you know, it's much more thin and it gets wired up through the back of your shirt, which you'll see on profess broadcasts. Shotgun microphones.

Laura Davidson [: 00:25:19

A lot of people think that that is going to solve your problem, but a shotgun is not a microscope. It's not a telescope. It doesn't reach out and grab the sound. It will block out more of the space so that you're not hearing your room as much, but it doesn't pinpoint your audio. So I think that's one of the other mistakes that I see. So if you can tolerate having a beautiful microphone like this in your face, I don't know why you wouldn't want it to be. That's going to be your best audio experience. We do accommodate for it a little bit with our microphones, but, you know, don't fight it.

Chris Stone [: 00:25:53

Yeah, yeah. Do you think that maybe it's. It's been somewhat normalized with the rise of. Of podcasting in. In these latest years? I mean, we see a lot of. We see a lot of people sitting around tables with, with headphones and SM7B's in front of their faces on a lot of big podcasts. Do you think that that's helping to sort of normalize? You know, people are more comfortable with that, or are you saying, like, listen, people are still wanting it out of the shot?

Laura Davidson [: 00:26:23

I think it's a bit of both. I think that the SM7B has definitely become kind of the thing you think of when you're thinking of a podcast. But I also think that there are still some podcasts that would benefit so much from being able to have a microphone that allows them to be more flexible and versatile. Where, like, the MoveMic 88+ that we were talking about is so great because you could put this on the center of a table, standing up, and put it in what's called mono bi directional mode, which means you're going to take the right and left microphone and capsules and put them in between you and your speaker, your guest, and just not think about the microphone. And it's going to pick you up really quite effortlessly. Now, you can't be like three feet away from it, but you can at least be having a conversation like this and you're not going to have to be right up on it. So that's good. When you have guests who have no microphone technique, and no matter what you do, if you put a set of cans on them, they're still going to be over here and you're gonna be.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:27:22

Like, what are you doing?

Laura Davidson [: 00:27:24

You know, so there are some that make it a little more forgiving and in that case, if you do have a guest that is really microphone shy, just put a lavalier on them if you can, because that will make it your life so much easier in post and let you have a more flowing conversation where they're not trying to, you know, be on the mic and, you know, so well.

Chris Stone [: 00:27:45

And I think I, I love how you, I mean, you mentioned shotguns because I was gonna, I was gonna bring that up. But they, they tend to be more expensive. Right. And, and so, so like you, you said, you know, you went right to the lav as a second option for people who don't want that, that microphone in the shot. And, and it's less expensive to do that in most cases.

Laura Davidson [: 00:28:07

Sometimes. Yeah.

Chris Stone [: 00:28:08

Yeah. So when you're talking to somebody who's more budget conscious, but they still want that, they want that, they want the quality, right? You know, there's that, that whole balance of like, I don't got, you know, the 400 for this mic, and then I gotta buy, you know, the preamp for it, and I gotta get an interface and all of those things. What do we, what do we say to those folks in terms of, number one, you know, if, if you wanna sound better, you gotta invest a little bit. Right? And then we always tell people that, like, you can't, you can't sound like this for, you know, 50 bucks. Right? You can sound good.

Laura Davidson [: 00:28:45

Some will argue that you can, but they are wrong.

Chris Stone [: 00:28:47

Okay, let's talk about it then.

Laura Davidson [: 00:28:50

Yeah, they are wrong. No, I, I think there are affordable solutions. And I'm not saying anyone should break the bank. Like, let's not get me out of context here, but I always tell people, if you are making the time commitment to start creating and start putting yourself out there, you are worth spending the money on yourself, if that makes sense. Because think of how much groceries cost right now. Think of how much going out to dinner costs. And we do it right. Groceries are one thing, but, like, going out to dinner, not a necessity.

