My Highly Practical Studio Tour

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[@mixingmadesimple]

Dude Big Z you are the best. I remember the stoner days! I was one of those commentors giving you shit for that! hahaha.

[@BRANDONRIGGGS]

slimming down I see brother. Keep up the great work!

[@christianharris8908]

Studio looks great, Z! You’ve poured a lot of knowledge into us, you deserve to have a great spot, man. Also, on a random note, you also look really healthy too! Your face is looking really defined. Seems like you’re leveling up on all capacities. I love to see it.

[@opticalman6417]

having a sound proof room does not = a amazing sounding studio it just means people cant hear whats going on inside the room and you cant hear whats going on outside the room

[@markushamusic]

So cool that you moved to NYC! We want more personal/business insight videos from you!

[@musicbysazid]

Why don't you setup an affilliate shop already at somewhere like Amazon? That will be great for whoever wants to buy the exact gears.

[@BigZMusic]

I kind of feel scammy setting up affiliate links for some reason. I’ll make sure to put a list of all the gear in this video description tomorrow though

[@musicbysazid]

@@BigZMusic I think it's alright to do it. We trust you

[@austomatik]

@@BigZMusic Hey reminder to post your gear! Really curious where you got the acoustic panels

[@eomusic11]

Yoo Big Z, just wanted to say that you've helped so much with my production. I just started a month ago and I've gained so much knowledge and now back to watching the studio tour.

[@BigZMusic]

Thanks for watching man, appreciate you!

[@rapando5834]

Damn, this may be the most relatable music production video I've watched in a while.

[@Officialzanky]

Big a is a genuine dude

[@ThePdeHav]

Yeah, I assumed you were absolutely baked on camera …. until a few moments ago. Nevertheless the content quality of your videos is peerless. As a mainly PT guy I use your videos as reference when hopping on LPX with the added bonus of learning something new about a particular technique as it evolves. Thank you for your service , Captain Hemp

[@vanderloo1978]

You can hang heavy drapes, to dampen the sound over the doors when mixing. Then pull them away for daily use.

[@BigZMusic]

Yeah I was looking into getting something like that, I’m trying to find something that won’t make it look too bad

[@6Litz_]

​@@BigZMusicWe use multiple 3M large designer hooks to hang our acoustic panels on our doors. The sticky strips they come with remove away cleanly and easily

[@panagope]

Make a video of how easy is to make a living from music production, how many hours of experience do you need to start, which sources of income are the money come from , etc !

[@HarryGileis]

just noticed how much of a glow up you have made dude, you look andsome, keep it up!

[@Itsallawesome]

The gate on your audio sounds really distracting. You should try waves clarity vx, way more natural

[@kaisersnap]

Man, if you made a course on how to make KZbin-videos, I would buy it without hesitating!

[@victorrabeloficial]

You're getting so old bro :(

[@hokima111]

Bro you lost some weight haha! Love seeing you grow, well deserved

[@johnskyfield]

1:06 hahahaha

[@guidosc3470]

These screens are amazing ! I own one myself and i don´t regret a single cent. And the resolution is SO good for Ableton, 3D Print Slicer and CAD stuff .. as well as Max4Live !! I cant live without my Studiodisplay these days- honestly ! Even MORE important than my M1Max with 64gb ram. I could even live with a properly spected Macbook Air .. but not without the display XD

[@collegestatistics]

You deserve this beautiful studio, big time! May you become truely inspired in every moment you spend in your new digs!!! And also, so glad you did some of those great mixes on headphones! I made a comment on another KZbinr's mixing channel about how the novice engineer should not be spending money on studio monitors in a room not properly acoustically treated, and to get a good pair of mixing headphones instead. He told me to stop spreading nonsense! So, knowing that you did those great mixes on headphones, well, that makes me feel vindicated. Enjoy and keep the great music and inspiring videos coming! Best, Guthrie.

[@BigZMusic]

Thanks for the kind words, appreciate you watching!

[@StanleyGurvich]

Dude i gotta say, i also used samson and i still use Volumeshaper 4!. i really do think that this is one of the best channels on youtube. ive been making music for 22 years and im in a rut for like 4 years. after stumbling upon this channel i gotta say, this is some of the best knowledge on YT, Thank you BZ.

[@schubertludwig]

You and your studio look great! :-)

[@KELLAPSAGE]

Well deserved!

[@andyshawproducer]

Big up Big Z, love your videos man. How many TB SSD did you go for on your M1? I'm gonna get an M4 when they come out and wondering if I should (like you) put all my samples + current projects etc on the MacBook internal hard drive and just use extrernals for back up. How much free space do you like to keep on your internal SSD?

