#166 - SoundTools Special Episode @ NAMM 2020 with Dave Rat • DcSoundOp

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In this Episode we hang out with SoundTools founder Dave Rat for an inside look at what they have been up to since we talked at last year’s show. It is always fun spending time with the SoundTools crew and this year at The 2020 NAMM show was no different. Anyone who made it out to the show knows how much of an attraction their booth is each day from show open to close. I can’t thank the whole crew enough for coming in early and helping me shoot this video. The energy and enthusiasm for their work and how much of that goes into each product sent out the door is genuine and impressive for a company of any size.

The pace of iteration in the SoundTools shop can be challenging to keep up with as they constantly take on feedback from the field and tweak previous designs on the fly. Talking with Dave about how they work, it is really interesting to hear his criticism of their own products. The culture he is developing in his shop pushes the team to try new solutions, experiment with new ideas and always be willing to iterate on designs as technology changes. The complexity of this approach at scale shouldn’t be underestimated. Although simple in theory, it is a huge challenge to be managed on a daily basis. Dave takes it all in stride though, with a laser focus on refining the process of bringing products to life. Knowing what he has accomplished on the production side of Rat Sound, it is incredibly exciting to watch him take these new challenges on.

It seems so much work in the industry is now done by committee and product development decisions made at the direction of accounting departments. It can often be difficult for me to even get an interview with anyone who has anything to do with the design process. Small shops are incredibly hard to keep running & Dave’s ideas of sustainability, design iteration and making products professionals really need is something I genuinely hope to see him continue long into the future.