Laura Davidson [: 00:29:26

But would you think twice about spending money on dinner out? What if you just, you know, maybe skip that two or three times? Then you could afford the mic that you wanted. You go, I don't know. I like framing it up that way. The MV6 I was gonna grab, and it's like buried in a bookcase right over there, and if I try to get it, everything's gonna fall out and it's gonna be really bad. The MV6 is a really good option for those who are more budget conscious. It's a USB C microphone. See Now I have to grab it. Hold on a second.

Chris Stone [: 00:30:00

That's good. That's cool. No, we're gonna, we're gonna pull. James, you're right. When Laura speaks, you should listen. And because she uses really good sounding microphones, you can hear. She is clearly understood. So that's.

Chris Stone [: 00:30:15

Thank you for that, Dr. Hicks. And Laura, you'll be happy to know that Alan Debay, who had the greatest dad joke of all time, purchased your music on your website.

Laura Davidson [: 00:30:24

Thank you.

Chris Stone [: 00:30:25

That's awesome.

Laura Davidson [: 00:30:26

Thank you.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:30:27

Now you can buy dinner.

Laura Davidson [: 00:30:29

I know, right now I can, yes, buy eggs. No, you can't even buy eggs. This is not what the MV6 looks like when you get it. My windscreen has apparently been eaten by the bookcase, but it occasionally or essentially looks like this without added. It's more streamlined and matches. Wow. I swear, I work for sure in market development. And it comes with a stand, which is amazing.

Laura Davidson [: 00:30:53

So this is our most budget friendly microphone and it's USB C and it has a headphone out on the back so that you can monitor in real time because that's the other key. We were talking about this before the show and I was like, I'm not going to monitor. And I was like, I can't do that. That would just be horrendous. So that's a great option for those who are wanting to get into the game, are maybe a little shy about, you know, spending the money on the SM7B or the MV7 Plus. But are you like in the Amazon? I'm like picturing you going to the carousel right now. Like, Jim's like, this is good, Laura.

Chris Stone [: 00:31:33

Keep them, keep them dancing. This is great entertainment for me.

Laura Davidson [: 00:31:36

I love it. No, but the MV6, to focus on that for a minute, it's 1 69. So it's again, I'm not saying any of these things are quote unquote cheap. We never call our products cheap. They are affordable. So you can get into that realm. It's got auto level mode, meaning if you have no idea how set your levels, it's going to do it for you. You can monitor yourself in real time so you can hear yourself talking and you can route your guests through it so you can hear them talking.

Laura Davidson [: 00:32:04

It's just, it's a great microphone and it comes with a stand, like I said, so you don't have to buy anything else. So I would, I would recommend that one for those who are just getting into it. But you know, the MP7 plus, it's a great. I've always been a Fan. And it comes in white too. Look, I just have this one just chilling, just at the ready.

Chris Stone [: 00:32:23

There it is. Look at her. She's surrounded by like six. Like, everyone is so jealous. You're surrounded by these great looking mics.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:32:29

Micro events everywhere.

Laura Davidson [: 00:32:31

Yeah.

Chris Stone [: 00:32:32

The MV7 plus is my favorite USB microphone, but it is also an XLR microphone. That's the SM7DB that Laura is showing. Just keep Jim dancing. Keep him dancing. This is.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:32:45

Which one is it? But, well, and I think too, though, I think. And Chris and I talk about this all the time. People frame things the wrong way. They say it cost, but it's an investment. You know, you get one of these microphones, if you take care of it, it will last for years. My brother, who actually has a podcast, Lore that, you know, maybe you would talk with him about. It's called behind the Beaten Tracks. He's a musician in his 50s, but he's had an SM58 since he was 17.

Laura Davidson [: 00:33:18

Yes.

Chris Stone [: 00:33:19

Great podcast mike. Same microphone, great mic in general. A great podcast mike.

Laura Davidson [: 00:33:23

I have a beta 58 here.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:33:25

Okay.

Laura Davidson [: 00:33:25

You know, it looks like this without the blue. Yes.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:33:28

But, you know, I mean, I don't think I'll ever need to get another microphone other than, you know, I have a. I guess a. I don't know what it is, Chris. You know, I. We get all these wireless mics. I don't know why. It's like, oh, let's see what this one sounds like. And it's like.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:33:42

But I just. I still want to go back to. I like the move mics because I can have two people now. Maybe it's. And I don't know, Laura, you can tell us when it's going to happen. It would be nice to be able to have like four wireless mics that all connected together.

