Eolas yes, I love this message! Graham nailed every point perfectly! Best of luck to you and everyone else in the Audient Competition! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing many thanks Warren
This video helped me out so incredibly much. Especially the influences part. I always tell myself that I shouldn't/can't sound like anyone else and I can't be greatly influenced because I want to sound really "original." I have finally got past that mindset thanks to you!
So much truth in what is said here. So easy to procrastinate and come up with reasons not to do something. When it comes to having ideas for a song, people need to realise that ideas mostly come from developing something we initially create. Whether it's a chord progression, a lick, a lyric, everything flows from that initial idea. It's extremely rare for an idea to just pop into our heads and be fully formed. I've watched so many music documentaries about great artists/bands where they explain how they created a well-known hit song. Hardly ever do they just say "Oh yeah that idea just came to me, I sat down at the piano/guitar and wrote the song in 5 minutes." It does happen, but for every 1 time, there are dozens where it doesn't work like that.
Felt this way for years - but never heard anyone else proclaim it. thousands of reasons not to just have fun. no more excuses.. use what you have - be grateful, do your best. Thanks a ton. looking forward to more vids.
this video couldn't have come at a better time. I bought all this gear and have not finished a single song since I bought it over a year ago. I said my resolution was to finish a full album by the end of the year. I'm going to announce that I'll release a brand new song on Feb 7th. my birthday. thanks for the words of wisdom and inspiration!
I finished the composition of my album and now i want to build my home studio for writing music every day. I was a little confused by songwriting, gear, style of music, ect. Your words have been very inspiring. Thank you! GOD BLESS YOU !
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This video hit me hard. I have been playing guitar for almost 10 years and I have always avoided creating original music. I have around 30 choruses/verses that I can never finish because of my mindset. I've always had problems with my tempo and that makes me think that I can't write a complete song because of that and that I don't have the proper gear to achieve it so I got stuck playing cover for years, but after watching this I sure will change my mindset and force me to write my own songs, who knows, maybe one day I would become good at it. Thanks so much for this video Graham, it's what many of us needed to hear.
I stopped even watching all those 'how-to' videos several months ago (how to setup a compressor/eq, etc), because that's true: I need to produce more music, record more, create more, that's the point. And all those techniques are just tool to make better music. But without recording and producing there is no music at all. I spent so much time watching all those "how-to" videos and only recently started creating music. Because there is no sense to learn mixing when you actually have nothing to mix :) Thanks Graham!
Ive been "successfully" working in the music industry for the past few years (live sound engineer, teaching production/recording classes at a university, freelance composer for commercials etc..) but I seem to have lost the art making music for the simple sake of making music. I thought to myself exactly what you wrote here a few weeks ago, and I think it may be the key. Im so over saturated with information and watching tutorials and learning and all that bullshit that I know sooo much but unfortunately create so little. Im glad I stumbled across this comment and video, it affirms what needs to be done because damn, do I miss making music for fun.
You kinda kick my ass bro..been so lazy needed someone to pull me up and make music.Can tell you,it's not by mistake am watching and listening to you this moment,the universe has sent me here this moment..cos I've been singing the same song over the years,but never recorded..I'm getting my ass up now and do it.Thanks bro..such an inspiration
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was don't get new gear in the middle of a project. First you have to learn how to use, secondly you'll be tempted to use it on everything to justify its purchase.
This is an eye opener. You're 100% right. I often fall into the rut of waiting for inspiration to strike and with all the life responsibility it very rarely strikes. I need to make time to play,write and record. Thanks for this video. It was the kick in the tail I needed.
Love your detailed thoughts, so anybody thinking "get to the tip", can already tell they need to work on patience which is essential to learning anything.
Thanks Graham, you just confirmed my biggest hold down. Waiting for the mood or inspiration, and as I tell my friends not being hungry or having a deadline, is counter productive. 65% of the time I go into the studio it's because I've seen a sale on hardware or software and want to try it out. You're 100% right, in the late 60's tubes equipment was giving way to semiconductors, and you didn't have all the things you have today. I made my own mixers, and compressors, and when you went into studios, you worked with what they had, and got the best sound possible. You definitely helped changed my mindset from stop messing around buying new stuff and to get it going. When I first retired I did make a schedule, I need to go back to that starting this Monday, thanks.
All your advice is exactly on point. Your philosophy is killer. Thanks so much, man, for the quality content. I'm finishing up my first record, and everything you hit on is truth. Thanks for your continuing guidance and inspiration.
Nailed it, Graham. Too many excuses. There is no excuse, if you've gone a few days with nothing new it's time to turn on the gear and just go for it. Some of my best ideas come from these "inspiration lite" moments just like you said. Just hit record and start something. It may end up better than you'd think.
