Jay Cowit
Sound Designer, Editor, Mixer
Copy Editor, Script Writer, Consultant
About
Hi! I’m Jay Cowit. For over 20 years I’ve worked in radio, audio, music and other media. I like making cool things and helping other folks make cool things. I’m an expert sound designer, audio mixer, editor, voice coach, script writer and copy editor. I also make music and produce/compose scores for radio, podcasts and video games. I’m available for consultant work, freelance opportunities and coaching. Let’s talk about the cool thing we could make together. Thanks for hanging out!
Sound Design/Mixing/Audio Editing
Since the early 2000’s, I’ve been a sound designer, editor, technical director, and show director for national radio shows, including The Takeaway (WNYC/PRX), CT Public's Generation Barney mini-series, Freakonomics Radio, Politics with Amy Walter, 1 Big Thing (Axios) and The Randi Rhodes Show on Air America Radio. I’ve honed my skill at sound design, producing thousands of pre-produced intros, bits, montages and more based around breaking news, as well as entertainment/culture, and a gallimaufry of strange and random audio experiments. I’ve also sound designed theatrical off-broadway plays, and mixed sound for films.
CT Public's Generation Barney
The Takeaway (WNYC/PRX)
Freakonomics Radio
FULL LIST of my work for Freakonomics
Politics with Amy Walter (WNYC/PRX)
Original Scores
These are some podcasts for which I've composed/produced original music.
Assorted Podcasts
Copy Editing/Script Writing/Consulting
I’m a news show veteran and deeply familiar with copywriting, editing, and scripting - all under intense deadlines of course. Working hard news stories is not something I’ve ever shied away from and bring that experience to your team. I’m a great listener with lots of thoughts about how we can edit your podcast, trim some fat, or add interesting aspects. I’m an experienced promo writer/producer and I believe that writing in a conversational tone will help you reach more audiences. But I am also adept at adapting to anyone’s style to help you tighten composition, write for your talent, and sharpen pre-written dialogue talking directly to your listeners. Often, a better speaking style can be achieved through better writing, so let’s see what we can do together.
Additionally, I offer group or solo consulting sessions on all things podcasts/audio/radio. I’ve seen it all over the past two decades and I love to talk about how my experiences, good and bad, can maybe help pave a path to more efficient production, good work life balance, superior sounding product, and audience growth. Happy to chat with your team, or you, about anything. Prices available upon request.
Voiceover Artist/Hosting/On-Air Work
I’ve had opportunities throughout my career to step out from behind the glass, and I’m equally as comfortable talking into the mic and making sounds. My voicework includes national and local radio promos, funders, advertisements, translation voiceovers, and show liners.
I do voice over and character work for video games. Here's an example of a trailer voice over I did for North Shore Games:
Commercial/Promo Reels available upon request
Directing/Voice Coaching
Over two decades in radio/audio, I’ve worked with myriad talent in bringing their voice out to the audience. From rookies to veterans - I’m an experienced director and vocal coach who can help you sound your best. My coaching sessions can help you tackle hard news, promos, advertisements, entertainment, talk shows, or even just help on getting better at being interviewed. In addition to your own speaking style, we can work on everything from your speaking style to technical issues in order to make you sound your best across platforms.
Below are some testimonials from folks I've worked with:
Ceci Ponce from See See by Ceci Podcast.
“If Jay Cowit were a tailor, he'd be a brilliant craftsman making custom-made- suits. And that's exactly what Jay does,
see more
Arun Venugopal from WNYC
"I’ve worked with Jay for years. He has an ability like no one else does to make you understand just what the moment calls for, and even more importantly, he makes you believe in yourself. When you are working with nothing but words, ideas and your voice, having someone who can help you distill all of that into something clear and forceful is invaluable."
Jose Olivares, investigative journalist and lead producer with The Intercept:
"Jay is a master and an expert with all-things audio and audio journalism. Whether he is working on a months-long audio documentary project,
see more
David Gebel - WNYC Radio Voice Over artist
"Jay Cowit is a total pro and has one of the sharpest ears in audio. I have recorded with Jay many times, and his coaching and direction are clear, concise, and full of humor and humanity. I know I am in expert experienced hands when I record with Jay."
Music
I compose, produce, and perform music under the name J. Cowit. I’ve released nearly 30 albums of music as a solo artist, as well as scores of albums with my old bands Wounded Buffalo Theory and The Sometime Boys. I also compose for radio/audio: I created hundreds of instrumental bumper tracks for The Takeaway, scored full episodes of Freakonomics Radio, provided promo music for The Library with Tim Einenkel, and supplied the theme music for Politics With Amy Walter (“Enter the Dragon”). I’d love to score/produce music for your project, fit to order! Let’s talk about what we can do to make your project sing. Here are some links to my produced music.
J. Cowit
Discography
see more
Jay Cowit and the Enemys
Discography
Wounded Buffalo Theory
Discography
see more
The Sometimes Boys
WebsiteI also stream acoustic guitar shows from time to time, some of which you can see here:
Jay Cowit and the Enemys Acoustic musicAnd, I like to play drums, so i do that live on occasion as well:
Art
see more
See more on Instagram
Press
Morphin Print Essays into Radio (Transom piece about my sound design work for The Takeaway)
Playing With Sound at Work (Current.org piece about bumper music work for public radio)
Political Remix (Roll Call article about a Nancy Pelosi remix on The Takeaway)
Two Shows in a Week… (NY Daily review of The Sometime Boys live)
Cast Set for World Premier of 9 / 10 (sound design for theater)
2014’s Best Reinvention… (NY Daily review of live performance of “The Lamb Live Down on Broadway” with members of Wounded Buffalo Theory, The Sometime Boys, Afroskull, and more.)