Laura Davidson [: 00:33:58

That would be. And maybe that's there, I mean.

Chris Stone [: 00:34:01

Oh, God. All right, we are back. Thanks.

Laura Davidson [: 00:34:06

I missed you so much.

Chris Stone [: 00:34:08

I know, I know. I had a massive computer crash. We were talking. Or. Laura, you were talking about.

Laura Davidson [: 00:34:14

I was.

Chris Stone [: 00:34:14

The move mic.

Laura Davidson [: 00:34:15

I was talking about move mic. Because what sets this apart? Because we were talking about. Jim had asked about four channels of wireless, which you can easily do with other shore wireless systems. Like what I have over my shoulder there, I have the slxd, which you could do that. The blx, you could do that. Which is an entry level wireless system, but that works on a more traditional UHF setup. Okay, so these, these are two channels of wireless that pair directly to your phone with no receiver. What does that mean? That Means I push this little button, I pair it to my iPhone, I push another button, I pair the other one to my iPhone, and then I have two guests talking and recording with nothing else.

Laura Davidson [: 00:34:53

So that's the kind of hiccup there. But you can have two sets of move mics with the receiver going into your phone or well into your computer, Jim. So that dream can come true. So.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:35:08

So this is going to be. I might. I don't know if I'm calling it geeking out a little bit. So you may not be aware of this, Laura, we maybe have talked about. So my wife is a freelance court reporter, and so one of her biggest challenges is getting audio from different parts of the courtroom. And a lot of times, right, courtrooms don't think about, you know, how to soundproof. And so that's where sometimes she wishes she had a better system to be able to put wireless mics in different spots.

Laura Davidson [: 00:35:41

Oh, 100%. That's not the first time I've heard that. So, yes, a wireless system can definitely do that. And Shure makes these incredible conferencing systems that are actually specifically made for not only conference rooms, but courthouses, municipalities that have all these cool features where you can highlight specific speakers when they talk, it can make their mic active. And when they're not, it turns it off. And their boundary mics or their gooseneck mics, which are those things that you see on a podium that come up and have the little, like, ball on the top. That's a gooseneck mic, aptly named. Looks like a gooseneck.

Laura Davidson [: 00:36:18

So. Yeah, exactly. Thank you, Chris, for modeling. Yes, yes. Honk like a goose. That would be. Just really put it over.

Chris Stone [: 00:36:26

I got to work on my goose. I To need. Need some vocal training to work on my goose technique.

Laura Davidson [: 00:36:32

I don't believe that. So there are options for that. But yeah, Jim, if you're wanting multiple channels of wireless, the best way to go is to use a traditional UHF system, like what they use on concerts.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:36:45

Right. Okay, interesting. But that's. But that probably gets a little pricey.

Laura Davidson [: 00:36:52

Oh, yes, it gets more pricey very quickly. But then you have ease of use. Oh, and by the way, Alan, Major shout out to Alan, because he did not just buy my music on my website, he bought all of my music on my website. So I am.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:37:07

So you can retire now.

Chris Stone [: 00:37:09

Yes, retire for the evening.

Laura Davidson [: 00:37:11

Ten whole dollars. No, I mean, honestly, thank you, Alan. Because nobody does that and nobody really knows as musicians. You know, we all stream and we listen to our music that way. I'm guilty of it. But if you purchase directly from the artist, that's the best way to go because then we get the most percentage of it. So. Thank you, Alan.

Laura Davidson [: 00:37:32

I really appreciate you.

Chris Stone [: 00:37:34

Do you also put your stuff up on. On Bandcamp? I know that there's. There's a higher share there as opposed to.

Laura Davidson [: 00:37:40

There is. I don't have a community on there. Maybe this could be the start of it. I'm on bandcamp with, like, one song, and Mario is crushing it on Bandcamp. He's. His artist name is M. Underscore. Len.