Thanks Graham! Here's a tip for folks using plugins, and it relates to your #1 point, using the gear you have. After quite a few years away from writing, I decided to really learn how to use one of my (way too many) synth plugins. So I started writing material using only that single synth - Gforce Oddity/Oddity2 - and virtual drums like BFD2 or Battery. Kept me focused and inspired. I plan on using the same technique for other gear. In addition, I will be listening to more music, exploring new styles/genres weekly. I need to broaden my knowledge of what others are writing.
you have the best audio education channel dude been following your channel for a year now im new to learning audio production and you have helped a ton
I needed this! Just moved from a small town to NYC to make myself happen, and so far I've started working my music at a great studio Midtown. At times, I gotta admit, I've felt discouraged by the greatness of the city and it drains my focus to put up with survival (rent, work, taxes, etc) making me feel out of time or inspiration to make music, but thanks to your message I feel this energy boost I just wanna starting writing NOW. Thank you! Favorited, subscribed, checked the alert and will have an EP by the end of this year on the market.
Number 3 is my number 1. Number 2 and 1 already exist for me. Time for new organization and structure which I have already been thinking about. time to reinforce. appreciate the positivity
Extraordinary talk right here! Essential principles you need to know as an artist. Thanks for all of that! Cheers to a new year of amazing music to come! :)
You are speaking to my soul! I have been plagued by that mindset for so long...I always tell myself that ill do it when inspiration strikes >.> but now im part of something that has deadlines and I cant afford to just wait for inspiration.
Great tips! For 2017, I've started an anonymous project where I'm recording a track, shooting and editing a video to it everyday. Mostly instrumental experimental style tracks. Whilst attempting to build an audience from 0. I was doing a daily project this once before, although only lasted 43 days due to work commitments. But in that month and a half, my music progressed so much.
Hey Graham, I just wanted to thank you very much for this video! :) I've been struggling for a few months now. Whenever I would open my DAW nothing would come out of my mind, I would easily get frustrated and not do anything at all. This finally gave a good perspective again. Please keep on doing what you are doing. You are great and thanks again! Yours, Florian. :)
Thank you Graham for your insights and inspiration! I will be officially starting my own audio recording studio this year and you've given me a good balance of technical and moral insights to help me move forward. God bless you and keep doing what you do because it's helping a lot of people.
I agree on all three points. I just bought two pieces of gear for the new year I've needed for some time and I'm totally pumped to be even more productive.
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Graham, the mindset insights perhaps are the most impactful part of the training you've been offering us. It really motivates me to bite the thing with all my teeth. Thanks bro!
As always, on point! I keep a dry-erase board in the studio, as a reminder of my daily/weekly tasks. Feels good to cross "completed" items off as you go. You hit it, can't "wait for inspiration"..
after 3 years I'm gonna come back to the stage with new badass band, record great single and then album, been waiting so long for that and never been more ready than now. great channel,keep going dude!
That was one of the best recording/studio video I have ever watched!!! Thank you Graham! In Poland we say one puts its heart into a job! Great job! God bless you! Tomek
Thanks Graham. Just wanted to let you know you gave me a nudge to actually set a deadline for the end of this month on a project I've been trying to finish for years. Much appreciated. -Aaron-
You just seem to come along with relevant information at the right time. So many times my husband and I discuss some of these subjects, then BAM! you bring out a video. Are you clairvoyant???? Thanks for being there.
Sir- been a long time follower- and what you are saying is 100% absolutely true. I started off last year and made some personal deadlines and it worked- sold some tunes to a few podcasts and commercials - and next thing you know I am recording a local artists full length album. All with the microphones I had ( not expensive ones) and the only gear addition was a Focusrite Octo Pre - this client who has recorded in very expensive studios is blown away by the sounds I am giving them- Gear only takes you so far. Anyways with that said 2016 was a full blown year and I can't imagine that I will make more music in 2017--- but challenge accepted.
I've already finished two songs this year and it's the 2nd, but I still listened to this video. I changed the way I think just like you said. #1 - I stopped thinking linearly for writing. I don't have to have a beginning. I started writing the idea first and by writing, I mean that I recorded a phrase-chord progression-melody by playing around with an instrument with my DAW ready to go. I also have many ideas that I will come back to later when I'm totally stuck. The ones that jumped out at me were the ones I was immediately able to expand. THEN, I applied the principles I've learned from you. Remove the bad... enhance the good. Sometimes I replaced an instrument that I was just using for the idea. (We DON'T have to make it sound perfect for the writing stage! Do that later. It requires the use of a different part of the brain.) #2 - Since I've changed genres, I MUST listen to other music. You're right. Freddy Mercury once avoided listening to ANYTHING for a year (it was an experiment) so he wouldn't subliminally write someone else's music. It really didn't change anything. If you've ever been asleep while the radio is playing, you'll notice that the song had changed inside your dream. We synthesize other people's music. You can get millions of ideas just from one chord progression. #3 - I did change some gear before I started writing more. I changed to Ableton Live 9 and I bought some more plugins, mostly synths. I am now satisfied with what I have. I've been a Pro Tools user for many, many years. I just wanted to try something new. The flow of operations and layout seems to make writing much more easier with Live, I like it so much. I still master in PT though, because I am familiar with doing it there. It seems to be a great relationship in DAWs. I would like some more outboard gear like an A to D and some analog synths but I am satisfied with what I have right now until I get around to getting what I want. It's not a deal breaker, and it's not going to stop me from writing and recording - "wait until I get the stuff I need" syndrome. Thanks for all of your videos! You've really helped me, and I'm sure you've helped many more. Please don't stop!
