From an early age, Bella Cooper was drawn to music, a passion that would eventually lead her to a career in the pro audio industry. Originally from the UK, Bella grew up in the countryside outside Melbourne, Australia, and then returned to the UK on her own in 2017. Her journey into audio began while working at a caf\u00e9 in Bath, where she decided to pursue music production and business at BIMM in 2020. Her path was anything but linear, but through volunteering, networking, and a lot of hard work, she became a versatile sound professional, holding roles such as Production Coordinator, stage tech, front-of-house and monitor engineer, and L-Acoustics L-ISA playback events consultant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt the moment, I\u2019m working full-time as a Production Coordinator for Outernet Venues in London. Alongside this, I\u2019ve been freelancing as a stage and Ableton technician for Matthew Herbert, working as a FOH\/MONs engineer on a freelance basis, and providing pre-production and technical support for L-ISA playback events,\u201d she shares. \u201cWhile I sometimes feel like a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, exploring these different roles has been incredibly valuable and has allowed me to develop a well-rounded skill set across live sound, production, and spatial audio.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella\u2019s initial entry into the industry was forged through determination. As she explains, she \u201cstarted by simply throwing myself out there, seeking any opportunity that might bring me closer to working in live events.\u201d Her first steps were shadowing sound engineers at Caf\u00e9 OTO, which led to a summer job with a small PA company\u2014her first professional live sound gig. She later gained valuable experience as a warehouse operative at Britannia Row Productions, where she learned how large audio rigs are assembled. This foundational knowledge helped her land touring roles as a front-of-house engineer for artists like Saint Levant, KAWALA, SOFY, and stage technician for Matthew Herbert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella reflects that while her career hasn\u2019t been a straight line, she finds it rewarding. \u201cMy journey definitely hasn\u2019t been linear, and I\u2019m sure it will continue to be full of surprises, but I love the work I\u2019m doing now, and there\u2019s still so much more I want to learn,\u201d she says. One of her biggest challenges has been overcoming internal mental barriers and the pressure to prove herself, but she credits the support of her early colleagues for helping her build confidence. \u201cI was incredibly lucky that the first group of people I met in the industry were so supportive and encouraging,\u201d she notes. \u201cThey believed in me from the start, trusted that I could do the job, gave me guidance when I needed it, and otherwise let me get on with things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She also believes in the importance of persistence, especially when faced with challenges. \u201cI\u2019ve had to give myself more than a few pep talks along the way, and still do, but that persistence is part of what\u2019s kept me here,\u201d she shares. This resolve was tested during a \u201cnightmarish\u201d gig earlier this year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAbout 30 minutes before doors, I realized I hadn\u2019t saved a scene on the sound desk, and I still had to soundcheck a support band, all while dealing with a cascade of other issues that decided to happen that same evening. At that moment, I genuinely thought, \u2018This is it. This is the end of me.\u2019 But I had no choice except to push through. It was, without question, the worst show I\u2019ve ever done. And yet\u2026 I\u2019m still here.\u201d She explains her mental process during these moments: \u201cWhen I hit challenges like that, I tell myself: \u2018I need to solve this. I can<\/em> solve this. I will<\/em> solve this.\u2019 Staying focused is key, though it\u2019s easier said than done when chaos is unfolding around you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella has firsthand experience with the unique challenges women face in a male-dominated field. She notes that while people may make assumptions based on appearance, the biggest hurdle is the lack of infrastructure to support women who want to start families. \u201cThe system is quietly designed to push women out at some point,\u201d she explains. Bella highlights the difficulty of balancing a career in live events, which involves long, irregular hours and physically demanding conditions, with the demands of pregnancy and early parenthood. \u201cThe question becomes: do you have children first and try to figure the career part out later, or do you wait until you\u2019re \u2018established enough,\u2019 knowing that could mean delaying for years?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She points to the need for better support systems, like proper parental leave, and initiatives that work for freelancers. She cites the “Pregnancy and Motherhood in the Live Music Industry” survey, which reports that many women feel forced to make career decisions purely to protect their longevity in live sound. \u201cIt\u2019s still a topic many avoid discussing with colleagues, for fear it might cost them the next job,\u201d she says. \u201cIt shouldn\u2019t be that way; we should have the freedom to choose both family and career without penalty, or the fear of losing our place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella also believes a lack of representation in education and the media contributes to the low number of women in pro audio. A point from her university research has remained with her: \u201cTechnology isn\u2019t inherently masculine or gendered, it\u2019s just how our society has shaped it to be. That really gets to the heart of it. The barrier isn\u2019t the technology itself, but the cultural messaging, lack of spotlight on visible role models, and the limited access routes that have traditionally excluded or discouraged women.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n To combat this, she advocates for earlier exposure to technology, stronger representation of women in technical roles, and mentorship programs to help dismantle stereotypes. \u201cThe good news is that I am seeing more of these changes happen, which is encouraging,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella\u2019s advice to other new women in pro audio is simple yet powerful. \u201cDon\u2019t wait until you feel \u2018ready.\u2019 Jump in, say yes to opportunities, and figure things out as you go. It might feel daunting, and you might mess up sometimes, but you\u2019ll learn and grow from those moments.