Thanks for watching, please do share your own thoughts in the comments! If you enjoy my videos, you can buy me a coffee here buymeacoffee.com/michael.inthemix All my links: linktr.ee/inthemixlinks 0:00 - Intro 0:00 - Unpopular opinion 1:55 - Sleep 3:20 - Eye Health 4:38 - Stress and Anxiety 6:05 - Tools and Advice 9:30 - How to improve the sound of windows 11:00 - FAQ and Disclaimers!
i'm thinking about these on yesterday. Its a useful video . its being 4years i subbed to this channel and they are all helpful. Congrats for 1 million. For some reason i want to hear your fully completed music.
HELLO, MICHAEL; Please review the beyerdynamic dt 770 pro x limited edition headset.I use Beyerdynamic DT 770 headphones and I’m really curious what the difference is between them and x.
You are totally correct in every way in this!!! Dogmatic rule making in audio engineering has lead to ignoring the health and mental well-being aspects of what we practice. An unhealthy person isn't making intuitive creative decisions anyways because they are so depleted in their mind and body. THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!
Thank you so much for making this! Boards of Canada did an interview where they talk about a story while writing the track "Rue the Whirl", which features some birdsong they recorded through the studio window. They said, "What happened was that I was listening to the track, and, oddly, I could hear birds singing. Then I realized that the window was open in the studio, and since the birdsong went so well with the music, we recorded it to capture the feel of what we experienced listening with the window open." I used to think it was werid that there was a window in the studio but now, I realize without windows that beautiful sound wouldn't have been captured.
Personally I got two windows wall , one in front of me and another on my left side. I love to wake up in the morning when winter is there, see the snow falling down calmly, it make me very more productive then when I am in the dark 💯
It doesn't get much better than watching the snow out side the window fall in winter. I swear it makes everything more quiet and peaceful but that might just be me?
@@inthemix Yeah i feel the same way, i really like to go outside on my balcony to watch the snowflakes ❄❄❄ fall down slowly, its kind of magic and relaxation at the same time. Honestly, I think this is one of the most important videos you've ever made. It really helps you stay more productive and focused and healthier. Thank you ☺☺
thank you for this video lots of people, including me and my friends, neglect their physical and mental health to work on their projects but of course, this is counterintuitive. when you're stressed and influenced by negative emotions, or tired, it hinders your productivity and creativity. not to mention this is something that affects your life as a whole. so taking care of yourself is just as important as anything else in someone's music career!
That final sentence is so important: taking care of yourself is just as important as anything else in someone's music career! It's something I wish had connected with me earlier in life. Thanks for sharing your experiences with me.
I am only 25 years old. I was ignoring so many important health practices in my life up until last October when I had a neurological event that quite frankly changed my life. Before that event I wasn't eating well, was constantly up late working on mixes, wasn't sleeping well, wasn't exercising or getting nearly enough sunlight either. I live at home with my family and even though we live in the same house I would barely speak to them or spend time with them because I was so engrossed in music as it was and still is my greatest passion. I was that guy that social media likes to glorify that would sacrifice everything for the grind and I nearly did. When the neurological event happened I lost hearing in my left ear, gained horrible loud multiple frequency ringing tinnitus in both ears as well as hyperacusis, had horrible balance, saw visual phenomena and more. Eventually I started losing weight, barely slept for more than an hour for an entire month, lost over 15 pounds because I couldn't eat from the anxiety and stress, I thought I was going to die. I went to more doctors in a 4 month period than my entire life. During this time my stepfather had sudden horrible pancreatic cancer and he was also a musician and we were in the middle of recording guitar for his own funeral service when this all went down. I was crying every single day and the entire situation from start to finish was a literal nightmare...I nearly contemplated taking my own life. It all happened so unbelievably fast, but when I connected the dots of how it all happened...I realized I wasn't really taking care of myself at all. I learned more lessons from October till now than I have my entire life. Taking care of yourself mentally and physically is enormously important, family and friends are everything, change is inevitable, variety is key. I spend much more time these days exercising, eating well, and doing hobbies instead of spending 12 hours a day JUST creating music. I still work on music passionately and I am still trying to achieve the same goals through it, however I am taking a much different path to get there. I am thankful to even have gotten my hearing back and am able to work on music in ANY capacity. I still have the tinnitus, hearing sensitivity, and other things that I thought would make it impossible to work on music, but now I try not to let them bother me anymore and focus on just living and being happy. I think in a few more months I'll even be bold enough to say that I wouldn't change what happened?!.....It made me a better man, a better son, a better brother, and a better friend. 🙂 I think this is might be the most important video you have ever made and I hope it spreads awareness to the musicians out there.