Laura Davidson [: 00:37:53

M. Len. And he does great on there. I just. I'm like. I go on there. It's crickets. I don't even know how you find people on there to sell your music too, so I should do that.

Chris Stone [: 00:38:03

So I'm glad you brought up Mario, and I know we're on the music thing here for. For a while and, And I, I. We're gonna make it all. We're gonna wrap it all in a. In a. In a sure. Related thing here, as well as my computer right now. You have no idea what I mean.

Chris Stone [: 00:38:19

There is all kinds of stuff happening, but at least we're still on the.

Laura Davidson [: 00:38:23

On fire, basically, is what you're.

Chris Stone [: 00:38:25

Yes, there are flames going. It's like that where the dog's in the middle of the flames. I'm fine.

Laura Davidson [: 00:38:30

Everything's fine.

Chris Stone [: 00:38:31

Everything's fine. So you brought up Mario, who. We absolutely love Mario, and he also works at shore and he does a dark wave project called Mlen, which. Which Laura had mentioned. And it was one of the things that I loved so much about Shure is that it seems like everybody is doing something musically content creator wise, not just for the sake of doing it. It's because they are. And it's one of the things that drew me to it so much is because y' all carry the bag. You know what I'm saying? And so it's like, it's not something that is just, hey, this is just my job.

Chris Stone [: 00:39:10

And, you know, let me just read the spec sheet on this particular cardioid microphone with the point. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's a real. Like, you guys understand what. What is absolutely useful for content creators was absolutely for musicians. And on. On one of your podcasts, you talked about how you did this big anniversary show where you. You flew in and you had. You orchestrated this entire thing.

Chris Stone [: 00:39:38

And, well, you were a part of this huge thing which was like, you were in three different bands. You were. You were in. You were like a Huge part of it. But the whole company was in. Was. Was there practically, right? I mean, wasn't there, like, there were.

Laura Davidson [: 00:39:53

1500 people there and we're worth 3, 000 plus employees? And then they carried the party on in the other regions, but, like, yeah, 1500 people in this awesome venue outside Chicago. And, yeah, the talent was off the charts. Good.

Chris Stone [: 00:40:11

And. And so, like, I think you said, like, the CEO plays French horn or Trump.

Laura Davidson [: 00:40:15

She does.

Chris Stone [: 00:40:16

Okay. I mean, so, like, we are in.

Laura Davidson [: 00:40:19

The world with two other French horn players. We had three. Three French horn players on the stage at one time playing We Are the World. I was.

Chris Stone [: 00:40:28

We Are the World with three French horn players.

Laura Davidson [: 00:40:31

Yes. Not three French hens, but three French horn poles. Yes. There's like, this beautiful orchestrated thing that the guy Rogelio, who put that act together, I think he arranged it, and it was just like, what is going on? It was so great. It was so great.

Chris Stone [: 00:40:47

That is. That sounds like just an amazing and fun company to work for, for sure. No pun intended. I. That just came out, and as soon.

Laura Davidson [: 00:40:54

As I said it, I was like, everybody does that. I do it.

Chris Stone [: 00:41:01

Say that. So I.

Laura Davidson [: 00:41:04

Here's.

Chris Stone [: 00:41:04

Here's another thing that I wanted to. To talk to you about, Laura, was you. I mean, you. You seemingly do so many things well. Right. But we know, like, you're also vulnerable and kind of saying, well, I couldn't do this because I should have done this and whatever, but I. But you have got your priorities right. You've got your.

Chris Stone [: 00:41:23

Your family, you've got, you know, you then. And that feels like the. The number one thing like that you prioritize, but obviously you have a big job. You got, you know, got to put on your big pants for the big job. Right? Yeah. And. But you also have this huge passion for. For music, and you.

Chris Stone [: 00:41:40

You also do the podcast, so you're. You're checking a lot of boxes. What's your time management situation like? How are you. How are you able to. How are you able to do it? You mentioned you. You filled out, like, you know, two pages of a journal. You know, like. Like, what is your.