This year I'm gonna actually learn how to produce professional music. I want music to be my future, I want to work with music. Music is basically my life.
These philosophy tips/lessons are the best, I'm definitely am going to stop switching synths/daws so much this year, all about learning what I have and creating a workflow. Also going to listen to even more music!
Huge tip that helped me: Do mic shootouts on everything! I had a handful of mics and always chose the most expensive one on a lot of instruments. Then I started doing mic shootouts and was blown away. Mics I used to ignore actually ended up winning on certain instruments. Others were confirmed giving me confidence. After 3 or so shootouts I really started to hear the what exactly was unique about each mic. At first I had a hard time because I was shooting them out in solo. They all were so unique I couldn't choose which was best. So then I started doing the shootouts within a full mix to hear how it sounded against the other instruments, BOOM that was the trick! Hearing it in context narrowed down the choices to usually 2 mics. Also do the shootout to different genres. One mic might sound great in an acoustic arrangement but get buried in a metal arrangement. Just do verse into chorus to get an idea.
Thanks so much, I agree with all! Today I'm rearranging a room that I want to create music in & I just wanted to have a simple mindset for creating the room that I create the Music in & this really helps! :) I'm going to focus on my most important components, not hook up EVERYTHING, but have it accessable. I'm going to leave the DJ/ LP playback set up in the living room for parties & bring my best monitors, DAW, & Mac in recording room. When I first set everything up, I wanted to have everything connected so I could do whatever I want from that space, but now I find, it's too much stuff! It's cluttered with gear & I feel buried in it. So I'm leaving my second choice monitors & amplifier in the Living room & creating space, privacy & simplicity. It will be easier to keep things organized on my desk & in my mind!
Thank you Graham! Every single word from you in this video comes to me in a right time!!!. This year im gonna realase my EP!!! I promise! Thank you again. Grettings from México!
This video was super motivational, thank you so much Graham! One thing I will do to act upon your suggestions is to set aside time for myself to regularly write lyrics and melodies to use for new songs. I know that not all my ideas will be great, but I also know that it’s important to keep writing and keep working hard. Thanks again for everything you’re doing, man! Love watching your stuff!
Hey Graham, you could have written a song but no, you had to make another tutorial... And we are grateful you did (; Thank you! Sometimes you need to get inspired to sit down and get the job done. A finished song will always be better than a good one in your head that no one else can listen too...
Great stuff Graham, very inspiring words of wisdom :-) thanks for the reminder that it's not about the gear as much as what you do with the gear. Happy New Year
A friend and I have been writing(for years), and recording (for months). I think you'd have a good laugh to see me stumbling and fumbling my way through ProTools, but your videos are absolutely inspirational. Never stop rambling, my friend....hmmmm....there's a good song title.
Spot on! Basically in line with my plans for this year. I have my band's first album in progress, but it has been delayed by a number of setbacks. So far, for this year, I've uninstalled every plugin on my DAW except for Superior Drummer, EZKeys and a couple more, I've reorganized my project folders which were falling into chaos, and I'm determined to not buy one more single piece of equipment for a few years at least, and no plugins hopefully forever. With that sorted out, my plan is as follows: Every Sunday I'm going to plan out next week and decide what is going to be the Project of the Week. It may be finishing a song's arrangements, recording it, or maybe making/planning the music video for it. Either for my band or other personal projects I want to make. That way, if I can make one thing every week, I'll end this year with about 50 finished creative items, be it videos or music or whatever.
1) you'll even hear an amazing musician such as Michael jackson in an interview saying that no matter how long he sat at a piano, the process of really trying to make a song in the moment never worked for him, so the reality is simply catching onto something that you believe speaks to you whether it comes in time or you sit down and make it in that moment and giving it life, no strings attached, pure heart, tension, release, confidence and soul 2) i completely agree with #2, mixing influences accompanied by projecting who you are is a major key to music development. Much like the assortment of colors you choose for your painting, some compliment others more than others. remember that patients to the listener is only diminishing due to the immediate access of music now a days, that doesn't speak for EVERY listener, but it is for the majority audience ( if thats really who your trying to target ) so be sure to really grab them with that hook 3) i completely agree with #3, the idea that you need the best or the newest this and that is completely mental. when an artist draws a nose, he uses as little lines as he can and allows the space around his creation to fill in for the viewer, whether that is your equipment or the construction of your melody, its not quantity or cost, its quality disagree with me i dare you
Happy New Year Graham. You've been a blessing to my journey in Audio Engineering and my music ideology in general. You an inspiration and you wont believe how much knowledge u have impacted into my life. God bless your beautiful family (wife and your cute daughters). You making my dreams a reality. Not where i want to be yet, but am so far away from where i used to be. Thank u again sire. Blessed.