You’ve gained some real wisdom from those terrible experiences. Thank you for taking the time to express it so eloquently with your comment. Peace comes through balance; may it keep you well!
This godamn hearing loss is happening to everyone I don't understand. I was absolutely shocked when I realized that I don't ever hear hihats in my right ear anymore. I blame the freaking shots we took and covid have ruined our brains and bodies. Everything changed since.
Bro ! Wow i enjoyed reading this because i can relate im also 25 making music and live with my family and i dont take care of myself at all. Im skinny and cant work because i have social axiety. I need to change my life somehow .or wait for an event to hit me . Fuckk
@@noryokumusicbe selfish -> be healthy. Means, do things that are good for you. If social anxiety is affecting how you are going outdoors, might help thinking that going out is not the point, but you're going out BECAUSE you have to do this or that to get better. When everything goes well, anxiety diminishes as well. Just don't focus on the anxiety. Do things that are good for you, because you want to become better at what you really want to do.
I never thought I'd run into a video, which addresses the same issue I was facing about a month ago. What I was experiencing is exactly what you touched on in this video. I follow my intuition by situating myself across from a window where I can look out into the distance when my eyes start feeling tired. I immediately started seeing the results and improvement in my blurry vision I was experiencing. Great video!
Another thing that makes me feel really good is keeping the windows open and breath real fresh air, preferably with two windows open where there's a breeze helps. Really great video, I'm glad that you are helping people realize the importance of health.
It's kinda tangential, but something about this that I first thought of when struggling with mental health and later applied to my creative work: Don't trust an idea you have after 10pm. Tiredness, darkness, any number of factors play into it, but I definitely trust morning thoughts and ideas a lot more than evening thoughts and ideas.
I watched that Huberman labs video several months ago, and found it to be very helpful. Your video shines a light (pun intended) on a huge problem for creatives. As a drummer, I love playing, recording, and mixing drums, but I spend ALL of my time doing so in a windowless basement. Sometimes I find I dread going down there, no matter how badly I want to work on drum stuff. I'm not sure how I can improve my studio setting in the short run, but I'm definitely inspired to make some changes. Thank you for sharing your message.
Thank you. In the short term, maybe you could try working in your studio right after an outdoor activity/workout so that you already feel like you’ve made the most of the outdoors before settling down in the studio? It’s just an idea, you might have tried it already.
Wow, this could not have come at a better time. Coming from the IT industry and now working from home full time since COVID. After 3 years i am seeing the negative impact of a poor space to work in. As a budding music producer in my spare time I end up spending after hours and weekends in the same space, these tips are so applicable. The mental health consequences are very real and I am having to deal with this daily. Thank you Michael. Really excellent message.
I'm sorry to hear that you suffering but I'm glad you're working to deal with it. I think a lot of people ended up in a similar situation since the lockdowns and restrictions and it's taken a while to realise the negative impacts. I hope you feel much better soon and take it easy on yourself.
@@inthemix totally agree. As a bit of an introvert, not working in an office deprived me of the opportunity to get out the house and interact with people. Its taken me all this time to realise the impact on my mental health and that i have to make a far greater effort. Not to mention the toll it takes on our partners who share the same home/work space.
I love this topic! It's great that you're totally thinking outside the box compared to typical sound engineers, with this kind of subject matter in a video on your channel! I totally agree with what you're saying. I wouldn't be optimal if I worked for a long time without natural light. In fact, I want as much natural light as possible in every context of my life. Thanks for taking the time for these videos 😀
As a musician/producer/drummer I couldn't agree more. I have spent more time in the cave for 15-20 years to vouch for it. Thank you for the reminder. This may be the most important video in audio. I am happy to have those reflections from the windows than be inside a dungeon that makes me feel depressed. :)
Great stuff! I think natural daylight is essential to retaining my mental sanity, especially when producing for a long time. It's really one of the only "distractions" that are healthy and beneficial to creativity.
