A TOUR OF MY STUDIO | Secret Weapons

[@kyleingram8857]

You continue to be a huge inspiration, Mark. Thanks for keeping it real and providing true, honest value to your audience.

[@cheadlebased5215]

That laundry room reveal was awesome, made me laugh out of relatability. Thanks for being human!

[@Sinesquares]

That was so inspiring man… I face the exact same problem, too much gear and no space other than a small desk in the corner of my living room. And seeing this kinda made me reevaluate things. 🖤⚡️

[@markjohnstonofficial]

That’s 100% the goal here.

[@Firstinversion899]

How very generous for you to do this. Well done🙌🙌

[@brothermarc7293]

Inspiration bro- your perspective and thoughts are bars of gold that fulfill the measure in anytime for all of us.

[@davemahan1993]

I appreciate this video so much. I play in bands and am looking to spend more of my downtime recording and writing on my own. Your channel has been inspiring and a good push to move forward with things. Also, I’m constantly amazed at the level of gear that we can get for home video/audio recording. It’s light years beyond where it was even 10 years ago.

[@nerdebynature]

Really appreciate this video. I love how clean and professional your videos look, and the literal moving of the curtain to show the laundry room was demystifying for sure!

[@the_real_kieganjones9932]

I love this. The fact that you can do as much as you do with the little space that you have is a testament to how anybody can really get into this. I found your channel early this year, and I’ve been super grateful that I have because it’s been crazy and informative and helping me to understand my own equipment that I’ve used for years a little bit better. Keep up the good work.

[@KelvinPit-n6u]

Mark, cool space I also have an even smaller setup but it works for what I do anyway love all the great videos and mostly the cool pedal demo's Thanks, I'am a fan for life!!!

[@clayingold6193]

Such a sick video. When I first left my day job and started doing music full time, I had a desk with a laptop and a midi controller in the corner of our bedroom. I recorded and mixed a lot of music at that desk that I’m really proud of. If you can be strategic, the space you’re in doesn’t matter too much.

[@matthewmcclure3181]

Thanks for making this "different" type of video, it really helps ground perspective. Timing was perfect too as I was just lamenting my space limitations. I have a modest but quality collection of outboard gear that I'm not using because I don't feel like putting the effort into setup and tear down. "If only I had a reasonably sized room dedicated to recording..." needs to exit from my brain and I need to put a little more creative effort into making my current space work. Thanks!

[@arielfer07]

Mark you are an amazing talented person. Thank God for people like Mark

[@jerrycharles66]

Man, I'm so encouraged and inspired and appreciate your humble, candid spirit.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I put a TON of work into making things look and sound polished and professional on the channel. It’s important for me both as someone who just cares a ton about what I do and also so that I’m representing well when brands entrust me with explaining their stuff. But I also want to make sure nobody ever comes away from what I make thinking it’s remotely out of reach because it absolutely isn’t.

[@revbaxter3681]

This is your best video since telling us to stop using so much reverb on ambient tracks.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Haha I really ought to do a new version of that video. I’ve changed a lot in my workflow since the days of that video.

[@nicholasrella6904]

Yeah the best part about buying all these awesome expensive reverbs is when we stop using them. Sounds funny but it's totally true. I like most of my fx very subtle. But some of these things cost a lot of $$$ so you feel the need to crank them up get your money's worth. So fight the urge I say. Spend all your money on equipment & don't use it!!! Keep it raw & unadulterated.

[@masonperkinsmusic]

Which video is this referring to? This interests me.😊

[@PerishableDave]

Ooh got a link to that video?

[@revbaxter3681]

@@PerishableDave How I Build Ambient Guitar Tone (And Why It's Less About Reverb Than You Think)

[@brutalpedz]

Hahaaa it's huge ! Thank you for showing this ! I'm always complaining I need more space, more gear etc... and everything I really need is already here. Thank you for making inspiring content and reviving the flame for using my mini home studio !

[@DavidAllenRose]

I really appreciate that you shared your studio setup. I recently downsized my studio. I needed to do that because I feel I can do more with less.

[@m4ssi86]

Great video!! We are living in wonderful days, recording at home is really easy

[@KapaDeFreitas]

Loved this man! Hadn’t heard of you before this video, but have already subscribed! Going to check your stuff now! Cheers!

[@juliorochell]

I love this video, Mark!

[@nicorzmusic]

Thanks fir sharing it! It's great to know that. You have done a lot with what you already have. Keep going!

