Why Ryan Trahan's microphone matters

Broadcast yourself.

[@EpicDIZ]

I love the boldness of using a large mic while discussing the small one. Trahan is brilliant in his simplicity. Loved this video Jay.

[@thejayalto]

Brilliant in his simplicity. Love that.

[@r4bidgaming]

@@thejayalto DOES ANYBODY KNOW EVEN WHAT MICROPHONE RYAN IS USING! i must know and i will be dm'ing him if i can not find out. The only option i can think of is the RODE WIRELESS GO II and a Sennheiser lav mic.

[@NathanEspinoza]

I started holding my lav mic in all of my videos a few years ago when I saw Ryan Trahan do it. It looked fun, so I tried it. I still do it today because it definitely changes your whole approach when you're in front of the camera. Idk how to explain it, but It's so much easier to be casual and natural when you're holding a teeny tiny microphone between your fingers. The audio also sounds better haha

[@thejayalto]

I definitely understand what you’re saying. Feels less daunting.

[@kjdoesit]

I always find myself feeling awkward when I'm talking to anyone unless I have something in my hands. I feel this!

[@Dynamic_Declan]

I am a big fan if your channel

[@MurfsYT13]

"Authenticity isn't a style" perfect.

[@RedonsYT]

First like and first reply on verified comment

[@EricDarrell]

As an OG video maker from the pre-KZbin times, I'm digging Ryan's purposeful amateurism. Using basic tools and an unvarnished style allows his personality and the actual experiences to shine through, rather than getting buried under production gimmicks. It's video-making in its purest form - just a person and a camera documenting their world. Great insight Jay!

[@thejayalto]

Very well said

[@HillierSmith]

5:22 I was listening to this video I knew exactly what you cut too 😉

[@TheTraderGang]

Hey! Big fan, I know I should comment on your channel but I will insist here. As a completely new video editor like, what do you suggest to start from scratch to pro in video editing alongside storytelling. Kindly need an answer 🙏

[@mrmckinney2005]

The editing GOAT has landed

[@pappytoohot]

How the fuck did you find this channel

[@air_run]

You're the best editor 🫡😮

[@khalilliwen]

Very expected hahaha

[@ronschermerhorn]

"You can smell it from a mile away". You had me laughing on that one! Being real will stand the test of time! Thanks for sharing this Jay!

[@thejayalto]

It certainly will. Thanks for watching!

[@jakefelzien]

He IS Ryan Trahan. Best line 😂

[@thejayalto]

I love a good one-liner.

[@BrettVaughnB100]

"we don't do something to become KZbinrs we become KZbinrs to do more of that something" ... that hits home

[@thejayalto]

The forgotten strategy

[@JacketyJacket]

A lot of the comments here seem to be talking about how good Ryan Trahan is, and I totally agree, I've been watching him since before his Dr Phil reaction era, and still do to this day, but I think that you deserve just as much recognition regardless. Despite your lower subscriber account, I think that you have an insane level of talent, and it's clear how much you put into what you've made here. The way that you have written and present this video is perfect, and I felt just perfectly engaged right to the end. You built up an idea, a narrative, an argument, and you went with it. It's beautiful. Great video, about to watch more right away.

[@EmmaCruises]

To do: Go on a cruise, document it. Got it! ✅❤️ A great video as always, couldn’t agree more. 👏🏼👏🏼

[@thejayalto]

Enjoy!

[@TonioGuajardo]

Incredibly articulated. You’re so good at taking such an abstract thought or idea, and presenting it in such a tangible, practical, and palatable way. This is something I’ve thought about, but haven’t been able to put words to and now I feel like that itch has been scratched. It’s very satisfying.

[@thejayalto]

I’m glad I could scratch it

[@volginyoutube]

It's so strange to discuss a small microphone when you were born with a big microphone. Maybe Ryan is really embarrassed by his small microphone. And in this way he overcomes himself.