I appreciate that you took the time to relay that information to us, despite it not being about sound directly. In a way, maybe I and some others wouldn't really have come across that kind of advice by sticking to our echo chambers if it weren't for you introducing it. Thank you!
Very smart man you are for figuring out that light is the fundamental pillar of health! Not many understand how much artificial light is actually destroying our health. It’s great that someone in this space is covering this topic. Everyone should look into Jack Kruse’s work to fully understand how pivotal circadian biology is to our health.
💯I hate being in a room without windows and the nice warm glow on natural light just can't be beaten. Working in a closed space you also tend to lose track of time. Not to mention also, that studies have shown a link between time outside or exposure to natural light with the incidence of nearsightedness.
What I experienced: I am that type of person who works until something is finished. No breaks, rarely outside, bad sleep schedule and so on. A few months ago I started developing a hearing disorder. Everything sounded panned slightly to the right. I checked on different new headphones and devices but the problem remained. Felt like becoming insane. That on top of the "normal" mental health problems, GG. So I had to take a longer break from making music and using headphones for such long periods of time. Luckily it went away after many weeks, but I can't tell if it had a physical or psychological origin. I realized how important breaks are.
This is a great video that touches upon some very important points that are often overlooked or swept under the rug in the music community, so thank you for making this! The tips are quite helpful :)
i love the fact that u go on this topic. About to turn 30, i just got the first alarming signals from my body. I wish i could understand all of this way younger. To all of my people working face to face with the screen, take care of your health
Im 20 & i came across ur channel almost 5 yrs ago.I must say that I love u😅😁❤️u helped me to improve a lot & personally i love u as a great human being! God bless you!
I can definitely confirm that. I have a room, but I also have my sunflex always closed. It defintely made me feel a bit depressed in my room. I just opened my sunflex and suddenly I feel a lot better.
when i picture my ideal studio, i don’t see walls lined with gear and acoustic panelling. i see the artist nothing,nowhere’s home studio in a large, open room with a massive window overlooking the vermont countryside. I’ve never seen a setup that inspires me as much as his does. It’s gorgeous.
I posted on my status the other day "I'm scared and I don't know why, but I've been for the past 3days". I'm working on this project which had me locked up at this studio for a week sleeping there waking to work. Now I get it. Thank you very much for this info much appreciated.
If I had a dollar for every person in the last 4 years that told me "you're not a doctor" regarding my opinion on the forced poison clot shots I'll be millionaire now, and all of us who didn't got injected with that garbage are healthier and alive than those that believed their politicians, so yes, you're right!
Extremely proud of you to upload a video like this. Even though uploading "out of topic" videos can negatively impact youtube algorithm, you anyways did it to help lot of people. I have heard about this before but I wasn't doing anything particular to take care of it. I realized things like 20-20-20 rules were what I needed so much; a specific practice you can easily implement. I will try to keep that in mind 24/7. Thank you for your sincere work, very much appreciated!
As someone that enjoys researching and learning about good health, I enjoyed this video. In my little home office/studio space, I have a decently good Window and I also have Govee Light Strips that I can change colors and are on a schedule. For example, towards the evening, my Lights still change to a warm orange color which I've noticed helps feel ready for sleeping and relaxes me during the night and creates a less harsh environment for doing things. That's the short version of how I use. I love being by a window and being able to look outside, and I will get up from my desk and go outside riding around my Skateboard and when I come back, I feel mentally and emotionally better. Being a 24/7 caregiver, this kind of habit is really needed to help with my whole body health. Thanks for sharing this video and you're right, people are allowed to share they're own health experience. You don't really need to be a doctor to sure your own health advice because everyone's body is different and experience is the best medical advice I think. Good video!
Thanks for making this, people need to hear this. I've never worked in a room without windows, but it was exactly for this reason. And it doesn't matter if you're a doctor or not.
yet more impressive advice - you're a very wise fella! i myself use a "bright light" in the winter afternoons/evenings when working and it seems to work wonders...
