Paul Goldberg
Sound design is a critical part of any top-end film/video production. Recording the voice actors, adding music, sound effects, and mixing the final soundtrack for playback—in an auditorium, home living room, or computer speakers—is craftwork that makes abstract visuals go from superficial to life-like and absorbing. Beginning in the mid ‘90s, Paul Goldberg was the sound master of choice for GLG. He, along with Jason Brown, were the hot young audio engineers at MacDonald Recording Studios in Seattle. When MacDonald Studios ended, Jason went off to found Earforce while Paul stayed in the same facility as MacDonald Recording and rebranded his new venture Pure Audio.
GLG brought nearly all its audio post production to Jason and Paul in the early 2000s, eventually just to Paul when Jason started Jason Brown | Worldwide and took up film producing/directing full-time. Pure Audio was an eclectic place, as recording studios tend to be, full of musicians, agencies, corporate clients, and video game producers. Projects could last for hours or weeks. Budgets could range from $500 to five figures. As technology advanced to create more powerful desktop video editing and audio tools, Pure Audio, like most audio post-production houses in the 2010s, became a challenging business to survive and grow. Production budgets got smaller. Playback venues (thanks to online video) were more often computer speakers than concert halls. So the audio intricacies and sound effects finessing of many commercials and corporate videos were handled “in-house” by agency or corporate video editors, or just cut from the budget entirely.
Pure Audio has lasted 25 years in this environment, which is a tribute to Paul and the stellar team of audio engineers and recording pros who graced those sound-proof studios. The experience has given Paul great perspective on how to run and grow a small business, as well as deal with the many ups and downs that arise. When I met Paul at Kaffeeklatsch in Seattle’s Lake City neighborhood, I wanted to hear more. I was also ready to laugh, because Paul has one of the sharpest minds and quickest wits I know.
Here’s my original LInkedIn post, brief as it was. I was learning how to do this, and Paul was helping me along the way.
“The latest stop in my reconnect tour was a visit with Paul Goldberg, owner and founder of Pure Audio and one of the sharpest, funniest business people I know. Paul’s knowledge of governance and how to operationalize a small business (or new division) is vital stuff for any growing company or corporate board. And did I mention how funny he is? Thanks Paul!”