Thank you so much for these very wise tips. You are SO right!!! I hope this will help a lot of people. It will, if they take these lessons to heart and get proactive.
somehow i managed to apply to mindset no 2 and 1, however the third one is new to me. Thx Graham, these tips are simple, yet awesome. I consider your channel to be the best among 'how to music' channels by far.
Graham, you speak to my soul. I have posted, FB, I will release an EP on September 13th. I play many instruments and have written the songs. This year my goal is to comprehend and learn how to utilize the tools, Pro tools, Focusrite. Thank you, and God bless.
I would buy the book you write where you "ramble" about mindset, philosophies, both pro and personal. Great stuff. I have a song I just need to record vocals on. Happy New Year :)
Going into 2017 I am forcing myself to spend at least an hour in FL Studio every single day. Usually if something happens that I actually like i'll have 4-8 hour working sessions unless I'm interrupted. My biggest issue towards the end of 2016 was taking a break from releasing new music every week and not opening my DAW every day. Looking forward to releasing new music and making more videos in 2017. I just got a pair of KRK 5s, and my room should be treated and set in stone for 2017 in a few weeks. Let the learning begin. P.S. Thanks for the great video!
Awesome advice. I have been guilty of the gear thing for sure. But I tried the deadline thing this year and it worked wonders. While I only had a germ of an idea in my head I called my demo singer and booked a time with her 2 weeks down the road. I had a complete song to go and record with her within a week.
Great advice Graham, your the Tim ferriss of the audio community. Found your videos recently while I'm making my bands debut album, I've learnt so much from you. Thank you for making the videos. A.P.
Graham, excellent video! I was just thinking today of how I can motivate myself to write music and give myself something to work with. I couldn't have said it better than this. My goal will be to continue production with my band and strive for recording an album this year. We will set monthly goals, thanks to your inspirational video. Thank you so much!
Great tips! As soon as i got fed up by upgrading gear every week and desided to more or less not think about it, i got much more time to make music and videos. Have not tried the deadline yet but to listen to much music is a must if you ask me.
Man, you are absolutelly amazing person that I' m glad I found here on internet. Your way of talking and inspiring us, possible future musicians, is enormous! Thank you, I agree 100% with all the stuff you say. This video makes perfect sense for me, right now even more than any other time (I am trying to get back to music producing and you just made me sure about it a lot more than I was thinking about it) I hope you understand and a wanna thank you once more, for being a great person and sharing your knowledge to the world! You rock! Keep it up!🤘
I'm gonna stop waiting for inspiration to write lyrics. Waiting for inspiration to write tracks with virtual instruments has stopped happening for me and inspiration for lyrics seldomly comes around anymore. I'm gonna stop using "I have to watch more mix video's first" as my excuse to not actually mix tracks. Been downloading plenty of plugins and samples lately but haven't bothered to touch any of them. Gonna start using/learning the one's i have at the moment and set deadlines for my projects! You're the man Graham I needed this one. Thanks
God bless you Graham. That's all I can say. You're pure inspiration
christian agiang Can't argue with that.
christian agiang Mixing and recording doesn't look so scary now.
Surely!
Hi Graham, thanks for posting this video! What a wonderfully motivating message! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing many thanks Warren
Fancy seeing you there, have a good one and i hope you'll make me win the Audient interface because my mic pre just died on me! :D
Eolas yes, I love this message! Graham nailed every point perfectly! Best of luck to you and everyone else in the Audient Competition! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing many thanks Warren
1: Get to work
2: Don't step away from other music
3: Use the stuff u have, dont change all the time
Man I really hope I can do it this year. I've been so very frustrated with music making for so long.
Sam Borgman me too but we can make it bro
Me three... ;) Lets do it!
Make it four!! I want to do it too!!! Woohoo
Don't hope. Just do it. Rhetorical: Are you in control of yourself? You can make it happen!
Same here! But I'm gonna MAKE this year the year of doing it!👍🏻
This video helped me out so incredibly much. Especially the influences part. I always tell myself that I shouldn't/can't sound like anyone else and I can't be greatly influenced because I want to sound really "original." I have finally got past that mindset thanks to you!
You just encouraged me to put out an album a month from now. Thank you.
Joseph Paul I'll hold you accountable now..! ;-)
Cool, tag me when you finish it - 3rd February!
Looking forward to hearing it! :)
So much truth in what is said here. So easy to procrastinate and come up with reasons not to do something.
When it comes to having ideas for a song, people need to realise that ideas mostly come from developing something we initially create. Whether it's a chord progression, a lick, a lyric, everything flows from that initial idea. It's extremely rare for an idea to just pop into our heads and be fully formed. I've watched so many music documentaries about great artists/bands where they explain how they created a well-known hit song. Hardly ever do they just say "Oh yeah that idea just came to me, I sat down at the piano/guitar and wrote the song in 5 minutes." It does happen, but for every 1 time, there are dozens where it doesn't work like that.