GOOD INFO! Go out side for a walk; helps clear 'echoes' out of your head of those mixes. When you come back, you will here more of what you are needing to fix, remove, and the like.
Thanks for your video and sharing your expirience! - Here is mine: Since i have been running Studios for more than 30 years, i bulit 5 Studios and one of them had no windows - it was the biggest studio with 2 separate quite big recording rooms - i was there for about 2 years - BUT: the clients did not want to come, because they missed my daylight Studios, i for myself did not really want to spend much time there - after this two years i moved to the actual place and my studio is super small - but daylight! and i have a big garden! and since i moved there my secdule is really full and i love to be there - greeting from Austria - all the best to you - keep on producing and mixing!!!
Dude, THANK YOU so much for bringing this up!! This is not only important for us audio engineers, but for everyone! My best friend is the primary tracking engineer for the Tetragrammaton podcast, and so he travels wherever Rick goes. He learned from working with Rick, how important it is to get at least 15 minutes of uninterrupted sunlight outside, every day, if you can. -I myself have been to Rick’s studio, Shangri La in Malibu, multiple times, and the large windows throughout the place are a HUGE part in what I think makes it such a magical studio space. Especially when compared to the standard studio dungeons we’re all used to. 😜 -On another note, I didn’t know you were from Scotland!! That’s awesome! Edinburgh is such a beautiful place, and I can’t wait to visit again this fall. Cheers mate!
Well done for doing this video. I'm pretty old now and really wish this stuff was taken more notice of 30+ years ago. Eye strain related tip - blue light coming from screens can really affect your eyes - and your sleep patterns (hence night time settings on phones and tablets etc now). But a pair of blue light goggles (which can fit over specs if needs be) when using screens can really help to protect your eyes also (where accurate colour repro isn't required, obviously). Having ME as I do now, I can't use screens for too long without inducing brain fog - but blue light filters really help lengthen the time I can spend on screen. Using a screen while wearing them tires the brain out far less than using a screen without wearing them. Well worth looking into for everyone using a screen. They're also very cheap from the likes of Amazon etc.
A great video for people to spend so much time at mixing and editing desks. I have a acoustically treated studio as well as a 1.5 sq meter vocal iso booth. I also have a giant glass door that looks out over a beautiful park. That view is kept me sane over the years especially during corona lockdowns. My solution for treatment when I have to do critical listening and mixing is 4 heavy moving pad blankets I hang over the door/glass. In the film industry these are also known as sound control blankets. All the while corner and ceiling bass traps are all in place at all times. When I’m doing critical video editing I have a full blackout curtain system. When I am doing tasks that do not require critical listening or color detail I let the sunshine in. Thank you for a very insightful video.
Excellent video sir. This is the first time I've heard this argument and it has changed my mind completely. I've been needing a change and this will do nicely. Now I just need to sort out how I will do it...
You make an excellent point here. From a biophysics standpoint, sunlight is absolutely essential for the brain and overall biology. Most people are essentially deficient in UV and infrared light. You could supplement red/IR with a red light panel but nothing beats sun exposure. Set your circadian rhythm by getting outside into natural light at sunrise or upon waking to kickstart your circadian clock before getting into the studio.
I have my home studio in a room with a small window. I always find myself staring at the horizon while I'm at the keyboards playing. Whenever I dream of having a new studio, I always imagine it with a great view of nature or city
I'm a remote cyber security consultant, TH-camr, and now getting into production. All my hobbies are basically on my screen so this video definitely helped me out. Gonna give these tips a shot
Hey Michael, thanks so much for this - these videos are massively appreciated and I know a lot of people would like to see more of them. I'm also based in northern Scotland so can relate to your specific situation. The winters do make it very difficult to ensure your daily intake of natural light, but its crazy how quickly a lack of it can affect your mental/physical health. I've frequently felt dissociated, foggy, etc, leading me to be more withdrawn in my personal/social life. I think it's important to consider that a lot of people pursue their creativity on top of a day job, leading a lot of people to sort of 'lock in' in the evenings, either as an escape or to ensure they use their limited free time effectively. The issues you've raised are definitely common problems in creative spaces that aren't often acknowledged, so it's always reassuring when people with big audiences like yourself draw awareness. Looking forward to more videos like this!