[@Zan_Halford]

I applaud you, Mark! I’m live in Hawaii, and my living space is very small two bedroom in this time in my family’s life. I’m fortunate, certainly. Right now I have to settle with a bakers rack in our bedroom for my stuff. 😊. Can’t wait for the day that becomes a room on its own. 🎉cheer mate. -Zan

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Hey I get it. I spent the first several years of this combo music/video thing having to unpack ALL of it, music gear and video gear and everything. I've only had a dedicated space of any size for maybe the last 2

[@Zan_Halford]

@@markjohnstonofficial bro, that’s WILD. tech up and tear down, while still being creative! You’re awesome .

[@stevedaymusic]

Highly informative and encouraging. I work in a small loft room with a double sloping roof on either side. It has been treated with foam, has a short, tight sweet spot for loose mixing, and the finish is done on the same DT770s, but to be honest, I feel better in smaller spaces, where everything is in ‘swivel distance’! I’ve not been comfortable in larger rooms - it’s like my thoughts escape too easily 😊.

[@philguilliatt80]

I love the fact you have Stereo washing machines in your studio😂😂 seriously I love all the Stereo content / information you provide not that I can afford some of the pedals you use, but keep up the fantastic work you produce well done.

[@chris.rcavazos]

this is so funny. i’m actually currently in the apollo twin + behringer ada8200 (i sniped both of them for cheap too haha) phase of my producer journey. it’s allowed me to track live drums on a budget which i’m super grateful for. i’m looking forward to the day i can upgrade, but for now this rig gets me very far for my needs! i just discovered your channel through this video too. happy to be here!

[@mikegentry1193]

Fantastic video. It’s a real inspiration to just do what you can with what you’ve got. Thank you. Oh, and that rhythm guitar on the left is killer tight.

[@aaronlsuton]

This is great - thank you!

[@defsantiago]

Best video ever …hands down. The best.

[@SamWittek]

As a dude setting up and tearing down in my living room, this was really inspiring for me. Love what you do man 🤘🏻

[@TylerOKC]

Probably the most important video you’ve made to date… which is only important because of how great all your other videos are. Thanks for showing everyone the reality and inspiring our own realities to be looked at as what they are and that it’s about what we do in them, not to them.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

thanks so much. the goal here really has become to just show others how low the barrier of entry really is

[@andrewsovine5121]

Good on you, pal. We’ve had the whole “it’s what you do, not what you have” conversation before. I’m glad you’re out there sharing the good word.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

My man. Convos like that are 90% of why I want to make videos like this.

[@Derrick_Rucker]

That’s it… I’m doing it! Thanks man!

[@SubtractiveMoves]

And I thought this was all filmed on a spacecraft hurling through time. When Andertons went to That Pedal Show I was amazed how small their room was but who really cares? It's the content that matters. This was awesome 👌 Thanks😊

[@timothy5974]

Thanx for this.

[@Paul_Uhl_]

This is the best kind of content, Mark 👏👏👏 perfect timing being the time of year when we're all reflecting on things we're thankful for.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Thanks Paul. I love the practice of “best foot foreword” when making stuff but I find that most conversations I have are about how much more accessible all this is than people realize

[@SuddenSoundStudios]

So much respect, Mark. Thank you!

[@danmontesinos2094]

Thanks for sharing this very honest video of your home studio. This is something I had wondered and definitely bought in you having a bigger recording space, but now I realize is a lot closer to what I have (except for not having every pedal option you have). Great work as always.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

And yet, if you read the signal chain in my video comments, I’m using MOSTLY the same gear video over video. You really do just need way less gear than you think

[@gonzalozech]

This is your best video ever, I've been buying lots of gear that you recommended hoping to move to a better place some day since my home is not much suitable for making music for different reasons. But this shows that you don't need a $200k studio to make great sounding music.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Thank you. And yeah the vast majority of my time making music was on a recording rig for like no money. Even if you go back like a year on this channel you’ll see me recording on an Apollo twin mki I bought used for like $350 and an ikea desk that cost less than $50. It’s great to have been able to grow it to what it even is now but none of that is remotely NEEDED to write and mix great sounding stuff

[@gonzalozech]

@@markjohnstonofficial Thanks for being a huge inspiration, keep it going🙏🏻

[@SeriousTipStudio]

No, don't look behind the curtains. The fantasy is now gone. Mr Wizard of Oz. This is why it's so great being in the box with our DAW. I enjoyed your introduction song of this video. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@ThePedalboardOrchestra]

This is such an inspirational video. 🙌 Your content and your sound is top notch. Everything sounds so professional, and the demo videos are so detailed. My favorite to go channel for this kind of stuff. Thank you very much for all your work. 🙏👍👍👏👏

[@sons7429]

Thanks for this video man! You can do anything in any space! I literally record in a corner of my studio apartment next to the boiler panel haha and I’m doing film scoring! Anything is possible

[@markjohnstonofficial]

My favorite era of Rhett’s channel was his crazy cramped “parents basement next to the water heater” space. So I totally get it.