Felt this way for years - but never heard anyone else proclaim it. thousands of reasons not to just have fun. no more excuses.. use what you have - be grateful, do your best. Thanks a ton. looking forward to more vids.
this video couldn't have come at a better time. I bought all this gear and have not finished a single song since I bought it over a year ago. I said my resolution was to finish a full album by the end of the year. I'm going to announce that I'll release a brand new song on Feb 7th. my birthday. thanks for the words of wisdom and inspiration!
I could not agree more with using/committing these mindsets. They do not fail.
I finished the composition of my album and now i want to build my home studio for writing music every day. I was a little confused by songwriting, gear, style of music, ect. Your words have been very inspiring. Thank you! GOD BLESS YOU !
This video hit me hard. I have been playing guitar for almost 10 years and I have always avoided creating original music. I have around 30 choruses/verses that I can never finish because of my mindset. I've always had problems with my tempo and that makes me think that I can't write a complete song because of that and that I don't have the proper gear to achieve it so I got stuck playing cover for years, but after watching this I sure will change my mindset and force me to write my own songs, who knows, maybe one day I would become good at it. Thanks so much for this video Graham, it's what many of us needed to hear.
I stopped even watching all those 'how-to' videos several months ago (how to setup a compressor/eq, etc), because that's true: I need to produce more music, record more, create more, that's the point.
And all those techniques are just tool to make better music. But without recording and producing there is no music at all.
I spent so much time watching all those "how-to" videos and only recently started creating music. Because there is no sense to learn mixing when you actually have nothing to mix :)
Thanks Graham!
Ive been "successfully" working in the music industry for the past few years (live sound engineer, teaching production/recording classes at a university, freelance composer for commercials etc..) but I seem to have lost the art making music for the simple sake of making music. I thought to myself exactly what you wrote here a few weeks ago, and I think it may be the key. Im so over saturated with information and watching tutorials and learning and all that bullshit that I know sooo much but unfortunately create so little. Im glad I stumbled across this comment and video, it affirms what needs to be done because damn, do I miss making music for fun.
Amazing! You finally took that step immediately!
This was immensely helpful. Thank you so much sir :)
You kinda kick my ass bro..been so lazy needed someone to pull me up and make music.Can tell you,it's not by mistake am watching and listening to you this moment,the universe has sent me here this moment..cos I've been singing the same song over the years,but never recorded..I'm getting my ass up now and do it.Thanks bro..such an inspiration
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was don't get new gear in the middle of a project. First you have to learn how to use, secondly you'll be tempted to use it on everything to justify its purchase.
This is an eye opener. You're 100% right. I often fall into the rut of waiting for inspiration to strike and with all the life responsibility it very rarely strikes. I need to make time to play,write and record. Thanks for this video. It was the kick in the tail I needed.
Love your detailed thoughts, so anybody thinking "get to the tip", can already tell they need to work on patience which is essential to learning anything.
Thanks Graham, you just confirmed my biggest hold down. Waiting for the mood or inspiration, and as I tell my friends not being hungry or having a deadline, is counter productive. 65% of the time I go into the studio it's because I've seen a sale on hardware or software and want to try it out. You're 100% right, in the late 60's tubes equipment was giving way to semiconductors, and you didn't have all the things you have today. I made my own mixers, and compressors, and when you went into studios, you worked with what they had, and got the best sound possible. You definitely helped changed my mindset from stop messing around buying new stuff and to get it going. When I first retired I did make a schedule, I need to go back to that starting this Monday, thanks.
All your advice is exactly on point. Your philosophy is killer. Thanks so much, man, for the quality content. I'm finishing up my first record, and everything you hit on is truth. Thanks for your continuing guidance and inspiration.
Nailed it, Graham. Too many excuses. There is no excuse, if you've gone a few days with nothing new it's time to turn on the gear and just go for it. Some of my best ideas come from these "inspiration lite" moments just like you said. Just hit record and start something. It may end up better than you'd think.
Thanks Graham! Here's a tip for folks using plugins, and it relates to your #1 point, using the gear you have. After quite a few years away from writing, I decided to really learn how to use one of my (way too many) synth plugins. So I started writing material using only that single synth - Gforce Oddity/Oddity2 - and virtual drums like BFD2 or Battery. Kept me focused and inspired. I plan on using the same technique for other gear. In addition, I will be listening to more music, exploring new styles/genres weekly. I need to broaden my knowledge of what others are writing.
1) 2:08
2) 7:15
3) 10:08
L E G E N D
Thank you
you have the best audio education channel dude been following your channel for a year now im new to learning audio production and you have helped a ton
I needed this! Just moved from a small town to NYC to make myself happen, and so far I've started working my music at a great studio Midtown. At times, I gotta admit, I've felt discouraged by the greatness of the city and it drains my focus to put up with survival (rent, work, taxes, etc) making me feel out of time or inspiration to make music, but thanks to your message I feel this energy boost I just wanna starting writing NOW. Thank you! Favorited, subscribed, checked the alert and will have an EP by the end of this year on the market.
