I tried to get into doing sound design semi-professionally as I can no longer play the instruments I used to play.

After doing free work for some companies like Wavea, ChowDSP, Phuturetone, etc., I thought I would do some more ambitious projects and reach out to companies to ask if they wanted to partner with me for a release.

I ended up speaking with some companies, sending them my projects, and they actually showed interest in them. Upon even mentioning wanting to be paid for my work I ended up getting ignored (funny how that works, eh?).

So here are my final 3 projects. $5 each (with price parity in case you are buying outside of the US, up to 40% discount off of $5 USD depending on the value of your currency).

Any support would be greatly appreciated. Being 30 and living in my parents basement in one of the most expensive US states is just fucking sad. My family is honestly great but, fuck, anything to help me get out of here will go a long way.

1. Ultimate Production Toolbox for Kilohearts Snap Heap Modular VST/AU Effect
https://matthewbcarter.gumroad.com/l/SnapHeapUltimateToolbox

Over 150 Multi-Effects Presets for all different instruments/applications.

Video Demo of Snap Heap Toolbox

2. Organic Electronic SoundBank for Dawesome Zyklop VST/AU Synth (50+ Cinematic Presets)

https://matthewbcarter.gumroad.com/l/OrganicElectronicforZyklop

These presets were carefully crafted to be versatile for use in many different genres of music, but are (in my opinion) best suited to ambient, cinematic, downtempo, liquid dnb, and experimental music productions, as well as sound design.

Video Demo for Organic Electronic:

3. Black Sand for Newfangled Audio Generate VST/AU Synth (59 Dark Cinematic Presets)

https://matthewbcarter.gumroad.com/l/blacksand

A diverse collection of dark cinematic presets for the unique Generate synth by Newfangled Audio. This preset pack contains between 50 and 60 fully modulatable presets.

Video Demo for Black Sand:

I won't mind if these end up getting posted on the sister site. The more people who use these, the happier I am. If you end up liking them just consider buying it on Gumroad and leaving a review.

Sorry for the self-promotion. I was really hoping to work with some of these companies. This is kind of the only way to make back a bit for the amount of time I spent on this. These aren't bullshit throwaway low quality products. I put a lot of effort and time into them.

If you don't want to buy any of these, no problem! I would appreciate you even checking them out, and judging my work.

Thank a ton.

Matthew B. Carter

 

So, uhhh, I might just be screaming into the void here, but can anyone give me some feedback as to what the fuck I can actually do with these projects?

Had anyone partnered with Splice to sell a sample or preset pack, and could tell me about their experience?

Would anyone be interested in trying these out and giving me feedback?

Is the price too high? Should I make a limited set out of the full products for people to trial for free?

 

Feedback?? Fie Dowwah. We feedback you long time!

 

If you want feedback, you should consider sharing something. People around here have looked at countless commercial project files and project bundles, so you’d probably get decent feedback.

 

Great job! Will buy those soon!

 

I have worked with Splice, and they generally want you to have a name for yourself, or it helps if you know someone there.

My advice. Make a few more packs over the next week. Make a simple website and a way to collect emails / email newsletter or just use gumroad. Put the new packs up on gumroad as paid packs, keep the price affordable. At the same time release these three packs for free. They do sound excellent. Great presets. Release them, push a month or two of ads, using google and meta, telling people about your free packs. Also post everywhere you can think of, including the sister site free section, reddit etc. Have chatgpt help you develop the ad, as well as helping to find more places to post. The ad should be short and sweet, but long enough to include sound / video snippets of what you consider the best couple of presets. The hope is that the ads will direct traffic to your gumroad, and the free packs will resonate with people enough that they are encouraged to buy your paid packs to not only get more presets, but also to support you.

You may sell a few packs here and there by just posting here, but if you are taking this seriously, and want to generate some actual income, you need to think of this as a business, and operate as such.

 

I just came here just to throw a punch line like "ey wait a minute... that's no sharing, that's selling!" and ended buying your packs.

I also love Generate, such and underrated synth, your presets kicks right in the mood.

Good work man! Keep going!

Cheers!

 

Thank you guys a lot! Feels good having at least a couple people check these out and buy them. I genuinely put a lot of time and work into these. Tried to make it something that I would actually find myself using in my own productions haha.

 

I really appreciate the thoughtful and detailed feedback. Not surprised that Splice isn't willing to just work with anyone, but that's part of the issue I encountered trying to worm with companies.

