iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 14/09/2026

My latest guest on the Sound Business podcast is the wonderful Presley Hynes (@phrequencies.bsky.social)! We talk about how Presley started as a classical piano player before studying game audio, what she recommends up and coming sound designers do to stand out, and more! Link in bio to listen!

A promotional image for Akash Thakkar's Sound Business podcast featuring guest Presley Hynes.

070

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 23/07/2026

Super happy to host Tim Larkin on the Sound Business Podcast! We discuss his pivot from being a gigging trumpet player, to finding his first game audio job, working at Valve as a composer, his new jazz album, and so much more! Link in bio to listen! Available on all podcast platforms!

A promotional image for the Sound Business Podcast featuring composer Tim Larkin

071

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 17/06/2026

Thrilled to host @bolttracks.bsky.social on the Sound Business Podcast! We discuss his 2022 pivot from music to game audio, learning skills fast with zero experience, and landing a role at Sucker Punch on Ghost of Yotei. Link in bio to listen! Available on all podcast platforms!

A promotional image for the Sound Business Podcast featuring audio designer Christopher Bolte

0110

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 15/04/2026

Today's episode of the Sound Business podcast features the wonderful Virginia Leo! In this episode, we talk about game jams, working on The Baby in Yellow, and building a fun & sustainable career in game audio after a classical music upbringing. Available on all podcast platforms!

Podcast promotion image for an episode of the Sound Business podcast featuring Virginia Leo

010

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 14/04/2026

The Sound Business Podcast just hit 100k downloads! I started in it in 2021 as a 30 episode side project. Now 5 years and 93 episodes later, it's still going strong. Thanks for listening, and there's plenty more to come! Available in any podcast app for your listening pleasure!

A screenshot showing that The Sound Business Podcast hosted by Akash Thakkar has hit 102,000 downloads.

071

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 02/07/2025

Our guest today on the Sound Business Podcast is Alejandro Pérez Heinze! We talk about Alejandro’s broad career path, his unique skillset and how it landed him work in the game audio industry, and so much more. Link in bio for the full episode!

062

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 18/06/2025

Our guest today on the Sound Business Podcast is Venus Theory! We dive into Venus Theory’s rise as a musician due to YouTube, how he landed the Avowed project, how he bounces his many creative outlets, and so much more. Link in bio for the full episode!

090

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 21/05/2025

Our guest today on the Sound Business Podcast is Jamie Brindle! We talk about the skills, mindsets, and experiences that freelancers need to develop to make sure that their career in audio thrives, and so much more. Link in bio for the full episode!

031

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 07/05/2025

I'll be speaking at AirCon25 with quite a lovely crew of people! Schedule and details coming soon!

A poster revealing a list of speakers at this year's AirCon game audio conference

0203

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 07/05/2025

Our guest today on the Sound Business Podcast is Alexander Brandon! We talk about Alexander’s initial start in game audio, his views on starting a business as an artist, working on games to eventually leading teams, and so much more. Link in bio for the full episode!

070

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 23/04/2025

Our guest today on the Sound Business Podcast is Radhika Vekaria! We dive deep into Radhika’s Indian music upbringing, how she became a mantra based artist in the first place, and so much more. Link in bio for the full episode!

020

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 09/04/2025

Our guest today on the Sound Business Podcast is Devendra Cleary! We talk about what a production sound mixer does, how he got started in film sound, his work on Twisters recording actors in huge windstorms, and so much more. Link in bio for the full episode!

0152

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 15/03/2025

Reminder! I’ll be at GDC all week and speaking with some wonderful panelists (@ryanikeaudio.bsky.social @jjerion.bsky.social @charlieartifact.bsky.social @zeeodd.bsky.social) on Monday! See you there!

0174

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 10/03/2025

I'll be speaking at GDC next week! Come see our talk, or if you see me wandering about, come say hello! You'll probably find me trying to order the largest sushi burrito that money can buy, screaming and gesticulating wildly, but don't let that stop you from saying hi!