It can only be sane indeed to be able to share thoughts moments and point of view freely without hurting each other, but more indeed improving each other .you are doing it well thanks for this though you seem to need some hollydays 😊. Peace ✌️
I'm also in Scotland mate - so yeah, no argument from me. lol. I got myself a couple of S.A.D. lights a few years ago. They really work well. I also keep fish and found myself with a spare 24 hour day time / night time changing light. Its a 10K light. and can do midnight , changing throughout the whole day using different Kelvin settings. 10K is middle of the day, 6700K is getting on in the afternoon and 3900K for evening etc. These have really helped me with doing years and years of Nightshift whilst living in Scotland. (oh, and it totally fools the fish too. lol) :)
The fish light is probably a well kept secret. I bet they are cheaper than lights marketed for health too... Living in Scotland feels like a ticking time bomb of health issues if we don't take proper care of ourselves!
Well done, and very true. One comment, it seems to me musicians tend to want no noise at all when in fact music can have ambiance as part of its feel. As you mentioned, there are excellent noise reduction apps these days, so its better to feel good which will help you make great music. This is not a toss up. Regarding that last comment that you are not a doctor, I can tell you as a scientist and published author in Medical Hypotheses specifically on the function of melatonin, that what you have said about melatonin and the circadian rhythm is perfectly correct, to the best of current scientific knowledge. Big thumbs up!
I think the best way to remove glare on my screen is to black out my windows.. 😂 im messing Mike great video!, i had just literally come back from a walk and a break and watched this video! daylight and exercise is very important to us bedroom hermits 👍
Thank you for pointing this out Michael! :-) There're also studies that mention the guts as the regulator of moods to the brain, and also, the importance of excercise and movement to aid the lymfonic system that drains waist materials from all over the body. It really is all connected. ;-)
I live in Alaska in the interior, during our winters we have very little sunlight for months. It is definitely necessary to get sunlight and that Vitamin D, cabin fever is a thing and depression is high during the winter months. Using Happy lights getting exercise and perhaps a supplement can help a lot. Agree 100% on this.
Very useful video, as always. I am lucky in having daylight pouring in from all sides in the environment where I work in my DAW. This makes working on music for me very relaxing - even within sometimes strict deadlines. And, by the way, I'm pretty old - 72 years 🙂
Very interesting. As most us us are (I assume) amateurs, any loss in room dynamics caused by a window is clearly outweighed by its benefits. Good video sir 👏
My studio is in the middle of a huge bay window in my living room. It feels like I'm in a spaceship and I feel so much better mentally when I can't look out into the world, its also inspiring for writing lyrics. I don't care if the recording quality isn't pristine.
I worked for 16 years at a defense contractor. For security reasons there were no windows throughout a massive facility. After my time there, I felt I’d aged almost twice the time I was there and my not great mental health declined considerably during that time. I left in 2020 and now work remotely, and my mental and physical health have slowly improved. I’ll probably never get back to what I once was, but I never thought how the lack of sunlight could have been affecting me.
Totally agree and a great video. I would add that we also have just as important a relationship with gravity as we have with light. In the words of one expert “sitting kills, standing heals”. We should stand up every 20 mins for a minute or 2, or have a standing desk arrangement.
Definitely going to remove the 50cm padding from the bay window today and check out the impact on sound quality (And my mood :) Thank you for taking time to make this video - much appreciated.
Love this! We have 2 big windows in our studio and it definitely makes things better when the light is out. Gunna try to take some these techniques to help with psychological side of engineering
I don't see why anybody should have any problem with your advice or content, it's not like you are just putting out false information that's going to harm anyone or lying trying to sell anything. You just can't please everyone. I've always found your videos really helpful and have been my main go to channel on anything to do with music production. I don't have the money for any kind of studio or expensive equipment but your advice and information has still always been useful. All the best, look forward to more videos in the future!
Fantastic video, I remember Curbi used to produce in his studio with the window covered, and now he has a new studio with a giant window behind his desk and imo his music has never been better. Just a funny thing I noticed, love your channel
I agree 100%. Very sound and common sense advice, as is usual in most of your videos. I can't imagine why anyone would want to argue about it. We're not bats. Our bodies are not designed to live in dark caves, no matter how sophisticated they may be.
