This mindset is quietly ruining your music
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- What is the difference between a composer, music producer, songwriter and artist? Or, more importantly, what is similar between them all?
This video explores how digitalisation of music creation tools is changing approaches to music making, removing the boundaries between traditional roles/professions involved and bringing to life a new musical creature - a music creator.
The old mindset, which sees one's musical work through the lens of a role or profession, can limit one's creative potential with the boundaries of that role. The new mindset discussed in this video changes the aperture and provides a bird's eye view on the creative process, opening up unlimited potential for creativity and experimentation.
It’s purely and exclusively about cash… I would so love to book the greatest engineers and musicians to mix my productions and provide specifically honed skills. But I know that the only way my music will ever be heard is if I finish it on my own
You didnt get the point of this video. The point is that you shouldnt get frustrated if your mastering sucks because you are a music creator not a mastering engineer. You dont have the time to master 10 songs a day and because of that it stops you from being one. So take a breath and remember what is your purpose.
For you perhaps, but not for everyone. I could have a million dollars and still would mix my songs myself. I like that control, and the fact that I made the song. I didn't just write it, or sing it. I *made* it, almost in its entirety.
I will add that my girlfriend surprises me with some music she likes because the mastering sucks ass, so I will say a lot of being a “does everything” musician is we probably do hold ourselves to unrealistic standards.
@@DragonDrummer2 I totally agree.. and those songs will actually be really good, but I'll be too much of a snob to appreciate it.. the whole time saying "This mix is horrific" but when I just try to enjoy it, it turns out to be an amazing piece of music, despite its flaws. And I realize I do this to myself all the time - I constantly scrutinize myself. It's funny because once I have 'nailed it'... whatever tracks have the "perfect mix" that sounds "just as good as the artists I respect/admire".. there's no soul left in it.. it's just a good mix without any heart in it. But my favorite recordings are actually my worst mixes.
@@Eekolooginen +1
I feel like I just went through therapy.
Thank you for this video.
I've been blocked and uninspired for a LONG time now.. and this simple little video unlocked something in me that I had forgotten for a long time..... that I actually love music. I absolutely hate all the scrutiny I put on myself and the constant beating myself up about my imperfections... but I love music. I want to return to just loving it.
swear dude, went through a whole spectrum of emotions
It's deep, I've been trying to be present and remind myself that I'm in control, I have the knowledge I've learned and I'm the one that makes the decisions. I've been getting stuck with music too
eu costumo dizer que, a dedicação é muito menos importante do que o relaxamento. Mas por que insistimos em esquecer isso...
I find that a pretty stress-free way to solve this is collaborating.
For example I will do music with two other friends. We all wear all the same hats of composing, mixing, mastering etc... But we're all better at different things, so it can be fun to create songs where we all put in our strengths. That way the music comes out great and we don't have to worry nearly as much on what we're stressed about.
I am working on a tool to help make it easy to collaborate online. Would you be interested in being one of the first to try it before we launch?
@@topdnbass honestly kinda sketch
how so?
@@mythingie how's that? we're just a team of musicians and devs trying to test our product that we've been working on for 2 years before launching it to the public
@@topdnbass seems quite cool, would I be able to test it out? I work with my collaborators online
Honestly i can do it all 😂😂
In the last few years I've been struggling with music.
I love how I feel when I write a song, I feel like I'm in my comfort zone, and it's the only time where I can really express myself.
I suffer from bpd and expressing myself through music is the thing that makes me feel like I'm really safe, and makes me feel like I'm not a bad person.
Recording and mixing are so frustrating to me because they are too much technical, and when you spend so many hours doing those things you can really lose interest in your songs.
Today I was so frustrated that I just started thinking I should give up on music, this video just made me change my mind, thank you so much ❤
Please keep going
Never has a video made me feel like I've learned absolutely nothing as much as this
this video was what i needed today. i’m the type of person who takes pride in the snippets i create, but that’s all they are: snippets. not full songs, just little crumbs that i end up getting in my head about, and leaving behind to try and make a “better” song. this really helped put some of my habits into perspective. thank you :)
Those little crumbs never go away tho! Even if they don't turn into a song right away, as a musician you can have lots of good ideas, and over the course of time, connect the ideas that you think work for a song. I call it having a "bag of riffs" to pull from, and it works
Are you my twin?? 😉
I know what you mean with the snippets, or little creations that don’t go much further than that. I’ve found that if you work with a daw, or can access some type of sample library that you can use to experiment with different sounds along with your snippets, it’s a GREAT way to boost creativity and develop ideas. I checked your channel and subbed. Post some more stuff! 🤘
I relate so much with this man!! This video really put things into perspective.
