Why are Reviewers Paid So Poorly????

MylesBAstor said:

Well maybe this could extend to equipment manufacturers Or recording engineeers I mean how can a person possibly design a piece of gear if they can't play an instrument?
I think many recording engineers are just technogeeks.

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Hey whats wrong with techno techno techno now put a donk on it wicked
Cheers
Orb

Steve Williams said:

I still want to know what the requirements are to be a reviewer because as jtinn so eloquently stated, "everyone is a reviewer" nowadays.

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Only just read this thread. To answer your question, as least as far as Stereophile is concerned, the fundamental requirement for an audio reviewer is the same as for any writer: to have something to say and be able to say it. I have slowly built up my reviewing team over the years based on these requirements as they apply to audio.

These requirements may sound simple, but it is actually rare to find someone who meets them. Hardly any of the people who approach me about reviewing for Stereophile get even close.

And regarding the subject of this thread, how much a reviewer gets paid is between him and the IRS, surely.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Stereoeditor said:

Only just read this thread. To answer your question, as least as far as Stereophile is concerned, the fundamental requirement for an audio reviewer is the same as for any writer: to have something to say and be able to say it. I have slowly built up my reviewing team over the years based on these requirements as they apply to audio.

These requirements may sound simple, but it is actually rare to find someone who meets them. Hardly any of the people who approach me about reviewing for Stereophile get even close.

And regarding the subject of this thread, how much a reviewer gets paid is between him and the IRS, surely.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

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As an amateur reviewer for Rich's vinylphilemag, I have to absolutely agree with John. I find it immensely difficult to put into words what I want to say, and how I think I want those words to come across the printed (or online) page. I hope I'm learning as I write more reviews, but time will tell.

By the way....I do this for fun and have no further aspirations...so you're off the hook John!

John72953 said:

As an amateur reviewer for Rich's vinylphilemag, I have to absolutely agree with John. I find it immensely difficult to put into words what I want to say, and how I think I want those words to come across the printed (or online) page. I hope I'm learning as I write more reviews, but time will tell.

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I too find it hard most of the time! I think your reviews have definitely improved these past 8 months or so; hopefully mine have too. The only way to get better at writing is to write!

...And to listen with real passion as well!