Chicago Sonic Commons is a sound equipment sharing system. 

It is an environment in which people offer equipment, ask for equipment, and exchange equipment with each other as a collective effort to broaden access to sonic tools. 

By cataloging Chicago sound makers’ collective abundance of equipment, Chicago Sonic Commons connects sound makers with resources and each other.

Designate. 

Request.

Exchange.

There are three parts of the Chicago Sonic Commons sharing process.

Designate 

Offer up equipment for collective use. 

By designating equipment, the owner of that equipment agrees to no longer claim ownership of it and to help facilitate its exchange with other people. It becomes part of a commons of resources shared and maintained by people using Chicago Sonic Commons.

Request

Ask to use equipment. 

All designated equipment is cataloged in the CSC Inventory. Each item listed has a link to a Request Form which can be used to request use of that equipment. 

Exchange

Exchange equipment between people. 

When someone requests to use equipment, they are connected with the person who currently has it. They arrange a time and place to meet up and exchange the equipment. After the exchange, both people fill out an Exchange Form confirming that the equipment was exchanged.