I'm an instant fan of your content. Thank you for shedding light on such a delicate topic.
A lot of people overlook the power of setting limitations and boundaries as a creative method. With so many options available for music production, including plugins and thousands of CZcams tutorials that are vastly different, it's easy to get overwhelmed and lose sight of the simplicity of expressing an idea.
I think letting ideas flow naturally without spoon-feeding can lead to the most powerful and meaningful results. Of course, I understand that many of us have to take on multiple roles due to limited resources, myself included. However, this "do-it-all" mentality can make competition in the music industry even more challenging, with thousands of new tracks being released every day. While technology “Ease” has made many things accessible for everyone, it can also be a double-edged sword.
Speaking of technology, I’m honestly scared for the future of music. From a pessimistic view, I think about now how music will be more ‘Individualistic’ and ‘personalized’ for a person, with the advent of AI. People could just ask bots to create a personalized song of their favorite genre under the style of a favorite artist, complete with visuals and such. The artist would then be given some sort of ‘Royalty’ every time things get generated in their style.
Hi Piolo, I'm glad you found this video interesting, and thank you for sharing your perspective! You touch on very interesting and relevant topics here! Definitely agree with you on the power of limitations and the double-edged sword nature of accessibility of technology. The development of AI raises so many questions, but let's hope no matter what happens people will still be making music for the joy of it! I wish you all the best on your musical journey😀
Well said, OP! I concur.
Well Brent faiyaz as an example… no major machine he figured out his mix pattern and brings quality
I was literally thinking earlier today (before I found your video) about how you brought up about one person doing all the different parts to got a song out into the world. Your 4 mantras are so important to remember for us "music creators". Thank you so much for posting this video.
I always wanted to be a jazz guitarist with the slickest chops. However, I eventually realised that I was following someone else's path and though I admired players like that, it did not fill me with the same satisfaction of pursuing my own musical ideas, ideas that I don't have to work hard for. Instead, I am aiming to have the "complete freedom to produce the abundance of musical ideas that come my way". This mindset change has made me fall in love with music again, although I know I will have to play several roles (that you outlined in the video), it is worth the sacrifice
Thanks for some really thoughtful inspirational points and discussion. I do not see many videos like this and enjoyed it very much. I have actually dreamed of what is happening now. I have been a music creator to some extent or another, off and on since my teens, often with very limited resources. I had been out of the loop for a few years due a demanding career, but jumped back into music in 2019. I was amazed at the options and opportunities to create that had never been affordable or available to me. I had a big learning curve starting out, it was worth it, and now I wear all the hats you talk about from songwriter, to recording, mixing, and mastering engineer (distribution is easy & affordable, so I do that as well). I don't often get stuck...I just take it one step at a time and the creative process becomes like magic, it all just comes out of me during the different stages, each calling for different types of creativity. This is the most rewarding & satisfying part; when it just happens without thinking...to me it is more like "a feeling" as you mention at one point. In reference to your "Rick Rubin's Top 5 Tips For Producers", I really like "art comes first" and all the references about bringing out the uniqueness of an individual's creativity, even if it does not match anything else (it could be similar, but that is not the point). I don't worry about if anyone will like my music or not, my goal is to stay true to what brings out "my" own original music (the tool box may be different now, but the creative core remains). Your videos just popped up on my recommended screen, so I am glad to have found them. Keep up the good thought-provoking and thought-challenging content.
It's very inspiring to hear about your creative journey, thank you for sharing this David! Can only wish you more exciting creative explorations!
I’m old enough to have experienced and done both and I prefer what we have now! I never was satisfied with what I relied on others to do in the past.
I love this! For me learning to produce was the next step in my journey as a musician. I just wanted to have more creative control over my sound. But now I also see that maybe I just wanted more control over the full creative musical process.
I have always felt bad about giving up on ever producing "serious" music, because music is a part of my soul. But it is so excruciating to try and get into the world of "being good" when your motivation is centered around just having fun. Nevertheless after watching this video it clicked for me and I finally get it. It's like a weight off of my shoulders. Thank you so much.
