Yes, I know what a Scarlet is
So for those of you who don’t know (which is completely ok by the way), a Scarlet refers to a brand of recording devices that are used to translate sound between your microphone into editable sounds bites in your computer.
I was buying my brand new Yamaha P-125 keyboard which I had saved up for a long time to buy. I went to the (they-who-shall-not-be-named) big box retailer music store to buy one because they had a great warrantee.
Unfortunately, sexism runs as rampant as unsupervised children at the mall on a Friday night do in these stores, so this wasn’t unexpected but just disappointing.
I had them put my keyboard aside for me before I arrived so I could grab and go and go mess around with it. When they were ringing me out, they kept repeatedly asking me, “Do you have everything you need? Do you have a sustain pedal and piano bench?” I get it they’re sales people but I answered yes multiple times because this wasn’t my first keyboard.
I noticed a Scarlet Solo sitting in it’s box on the counter by the register. Thinking it might be discounted or an open box, I asked how much it was. I got the best response, “that’s a recording device.”
Simmering with rage, I answered, “Yes I know that, I was asking how much this was.” He ignored my question and kept going about my purchase.
Maybe he was just busy, but part of being a woman in a man’s world means knowing when you’re being belittled, even if it’s not blatantly obvious.
*There were other small things that were off putting that made me feel like he wasn’t seriously, I promise it wasn’t just that comment.*
All of this ranting to say, fellow ladies in music, music tech, and any male dominated industry- hang in there. If your instincts are telling that you’re being belittled or not taken seriously, you’re probably right so trust yourself.
If you’re anything like me and interactions like this make you feel small, please sit up straight, put your shoulders back, and keep your head up. No one is meant to feel small, especially not you. It’s ok to be upset, please do, but know at the end of the day they do not define you and you’re not alone.
That got a little deep for a rant about recording gear lol but truly this goes for anyone in any scenario where you’re made to feel small. I’ve just experienced this treatment the most with being a woman in a male dominated field.