[@Doc_Beak]

🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@thejayalto]

Hahah lol

[@sierrad.7654]

I love this video it feels like it’s strait out of your brain. This is totally something that I would think about on like a Thursday or something. Great vid

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Yup- Switched from a nice mic to almost exclusively mis-using the lav mic- it ends up being a great thing for your hands to be doing, the running gag of attaching it to a new toy or object is fun, and the occasional furious comment I’ll get about holding a lav mic is extremely funny to me 😄

[@thejayalto]

It really does trigger some

[@DanFandelli]

“Be unapologetically yourself” - love this quote

[@thejayalto]

All that matters

[@samebloke]

This is only the second time I have heard of this Ryan fella. I must be living under a rock

[@EvansMTBSaga]

Glad I got recommended your channel today. I've seen your work on IG (I don't have Twitter), and of course mentioned on Colin and Samir. Your scripts are very well written and I love the crescendo. Thanks, will subscribe

[@danyil_koval]

I like it that every single time I click on your videos I actually get what I want and even slightly more which satisfies me thank you for that

[@thejayalto]

My pleasure

[@danyil_koval]

@@thejayalto yes

[@EthanHeinrichs]

Documentation is such fantastic advice for new KZbinrs. Great video, Jay!

[@thenaturalbodyworks]

At like 4:20 or so you mentioned that people live 'vicariously' and that really hit as true. Great videos man! SUBBED!

[@Aliumly]

I love how you slowly move the topic, and it seems soo smooth.! great work! This could really teach people who are in the platforms who feel like burnout

[@sprody]

It's such a refreshing experience to find a video like this that actually offers plenty of depth and thought beyond what's plainly observable. Really appreciate your analysis here, great work!!

[@esiars]

for anyone that wants to know the exact lav mic that Ryan uses is the "Tentacle track E"

[@thejayalto]

Good knowledge

[@mightyboateng]

This is a game changer for me. Thanks for sharing such valuable content..

[@DakilangPilosopo]

Thanks for providing value. I am now encouraged to create my own documentary.

[@EcomCarl]

Ryan's deliberate use of a small microphone and amateur filming style is a brilliant strategy that fosters authenticity and genuine connection with his audience. It's a reminder that in a world of polished productions, sometimes raw, unfiltered content can resonate most deeply. 👏

[@thejayalto]

And what makes KZbin so special

[@peterfritzphoto]

Excellent analysis, Jay - thank you.

[@thejayalto]

My pleasure

[@bernzmedia]

Taking this mentality to my next video. Thank you Jay. 🙌🏽

[@thejayalto]

Good luck

[@reeveyoutubestrategy]

i love your simple editing and storytelling style

[@thejayalto]

Thank you!

[@mchase4]

Great insight. I see Airrack doing this to from time to time. He definitely picked it up from Ryan.😊

[@roriesmith4654]

This is my first time watching one of your videos, but I have to say, your voice is very calming, and I felt so relaxed watching this video!

[@PaulYuNow]

Jay, I just binged your latest 3 videos because I haven't been on KZbin for a while, and this one was my favourite of the 3. I love how you say you like Ryan for his amateur style and that's part of your charm too, that you remind me of more old school KZbin where it's like a buddy talking to me in his room. You're about to hit 8k subs! I'm glad you're posting regularly Jay, looking forward to your next ones!

[@JamesGWall]

THis is one of your best videos. There's some very good points being made. When you look at the 'KZbin New Wave' trend, it's mostly people documenting their life, but I think when you combine that with a question and deliver it with a 3 act structure it's a winning formula in this era of youtube.

[@thejayalto]

Certainly is

[@beagobuzz]

I just bought my mic, and I love holding it. It helps me suppress the urge to fidget, and I love the more beginner look as well. Love that this was intentional!!

[@padilhalucas]

The best video yet! Always getting better, props to you bro! A hug from Brazil! 🎉

[@thejayalto]

Thank you. A hug from the UK.