Number 3 is my number 1. Number 2 and 1 already exist for me. Time for new organization and structure which I have already been thinking about. time to reinforce. appreciate the positivity
Extraordinary talk right here! Essential principles you need to know as an artist. Thanks for all of that! Cheers to a new year of amazing music to come! :)
setting deadlines and schedule my activities have had a huge impact on my productivity. thanks 4 all Graham!
Thanks! I just put my very first deadline in the book. Time to start creating again.
You are speaking to my soul! I have been plagued by that mindset for so long...I always tell myself that ill do it when inspiration strikes >.> but now im part of something that has deadlines and I cant afford to just wait for inspiration.
Great practical advice. It's not just about the gear. At some point you have to move forward with what you have. Thank you!
Great tips! For 2017, I've started an anonymous project where I'm recording a track, shooting and editing a video to it everyday. Mostly instrumental experimental style tracks. Whilst attempting to build an audience from 0. I was doing a daily project this once before, although only lasted 43 days due to work commitments. But in that month and a half, my music progressed so much.
Great tips man!
Sticking to your gear and focus on the music is really super important! I couldn't agree more!
Great video as always!
Such a stellar video Graham! Thank you for helping a lot of us and giving us all an incentive to push through and make more music
Hey Graham, I just wanted to thank you very much for this video! :) I've been struggling for a few months now. Whenever I would open my DAW nothing would come out of my mind, I would easily get frustrated and not do anything at all. This finally gave a good perspective again.
Please keep on doing what you are doing. You are great and thanks again!
Yours, Florian. :)
Thank you Graham for your insights and inspiration! I will be officially starting my own audio recording studio this year and you've given me a good balance of technical and moral insights to help me move forward. God bless you and keep doing what you do because it's helping a lot of people.
Absolutely magnificent and tested true information, provided in friendly tone and the very best working manner I could imagine. Thank you sooo much!
I agree on all three points. I just bought two pieces of gear for the new year I've needed for some time and I'm totally pumped to be even more productive.
Graham, the mindset insights perhaps are the most impactful part of the training you've been offering us. It really motivates me to bite the thing with all my teeth. Thanks bro!
As always, on point! I keep a dry-erase board in the studio, as a reminder of my daily/weekly tasks. Feels good to cross "completed" items off as you go. You hit it, can't "wait for inspiration"..
after 3 years I'm gonna come back to the stage with new badass band, record great single and then album, been waiting so long for that and never been more ready than now. great channel,keep going dude!
I rarely comment on instructional videos, but this clip is outstanding. The three best tips I've heard in a very long time, thank you!
That was one of the best recording/studio video I have ever watched!!! Thank you Graham! In Poland we say one puts its heart into a job! Great job! God bless you! Tomek
Thanks Graham. Just wanted to let you know you gave me a nudge to actually set a deadline for the end of this month on a project I've been trying to finish for years. Much appreciated. -Aaron-
You just seem to come along with relevant information at the right time. So many times my husband and I discuss some of these subjects, then BAM! you bring out a video. Are you clairvoyant???? Thanks for being there.
Works for me as an animator and photographer too!
Happy New Year one and all :o)
My favourite video from therecordingrevolution yet! I need to stop looking for gear and work with my setup.
Sir- been a long time follower- and what you are saying is 100% absolutely true. I started off last year and made some personal deadlines and it worked- sold some tunes to a few podcasts and commercials - and next thing you know I am recording a local artists full length album. All with the microphones I had ( not expensive ones) and the only gear addition was a Focusrite Octo Pre - this client who has recorded in very expensive studios is blown away by the sounds I am giving them- Gear only takes you so far. Anyways with that said 2016 was a full blown year and I can't imagine that I will make more music in 2017--- but challenge accepted.
I've already finished two songs this year and it's the 2nd, but I still listened to this video. I changed the way I think just like you said.
#1 - I stopped thinking linearly for writing. I don't have to have a beginning. I started writing the idea first and by writing, I mean that I recorded a phrase-chord progression-melody by playing around with an instrument with my DAW ready to go. I also have many ideas that I will come back to later when I'm totally stuck. The ones that jumped out at me were the ones I was immediately able to expand. THEN, I applied the principles I've learned from you. Remove the bad... enhance the good. Sometimes I replaced an instrument that I was just using for the idea. (We DON'T have to make it sound perfect for the writing stage! Do that later. It requires the use of a different part of the brain.)
#2 - Since I've changed genres, I MUST listen to other music. You're right. Freddy Mercury once avoided listening to ANYTHING for a year (it was an experiment) so he wouldn't subliminally write someone else's music. It really didn't change anything. If you've ever been asleep while the radio is playing, you'll notice that the song had changed inside your dream. We synthesize other people's music. You can get millions of ideas just from one chord progression.
#3 - I did change some gear before I started writing more. I changed to Ableton Live 9 and I bought some more plugins, mostly synths. I am now satisfied with what I have. I've been a Pro Tools user for many, many years. I just wanted to try something new. The flow of operations and layout seems to make writing much more easier with Live, I like it so much. I still master in PT though, because I am familiar with doing it there. It seems to be a great relationship in DAWs. I would like some more outboard gear like an A to D and some analog synths but I am satisfied with what I have right now until I get around to getting what I want. It's not a deal breaker, and it's not going to stop me from writing and recording - "wait until I get the stuff I need" syndrome.