[@summercameron3505]

I triple-dog-dare you to mic those laundry machines in a future video (y'know, just for kicks;)). I LOVE this video - thank you for pulling back that curtain! ☮

[@RickPandorf]

I rarely comment on youtube videos but wanted to sincerely thank you for making this, it was excellent. My room with all of my gear is about the size of yours and I feel cramped, but this was pretty inspirational.

[@RSIDNTmusic]

This video is amazing, thank you!

[@davidsummerville351]

Great episode! Thanks 😎🤓

[@doubled5383]

You should integrate some washing machine sounds into your music! Love the studio/ laundry room multi-task room. Matchless Lightning and Echofix must be magic.

[@compucorder64]

The BeyerDynamic 770 are really good, the others too - I use the 880 Pro all the time. Give Soundworks a try, just for when you are mixing, does make them sound even better. Another nice upgrade is the incredibly good Topping L-30 II headphone amps that are a little over $100. I've been enjoying bass more since I got the nice compact Ampeg SVT-210. Using it with a small head like the Ampeg Venture, Darkglass Microtubes 200, or even the Aguilar. It's definitely more satisfying playing bass through at least a 1x12" or 2x10". I have the MOSFET Micro VR, but you have to replace out the fan, or put it the head away from the mic, say behind your curtain. So wouldn't recommend those as much for recording.

[@ericscherzer2544]

Very inspiring! Thank you!

[@bluematrix5001]

You are a good guy!

[@MatthewsEffects]

Great video, great message.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Ahh thanks man. We live in kind of the best time to be able to make things sound amazing from home and I think people don’t realize JUST how accessible it is

[@MatthewsEffects]

@@markjohnstonofficial Agreed!! Love also your cinematography choices.

[@npc.projecto]

I have the same environment, use a curtain as well & try to make it work so I kno the struggle! lol I’m continuously learning from you so thank you for the inspiration & hard work! 🙏🏻

[@Kjetil_MB]

Thanks for showing your home studio, even that you have the washer and dryer in there. Awesome. What drum plugins do you use? They sound phenomenal!

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Mixwave Aaron Gillespie.

[@AdamBards]

Very inspiring, as always!

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Thanks!

[@meeno_the_man]

“The only way you get better at it, is by getting better at it.” Beautiful. Thanks for the glimpse into your inspired world.

[@PeterJaquesMusic]

Just wanted to point out that pro tools is not only by subscription. You can buy a perpetual license including upgrades for a year, and then whenever you want to upgrade again you pay the upgrade fee. It’s a recent improvement. Anyway i appreciate your showing us how a humble space can be a great home for creativity!

[@revbaxter3681]

The takeaway...get started, and build where you can as you go.

[@r0bophonic]

This was super useful and inspiring!

[@chyl0764]

Found this video to be motivating above all else.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

The entire point of it. “Studio tour” really just was a Trojan horse title for a video about telling you that you don’t need more space or gear than you’ve already got

[@madsenamplification]

Great video!

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Thank you!

[@橋本帆乃香-d9b]

Ah i missed that live 😭 I can see the Echo Fix 😍 give it a hug from me ! Yes to have many imputs can be very important , I do not why they sell stuff with one or 2 imputs, its mostly not even enough to record your own guitar, these days. yes I do not need all the option but many imputs is a must have for me. Yes start recording with what you have and get skilled is the most important, even with just an old kassette tape recorder from thr 80ties you should start with, there can be very good results with a lot of experimenting also when the possibilities are limited, you will learn a lot and be proud and happy with your 1st recordings, Kurt Cobain did record also his music very cheap at home before going into a studio. At least when you not very experimental you learn how you could sound on a record when you want it like you have done it or to avoid to sound on a record in a specific way.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

The 2 input stuff really *can* be all you need for 80% of work so long as you have the patience to change inputs when you need to or even just use something like the Franklin switcher (high value for that kind of space). I still have an Apollo solo that lives in my bad for mobile mixing / tracking simple stuff on the road. I lived entirely in dual input interfaces for years and it’s a great place to start out

[@cozy_mellow_mood]

Thank you for creating these videos and sharing your knowledge with all of us. 😎🫡

[@reeserichardson]

Can we get a whirlpool review? How does it stack with they dryer?

