Who are you?
Luana Moreno, Sound Engineer for over 18 years, originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, now based in Adelaide.
Describe the work you do:
I do a little bit of everything: PA and monitors, recording, mixing and mastering, sound for film, technical production, giving workshops and mentoring youth programs, the list goes on. Anything related to audio, I’ve done.
What led you to your current work?
Playing in bands led me to my first recording session in a studio, and that interested me immediately. I saw it as a way to mix my affinity with computers to artistic sensibility. From that I went on to be an assistant in a studio/ mobile recording unit . They did broadcast and live recording for DVDs and live CDs. After some time, I started mixing local venues… and the rest is history!
What are you working on now or about to start work on?
Facilitating and recording bands at the Youth Programs at Northern Sound System, mixing at several venues around Adelaide, doing technical production for a few upcoming shows and doing a panel at ENTECH!
What are the good things about your job?
The variety. Since I wear so many different hats, I am always going to different places, interacting with different people and overcoming different challenges. Keeps things exciting. And the fulfillment. Seeing bands release a song I worked on, or the audience enjoying a gig I’m mixing, makes everything worth it.
What are the worst things about your job?
The irregularity. As a freelancer/casual, I have incredibly busy periods and others when things slow down quite a bit. I’m also not a big fan of heavy lifting.
What, so far, has been your career highlight?
A few … mixing FOH for one of my favourite bands as a teen; having an album I mastered indicated for the Victorian music awards; doing RF Management for WOMADelaide, and everything I do at Northern Sound System. But as I said above, every moment when I see the product of my work, be it the audience dancing or a kid plugging in an input list flawlessly, is a highlight.
What is the most blatant example of sexism you have encountered at work?
Blatant used to be more frequent when I was starting out; security telling the tech I was shadowing he couldn’t have his girlfriend at the sound desk, musicians acting surprised when I introduced myself as the in house tech, or asking me out while I was packing down the stage. These days I’m sure it’s still happening, just not to my face anymore.
What advice would you give any woman considering a career in the entertainment industry?
Don’t let anyone tell you it ain’t your place. Seek out peers and supporters; great places to find them are soundgirls.org, Women’s Audio Mission, We Are Moving The Needle, Music Production for Women. There are heaps of groups and organisations to find community and opportunitiesthese days, and more and more people see how important diversity is in all spaces.
What is your career goal?
To continue what I’m currently doing, help artists and communities do achieve their visions, be it in the form of an event, an album, or a film. And to open my studio to the public!
Entech Seminar: Career Pathways in Audio
Catch Luana’s seminar at Entech in Adelaide. Starts at 2.30pm and it’s free. Register at entech-roadshow.com
Career Pathways in Audio introduces the different niches an audio professional can find in different industries, discussing pros and cons and how to plan your career, from the perspective of an industry veteran that worked across all of them internationally.
Luana Moreno is a Sound Engineer originally from Brazil, based in Adelaide. She has delivered several courses and workshops, mainly aimed at musicians and young adults with Northern Sound System, The Push and APRA/AMCOS about both live sound fundamentals and career pathways in the music industry.