Thanks for all of your videos! You've really helped me, and I'm sure you've helped many more. Please don't stop!
I'm definitely inspired . This is my year... I can feel it.
This is exactly what I tought as my goal for this year, you just placed it in order and on video!
Thank you very much, Graham!
wow! you answer my questions even I haven't asked them. great job!☺👍
This year I'm gonna actually learn how to produce professional music. I want music to be my future, I want to work with music. Music is basically my life.
These philosophy tips/lessons are the best, I'm definitely am going to stop switching synths/daws so much this year, all about learning what I have and creating a workflow. Also going to listen to even more music!
Huge tip that helped me: Do mic shootouts on everything!
I had a handful of mics and always chose the most expensive one on a lot of instruments.
Then I started doing mic shootouts and was blown away. Mics I used to ignore actually ended up winning on certain instruments. Others were confirmed giving me confidence. After 3 or so shootouts I really started to hear the what exactly was unique about each mic. At first I had a hard time because I was shooting them out in solo. They all were so unique I couldn't choose which was best. So then I started doing the shootouts within a full mix to hear how it sounded against the other instruments, BOOM that was the trick!
Hearing it in context narrowed down the choices to usually 2 mics. Also do the shootout to different genres. One mic might sound great in an acoustic arrangement but get buried in a metal arrangement. Just do verse into chorus to get an idea.
Thanks so much, I agree with all! Today I'm rearranging a room that I want to create music in & I just wanted to have a simple mindset for creating the room that I create the Music in & this really helps! :) I'm going to focus on my most important components, not hook up EVERYTHING, but have it accessable. I'm going to leave the DJ/ LP playback set up in the living room for parties & bring my best monitors, DAW, & Mac in recording room. When I first set everything up, I wanted to have everything connected so I could do whatever I want from that space, but now I find, it's too much stuff! It's cluttered with gear & I feel buried in it. So I'm leaving my second choice monitors & amplifier in the Living room & creating space, privacy & simplicity. It will be easier to keep things organized on my desk & in my mind!
Thank you Graham! Every single word from you in this video comes to me in a right time!!!. This year im gonna realase my EP!!! I promise! Thank you again. Grettings from México!
This video was super motivational, thank you so much Graham! One thing I will do to act upon your suggestions is to set aside time for myself to regularly write lyrics and melodies to use for new songs. I know that not all my ideas will be great, but I also know that it’s important to keep writing and keep working hard.
Thanks again for everything you’re doing, man! Love watching your stuff!
Hey Graham, you could have written a song but no, you had to make another tutorial... And we are grateful you did (; Thank you! Sometimes you need to get inspired to sit down and get the job done. A finished song will always be better than a good one in your head that no one else can listen too...
You are a big inspiration for me. Good that you are not only talking about the technical stuff now.
Great stuff Graham, very inspiring words of wisdom :-) thanks for the reminder that it's not about the gear as much as what you do with the gear. Happy New Year
A friend and I have been writing(for years), and recording (for months). I think you'd have a good laugh to see me stumbling and fumbling my way through ProTools, but your videos are absolutely inspirational. Never stop rambling, my friend....hmmmm....there's a good song title.
Praise God for you brother! Well said. I seriously needed to hear this.
I wish I could be around you all the time. Thanks for the videos.
Great stuff! this will be the year I add music to my lyrics. Mindsets are hard to change but the changes you speak of are positive ones.
Spot on! Basically in line with my plans for this year. I have my band's first album in progress, but it has been delayed by a number of setbacks. So far, for this year, I've uninstalled every plugin on my DAW except for Superior Drummer, EZKeys and a couple more, I've reorganized my project folders which were falling into chaos, and I'm determined to not buy one more single piece of equipment for a few years at least, and no plugins hopefully forever.
With that sorted out, my plan is as follows: Every Sunday I'm going to plan out next week and decide what is going to be the Project of the Week. It may be finishing a song's arrangements, recording it, or maybe making/planning the music video for it. Either for my band or other personal projects I want to make. That way, if I can make one thing every week, I'll end this year with about 50 finished creative items, be it videos or music or whatever.
you hit the nail on the head.. superb.. you have an absolutely niche perspective not only to music.but to life as well
1) you'll even hear an amazing musician such as Michael jackson in an interview saying that no matter how long he sat at a piano, the process of really trying to make a song in the moment never worked for him, so the reality is simply catching onto something that you believe speaks to you whether it comes in time or you sit down and make it in that moment and giving it life, no strings attached, pure heart, tension, release, confidence and soul
2) i completely agree with #2, mixing influences accompanied by projecting who you are is a major key to music development. Much like the assortment of colors you choose for your painting, some compliment others more than others. remember that patients to the listener is only diminishing due to the immediate access of music now a days, that doesn't speak for EVERY listener, but it is for the majority audience ( if thats really who your trying to target ) so be sure to really grab them with that hook
3) i completely agree with #3, the idea that you need the best or the newest this and that is completely mental. when an artist draws a nose, he uses as little lines as he can and allows the space around his creation to fill in for the viewer, whether that is your equipment or the construction of your melody, its not quantity or cost, its quality
disagree with me i dare you
Happy New Year Graham. You've been a blessing to my journey in Audio Engineering and my music ideology in general. You an inspiration and you wont believe how much knowledge u have impacted into my life. God bless your beautiful family (wife and your cute daughters). You making my dreams a reality. Not where i want to be yet, but am so far away from where i used to be. Thank u again sire. Blessed.