Having fun is perfect mindset for creativity, don’t worry about it sounding good to others.JUST GO DONT STOP
eye opening video.. even though that's what I've done by myself for a long time: write, arrange, record, mix, compose, whatever
I've always just labeled myself as a MUSICIAN. Nothing more, nothing less.
found this video when i needed it the most. sometimes it's your mind, your creativity, not money
As much as I want a clean mix and master, I just do my best with it and let the music do the talking. Hopefully down the road someone could team up for my creations like I do for other people
Oh you forgot the part of also being a cover artist, marketer, contract negotiator, content creator (with that videographer...) and if you are more successful, pr person, manager and booking agent. It’s a handful
bless youtube for recommending this, I've been feeling drained, feeling like I'm losing touch but this just put me back on track.
people thrive when they cooperate, you don't have to do it all alone.
Jack of all trades...master of none. Great vid...I have been through phases...not enough time in the day. What we have forgotten...each other :-) Rediscovering great musical friends, writing songs from start to finish and playing together is the magic...stuck in a room doing EVERYTHING yourself is a actually a dark chasm. Great Vid!
I don't think we've forgotten each other....it has just become terribly difficult.
my "problem" is just pride, I wanna know and be able to say that I did 100% of something
Thank you! You’re so right. We glorify the concept of one person doing everything and yet basically no one does this alone especially if they’re big. They always get a team to check the music, maybe do some of the jobs, or at the very list the paperwork and marketing have another team body has the time and experience to be the best at all of those for every release.
Such a beautiful message man, I've shied away from recording for about 6/7 years now because of discomfort and not wanting to release something "lesser" than my previous. Needed this
Im a Music Creator ...from South Africa ...thank you Mabradah from anada Madah ... 😊✌😊
There are some who have the money but don't want to let go of the control over the process. I've been in situations where everyone knew how to make beats, mix, master, songwrite, record. They all fought over who got to do the mix the master, they never wanted to let go of the engineer role.
I totally agree with you. I prefer the old vintage way of doing music.
This is like music producer therapy, i love you
Good approach to this video! I would assume many of us "music creators" are faced with a lack of real venues to play where we live, or lack opportunities to get music out. I've found that we have to learn all it takes regarding music making and production to have a chance in music these days. I wish there was an entire team behind my project, as most people do. Without a massive budget, we take on many roles besides music, like it or not.
Yeah, budget constrains is a big one. Btw, I listened to some music on your channel, sounds so cool! Keep up the good work!
Bro is trying to open my 3rd eye🔥💀
this was such a wonderful video. eloquent, and with the same gentleness that we all need in the most vulnerable spaces as music creators. i've always been guilty of choking my ideas to death because of the overwhelming fear of failure and fear of the feeling of falling into the endless void of being completely creatively empty, and it can be really difficult to remember that that all it really is is a seemingly noble form of self sacrifice. i was pretty deep in that hole today, overwhelmed by feeling like a failure in desperately trying to come up with something i felt was good enough and trying to distract myself from the feeling of failure in seeing the flatlining youtube analytics from trying to tackle a music-related topic of my own. it's been a rough day, and this helped bring me some peace, so thank you. you really do deserve more than 78 subscribers, i adore your way of approaching artistry.
Your comment reminded me of a video by youtuber Sideways, about writer's block. In the video he advises to, instead of trying to tackle the task at hand as a writer/composer/creator, tackle the task as an editor. Just start with something shitty and edit it until it's good! People almost never get it right the first time, so why then would you suddenly need to?
@@karim0302 or write about having writer's block and how you feel about it
Can you capture that feeling of emptiness/void into a song?
@@karim0302 that's a really good idea, honestly, if you can make that mental shift. i kinda like that.
@@frozenlime ha, i wish.
Excellent reminder video to ask the question: why do I make music? If it's to make money, then one type of approach is required. If, like for me, it is simply exploration and learning, then a freer type of approach can be taken. For what it's worth (and maybe because I am now in my 6th decade of life and I have played music in every one of those decades), I became much happier when I stopped trying to "be Somebody" in the music industry.
Look carefully at how you label yourself: are you a "musician"? Or a you a human being who loves to make music?
If you're a "musician" then there's a whole litany of things you have to do to fulfill that role (music school, teaching music, thousands of performances, and on and on...).
If you're a human who loves to make music - well, then it's up to you. You do it on your own terms. Success is how you define it, not living up to some identity-complex called "musician".
Hey, it's fine to be a musician. But do yourself a big favor and be a human being first.
Man, you're amazing. Thank you, let's keep the flow and enjoy the MUSIC!!! ❤
Thinks to keep in mind:
1. Idea is my light
2. Is this tool what I need to express my idea (plugin, sound)
3. I am an open vessel (lyrics that pop up don't throw away)
4. I lean forward (what is blocking me right now?) Focus on exploration not on the tools.
Keep the flow going.