Chris Stone [: 00:41:55

I mean, is it just like, are you drinking water out of the fire hose or. Or is it like you just.

Laura Davidson [: 00:41:59

Sometimes it feels like that. Yes. Okay. I. I try to set boundaries. I'm getting. Trying to get better at that in terms of this is my time for my family, this is my time for me. Because that's also super important.

Laura Davidson [: 00:42:15

If we lose that, it's no one else. Everything's going to Suffer and then, you know, work is work. So I have a job where sometimes that in being gone for a week at a time and across weekends. So it's just prioritizing communication and the creativity can often be the thing that gets the back seats. So having that regular cadence of song 43 was very helpful for that. So I'm getting really excited to get back into that because my family would be like, oh, it's Tuesday night. You have to record your podcast. Right.

Laura Davidson [: 00:42:47

Because I as being a crazy person would record, edit and publish on the same night because it was only me talking at myself for 15 minutes. So it was very easy. But they knew. Tuesday nights I go disappear for a couple hours and now I'm excited to get back into that. So I guess there's not really like a method to the madness. But I also, I just read this, sorry for the noise here, this book called Atomic Habits.

Chris Stone [: 00:43:15

Oh yeah.

Laura Davidson [: 00:43:16

As part of a management journey that sure sponsors which is so cool. And I took little bits and pieces of it. So when I write in my. I do have a journal now that I've been doing since October, which is the longest probably ever. And it's a sure branded journal. And even if I just write one sentence a day, that is my atomic habit and you make it says on the thing, tiny changes, remarkable results. And so it's all about like building that. So I'm trying to give myself some grace to realize life is really crazy right now.

Laura Davidson [: 00:43:49

It's not always going to be like this. So I'm trying to be present as much as I can when I'm doing these different things. So that was a long winded answer.

Chris Stone [: 00:44:00

No. You know what I loved mostly about that is that you brought up the book Atomic Habits and made Jim dance again into the carousel to add Atomic Habits.

Laura Davidson [: 00:44:08

Oh my God.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:44:10

Chris. There's only one issue with the carousel is because Amazon didn't come back on.

Chris Stone [: 00:44:15

Oh, it didn't.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:44:16

Oh, so there's no more dancing.

Laura Davidson [: 00:44:21

I will say as a shout out to if anyone's on Spotify like and pays for the membership like this sucker does, you can listen to Atomic Habits for freezies, which I loved because then I was able while I was doing all the 47 things that I do to listen to it limit in between stuff. So it's free on there.

Chris Stone [: 00:44:41

I love that audiobook function that they. That they have. It's. I think it's limited. I want to say to I think 20 hours or something like that a month.

Laura Davidson [: 00:44:52

That makes sense.

Chris Stone [: 00:44:52

Something, something.

Laura Davidson [: 00:44:53

I don't think. I don't have 20 hours a month to listen to anything, so that's fine. But yeah, I listened to it and I really enjoyed it. It. And I'm trying to plug it in wherever I can.

Chris Stone [: 00:45:07

Do you think that being a musician and going through the process of being a musician as compared to a content creator? Stay with me here because I was just thinking about this. So when you're a musician and you're preparing for a gig, you're loading up your gear, you're stuffing into your van, you're traveling an hour to get to the venue, you're loading it in, you're preparing all of the stuff. Stuff you do, the. You, you do this huge show you. You do, then you strip it all down, you load it up and you put it in, you know, all of the stuff and then make it all the way back. And then you, you know, as an independent musician, probably not a lot of money. You know, every once in a while you're going to get a gig where it's like, hey, you know, this is, this is how. I mean, I.