\u201d She emphasizes the importance of building a supportive network of people who genuinely want to see you succeed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The best advice she ever received was from another engineer. \u201cIf your EQ on the desk screen looks a little crazy, but it sounds great and you\u2019re happy, don\u2019t let anyone tell you it\u2019s wrong,\u201d Bella says. \u201cThis was a perfect reminder that the end result\u2014the sound\u2014is all that truly matters.\u201d She adds, \u201cYou belong here if you want to be here. Don\u2019t let anyone make you feel otherwise. There will be moments when you may not feel welcome or like you fit in, but stand your ground. You deserve your place just as much as anyone else in the room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to career growth, Bella says some of the best resources for her have been conversations with other established engineers, especially at festivals. \u201cI\u2019ll often ask about their career and any tips or wisdom they\u2019re willing to share,\u201d she says. \u201cThose chats have been invaluable.\u201d She also credits Google as a surprisingly helpful tool. \u201cThere\u2019s an incredible amount of information out there, and while it can be overwhelming to know where on earth to start, it\u2019s pretty amazing how much you can learn just by searching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among her most memorable professional experiences was a gig in Saudi Arabia, where she spent the day troubleshooting an audio interface, only to be helped by Chet Faker. \u201cI then spent the rest of the day trekking around in the heat hunting for a replacement interface,\u201d she recalls. \u201cThen, while waiting backstage between sets, a stray kitten appeared from the rocks and hung out near the stage. We were in the middle of the desert surrounded by huge rocks; it was quite something.\u201d On top of that, it turned out one of the production team members had gone to school with Bella\u2019s cousin in the UK. \u201cThe whole experience felt completely surreal,\u201d she says. \u201cLooking back, it seems hilarious, not real, and it was definitely one big learning experience. (Always take a backup interface, ha!).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She also loves her current role as a stage technician for Matthew Herbert and Momoko Gill, where she works with a highly interactive Ableton setup. \u201cIt\u2019s been a great challenge because it involves a lot of MIDI ins and outs, plus various sends going to and from different points on stage,\u201d she explains. She also has fond memories of working with the band SOFY, whom she describes as \u201cgreat musicians and even better people.\u201d She explains that working with a supportive team makes it much easier to overcome challenges together. \u201cWorking with nice people who genuinely trust you makes a huge difference,\u201d she says. \u201cYou can be honest in the moment when something\u2019s not right or needs changing, and you\u2019re treated like a human being: someone who can make mistakes, fix them, and grow from them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella\u2019s favorite part of her job is that \u201cthere\u2019s never really a dull moment. Every day is different, and one of the biggest joys is meeting and working with new people; it\u2019s the people that really make the job.\u201d She also loves walking away from a shift having learned something new. \u201cRecently, working on L-ISA playback events has been exactly that, an incredible learning experience,\u201d she says. \u201cThe technology is so exciting, and every time I work with it, I feel like I\u2019m expanding my skills in ways that keep me inspired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regarding skills and tips, Bella cautions that she\u2019s aware of how subjective these tips are and understands that they\u2019re unique to each person in the pro sound industry. With that said, she recommends focusing on two things. First, learning to build show files on offline editors. \u201cNot only does it help you understand how a particular desk functions, it\u2019s incredibly useful when traveling between festivals or venues,\u201d she says. Second, understanding the gain structure on a desk. \u201cWhen I first started, I was intimidated by that gain pot\u2026 but getting a solid grasp on gain structure has been transformative. It allows you to get the best out of each instrument, control feedback, and approach the desk with confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bella is hopeful for the future of live events, especially as she sees more artists prioritizing immersive experiences. \u201cRight now, I\u2019m really enjoying shows that have clearly had a lot of thought put into the production. Things like set design, costumes, and a bit of storytelling are woven through. Chappell Roan is a perfect example and a real benchmark for that at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She\u2019s also excited by the potential of spatial audio for live shows. \u201cI\u2019m also excited by immersive shows, like those from Max Cooper. He combines lasers, lights, and cutting-edge technology to create incredible, interactive visuals, especially when paired with live spatial audio. Even on a smaller scale, I love seeing artists create a full experience for their audience. It just elevates the whole show and makes it something truly memorable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find Bella on Instagram at @bellamaecooper.sound<\/a>, on her website<\/a>, and on her DJ account: @bellaunwin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Read last month’s Women in Pro Audio interview here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In this month’s Women in Pro Audio series, we got the chance to interview Bella Cooper, a versatile sound professional.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":245135,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"news_tags":"","footnotes":""},"news-tag":[355],"class_list":["post-871255","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-tag-women-in-pro-audio"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bella-Cooper-Setting-up-for-Matthew-Herbert-in-Zurich-2025.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Journey into Pro Audio<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Persistence Pays Off<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unique Challenges for Women in Pro Audio<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bella-Cooper-Mixing-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nVisibility <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Advice for Other Women in Pro Audio<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Favorite Moments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why She Does It<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Very-Early-Days-2022-The-year-I-started-doing-sound-1024x668.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBella’s Pro Tips<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Bella-Cooper-FOH-at-Omeara-Technical-Manager.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n