[@TeezoDouble]

Love the minimal setup, so fresh. You had a Traktor S8 in the early days!! Still have mine front and center. Cheers to your music journey.

[@AlexVegasUK]

TIL that Americans have local layers of income tax and not just one 🤯

[@eastfreakspl]

Hey, I have a question about subwoofers. I've been using the HS-8s for 7 years along with Sonarworks Reference, which slightly "colors" the sound. I've never worked with a subwoofer before. In your opinion, is a subwoofer needed with this pair of monitors?

[@iliadmusicofficial4911]

Couple of questions for you 1. Where’d you purchase the panels? 2. How heavy of a load do you drop on MacBook? Are you using a lot of kontakt like plugins? Is it handling it well? 3. Have you tried using AirPods with the MacBook? Is there a latency? Can you actually work with them?

[@phst-music]

A big thank you for sharing all these audio techniques that you could have just kept to yourself. Even though I'm passionate about music and composition, just watching your videos is always a great source of motivation and inspiration. I'm really happy to see how far you've come and that you can now show us the dream studio you've created. Always humble, you're right to remind us that it takes much less to do good work. Anyway, I wanted to express today, from France, all the friendship and gratitude I have for you. May you continue to achieve your dreams and keep making us dream. Musically yours, Philip

[@HEINandKLEIN]

maybe you could list some of your stuff here with links where to buy like USB Hub and HDs?

[@opticalman6417]

cheap monitors like those you have fool your ears and mask frequencies the yams sound very bland if you really want to hear whats going on in the mix you need high end monitors not monitors that are hyped that fool your ears

[@stickybeats]

Any monitors will work. Yes, monitors with flatter response are nicer, but the most important thing is to learn how your specific monitors sound. Once you know that, you can easily mix properly with pretty much anything.

[@davidallanmusic]

@@stickybeats That's only true if you're not looking to compete sonically with the best. I had the Yamaha's and their matching sub for 15 years. I upgraded to the Ex Machina Pulsars this spring and it's a night and day difference for the better.

[@stickybeats]

@@davidallanmusic You'll get no argument from me that nice gear is nice to have and nice to use, and I love gear just as much as anyone else. I also agree that most people will be able to perceive some type of difference when comparing similar types of gear. The point Big Z is trying to make is that it's more important to focus on honing your skills and getting good at your craft than it is to worry about what gear you're using or how much it cost. He just told us he's made stadium bangers on headphones for the last decade, and there are many examples of people succeeding with only elementary tools throughout history. This story is not unique. At the end of the day the magic comes from the artist, not from the gear.

[@opticalman6417]

@@stickybeats listen right all studio monitors are flat its the room thats is not flat so thats what needs working on but the manufacturers don't want you to know that

[@davidallanmusic]

@@stickybeats This argument that many people make is pure intellectualized cope. Work hard, save money and then get the experience on high end monitors. Until then you don't really know what you don't know. It's Plato's allegory of the cave.

[@djsimz6232]

The setup looks super clean and professional man. Enjoy your new space! By the way, what lights are you using to record the video?

[@chrisbator4303]

Yooooo Z!! Love the setup homie!! Quick question - for the HS8s and the HS8 sub, what do you set the crossover to in the sub? Do you have it handle like 0 -100Hz and then the HS8 monitors for all frequencies above 100? I have a pair of HS5s and the HS8 sub. I used to do 0 - 120Hz w the sub and have the HS5s reproduce all other frequencies. Also, do you think it is 100% necessary to have the sub?

[@CFox.7]

Hi, looking good with the weightloss ! 1:What did you study at college ? 2: When you mixed in headphones - did you use any VST room simulator ? Like NX etc 3: Your website only mentions mixing services but you referred to yourself as earning as a producer - can you expand pls

[@Swiftopher755]

Well deserved! Enjoy your new space!

[@EricFlorezMusic]

Nice I noticed you layered your voice with white noise for that festival studio feeling

[@DarkTrapStudio]

What do you need to make a living of music ? A decent computer, studio heaphones, interface, maybe a mic, an Iphone to make videos (60$ Iphone 6S make 4K video) Thats all you need essentially

[@barbaqbeats2202]

Awesome vid man. Why not get a snaken plant. Does not require watering, sun and is great for health. Look it up. And there are others as well.

[@djcontour]

I would look into one of the door hooks that go over the top of the actual door, then hang your panel From the on the bathroom door. That’s gonna be the one that’s always closed unless in use. And since the door opens into the bathroom, it won’t be getting in the way of anything. And that hook will add much more structural integrity instead of mounting in on the door itself.