[@jp.himself]

Amazing video. very thought provoking.

[@jaydanielstech]

Will check this out later, but I love the idea that there is an entire video packaged around Ryan’s mic. 👏🏻

[@thejayalto]

It matters!

[@i_dont_know_who_i_am69]

think I remember watching an hour long video essay about this a while ago haha

[@TSGPL]

I feel like this video gave me fixes to my problems, when it comes to starting out as a new content creator. The part of "making videos just for the sake of making them" is somewhere I've been myself. And hearing you talk about the fact that if you combine doing stuff you like to do (like in the vlogging era), with the title and thumbnail from the "MrBeast Era", and that people will just watch it because I'm the one doing it. Makes me realize that I don't have to be forced to create content I don't really like making, just for the sake of trying to put out content that is "well optimized for the algorithm". I'll probably be coming back to this video if I ever feel like I'm lost in the content I make, to just re-think it through. Thank you very much for making this awesome video Jay!

[@thejayalto]

I’m glad I could help!

[@viscerface]

Damn man. This is really good. You summed up everything in such a good way and explained what i'm suffering with to a dot. Thank you very much for this video man

[@thejayalto]

My pleasure

[@cailem02]

This video is basically the door video that Ludwig did. At least I think it was Ludwig.

[@daylenpollard]

Don't Create, Capture. You sir, have changed my life. Thank you for this.

[@SindriLevi]

Very poetic how you came back to the mic in the end. Great video

[@xtrapnation]

Great video!

[@thejayalto]

Thank you!

[@RispGD]

i found you here of all places lol

[@ryanrhodescooking]

great video thank you

[@MiguelFloFlo]

as an aspiring youtuber who has spent the last couple of months learning as much as a I can about creating the best youtube videos, this video right here. this one video from such a small channel has said more than all the other videos on this exact topic. good video man !!

[@thejayalto]

Kind words, thank you!

[@MobileGamingLegendz]

Been here since your first video and love every single one of them, cant wait for the next one Jay. This one was great!

[@TheArtificialAnalyst]

Finding your path on KZbin even with a clear goal in mind, can be tough and sometimes it will take you a hundred videos. Don’t forget that the biggest creators also spent many years figuring out who they are as a person and as a creator ✌🏻 I’m just a year into this journey and while my first video is a pain to watch, it helps me to see that I’m learning and showing my personality a tad more every time. Just have fun and create fun and awesome content y’all!

[@thejayalto]

That’s all you can do!

[@nikche7]

Oh damn this one is another hitting the perfect time! Thank you Jay.

[@thejayalto]

Glad I could help

[@realbarries]

Usually my love letters to Ryan Trahan go in my diary but I guess this works too

[@estorias_]

Another great video, Jay!

[@mrgreenguy]

This is something I was thinking about myself recently. How dumb it is to hold a Lav mic in the hand when it's made for concealing. But I don't think purposeful amateurism is the main reason. I think it's because we're all conditioned to listen to the person who's talking into a microphone. Lav mics are really easy and accessible to use, and flexible for using in different scenarios, so it makes sense to prefer it, but also holding a big mic in public would be too reminiscent of news reporters and more difficult to setup or use in different situations. In school assemblies, it's talking into the microphone that makes the room go quiet and everyone is expected to listen. Singers, stage performers, anyone with a loud crowd usually asks for people to listen by holding up a microphone to their mouth and talking into it without even having to say "listen up", because we all know we need to listen to the person with the microphone in their hand

[@soberplantguy]

Love your videos, Jay. And appreciate that you're going your own way on KZbin 😀

[@thejayalto]

Thank you, sir. It’s the only way.

[@ThatsBadTV]

Ryan and people like him are genius you can tell they focus more on the video idea and story than equipment

[@thejayalto]

True creatives.

[@WakingsCall]

Awesome Video. I recently had this insight for my own KZbin creations. Instead of trying to make videos about specific topics, or share my vision with the world, or try to get people to listen to my music... I am just going to live, create authentic music, learn to love myself and document my experience doing that. Thanks for sharing!