Chris Stone [: 00:45:53

That feels a lot like a content creator who's spending hours doing this, you know, wondering what, you know, instead of wondering if they should restring their guitar, maybe, you know, maybe they should get another USB cable for this or, or maybe they should do this for a microphone. Like, like, talk about that. Like, is that. How am I off here? Like, it feels like a lot of the same thing. If you're a musician, it's like, how do you keep that, that gas tank full? Like, what keeps you going to say, I'm still doing this podcast, even though I may not be making very much money on it. I'm still going to create this content even though who knows how many shekels I'm going to get from YouTube, AdSense or whatever, you know, like, like what keeps. What keeps you going as a creator, you know, either as a musician or a podcaster? Pick one.

Laura Davidson [: 00:46:41

Yeah. I mean, for me, it's. If I don't, If I'm not creating, I'm miserable. So I've never approached it from the standpoint of making money, except when I was fresh out of Berkeley, living in Nashville, trying to make it, you know, whatever that looked like. I was very focused on making money for music, getting all the gigs that I could, etc, but now, because I have a job that supports me, I do have the flexibility to create for me, which is so liberating. And even with the podcast, I never set out to. To make money, which I don't. From the podcast, but.

Laura Davidson [: 00:47:23

Side note.

Chris Stone [: 00:47:24

But you did tonight. You did tonight because somebody bought your music from listening to the podcast. Well, not. Not from song 43, but anyway, not.

Laura Davidson [: 00:47:32

From song 43, but from your podcast. So thank you for that.

Chris Stone [: 00:47:35

So you'll be on every week then?

Laura Davidson [: 00:47:37

Yeah, every week. So, yeah, I guess because it's. It doesn't have to be about the money. I am able to do it and do what feels right. Yeah, but for creators, you're. It's such a grind, you know, whether you're a musician or you're creating content regularly. That's even more of a grind, in my opinion, because you're chasing the likes, you're chasing the analytics, you're figuring out what resonates with your audience and then pivoting all the time. And then the algorithms change.

Laura Davidson [: 00:48:07

Like, I watched our creators, like Sean Daniel, who you met in Chicago, amazing creator. The YouTube algorithm completely shifted seismically recently. And he's like, yeah, so we're creators. We're kind of figuring out what's. What, what to do next and how to get back on track. So I think when you make music, unfortunately, the rates for musicians have not changed much since I've been doing this, so I'm never going to be making tons of money from my music. But I think it. There's a.

Laura Davidson [: 00:48:41

It's a slog no matter what you do, and you just have to really be in it because your heart's in it. And then the rest should come a little bit easier. And then hopefully the money would come if I were focusing on that, but. But I'm not. So.

Chris Stone [: 00:48:55

Yeah, yeah, I mean, you, like, for you, you know, your, your, you know, whatever, your KPIs or whatever or, or what gets your juices flowing in terms of, of your musician journey could be somebody just letting you know how your music has helped them. Right.

Laura Davidson [: 00:49:13

Or, oh, 100%.

Chris Stone [: 00:49:14

You know, it's like you forget immediately about whether or not that person paid 12 bucks for a CD or, you know, or downloaded your album, you know, ever. So I think, like, that is, that's. That, that's gotta feel, you know, like when you, when you're grounded like you are, I think that's, that's gotta be what keeps you going.

Laura Davidson [: 00:49:37

It definitely does. But having, you know, moments like today when, like, I can tell you actually listen to a few episodes of the podcast, you know, that's so gratifying to know that people are out there listening and taking something from it because you just feel like you're talking into the void. Podcasting can be really isolating that, but. Yeah. What did James just say? Let your nine to five.

Chris Stone [: 00:50:00

Let your nine to five support your five to nine.

Laura Davidson [: 00:50:03

Yes. That's a great. That's a great way of putting it. Always prolific.

Chris Stone [: 00:50:09

Either that or he's five foot nine. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know which. Which it is. And we have a question. We have a question from Davidson's All Natural Gym. As you create a song, do you ever think this song is for radio or this is for a live show or this song is made to be added to a YouTube or.

Chris Stone [: 00:50:26

Tik tok tock.