Graphic that describes a talk that Akash Thakkar, Ryan Ike, Charlie Harper, Jess Erion, and Ziyad Duron will be giving at GDC 2025.

Title: Fostering a Culture of Clear Communication in Game Dev
Location: Room 2005, West Hall
Date: Monday, March 17th
Time: 4:40PM - 5:10PM

0205

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 31/01/2025

I've been working really hard at improving my Second Brain system, and while customizing it to my workflow is helping me greatly with staying on task with ADHD, it's even more fun to see the graph of all of my connected thoughts, tasks, and ideas grow.

240

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 29/01/2025

Our guest today on the Sound Business Podcast is Chong The Nomad! We talk about Alda’s musical upbringing—her choice to go to music school, her realizations with the business side of her music career, and so much more. Link in bio for the full episode!

093

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 26/01/2025

Heeey I just hit 6000 subscribers on my newsletter where I give out free game audio tips, courses, and career advice! Hooray! Thanks friends!

2171

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 24/01/2025

Very kind words on the sound design for Hyper Light Breaker! Thanks DualShockers and @cutiemonica.bsky.social !

As far as general sound design goes, this game hits it out of the park, with absolutely meaty, chunky sounds on each hit that sell each weapon design, especially the heavy weapons.

Everything feels immensely satisfying to perform, and I think that's in big part due to the sound effects, so l'd be remiss not to give them their flowers and say that they hit it out of the park.

1202

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 22/01/2025

I got that $100 ultrasonic mic I was talking about in my previous video! This is the SO.4 from Sonorous Objects. Haven't tested it yet, but if it gets anywhere close to the $2500 Sanken CO-100K, then that'd be great! AND LOOK HOW TINY IT IS! Yes, I have monstrously gigantic hands, but STILL!

6421

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 15/01/2025

Our guest today on the Sound Business Podcast is Mikey J! We talk about Mikey’s musical upbringing as a child of African immigrants in the United Kingdom, his recent work on the movie Kneecap, and so much more. Link in bio for the full episode!

060

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 11/12/2024

Our guest today on the Sound Business Podcast is Dror Mohar! We talk about he started playing in bands, transitioned to becoming a mixing engineer and roadie, how he transitioned from mixing into sound design in Hollywood, and so much more. Link in bio for the full episode!

050

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 01/12/2024

Did some Jiu Jitsu with @slide20xx.bsky.social and Adam Croft today!

Three people doing Jiu Jitsu on mats inside of a dojo

2110

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 27/11/2024

Our guest today on the Sound Business Podcast is Andy Martin! We talk about the winding path Andy took into the world of professional audio, Andy’s love of nature recording and how’s he’s turned it into a business, and so much more. Link in bio for the full episode!

1144

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 19/11/2024

Did a THREE HOUR judo lesson this morning working on just one throw. Can’t wait for more!

3240

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 01/11/2024

Look at all those sweet sweet extra frequencies from the ultrasonic mic (Sanken CO-100K) vs the Rode NTG 2. Lots of benefits when recording beyond the human range of hearing. Video coming soon!

0330

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 31/10/2024

Our guest today on the Sound Business Podcast is Raison Varner! We talk about how to stand out as someone who’s interested in working across multiple disciplines, the deep psychology of working as a team in gave development, and so much more. Link in bio for the full episode!

1131

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 29/10/2024

I can safely say that “Peabody-winning sound designer” wasn’t on my bingo card for 2024. Massive credit and thanks to everyone on the We Are OFK team!

8350

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 27/10/2024

Making a little video on ultrasonic mics (the Sanken CO-100K in particular) and comparing them to a regular mic’s recording/pitch shifting potential. Side note: Judo + Jiu Jitsu gis make for excellent sound deadening!

2200

Akash Thakkar @akashthakkar.com · 25/10/2024

I saw this sign in my neighborhood today, and it's a great case for niching down. 🧵 1/7 #gameaudio

A sign on a post that is advertising a service that teaches people how to do a backflip.

2120