I stopped and asked myself: what are you afraid of? Deep down came the answer: fear of spending a long time creating something and at the end of the journey, it became terrible or the idea that someone will never find this creation something interesting and genuine
Idea is my Light
This too is my tool
I am an open vessel
I lean forward
Insta Sub! Great Job Anton! I didn’t even realize you haven’t been making videos like this, I genuinely assumed you already were 100s of videos deep in your process and had this massive community, than I looked! Dude you’re gonna have that in no time, this is just a fact! Look at you go! So proud of you bro! You’re gonna surpass me in subs in no time, and I have 7k wtf! Haha but your content is just sooo valuable, I love your light work incorporation as well!
So much wisdom you present in this short video. You have just reminded me of the essentials of music creation and to stay on my path. Thank you.🙏🙏🙏
Point 3 is so important. Can't tell you how many times I've almost stopped working on a song because I thought it sounded corny or dumb only for it to become one of my favorites after I pushed through.
I chose this path because I wanted to have my own means of production without having to hire out the work… and I can have more creative freedom and control
music is beautiful, that's why i enjoy making it.
Like you say, t's important to keep flowing.
I get stuck and frustrated a lot of times beacuse it becomes overwhelming
So have to work on staying focused and having patience.
Thanks for the advice!
I love having the ability to produce and mix really well. It means I can enhance my music and ideas exactly as I think it has to heard and perceived. A mixing engineer you hire can never know how much punch your kick needs to have and the reason why. You can tell him, but there’s nothing more you can do then hope he nails it. Having the know how to do it your own is a blessing and a curse.
Facts I’ve had producers mix my song f*cked up
Thank You Very Much Sir!
🙂🙏
I rarely comment but man that was a cracker video, got me a few days before a song deadline I've been stressing hard about.. your words resonate magic man and I feel.. relief. Thanks.
This is an excellent perspective. Thank you. In addition to the “technological ease” factor, there are a couple considerations for the question of why we feel we have to take on all those roles: for me, it’s 1) about the love of being hands-on for each step of the process, and 2) resource restrictions. I (we?) would gladly involve other people in our personal projects, but it would involve other people’s time and creativity, and I’d want to compensate them for the skills they’ve honed. I don’t have that kind of dough, and I think these restrictions were a major driver behind why and how we ended up in this position at all: “I have an idea, but the record companies have the money, but i can’t get my music heard by the record companies, fuck this - I wish I could just do it myself.” As the tech got better, the desire grew, which bred more inspiration for the tech, and around and around that cycle we go. I kinda love it.
Anyway, great stuff. Subbed!
Thank you Ray, appreciate it! True, there are also many other factors influencing this. And it is inspiring that people manage to adapt to different conditions and stay creative.
Best of luck!
The Hunger and Drive to be a full-time working artist is what drives most of us who build studios. There are not many people investing into a room fulla equipment to just play around. I would say at least 85-95% of equipment buyers want to see something come out of all their hard work, time and money spent. This is why I LOVE how technology has advanced so fast to help me make music that much faster. The Musicians of old spent years perfecting their skills on those instruments long before drum machines and workstations and it was a labor love and a painstaking process. they paved the way for Us. Love your breakdown of the new process of how we make music today though. It was very informative.
Excellent video! Most times when we artists, creatives, etc get into a rut we look at the externalities that could be causing this but most times we are the cause of this rut. Something internal that gets in the way. A shift of focus, lack of consistency, constant comparison to our contemporaries. Always remember when you quit and decide to stop pursuing something you viewed as your passion, the brain ceases to expand and adapt that idea. All quitting does is put a cap on your potential.
Strangely this is exactly what I needed! Thnx so much
I love that last mantra. Ive been in a mental hospital for 8 years, still been creating the whole time. I play bass and drums and record that, but program guitars keys and strings, which for this whole time, especially guitars, i fretted about cuz they werent 'real' and therefore would not be 'good'. but its not about good, its about true, the expression of where I am in this particular situation. Freeing insight
After understanding technical issues most of the “magic” disappeared for me. Now I enjoy music 10 times less, but i feel like, general listeners enjoy it even smaller than me now.
guess what, this video just got me out of a beat block ! Thanks man ❤
Some of the best music I made was when I first started making tracks. Not because the production quality was good but because I ENJOYED what I was making. I didn't stress over perfecting a project. I was happy to be making cool harmonies
Eloquently and kindly said, loved it. Thank you for this!
