Frases De Cajon | Let's Talk...Audio with Juno Black

Let's Talk...Audio

Hello World! Juno Black is an audiovisual technology production expert. With a background in music composition, engineering, and events production, Juno’s curiosity has led her to venture into new and advanced audiovisual technologies.

This episode opens with a proper introduction from our guest!

Tangela asked Juno about her expertise in multimedia production.

Juno started her audio career in Colombia, before immigrating to the United States, going initially to Boston. There she attended Berklee College of Music. Eventually Juno finished her Bachelor's degree with Southern Utah University and now she is pursuing a Master's degree, as she wants to teach audio at a college level.

Before moving to New York City, Juno opened a recording studio with a couple of friends, in an apartment's garage.

"If I hadn't been so naïve...it wouldn't have happened."

The studio led Juno from producing music to commercials and film. Then she started getting work with independent film projects in NYC. Since most of her work was coming from NY, she decided to move there.

While in NY, Juno got into working live sound, and closed her studio in order to work on tours. She worked for Jazz Reach for some time. While touring with them she discovered Austin. Juno thought the change of pace suited her.

After moving to Austin, Juno began teaching and working for One World Theatre as production manager. They did close during the pandemic lockdowns. She's working with them again now, in a smaller capacity. Tangela's been trying to focus on the learning opportunities the pandemic has shed light on.

Juno thinks that life was too comfortable in America before coronavirus. While the situation is polarizing, she thinks the future is more positive, that good people will prevail.

Tangela asks Juno about her business, and does she have a team? Juno has some sub contractors she uses, but otherwise is a one-woman show.

"I really encourage people ... create that moment in which you put yourself into a position in which you can bring people along and create something."

Juno tries to leverage the unique strengths of the people she knows. She references the Queer Riot Festival as an example.

Tangela asks about quality standards. Juno talks about education, feedback, and quality communication.

Juno dislikes the term "minority" and describes why. From there they speak more generally about language, and briefly touch on the Census as an example. The cultural reclamation of words gets discussed too.

Juno brings up a saying from Colombia, "frases de cajon" which means "phrases in a drawer." This refers to short sayings that people use, which don't have room for depth of meaning or nuance, and often serve to shut down conversation. The increasing polarization today leads to conspiracy theory and victim mentality.

Tangela brings up her recent talk with Lisa about an oft repeated statistic about women in the audio industry. These kinds of bite sized data points get used without context, without understanding of the context they came from.

After some further discussion about "where are you from?" as both an important and a misused thought, Tangela brings up the topic of "echo chambers." Juno thinks this time period has caused people to seek refuge in more extreme positions.

Tangela brings that topic back to the craft of audio. Juno illustrates the difference between the analog days versus today with regards to choice limitations. Limiting yourself to a few choices is helpful in comparison to choice-paralysis.

Juno: "My girlfriend thinks that I am a little bit of a hoarder."

Juno points out that gear is expensive, so one should understand the concepts before focusing on the new shiny thing. Juno also points out that as price increases, the amount the sound quality increases diminishes in comparison.

Juno says "Learn to read spec sheets!"

Juno says the sound quality difference between gear options was massive in the reel-to-reel days, and today sound quality is much more similar across options.

They talk about how the "analog feel" is celebrated now. Juno relates how that transition happened.

"... this is what happens, because I lived through it. Digital came, and everybody was obsessed with the quality of digital. But they realized that there were all these ... imperfections that made things better. Now days ... we add it up. When you open a plugin it's modeling (all these imperfections)..."

"Think about what you want to do, and ... then pick one ... just use that until you achieve it."

Juno thinks the audio industry has opened up a lot for women particularly in the past decade. There's a lot of momentum for inclusivity. Also technology is more accessible now.

Juno remembers buying the first compact Yamaha digital mixer that she could carry around, along with a DAT machine. She was an early adopter of this technology in Colombia.

Juno says that learning to say no was harder than learning to build opportunities. She loves integration and figuring out how to get equipment or people to work together to achieve something.

The love of gear has helped Juno with different opportunities in the audio industry. She likes the variety of work she has in her life.

Tangela asks her for final thoughts and advice.

"Just go and do it ... figure out how to start, and follow the path."

Juno can be found at

www.junoblack.com/

IG: @junoblack

Facebook: JunoBlackMusic

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As usual you can find Tangela on her website where you can sign up for the Newsletter!