[@markjohnstonofficial]

My washer and dryer are decidedly mid. Feels like we have to run towels like three times in a row to get them dry. Also no midi.

[@trevorford8702]

Have you tried the washer in stereo yet? Also, I heard running at 18v really opens up the headroom.

[@Ryan.Chapman]

Hi Mark, do you mind sharing what you use as a stand for your pedal board? I am trying to find something to get mine off the ground and am finding myself going in circles searching for something not too large but also sturdy enough.

[@strawboybeats3970]

Do you get the UA Apollo latency benefits when running in other Daws? (Fl studio specifically but really just anything other than Luna). I get pops from my CPU when tracking sometimes and am wondering if an Apollo would fix.

[@telecasper]

Awesome video! Why 2 OXs..?

[@markjohnstonofficial]

One is my ox. The other is one I borrowed from a friend before I had one and have failed to return yet

[@telecasper]

Ahaha, I thought you used them to record two amps in stereo

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I need to. Just haven’t

[@victorchown]

Hello! Could you please tell me what do you use for drums? Thanks!

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I’ve been using the Mixwave Aaron Gillespie pack since it released but more info about my overall drum workflow can be found on my channel. I did a “drums for guitarists” video about a year ago.

[@herobass]

Thank you. I was starting to lose some hope. Thanks again.

[@boimesa8190]

be carefull with the moisture coming from your dryer!

[@jessetoews2446]

✨️🤘✨️

[@GreatPlanet-c7o]

Most guys who record use a room in their homes. Small spaces on their computer. It is the worldwide standard. Nearly nobody has a big room to work in.

[@GreatPlanet-c7o]

Pro-sumer level gear is now Pro gear. *Nobody know different when they listen* .

[@axrip1]

Please another video; show all the pedals. Amps, you have the ox boxes...

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Someday I’ll do a “here’s ALL my gear” video. But that’s gonna be a brutal undertaking. Maybe it’ll be the 50k subs extravaganza

[@dasczwo]

Great, lift that skirt! Thx. Most importantly:Are those ikea picture shelves the pedals are on?

[@markjohnstonofficial]

They are. Buyer beware; I’ve had people tell me horror stories about them failing. But I’ve made it about two years without incident so far.

[@stonehouseguitars3869]

So much money

[@TheSalinski]

I have an old pair of DT 770 80 ohm headphones that sound warm and wonderful. But they're falling apart so I bought a new pair. The new pair sound like crap. Brittle and thin.

[@egor1g]

Ok, but it doesn't look "cinematic". Weird aspect ratio and instagram filters with low black point? Why? Just for uncomfortableness. It's not a movie, ma man.

[@joeymc5272]

For the majority of your recordings would you say you amp a mic up or are you going amp in a box? I dropped tubes for dream 65. All i seem as needed at this point. By the way im so thankful you showed your studio. I started to thibk you have to have some serious sound proofing in your studio and mixing on monitors to get your sounds and i have the same type of situation as you. Awesome man. Thanks for this!

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I’m almost 100% direct in various forms. Sometimes it’s Ruby / Dream, sometimes it’s a tube amp into the Ox, sometimes it’s a plugin. But it’s almost always direct in while I’m here.

[@joeymc5272]

Awesome man!!! Thanks for being so up front. Loved seeing that you have a normal studio just like the rest of us hobbyists and still achieve absolute professional results. Love your content. Very well done!

[@markjohnstonofficial]

It’s really just all about the reps. If you listen back to the last couple years on the channel it’s VERY evident that there’s an iterative process to my tracks getting more polished and professional sounding. There’s never been a single silver bullet along the way and it’s all just been a result of “I write, record, and mix at least two songs a week, ever week” and it’s almost impossible to not accidentally get better over time when you do that.

[@joeymc5272]

@@markjohnstonofficial so true well your an inspiration non the less for me anyways. Ill keep watching your content! I built my board similar to yours from watching your videos. Your breakdowns of what you use is the best. Most content creators dont share what they have learned and i appreciate you doing that!

[@hawaiimusikman]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5fYipKNg6ejnrssi=iTJbsenyCbiYeZoN My contribution I did last night