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.
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.
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.
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 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!
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.
8 лет назад
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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"..
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.
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.
8 лет назад
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!
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. :)
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.
I'm going to record and produce my album. The only other thing I want in my studio, is an interface with more inputs. I want to at least record drums with the Glynn Johns technique with possibly an added snare mic and room mic. I've got tons of riffs, halfway finished songs and some complete ideas. Love your channel BTW!
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-
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.
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!
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'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!
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 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.
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.
Loads of help, all of your videos! I just purchased my gear after checking out your guide and tips, they come in the mail tomorrow and then it's time to get going on music making. I've got Reaper, a DAW i'm already familiar with and gonna stick to the built in plugins and maybe 3-4 free plugins, that way i'm not overthinking shit and can get stuff DONE, just like you encourage. You've been a huge help and will continue to be my go to when i'm stumped and need a bit of help to break the fog of "what do i do??" lol
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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 :)
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.
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 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
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!
Hey Graham, i've recorded instrumental song in January, posted it on RUclips , and second one (for Febrauary) is on it's way. Thank's for encouragement and keep up the good work!
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!
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.
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
Great inspiration! Two goals for me this year. Finish a hymn EP I've been working on. And write my first original song. There's a great video in the Eagles documentary where Glenn frye figured out how to write songs by Jackson Browne. Jackson sat down and put some elbow grease in it. Similar stories with Tom Petty and other song writers.
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.
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
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 the advice. I haven't made and complete song yet. I only have a midi controller, an audio interface, studio one, and several NI soft synths. I don't have all the gear I want yet, but I won't let that stop me from making something awesome.
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.
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!🤘
Listened very carefully and thank you. I have written a few songs and plan to record, mix, master and release at least one original song within 2017. Even if it's just on youtube, or something like that. Still have no idea on how to work out how to sing one, put a melody to it or music, but I'm determined to find out the best way to do that and get making my own music.
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 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.
thanks for the mental perspective Graham. particularly with deadlines. I encouraged my band today to make some deadlines. we have established a date for our demo, a single and first show.! now to apply this to my engineering and producing. also, working on keeping my GAS in check :P.
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
Great advice Graham. Tip 1 about the gear is so relevant to me. I made a decision only last week to decide what I needed and to stick to it. I had so many synths which I never switched on because I do everything with omnisphere and komplete ultimate. I had so much I didn't know what to look at first. Ive now sold the synths and got my iMac to a good standard. Ive chosen the effects units I'm going to learn inside out and taken others out of my favourite library. They are still there for the future but for now I have my core go to effects. I struggle to finish a mix because I keep trying lots of effects so by removing that choice I'm hoping that helps me out. Thanks again and keep posting videos such as this one.
Thank you very much Graham! I' m focusing on workin in my studio more and more and your words are inspiring and motivating me! Thanks, have a great day and keep doin' what you do!! :)
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
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.
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!
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.
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 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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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! I just put my very first deadline in the book. Time to start creating again.
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
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!
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.
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"..
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.
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.
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!
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. :)
1: Get to work
2: Don't step away from other music
3: Use the stuff u have, dont change all the time
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!
I could not agree more with using/committing these mindsets. They do not fail.
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.
This was immensely helpful. Thank you so much sir :)
I'm going to record and produce my album. The only other thing I want in my studio, is an interface with more inputs. I want to at least record drums with the Glynn Johns technique with possibly an added snare mic and room mic. I've got tons of riffs, halfway finished songs and some complete ideas. Love your channel BTW!
setting deadlines and schedule my activities have had a huge impact on my productivity. thanks 4 all Graham!
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-
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.
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!
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!
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'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!
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 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.
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!
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.