I needed this. Thank you so much! ❤
The algorithm being a little too good right now, 5:22 I was just talking to my friend how I overthink I'm overcomplicating or simplifying a lyric. Thank you for the reminder that patience leads to results :)
It’s kinda too much all at once I must agree, but yet now you are in total control of your pure idea embodiment, which is cool in it’s own way
holy shit man this video is actually incredible. thanks so much, master oogway, i wish you the best
Usually this kind of video is super depressing so thank you for just spreading a positive outlook and motivational tips. 🎉
I like doing it myself because it feels like I’m painting my own canvas exactly how I want with no compromise ❤ fully creative with no boundaries it’s not easy but it’s so worth it. Is it perfect? No. But it’s mine and I can’t wait to share it ❤️❤️❤️
took me 10 years to start liking my shit cuz i needed to learn so much, but hey now i do like some of my stuff lol nice vid bro keep going
Those 4 tips would be nice to have for a computer wallpaper. I like them, thanks.
I feel like when I record, melodies come first, always. But I know some ppl in the business it works from A to Z and you can’t comfortably think that if that’s the way to do it then my process is finished to a fault, but people have other ways of completing projects. That’s why the music industry is going to change because of it, but the narrative will always be different, my opinion
Thank you so much for not wearing a base ball cap!
this is absolutely true, but i feel like (and fear that) the industry rewards those who have the "hussle" mindset of "i need to be able to everything myself"
Oun that touched my heart, thanks for sharing! 💖
I appreciate this video more than anyone could kno
Really needed to hear thoes mantras for the creative process! Thanks a lot :)
Thanks
You are my light
I LOVE. that I find videos like this. Thank you for the reminders and mantras
You nailed it! It's fun to explore, and to further our understanding of sound. Those four mantras are wonderful btw - I especially love "I am an open vessel". It even feels good just to say it haha.
Thank you so much I’m just getting into creating music and was feeling a little frightened by everything. You’ve really helped me with this!
Its ok everything in the beginning about me doing it all is perfectly fine because i have the brain capacity and power. Im always exploding with ideas and i love having full control over my own vision
I saw this at the perfect moment. Thank you so much for spreading your wisdom man.🙏🏽
....such wisdom ...far reaching!!!
This video is really good Anton keep up the good work!
thank u so much. I really needed to heard something like this. Thanks u!
Yep i do it all myself, a lot of time and money, but super fun and worh it
tried to be Tom Delonge, Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker, Jerry Finn and Chris Lord-Alge for the past 5 years, creating music is a never ending journey. Also Kevin Parker.. 🤘🎸🥁🌌
Great perspective. Namaste, Bro. 🤜🏼🤛🏻🎛️🎚️🎶
What a lovely video, thanks for that.
simply beautiful
Let your heart do the work you'll get it that's my process
going dawless can be a good shortcut, it will teach you to fuck up less
I always just called myself an artist. Because in the essence of everything that I am doing (producing, mixing, recording, etc) it is all to create one creative outcome. The goal of everything I am doing is to create art which is why i referred to myself in the end as an artist, though that term may be broad I do think it is fitting.
You are far too young to be so wise (and I mean that in a good way). Thank you for those thought-provoking words.
I use a sm58 Mic and a Scarlett 2i2 and a laptop and it's great you don't need expensive equipment you just need to be an artist ... I've used a expensive setup and nueman mic and it's irrelevant in the end product to the listener they are hearing the art not the expense of production
Thank you, that was much needed
thank you for this video, that was exactly what i needed to hear and what i'm trying to figure out for a few years now really
You´re so right my man!!
Atualmente, é como se fosse proibido fazer musica da forma convencional, mas as canções mais simples e singelas são quase unanimidades.
Wow, this was next level. Thank you.
Great tips dude! Loved the mantras at the end, and particularly liked how you frame the concept of "idea". Inspiration and direction can come from so many places outside of hearing music in your head. Sometimes I forget that.
Thank you so much for this reminder and the mantras as well. I've been getting into producing and I've been feeling so much pressure to create in a certain way and this reminds me that at the end of the day creating and ideas are what should guide me
Enlightened
A good reality check is to ask: "Is this tool standing between me and musical greatness?" The answer is probably not. Helps the bank balance too.
Keep the flow going.
There are some good ideas here. Thank you.
The people we see doing the business on CZcams are, the popular channels certainly, also making income directly (over 1k subs etc so getting money that way or Patreon etc) or indirectly (paid for adverts, sponsorships, gifts and other freebies). These people appear successful and wealthy and, therefore, rolemodels.
Loved this video brother cheers!
🙏I just found this and I had a feeling that you'd have a softspoken voice.