[@Johnatronmusic]

Ive had the same yamahas for around 12 years now, and they still sound amazing! Although i produce with krks now. Nice insight to your journey though mate.

[@ThePdeHav]

I’m in the process of going maximalist. Upgraded to studio space with a live room. Sticking my kit in there and a piano. In fact I’m doing the exact opposite. This is because I’m a little older and only now have the resources to build out my fantasy studio of 25 plus years. Wish your new set up brings you luck.

[@SynthAlchemy]

Also you can replace the doors. Just switch them back when you move out.

[@flexile7939]

i am trying to move from a standalone pc to a laptop and I am kinda confused on how do I move my stuff there? I have way more samples, plugins and libraries than laptop hard drive offers...what could u recommend? Can I use external HDD for work and not just backup?

[@PTFWWDB]

Big Z I have a fully spec'd M1 Macbook and the shit starts getting laggy in LUNA when I get buses and inserts going, I'm guessing you use the apollo to speed your machine up?

[@capturejay3079]

Greetings from Germany Berlin Broski! I enjoy your Logic Pro content.

[@JTFuller]

Bruh! I feel you so bad bro.. I am happy for you.. You've taught me a lot.. That's for sure, so HECKS TO THE YEAH!!!!! You deserve it dude, Congratulations.. Outstanding work bro..

[@hsnozgr]

Learned so much from you over the last couple of years, man!! Love your videos and music. This setup looks so nice and is certainly well-deserved. Keep up the good work and being awesome!🙏🏼

[@michail_777]

Hey, good for you. I don't have a super studio, but after buying the Abbey Road Studio 3, I realized that good headphones are enough for me at this point. All the best.

[@nando4070]

I've been looking for a USB hub. What USB hub are you using?

[@NotDayWalker]

People can brag about having analogue gear all they want but listen to what this guy say about analogue gear. If you cant make a dope track with plugins then you just suck. no analogue gear is gonna make your shitty skills magically better. - anonymous music producer

[@PTFWWDB]

I went on my 2015 iMac the other day and I was blown away by how nice the screen was compared to these shit LG ones I'm using daily

[@MaxLoopTV]

I have one of my tracks on that hard drive that you Mastered for me 4 years ago...hehe

[@michaelherrickmusic]

dope video man. Would love to go into the business side of it more and explain your process, like how to get clients, sources of income ,etc. Keep up the good work!

[@greyson66]

Congrats! Do you do any measurement test before purchase those acoustic panels?

[@screendrem]

Been following you since you were at like 3k followers...stoked for you this is so dope.

[@joshd265]

How did you hang your acoustic panels in a rental property? Did you drill holes?

[@thehaydnpaterson]

bro the audio voiceover is incredibly high quality but it looks and feels fake lol. like it feels like an AI dub over

[@SoftClip_Q]

I mean skrillex has a 10m dollar studio and you ask the majority of the people in his circle and it’s mostly him on his laptop sitting at a table or on the couch playing out of his laptop speakers.

[@opticalman6417]

don't be fooled by that when he doing serous work trust me he will be in the studio not on his couch when it comes to making music your only as good as the room your working in its not what gear you got but how you use it but the room plays a very big part in the process

[@ArtyShat]

as opticalman pointed out above me, he is 100% right, sure he does initial demos and ideas on his MBP speakers or headphones but once he have a rough idea of where the song is going or if he really considers the idea/demo to become an actual song and finish it, you can be sure he will plug his MBP to his expensive audio interface and start listening in his studio with a proper setup, that's the BIGGEST difference why all this musicians songs sound so good

[@TylerWaveBeats]

How do you calculate the place you need to place the absorber, how do you know how thick they are.

[@chucknkd]

Z, sounds like young need to move to Nashville… no state or city income tax and lower cost of living to boot

[@opticalman6417]

most people don't get when it comes to production your only as good as the room most people are stuck in a box room which isn't good real studio don't have corners some are round which is why they sound so god dam good no matter how much money you spend on studio monitors the biggest problem all home studio bods face is room issues a lack of bass to much bass not hearing the high mids right you get my driff the most important part to focus on should be the room you can have all the best gear in the world but it wont make for a great sounding studio if the room isnt right

[@jamesangusmusic]

what's the name of the lights behind the monitors dude?

[@kirillSunrise]

Love you Big Z, keep making good stuff!

[@marcelsafin6675]

After so many years, the story about you being high has finally been told😂

[@mrThurmenMurmen]

I got the same hoodie LULULEMON GANG

[@SensitiveDilemma]

Bros jawline is popping out nowadays

[@santhymx]

You're an inspiration man 🙌🏻

[@eomusic11]

Would love to see you talk about MID-SIDE eq.