I totally agree what you said. It's important to have a window and be illuminated by natural light, I propose a law that requires all offices to have windows, especially if girls living in front of that don't close the curtains when they undress.
Spot on. I can't work without windows. And the amount of distortion you introduce into your environment when you opt for windows is negligent in that well documented workarounds exist already that make this a non issue technically. On the other hand not having windows, natural light, ergonomics, not paying attention to the lightning in the room and so on will have a detrimental impact on your health over the long term. Great video thank you.
I think what you've said is just pure common sense. Natural light, taking breaks, going for walks, resting your hearing....it's all really important. Great message and not controversial at all!
My mix desk is always near a window in my home studio, I think sort of by instinct. I enjoy gazing at trees intermittently. Sound correction software (ARC) I think offsets any window influences. Thanks for the video!
Thank you for making this video and videos like this in general. I totally agree about the benefits of natural light and your presentation of your opinion is compelling.
It makes me sad you felt like you had to give a 5 minute disclaimer about not being a doctor and how you feel it's still okay to share what you've learned. Yeah man, it's okay. Responsible viewers will do our own research after you show the path. You're not telling us that injecting bleach will cure COVID. Thanks for the video. I put together my studio last month and was anxious about the large windows I have in the corner. But I'm just so friggin' happy coming in here to work every morning. It's so worth it.
Firstly, I am so glad your space makes you happy! Without a disclaimer like this you wouldn’t believe the amount of negative comments that pile up. Luckily, we avoided all of that. It’s just a weird time!
13:42 True I have a relative who is a neurosurgeon, he is very skilled and have high level salary but he doesn't have the time to eat fresh food 😢 , Bob Marley told right 'Money Can't Buy Life'
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Thanks for watching, please do share your own thoughts in the comments!
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0:00 - Intro
0:00 - Unpopular opinion
1:55 - Sleep
3:20 - Eye Health
4:38 - Stress and Anxiety
6:05 - Tools and Advice
9:30 - How to improve the sound of windows
11:00 - FAQ and Disclaimers!
i'm thinking about these on yesterday. Its a useful video . its being 4years i subbed to this channel and they are all helpful. Congrats for 1 million.
For some reason i want to hear your fully completed music.
HELLO, MICHAEL;
Please review the beyerdynamic dt 770 pro x limited edition headset.I use Beyerdynamic DT 770 headphones and I’m really curious what the difference is between them and x.
i work in a dingy office with no natural light all day and then lock into my bedroom studio with the window covered up all evening. Thanks for this
I hope some of the tools can help you. Especially the early morning light and maybe uncovering those windows in your studio.
@@inthemix they will, i live in the caribbean so we have natural light available all year, I just never considered the importance of it tbh
Nice video. I agree with you
lol
@@benja303 Cool, where in the Carribean ?
You are totally correct in every way in this!!! Dogmatic rule making in audio engineering has lead to ignoring the health and mental well-being aspects of what we practice. An unhealthy person isn't making intuitive creative decisions anyways because they are so depleted in their mind and body. THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!
Thank you. I couldn't agree more!
Thank you so much for making this! Boards of Canada did an interview where they talk about a story while writing the track "Rue the Whirl", which features some birdsong they recorded through the studio window. They said, "What happened was that I was listening to the track, and, oddly, I could hear birds singing. Then I realized that the window was open in the studio, and since the birdsong went so well with the music, we recorded it to capture the feel of what we experienced listening with the window open."
I used to think it was werid that there was a window in the studio but now, I realize without windows that beautiful sound wouldn't have been captured.
I have done the same thing in my home “studio” (which has two windows) - I heard a cardinal singing, and decided, “He gets to be in the song.”
dude covers literally all his bases with the FAQ/Disclaimer. stomping on the haters before they had a chance
Personally I got two windows wall , one in front of me and another on my left side. I love to wake up in the morning when winter is there, see the snow falling down calmly, it make me very more productive then when I am in the dark 💯
It doesn't get much better than watching the snow out side the window fall in winter. I swear it makes everything more quiet and peaceful but that might just be me?
