Hidden Gems: Meet Chad Michael Snavely of Sound On // Sound Off

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Michael Snavely

Hi Chad Michael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up surrounded by music and sound. My grandma played the piano and encouraged me to take lessons. My grandpa had an old guitar and amp in his attic and taught me my first few chords. And my dad managed a radio network, so I grew up around microphones, speakers, and various audio gear. In high school, I started my own radio show, and in college, I began to work as a producer, editor, and sound designer. Later, I attended a music production conservatory in Phoenix, and it was there that I decided I wanted to spend my working hours in a studio, but I also wanted to do it on my terms. I spent over 15 years working with various media companies in all forms of audio and video production, but then, in 2016, when the startup I was working with unexpectedly shut down, I decided to start my own audio company.

Today, my company, Sound On // Sound Off, connects the world of great sound (through my studio, Sound On Studios) with mindfulness, meditation, and sound therapy (through our Sound Off Collective). My studio produces beautiful sound for our clients through podcasts, commercials, trailers, and short films, and our Collective teaches people how to minimize the noise in their lives so they can better connect to themselves and the world around them.

When I’m not making sound, I’m actively consuming it, typically in the form of a vinyl record, podcast, or audiobook.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I view my work and, by extension, life as the ability to solve problems and overcome obstacles. Over the past twenty years, three key challenges have presented themselves to me, and my ability to move forward has been directly correlated to my response to those challenges.

First, in 2009, I was comfortable in my Western NY hometown, working in radio and doing the job I had done since college. But I decided to leave NY for Orlando, FL, to work in a new industry and to start working with a relatively new and untapped audio platform called podcasting. That move would change the trajectory of my life.

Second, in 2015, with a new daughter, I decided to leave the career I had built in Orlando to move to Nashville and start working with a media startup and podcast network. While that job and company didn’t survive, it allowed me to build critical relationships, hone my business chops, and develop the confidence I needed to start my own company when life threw me a curveball.

Third, the present feels like a daily opportunity to solve the challenges of sustaining and growing a business in this volatile media and corporate landscape. When it comes to the sound of a company or brand, there’s a lot of confusion around how to actually sound good, how to best utilize audio to enhance your message, how to find and license great music, and how to find the right people to give your brand’s various products a unified, professional sound. While most understand essentials like great design or engaging copy, getting people to care about great sound is a significant challenge, especially when budgets are being slashed and the consumer’s attention span is growing shorter by the day. But it’s why I love showing up every day, putting the headphones on and helping my clients work through their own challenges, and helping them figure out how they can use great-sounding audio to cut through the noise and better connect with their audience.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Sound On // Sound Off helps people sound design their lives and work.

The “sound on” part of my company—Sound On Studios—consists of a boutique team of audio storytellers with over twenty years of experience in creating unmistakable sound. Many brands waste time and money trying to get their audio right. So we help them make a great-sounding product so that their message is clear, connects with people, and grows their influence. We don’t want you to add to the noise—we want you to be worth listening to. While most clients hire us to help launch, edit, and mix podcasts, we also create sound for trailers, commercials, short films, and guided meditations. On the podcast front, I’m proud to say we’ve worked with over 100 clients worldwide and helped them publish nearly 5,000 episodes, which have been downloaded over 100 million times. I feel a sense of responsibility to give the mic to those who have world-changing messages, and I consider it a true honor that we’re able to amplify those voices and help make the world a better, more inclusive place.

The “sound off” part of the company—Sound Off Collective—is led by my partner, Kasey Grey, a sound therapist and meditation teacher. Through the Collective, we create guidance, experiences, and resources for renewal through the lens of mindfulness and sound. We publish a lovely bi-monthly newsletter called “The Quiet,” host private sound baths, and are working on developing a slate of digital products to make it easier for people to engage with our work.

Sound On // Sound Off is unique because I don’t know of any other companies that create sound for their clients and then actively teach them to turn the sound off. We strive to be mindful of sound’s role in our daily lives, both personally and professionally.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I consider myself a calculated risk-taker. But sometimes, life doesn’t provide you with a calculated timeline. In the fall of 2016, I went to my job on a Tuesday and learned the company would shut down on Friday. I could have gone out and found another job, but I decided this was my chance to swing for the fences. I bet on myself: I spent a weekend building a simple website, started texting my network, bought a few simple pieces of gear, and within a week, I had my first few clients lined up. It was a huge risk, especially as a husband and father of a two-year-old. I had no guarantees it would work and nothing concrete to fall back on. But I trusted my gut and took the most significant risk of my life. Looking back, I consider it the best professional decision I ever made.

I also take calculated, creative risks every day. Understanding how humans consume and absorb sound allows me to take calculated creative risks to make a better end product for my clients.

So, while I love to take risks, I am particular about my practice and aim, always moving toward a better sound.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.SoundOnSoundOff.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/chadmichaelsnavely/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chadmichaelsnavely/

Image Credits
Collin Fatke