[@bl_official_]

7k for a Laptop? Never heard anyone spending that much on a laptop tbh

[@hithere4289]

tbh m1/2/3 laptops are so worth it and will replace any desktop plus you can take them anywhere. my next purchase will be a maxed out m series mac but once I can afford it lol

[@BigZMusic]

I know it sounds insane, and I know you can get more bang for your buck with windows laptops. But I use Mac software for music and video editing. The M1 chip can handle whatever I throw at it and saves me tons of time when it comes to rendering and editing video and audio faster

[@ArtyShat]

hope that plant is fake because it will die 100% ahaha

[@Ultraskill23]

Hey nice studio. Can you tell me what is the plant name :D

[@nexobeats256]

Congs Z ❤

[@kau_music]

have you been going to the gym lately ?

[@misharomanoff]

But how much was the plant?

[@PrimitiveNoiseVideos]

Simple, practical, awesome!!

[@opticalman6417]

the studio monitors are not hs8 there hs80m

[@viralhotspot7543]

bro you ok? you seem really skinny now

[@alvesdeejay]

No fancy equipments but great great music and quality 💪🏻

[@AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69]

Abelton Live 12. The browser alone puts Logic to shame. M4L devices galore and you can get into building your own devices.

[@justinjones2595]

You still look high all the time

[@audaversemusic]

do you actually hold your mouse in your left hand? thats craziness for sure but the studio is looking dope, keep doing you man. always excellent videos!

[@dongarcez]

Great journey bro! Studio looks pretty awesome...

[@BrandonHartOfficial]

Been watching you since you were sub 5K subs; so insane to see how far you've come, Big Z! Keep it up!

[@solarplexus7]

Great to see a producer normalizing an in the box studio. Hardware compressors etc are NOT worth the extra money and space

[@Zanebuckets5]

I’m BIGZ too!

[@ChrisCeeStylzChavez6155]

Awesome Champ Looks Great. You Still Located in NYC Or Relocated. Iam In Woodhaven Queens.

[@mdvmusic]

Which Cloud Service do you, use?

[@mdvmusic]

…for backup…

[@crazyhoarse]

7000 for a laptop? what

[@jeroendepauw3635]

Great setup! If there's one thing i would change, it's those monitors ;) Change them with an Ultrawide Screen. These days, you have a lot of options at a reasonable price. We have the HP e45c. It looks better, but most important of all, it works so much faster!!

[@shimmernights]

Genelec will be sound million times better. Your HS8 is just HiFi acoustic. You can't hear compression on them, you can't hear attacks right way, you need +3db of eq to start hear that. On Genelec you can hear +0.5db of equalization. HS8 ok for writing an arrangement, but not for mixing and mastering. So stop misleading people and study the topic.

[@BigZMusic]

I appreciate the feedback, but I personally think telling people they need $10,000 speakers to properly mix music is misleading. I made a living mixing music on headphones for years - those clients seemed happy enough with the mixes to keep coming back for more projects

[@shimmernights]

@@BigZMusic when did I say that you need to spend 10,000? Genelec has excellent solutions like 8330 monitors + 7350 sub + GLM tool kit which will cost you about 3000. Almost like your pointless Apple monitors. But for these 3000 you will get perfect three-way system with DSP and correction for any room.

[@uchitpratapsingh3274]

Man, you've lost weight . Looking good. And congratulations for your new studio.

[@zLumer]

Love your setup! Thanks for a complete cost breakdown!

[@sha3439]

It’s so bad that everyone in the world struggles with money issues.

[@Fred_Free]

Great! Really nice to have such a slim and portable studio setup. My situation is the opposite, like 20 analog synths, full rack units, etc. Do you have contact with any "pro" studio in NYC where you can listen, final mix and master songs?

[@GunterDS_SteReo_G]

1/2 taxes ... welcome to Belgium, 54% you pay on taxes ...

[@JonDaviz]

Big W

[@pierogimusic]

keep up bro we are waiting for new hits much love best regards dj bill

[@morgan_lane_music]

Thanks Big Z! It seems like your studio isn't built for recording vocals at all. Do you primarily work remotely with vocalists or do you meet the vocalists at a separate recording studio?

[@Christm76]

Exactly what i thought! You don't need much to make good music. Everything looks practical. However, I would add some wheels for the door panels

[@simphiwem4355]

Well done Zach👏🏾🔥really inspiring stuff

[@時雨-f1h]

Nice setup,,,I think you could move the panel on the window more fowardly. In this way it would not only absorb more low end but even out the surface a little bit. They look like panels from GIK. If so I am wondering if you feel the room a bit overdamped since you have a lot of absorptions or did you use the ones with the scatter plates?