Loads of help, all of your videos! I just purchased my gear after checking out your guide and tips, they come in the mail tomorrow and then it's time to get going on music making. I've got Reaper, a DAW i'm already familiar with and gonna stick to the built in plugins and maybe 3-4 free plugins, that way i'm not overthinking shit and can get stuff DONE, just like you encourage. You've been a huge help and will continue to be my go to when i'm stumped and need a bit of help to break the fog of "what do i do??" lol
I am taking action. My deadline is July 1st. I plan to write, record and release five songs. Thanks Graham.
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.
My favourite video from therecordingrevolution yet! I need to stop looking for gear and work with my setup.
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!
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.
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!
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.
I hope I post my music video by the end of this week!
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 :)
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.
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 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
Graham… I’ve got to tell you, I love the rambling philosophy
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!
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.
Hey Graham, i've recorded instrumental song in January, posted it on RUclips , and second one (for Febrauary) is on it's way. Thank's for encouragement and keep up the good work!
you hit the nail on the head.. superb.. you have an absolutely niche perspective not only to music.but to life as well
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!
Thank you Graham ! I'm going to take these advices to my team members !! Hopefully we will finish our EP this year
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.
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
Works for me as an animator and photographer too!
Happy New Year one and all :o)
Great inspiration! Two goals for me this year. Finish a hymn EP I've been working on. And write my first original song. There's a great video in the Eagles documentary where Glenn frye figured out how to write songs by Jackson Browne. Jackson sat down and put some elbow grease in it. Similar stories with Tom Petty and other song writers.
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.
1) 2:08
2) 7:15
3) 10:08
L E G E N D
Thank you
I'm definitely inspired . This is my year... I can feel it.
You are a big inspiration for me. Good that you are not only talking about the technical stuff now.
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
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.
The only thing I need is a deadline... It's true !.... Thank's Graham.....
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 the advice. I haven't made and complete song yet. I only have a midi controller, an audio interface, studio one, and several NI soft synths. I don't have all the gear I want yet, but I won't let that stop me from making something awesome.
I'm scheduled to release some music end of 1st quarter! hold me accountable !! blessings
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.
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, thank you! I am going to produce 224 music cues this year and produce 10 songs this year! I have ProTools & Live.
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!🤘
Listened very carefully and thank you. I have written a few songs and plan to record, mix, master and release at least one original song within 2017. Even if it's just on youtube, or something like that. Still have no idea on how to work out how to sing one, put a melody to it or music, but I'm determined to find out the best way to do that and get making my own music.
I wish I could be around you all the time. Thanks for the videos.
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.
Excellent! I'll be on my horse when I'm back from my holiday!
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.
Don't wait for inspiration to strike! I love that mindset.
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
Praise God for you brother! Well said. I seriously needed to hear this.
thanks for the mental perspective Graham. particularly with deadlines. I encouraged my band today to make some deadlines. we have established a date for our demo, a single and first show.! now to apply this to my engineering and producing. also, working on keeping my GAS in check :P.
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
You are blessed and you have so much experience..thanks alot for sharing this...
Great advice Graham. Tip 1 about the gear is so relevant to me. I made a decision only last week to decide what I needed and to stick to it. I had so many synths which I never switched on because I do everything with omnisphere and komplete ultimate. I had so much I didn't know what to look at first. Ive now sold the synths and got my iMac to a good standard. Ive chosen the effects units I'm going to learn inside out and taken others out of my favourite library. They are still there for the future but for now I have my core go to effects. I struggle to finish a mix because I keep trying lots of effects so by removing that choice I'm hoping that helps me out. Thanks again and keep posting videos such as this one.
One of the best posts that Graham has posted IMHO.
I type out your tips because I feel that it helps me soak them in more.
Thank you very much Graham! I' m focusing on workin in my studio more and more and your words are inspiring and motivating me! Thanks, have a great day and keep doin' what you do!! :)
Great practical advice. It's not just about the gear. At some point you have to move forward with what you have. Thank you!
Thank you Graham for your awesome video! You've inspired me to make more music, my goal is to release a 6 song EP by summer.