Designing and Building Microphones with Charlene Gibbs at Ohma World

Join Women’s Audio Mission on Saturday, October 5th, from 2-5 pm for an exclusive workshop with Ohma, renowned for their innovative and unparalleled microphone designs that deliver exceptional audio quality. This workshop will be held at Ohma's studio, providing a unique opportunity to learn directly from microphone designer Charlene Gibbs of Ohma.

• Gain a Deep Understanding of Microphone Technology: Participants will learn the make-up of a microphone and how its various components function as well as how they are tested.
• Ask Questions and Get Tips: Engage in an open Q&A session to deepen your understanding of microphone technology and its applications. This is your chance to get personalized advice and tips from an industry leader.
• Customize the Look and Sound of an Ohma Microphone: Experience the process of customizing the look and sound of an Ohma microphone with different colors and screen designs to hear the changes in tonality.
• Networking Session: After the workshop, enjoy a networking session with drinks and snacks, offering a great opportunity to connect with fellow participants and industry professionals in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

This workshop creates a supportive and collaborative environment where you can enhance your technical skills, ask questions freely, and connect with other women and gender-expansive individuals in the audio community!

Participants will also have the opportunity to purchase their customized Ohma microphone with a special WAM discount!

• Date: October 5th
• Time: 2 - 5 pm
• Location: Ohma World at 1181 Williams St. Monterey Park, CA. 91754

• GA: $50
• Member: $40
• Access Discount: $35

Please note that the Access Discount is available only to women and gender-expansive individuals. If you are able to pay the General Admission or WAM Member Admission price, we hope you will choose to do so. Each full-price ticket helps WAM support the training of those with limited ability to pay for training.

Charlene Nahneen Kula Gibbs (they/them) is a multifaceted audio engineer, designer, and musician based in Los Angeles. With a deep passion for audio technology, Char has built studios and designed their own preamps, compressors, and microphones. At AEA Ribbon Mics, they were key in designing the RPQ2 preamp and the KU5A supercardioid ribbon mic, and they traveled globally to educate others on recording techniques.

Char later joined Soyuz Microphones, where they helped design the Launcher and led brand rebranding efforts. They have also consulted on design, marketing, and media for prestigious audio brands like D.W. Fearn, Josephson, Hazelrigg Industries, Latch Lake, Focal, Manley, and Rupert Neve Designs.

In addition to design and engineering, Char is a versatile freelance audio engineer and video producer, collaborating as a background vocalist and vocal arranger with bands such as Pomplamoose and Bartees Strange, while also creating and performing their own music.

Char holds a patent and has another pending with Sammy Rothman for Ohma Microphones' acoustical structure concept and design, demonstrating their commitment to advancing audio technology.

A passionate advocate for queerness, trans rights, and mental health, Char is dedicated to making a positive impact in their community.

Ohma is renowned for its innovative and high-quality microphone designs, delivering exceptional audio clarity and performance. Dedicated to pushing the boundaries of audio technology, Ohma creates microphones that are both versatile and reliable, catering to the needs of audio professionals worldwide. Their commitment to excellence and innovation sets them apart in the industry, making them a trusted choice for those seeking superior sound quality.

Learn more at Ohma Microphones.

Women's Audio Mission courses focus on increasing the gender balance in audio production and technology sectors since fewer than 5% of the population employed in these sectors are women and gender-expansive individuals. There are limited spots available in WAM classes, and they often sell out, so we ask that if you are not woman-identified (cisgender or transgender), nonbinary, or gender-expansive, you reconsider enrolling in the class. We will not turn anyone away, but please be mindful that if you take up a seat in the class, that is one less woman, non-binary, or gender-expansive individual that we can serve. We thank you for your understanding in advance and for joining us in our mission to advance women and girls in music production and the recording arts.

By purchasing a ticket for this event, I grant Women's Audio Mission and its staff, volunteers, professional photographers, and the media the absolute right and permission to take during the Event, and to use and publish, photographs of me, still or moving, with or without my name, and to reproduce same through any media, for artistic, promotional, advertising, web content or other commercial and non-commercial purposes, and I shall not be entitled to any monetary compensation of any kind in respect thereof.

This event is proudly sponsored by Sweetwater, supporting Women's Audio Mission's programming and events in LA and Nashville.

Visit our to learn more about our upcoming offerings.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Ohma World, 1181 Williams Street, Monterey Park, United States