Help Simone, a Blind Sound Recordist, Rebuild His Career

My name is Simone Gullì, and I am a blind sound recordist. Sound is not just my passion—it is my entire world. As someone without sight, I rely on my other senses, and over the years, sound has become both my creative outlet and my livelihood. Through capturing and creating soundscapes, I’ve found a way to express emotions, tell stories, and connect people through the magic of audio.

But in May 2023, my journey was brought to an abrupt halt. While traveling on a train with my wife Mariel to celebrate our second wedding anniversary, my backpack containing all of my professional recording gear was stolen. The loss of this equipment has been devastating—not just because of its monetary value but because it is crucial to my ability to work and earn a living.

I immediately reported the theft to the railway police, but unfortunately, none of the gear has been recovered. I’ve tried to raise awareness about my situation through social media, but so far, I haven’t received the support I was hoping for. Now, I am reaching out to ask for help from anyone who believes in the importance of sound, art, and creativity.

**Why This Equipment Is So Important to My Work**

As a sound recordist, my work involves creating sound libraries for production companies, capturing unique audio landscapes, and conducting interviews. Every piece of gear that was stolen plays a vital role in this process. Here’s a breakdown of what I lost and why each item is essential:

**• Wearable Binaural Microphones:** These are critical for capturing immersive, first-person recordings, which allow the listener to feel as though they are experiencing the sounds in real-time. They are the foundation of many of the soundscapes I create.

**• Binaural Tripod-Mounted Microphones:** These are used to capture high-quality, professional soundscapes that bring audio to life. They are ideal for recording natural environments, urban atmospheres, and more.

**• Lavaliers and Handheld Microphones:** These are crucial for interviews and field recordings, allowing me to capture clear voices and sounds in any setting, whether I’m working indoors or outdoors, in controlled spaces or in busy environments.

**• Shotgun Microphones:** These specialized mics are designed to pick up concentrated sounds from a distance. They are perfect for capturing the delicate sounds of nature, distant conversations, or focused audio recordings in challenging environments.

**• Tripods, Boom Poles, Stereo Bars, and a Large Backpack:** All of these items are essential for conducting field recordings. They allow me to set up my microphones in precise positions and carry my gear safely and efficiently as I work on location.

**• Lewitt Sub 0 Condenser Microphones:** These ultra-quiet, high-fidelity microphones are used for stereo recordings where clarity and precision are critical. They are perfect for capturing soft, subtle sounds that other microphones might miss.

**• Contact Pickup Microphones:** These mics are designed to record vibrations and sounds that normal microphones cannot capture, such as the subtle hum of a vehicle engine or the vibrations of large surfaces. They are indispensable for certain types of projects.

**• Hydrophones:** These underwater microphones are used to capture immersive audio from below the surface of water, such as the gentle flow of a river or the unique soundscape of a lake. They are crucial for creating audio experiences that go beyond what’s visible to the eye.

**• Digital Recorders (Sony PCM D10, zoom f8, zoom 84 essentials and Zoom F3):** These versatile recorders allow me to capture high-quality audio in various settings, whether I’m working in the field or in a professional studio environment.

**What the Funds Will Be Used For**The money I am hoping to raise will go directly toward replacing all of this stolen equipment so I can continue my work as a sound recordist. Each piece of equipment is an investment in my future as a creator, and with your help, I can get back to doing what I love—creating beautiful, immersive soundscapes for the world to enjoy.

Here’s a breakdown of the costs:

**• Wearable binaural microphones:** These are essential for immersive sound recording and typically cost around $700.

**• Binaural tripod-mounted microphone:** For professional soundscapes, this equipment costs approximately $1,200.

**• Lavalier microphones and handheld mics:** These are needed for interviews and field recordings, with costs totaling about $500 for high-quality sets.

**• Shotgun microphones:** For focused, long-distance recording, shotgun mics cost around $1,000.

**• Tripods, boom poles, stereo bars, and a large backpack:** Field recording requires sturdy and reliable equipment, costing approximately $800 for the full set.

**• Lewitt Sub 0 condenser microphones:** Ultra-quiet stereo recordings require high-end equipment, which costs around $1,500 for a pair.

**• Contact pickup microphones:** These specialized mics cost about $300 for a pair.

**• Professional hydrophones:** Recording underwater environments requires hydrophones, which cost around $1,000 for a set.

**• Digital recorders (Sony PCM D10, zoom f8, zoom h4 essentials and Zoom F3):** For high-quality recordings in different environments, these recorders cost around$1,400 in total.

In total, I am looking to raise around $8,400 to fully replace all of my equipment.

**Why Your Support Matters**

As a blind sound recordist, my ability to capture and create sound is my livelihood, my passion, and my connection to the world. Without this equipment, I am unable to work, and it has left me feeling both frustrated and heartbroken. But I refuse to give up—I know there are generous people out there who understand how vital sound is to the world of art and storytelling.

If you can find it in your heart to donate, even the smallest amount will bring me one step closer to rebuilding my career. Your generosity will directly help me continue creating soundscapes that inspire, uplift, and tell stories in ways that only audio can.

**As a Thank You**

To show my gratitude, I will send each donor a special sound recording as a token of thanks, along with a personalized message. It’s my way of sharing a piece of my world with you and thanking you for your kindness and support.

**Donate Now to Help Me Rebuild My Life’s Work**

Your support means everything to me. Together, we can overcome this setback and ensure that the world of sound continues to grow and thrive. Please consider donating today—every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.