[@thejayalto]

Good switch

[@CalebWojcik]

Enjoyed this one. Gonna share it to my email list later today. Completely agree on the craving for authentic content these days. Viewers can “smell” production value and fake-ness a mile away.

[@thejayalto]

They certainly can

[@leapnlarry]

We have a RV travel channel, and are in the middle of switching from diy and informational, education videos to just sharing our journey. It’s a big step, vlogging and trying to tell a story. The hard part is the edit, making it real and interesting if you are not as charasmatic as RT. Larry

[@somaticconsent510]

I like that, my thinking and feeling too,.

[@Lianz23]

What an amazing and relevant video! Keep on the good content, we need more.

[@RispGD]

i swear this channel is like a chatroom for small and big youtubers lol

[@JesseVelosa]

Very good video man, I learned a from it

[@thejayalto]

Good to hear it

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Wow that was like watching a teddy TED talk! Great video!

[@thejayalto]

TED talk should officially rebrand to teddy TED talk.

[@TRXST.ISSUES]

The problem being that this is what’s working right now - it seems to shift every 2-5 years. The real question is whether Ryan would keep his style if it wasn’t working.

[@RafikiMusicc]

I would argue people didn’t stop watching cause they got repetitive but because the creators themselves stopped creating

[@OctopusEight]

got this in my recommended, actually fire video watched it all the way through

[@jonaragogna]

love your shoutout to david dalen! I've been enjoying his vlogs so much.

[@thejayalto]

pov: I agree with this comment

[@walkwithyan]

omg this video! you said it so well and took us to a place we didn't know we needed to be in. 😊

[@thejayalto]

Thank you!

[@geomantilla]

this was a concise yet powerfully written video. Good job man!!

[@thejayalto]

Not trying to waste anyone’s time

[@Kaviranghari]

I am gonna just put my prediction before watching. I believe it brings the audience closer to him and vice versa by highlighting that he is speaking to them and them only and is focused on them which inturn grabs our attention even stronger.

[@Kaviranghari]

Yup that is it.

[@thejayalto]

Yep!

[@JoyProductionz]

Bless you Jay, this gave me exactly what I needed to start making videos again. gonna make one today

[@thejayalto]

Did you get it done?

[@JoyProductionz]

@@thejayalto filmed it. Have to edit it :)

[@TechTroublemaker]

Authenticity is thankfully really hard to fake.

[@thejayalto]

You can smell it from a mile away

[@courtclimbs]

Aw, this is so cute, thank you for sharing 💛

[@thejayalto]

My pleasure

[@dez8506]

Randomly came acorss this video and THIS IS GOLD!! love the vid!!

[@thejayalto]

Thank you!!

[@danny50_50]

Jay Alto is firing off all cylinders on this one - banger.

[@thejayalto]

Yessir

[@flyfishsodak]

Lol, I love the way your like... "The solution to everything..." is beer. (1:48)

[@thejayalto]

The British in me…

[@flyfishsodak]

@@thejayalto Great video and theory though. You're a really under-rated youtuber

[@RamenSupplier]

recently started a clash royale channel to share life stories & play the game in the background. i loved this video man, everything you explained perfectly I was needing to hear. It’s some helpful guidance because i’ve been wanting to make my own content but kept worrying i would fall into the pit of just copying others for the sake of “views” or “making $$$” one day here. That walt disney quote is going to stick with me. In other words, thank you -another new sub to the channel

[@thejayalto]

Such a good quote

[@benjamin.kelley]

Because Tascam DR-10L is the G.O.A.T. and I use 4 of them for wedding films. No wireless signal, just a mic and a pack that fits in a pocket. Also, even though its a lav mic, it sounds better closer to the mouth - just like any mic.