I wanted to work with companies, so I did a bunch of free work for smaller companies to build a portfolio, but then when I went to larger companies, they didn't want to pay me because I don't have a large following and haven't worked with large companies .

I suck at marketing admittedly. My email inbox is full of UAD, Tracktion, Waves, Nembrini, Safari Pedals sending me daily emails trying to buy their stuff. I didn't want to contribute to that spam culture, but maybe its the only way to reach people nowadays. I'll check out sending emails out via Gumroad to people who've bought my previous work. I'm also going to post these to some sound design and music production subreddits.

Google and Meta ads are a great idea and would definitely help as I have a some good products and decent marketing. I genuinely don't have the money to pay for that at the moment.

Unfortunately I can't make all 3 of these free, as I put too much time and work into them. I would make some more free products to gain a larger audience, but there's little incentive to put more hours into this line of work if there's 0 net payoff. I never expected to be a millionaire off of sound design, but I've made around $80 USD total off of all of my (paid) projects so far.

I will make my Analog Escape for Invader 2 pack permanently free though.

I will also make one of these packs free for a limited time every once in a while and share it here.

Thanks a lot for the advice!

 

Don't you have your own website with a PayPal button?
Man, you need your own web presence!
WIX - Create a website without limits - Free https://www.wix.com

You need a Developer Account at KVR. YouTube Channel

Here is my Account and my webpage !!!

Sonic Sirius - Synthesizer Soundsets
Freeware Soundsets for Software and Hardware Synthesizer
https://ohlenbostelhelge.wixsite.com/sonic-sirius-sound-d

KVR: www.kvraudio.com/developer/sonic-sirius
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FutureNoise1

 

i'll pick up the new fangled generate pack next payday, but honestly i'm in one of the more expensive cities too and like half my monthly income goes to rent, and im in a crappy studio apartment. im just a mailman, im broke af too bro. shit really sucks right now. i'd love to vent more of my feelings but my comment would certainly be removed.

 

Apply for KVR Developer Access

• Visit the official KVR Developer Access Application page: https://www.kvraudio.com/developer_application.php.
• Fill out the form with:
  • Your company/developer name (or your own if solo).
  • Your role (e.g., owner, representative).
  • Contact details (email, website).
  • A brief description of your products.
• Submit the application. KVR's team will review it and may contact you for verification (e.g., proof you're authorized for the developer account).
• Approval is typically quick for verified applicants, granting you Administrator or Editor access to manage your brand.

If you are a developer you can link it automatically and when users go to the KVR page they can click on Soundware and then go to your product page. https://www.kvraudio.com/product/snap-heap-by-kilohearts

 

I didn't know you were Sonic Sirius! I've used quite a few of your presets. You make some great, high quality sounds.

I'll look into applying with KVR. Had no idea that was even an option. Thanks for all the info.

 

You can also offer your products via email to the following websites.

https://synthanatomy.com
https://rekkerd.org
https://bedroomproducersblog.com
https://sonicstate.com/news

 

Thanks @MBC_Music, every beginning is difficult. I wish you much success, keep at it, and stay independent. PayPal offers free donation buttons. https://developer.paypal.com/api/nvp-soap/paypal-payments-standard/integration-guide/donate-step-1

 

Hey man! I think a part of the challenge is these VSTs aren’t as ubiquitous as stuff like Serum, Analog Lab, Omnisphere, etc. If your goal is to generate some income (vs working in your favorite synths), I think it’s important to make presets for synths most people own. I’m not saying you should stop what you’re doing, but focusing on presets for niche VSTs is a tough gig.

I would take the lack of interest/sales with a grain of salt. You could be the dopest sound designer to ever live and there would still be very little money to be made selling presets for those synths.

 

Last edited: Oct 15, 2025

I definitely think you're right about limiting my potential business by providing presets for lesser known syntsoundtracks.

Part of me wanted to intentionally make presets for synths that don’t get enough attention, rather than create presets for something that already has a million soundbanks. Obviously this isn't the best business move haha.

I'll keep this in mind if I ever decide to do any projects in the future. Thanks a lot!

 

To whoever paid $50 for my Snap Heap Toolbox, I'm obviously extremely grateful, and still a bit shocked.

That's incredibly generous

Not sure if they're a user of this forum, but if they are, I just wanted to give you a huge thank you.