The only thing I need is a deadline... It's true !.... Thank's Graham.....
Thank you so much for these very wise tips. You are SO right!!! I hope this will help a lot of people. It will, if they take these lessons to heart and get proactive.
One of the best posts that Graham has posted IMHO.
somehow i managed to apply to mindset no 2 and 1, however the third one is new to me. Thx Graham, these tips are simple, yet awesome. I consider your channel to be the best among 'how to music' channels by far.
This has convinced me to set a date for an EP I've been wanting to make for awhile. June 1st, it's going to happen.
Excellent! I'll be on my horse when I'm back from my holiday!
Graham, you speak to my soul. I have posted, FB, I will release an EP on September 13th. I play many instruments and have written the songs. This year my goal is to comprehend and learn how to utilize the tools, Pro tools, Focusrite. Thank you, and God bless.
I am taking action. My deadline is July 1st. I plan to write, record and release five songs. Thanks Graham.
thx for the tips, i hope i can make my first ep album this year at next 3 months
I'm just on minute 2:39 and I already love you for saying this haha (Nr.3) Thank you VERY much
You are blessed and you have so much experience..thanks alot for sharing this...
I would buy the book you write where you "ramble" about mindset, philosophies, both pro and personal. Great stuff. I have a song I just need to record vocals on. Happy New Year :)
Great video! This year I really want to do it!!
Thank you for this inspirational speech!
Going into 2017 I am forcing myself to spend at least an hour in FL Studio every single day. Usually if something happens that I actually like i'll have 4-8 hour working sessions unless I'm interrupted. My biggest issue towards the end of 2016 was taking a break from releasing new music every week and not opening my DAW every day.
Looking forward to releasing new music and making more videos in 2017. I just got a pair of KRK 5s, and my room should be treated and set in stone for 2017 in a few weeks. Let the learning begin.
P.S. Thanks for the great video!
Awesome advice. I have been guilty of the gear thing for sure. But I tried the deadline thing this year and it worked wonders. While I only had a germ of an idea in my head I called my demo singer and booked a time with her 2 weeks down the road. I had a complete song to go and record with her within a week.
I hope I post my music video by the end of this week!
Great advice Graham, your the Tim ferriss of the audio community. Found your videos recently while I'm making my bands debut album, I've learnt so much from you. Thank you for making the videos. A.P.
Thank you Graham ! I'm going to take these advices to my team members !! Hopefully we will finish our EP this year
Kindest is KEY! your tips are MONEY friend. I appreciate you Sir
incredible grateful for your videos
You have a great channel! I have been watching your videos for a year or so now and I just wanted to say that your awesome!!
One of the best videos ive seen on UA-cam so far. Big up!
Graham, excellent video! I was just thinking today of how I can motivate myself to write music and give myself something to work with. I couldn't have said it better than this.
My goal will be to continue production with my band and strive for recording an album this year. We will set monthly goals, thanks to your inspirational video.
Thank you so much!
Great tips! As soon as i got fed up by upgrading gear every week and desided to more or less not think about it, i got much more time to make music and videos. Have not tried the deadline yet but to listen to much music is a must if you ask me.
you are the man Graham. keep it up
Man, you are absolutelly amazing person that I' m glad I found here on internet. Your way of talking and inspiring us, possible future musicians, is enormous! Thank you, I agree 100% with all the stuff you say. This video makes perfect sense for me, right now even more than any other time (I am trying to get back to music producing and you just made me sure about it a lot more than I was thinking about it) I hope you understand and a wanna thank you once more, for being a great person and sharing your knowledge to the world! You rock! Keep it up!🤘
I'm gonna stop waiting for inspiration to write lyrics. Waiting for inspiration to write tracks with virtual instruments has stopped happening for me and inspiration for lyrics seldomly comes around anymore. I'm gonna stop using "I have to watch more mix video's first" as my excuse to not actually mix tracks. Been downloading plenty of plugins and samples lately but haven't bothered to touch any of them. Gonna start using/learning the one's i have at the moment and set deadlines for my projects! You're the man Graham I needed this one. Thanks
Grahm your absolutely right this video is what I needed thanks .. my changes are make deadlines strike first and listen and be influenced by music
Graham… I’ve got to tell you, I love the rambling philosophy
this is a great advice specially the changing gear subject