[@iteli]

Even if Ryan is doing all this on purpose and using reverse psychology or something, I still love him so much

[@DADDIOH]

Stellar insight 🌟

[@thejayalto]

Thank you, sir

[@JeremyLeech]

My only issue with lavaliers or any wireless mic people use these days, is they HOLD IT. IT LITERALLY HAS A CLIP FOR YOUR SHIRT!!!

[@wisdommudasiru]

This is a beautiful explanation of how Ryan has managed to create a lane for himself and become a pioneer on KZbin

[@thejayalto]

He certainly has created his own lane

[@DontPraiseTheMachinePod]

Love your vids Jay. One of my fave channels right now ❤

[@thejayalto]

And I hope it stays that way

[@LaytonObserves]

The great thing about this video is that half way through I forgot that the video was "supposed" to be about Ryan's microphone, and yet the content was still captivating. Then the twist at the end, too? V clever

[@thejayalto]

Thank you

[@motibrody4102]

Wow! Man you've got some real good points!

[@MikeCrocker]

6:30 The hardest thing I, personally, have had to overcome. At one point when I was feeling stuck on how to present myself in my videos, I Google'd, "how to be more authentic" and only then did I see the irony of that statement

[@thejayalto]

The authenticity paradox

[@speedracer9132]

Why is he so popular, his channel is just “twink does this” “twink does that”

[@firewhite]

is your attention span so bad you couldn’t fully watch this vid?

[@TheRelaxingRide]

"being unapolagetically yourself" on a platform for children can be quite tough if you actually want to use your voice and express any sort of opinion without reams of explainers, disclaimers, pre-roll post-roll trigger warnings, censoring words etc ... youtube does not allow authenticity because it is a platform for advertisers and us normal folk have to find a way to be ok with all of that if we want to make money to make more youtube on youtube

[@thejayalto]

Maybe naively, I still believe you can find your audience doing whatever you want (as long as it's interesting). KZbin is so insanely big. Your tribe is out there.

[@ADHDindieArtist]

“Document don’t create” ok Gary Vee

[@MableM1985]

Great observations! I only recently started watching Ryan’s videos, and was surprised at how disarming they are. I immediately liked the guy for the reasons you mentioned. And yet, it took me ages to watch his videos because his thumbnails were so polished I assumed he was another Mr. Beast knock off. So, endearing amateur videos but professional thumbnails.

[@thejayalto]

So different (and a great watch)

[@M13TER]

This Video is gooood... subscribed

[@TomJ211]

This video has actually made me realise that I don't think I should continue with my channel. I started making videos when I was young so I am stuck making content that I don't like anymore. I always have to put on a act in videos/streams. The only reason I haven't quit yet is because I know that I'm someone's favourite youtuber so I just continue. I also cope by just thinking that I can try and be a good kids youtuber but at the same time I don't really like to do this.

[@KarlSkorger]

Authencity is Unique to you

[@thejayalto]

Correct

[@EvanRaugust]

Definitely your best video yet

[@thejayalto]

That’s what I like to hear

[@mistrkittty]

big ups on this one!

[@101wonderment]

that's all great and i agree with you 100%, but non of that matter if his content sucks ... he is simply master story teller! great video!!

[@thejayalto]

He really is

[@Shassulife]

You have a very engaging and warm way of explaining things 🥹 Thank you for a great video with many genius thoughts

[@thejayalto]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching!

[@FelixCousins]

love this video! Authenticity>>>

[@thejayalto]

Yessir

[@FelixCousins]

@@thejayalto noticing throughout earth a deep craving for it

[@starta]

Tom Nicholas did a video speaking on this phenomenon as well! It seems like there is definitely something to this idea. 🤔 Great video man!

[@thejayalto]

I remember watching. Great video.

[@adonisvillain]

Woah, at first i seen micro mic in hand off MUSAEUS. Very interesting discussion about authenticity. Kinda inspiring. I even want to try KZbining on summer holidays

[@siennacliff]

This is very helpful thanks