NICE TO MEET YOU

I'm Donny Baker

After graduating with a communications degree, I was ready for my big adventure. I packed the truck, kissed Mamma goodbye, and moved to the big city of Los Angeles, California.
I was fortunate that, as a teenager, my family moved to England (UK) for business. That opened a lot of ideas about what I wanted to be when I grew up. We lived there for 4 years. I actually graduated high school there.
I met a legit "Rock Star" on the plane while traveling to the UK. Pat Travers is a rock star from Canada and was on his way to play a show in London. We sat next to each other the entire flight and just talked about cool it was to be in the music game. I thought then that this is what I was meant to do. The rest of this story is pretty cool, and I don't think I would change a thing.

"My life is incredible. I thoroughly enjoy doing what I do for a living. There is nothing else."

My Story

When I first moved to LA, I didn’t know anyone, have friends or family to help. I was alone. I lived in my truck for months before finally meeting like-minded people who helped me get that first “gig.”

I had become a better “sound guy,” and people began to notice. I was getting calls for work from people I had not yet met. Simply via "Word of Mouth."

I was working when and where I could. Bars, Clubs, Rehearsal studios. Anywhere where musicians and bands hung out. I put myself in the light to ensure I was seen and, more importantly, heard.

I finally got on a short tour with a working band as a drum tech ( I took care of the drummer and his equipment ). That got me another gig and then another. Then I met a guy on one of those tours connected with an extensive management company. I got on a tour with one of those bands. WAY more significant than the ones I had been working on. Now we were playing in larger arenas and theaters. 

From there, things escalated to bigger and longer tours with more and more money each time. My longest tour was 18 months. But I was working for a pretty big artist that is still quite famous.

Why I Do It

I toured as an audio engineer for almost 14 years until I met my incredible wife while touring with Michael Bolton.

When we got married, I came off the road. It was time to settle down. We started our family straight away. I worked around Los Angeles for a bit but wanted to be happier with the type of work I was doing. In a nutshell, I needed to improve at working for other people. I was always a freelance type of guy. 

My wife wanted to be near her family and friends while pregnant with our Son. We moved to Indianapolis, IN, and I worked for more awesome musicians and bands there than anywhere else. Everyone wanted to work with the LA sound guy.

After our Son was born and things began to settle down, it was time to move back to a warmer climate. ( I don’t know how you guys do the bitter cold of the midwest) Props to you.

We moved back to LA, and I took a job working for a national company that installed commercial sound systems. I worked there for almost six years. I thought that now that I have a family, I’ve got to have a “Real Job.” 

Long story short, I was unhappy and needed to return to being me. So, I quit the “Job” and went back to being a freelance audio engineer.

I thought, “Hey, working in a studio can’t be that bad,” So I found a studio that needed some help building and growing. I started working there as an engineer and quickly learned I could run the place. I set myself as the manager of that studio. About six years in, the studio's owner decided to do something else. We bought him out, and now we own the studio.

Things at that point changed for the better. We were now able to grow our studio brand into something super vibey, and our clients love coming to work here because of that family vibe that we possess.

My wife and I have owned and operated ES Audio Services in Los Angeles, CA for 21 years. My wife is great at all the business stuff, including Bills, Money, Banks, and Insurance. I do the day-to-day running of the facility.
I still get to be an  engineer and I get to work on some fantastic projects.

Why I Teach / Mentor

I am passionate about teaching and mentoring aspiring audio engineers both remotely and hands-on in the studio. This immersive, hands-on approach is the most effective way to truly master audio engineering. Dive in and engage with real-world experiences under my guidance.

Our learning platform provides personalized one-on-one coaching, available remotely or in person. From my experience, this tailored approach is unparalleled in effectiveness. Our curriculum is robust, complete with assignments that reinforce learning.

Here’s where you come in. I’m dedicated to teaching, guiding, and coaching you to achieve your goals as an Audio Engineer, Producer, or Studio Owner.

At LPR Sound Foundation, we go beyond technical skills. We equip you with the insights and strategies to succeed as a business professional in the audio industry, navigating both the triumphs and challenges. Join us, and let’s transform your passion into a thriving career.