Laura Davidson [: 00:50:27

That's a great question. And when I was writing younger, my. In my younger days, yes, I was absolutely thinking, not about TikTok, obviously, but thinking this is going to be a hit, or I'm writing this to be something, whereas now I just write because it's gratifying, and I'll take any time that I can to be creative and have that opportunity to focus on that for five whole minutes. So. So then I kind of categorize it. So after it's been created. I don't tend to write with a purpose unless somebody commissions a piece.

Chris Stone [: 00:51:03

Has. Has your. Has your job at Shure ever affected the way you write a song?

Laura Davidson [: 00:51:13

I don't know. I guess not for sure, but for TC Helicon, yes. I've actually. I actually wrote two songs because of demonstrations that I needed to do. Oh, okay. My wedding song was written because I was working for TC Helicon and I needed something that would be a good, full harmony demonstration. And then my. Another song that I wrote about my husband started because I wanted to do a loop, and we had just come out with a looper, and I added multiple layers of harmony.

Laura Davidson [: 00:51:47

And it started as I was prepping for a trade show, and then a song came out, but I don't think so. Not for sure. I don't think.

Chris Stone [: 00:51:56

Okay, well, Laura, you have spent a lot of time with us and even through the. The computer crash of 2025. Of. Yes, the great crash of 2025. I do want to ask you one final question. And we asked this of a lot of folks, and I think you're. You are absolutely going to knock this out of the park. But if you were to talk to one creator who's completely paralyzed by perfectionism, like, they just want that.

Chris Stone [: 00:52:26

They want to sound like, you know, you. They want it, like, right now they're hearing your voice and they're like, I want to. I want to sound that. But they don't feel like they're just good enough right now to start. What would you tell them?

Laura Davidson [: 00:52:40

I would say that you're wasting time that could be spent sharing your message. So even if your tech isn't there yet, your message is and people want to hear from you. So if you stop second guessing and just put something out there, the momentum can be really easy to maintain from there. So just be kind to yourself and start. Just start.

Chris Stone [: 00:53:11

I love it. I love it. And okay, finally. My. I'm having all kinds of fun back here. I don't. I don't know what is happening. My.

Chris Stone [: 00:53:22

My screens are going nuts. But you know what, Laura Davidson, you landed the plane. Ladies and gentlemen, go to Laura clapp.com c l a p p.com listen to song 43 podcast. It's awesome. Awesome. I have a lot of fun listening to that. That's how I catch up with you, Laura. If.

Laura Davidson [: 00:53:41

If I love that. Well, I'm gonna get back on the horse this week, Chris. How about that? I'll put it back out.

Chris Stone [: 00:53:50

Of course, you can always go to. Let's see if this works. No, it's not working. This is having. Okay, here we go. Now we're having fun. We are. We are running with scissors live.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:54:00

You can go to Hicks News Media.

Chris Stone [: 00:54:02

We could go to shore.com.

Laura Davidson [: 00:54:04

He'S amazing.

Chris Stone [: 00:54:06

All these amazing products are available on Amazon. Are here. But sure.com is where you can go to learn about all of this fantastic stuff that we talked about and more. The most amazing mics that we've ever spoken to and the most amazing guests that we've ever had on Dealcasters.

Laura Davidson [: 00:54:24

Wow, that's. I'll let you say that to everybody. Thank you. Thank you for having me.

Chris Stone [: 00:54:32

Yes. Thank you for making our show better today. And as always to everyone, don't fear the.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:54:39

Thanks for listening to Dealcasters. Congratulations. You've taken another step forward in your content creation journey. Please don't forget to hit the subscribe or follow button here in your favorite podcast player so you can be reminded every time we drop an episode.

Chris Stone [: 00:54:55

We love hearing from our listeners and viewers. And if you're wanting to watch our shows live on Amazon, feel free to follow Dealcasters Live as well. Of Dealcasters Live, follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our YouTube channel, where we also included added content that you cannot find anywhere else.

Jim Fuhs [: 00:55:15

If you have questions about this episode or have something you want us to review, you can also email us at Dealcasters at Dealcasters Live. Thanks again for listening. And you know the deal. Don't fear the gear.