@@inthemix Yeah i feel the same way, i really like to go outside on my balcony to watch the snowflakes ❄❄❄ fall down slowly, its kind of magic and relaxation at the same time. Honestly, I think this is one of the most important videos you've ever made. It really helps you stay more productive and focused and healthier. Thank you ☺☺
Great video and message! I’ve noticed these effects as well. Thanks for this wholistic perspective.
Thanks for the support. I'm not surprised that you noticed the effects too, you're very tuned in to your surroundings!
thank you for this video
lots of people, including me and my friends, neglect their physical and mental health to work on their projects
but of course, this is counterintuitive. when you're stressed and influenced by negative emotions, or tired, it hinders your productivity and creativity.
not to mention this is something that affects your life as a whole.
so taking care of yourself is just as important as anything else in someone's music career!
That final sentence is so important: taking care of yourself is just as important as anything else in someone's music career!
It's something I wish had connected with me earlier in life. Thanks for sharing your experiences with me.
@@inthemix of course!
i'm glad you think so, i wish it had connected with me earlier too, better late than never!
have a great day!
I am only 25 years old. I was ignoring so many important health practices in my life up until last October when I had a neurological event that quite frankly changed my life. Before that event I wasn't eating well, was constantly up late working on mixes, wasn't sleeping well, wasn't exercising or getting nearly enough sunlight either. I live at home with my family and even though we live in the same house I would barely speak to them or spend time with them because I was so engrossed in music as it was and still is my greatest passion. I was that guy that social media likes to glorify that would sacrifice everything for the grind and I nearly did. When the neurological event happened I lost hearing in my left ear, gained horrible loud multiple frequency ringing tinnitus in both ears as well as hyperacusis, had horrible balance, saw visual phenomena and more. Eventually I started losing weight, barely slept for more than an hour for an entire month, lost over 15 pounds because I couldn't eat from the anxiety and stress, I thought I was going to die. I went to more doctors in a 4 month period than my entire life. During this time my stepfather had sudden horrible pancreatic cancer and he was also a musician and we were in the middle of recording guitar for his own funeral service when this all went down. I was crying every single day and the entire situation from start to finish was a literal nightmare...I nearly contemplated taking my own life. It all happened so unbelievably fast, but when I connected the dots of how it all happened...I realized I wasn't really taking care of myself at all. I learned more lessons from October till now than I have my entire life. Taking care of yourself mentally and physically is enormously important, family and friends are everything, change is inevitable, variety is key. I spend much more time these days exercising, eating well, and doing hobbies instead of spending 12 hours a day JUST creating music. I still work on music passionately and I am still trying to achieve the same goals through it, however I am taking a much different path to get there. I am thankful to even have gotten my hearing back and am able to work on music in ANY capacity. I still have the tinnitus, hearing sensitivity, and other things that I thought would make it impossible to work on music, but now I try not to let them bother me anymore and focus on just living and being happy. I think in a few more months I'll even be bold enough to say that I wouldn't change what happened?!.....It made me a better man, a better son, a better brother, and a better friend. 🙂 I think this is might be the most important video you have ever made and I hope it spreads awareness to the musicians out there.
You’ve gained some real wisdom from those terrible experiences. Thank you for taking the time to express it so eloquently with your comment. Peace comes through balance; may it keep you well!
@@kwhyland Indeed. Life is such a grandiose experience, it would be a shame to miss out on so many parts of it!
This godamn hearing loss is happening to everyone I don't understand. I was absolutely shocked when I realized that I don't ever hear hihats in my right ear anymore. I blame the freaking shots we took and covid have ruined our brains and bodies. Everything changed since.
Bro ! Wow i enjoyed reading this because i can relate im also 25 making music and live with my family and i dont take care of myself at all. Im skinny and cant work because i have social axiety. I need to change my life somehow .or wait for an event to hit me . Fuckk
@@noryokumusicbe selfish -> be healthy. Means, do things that are good for you. If social anxiety is affecting how you are going outdoors, might help thinking that going out is not the point, but you're going out BECAUSE you have to do this or that to get better. When everything goes well, anxiety diminishes as well. Just don't focus on the anxiety. Do things that are good for you, because you want to become better at what you really want to do.
I never thought I'd run into a video, which addresses the same issue I was facing about a month ago. What I was experiencing is exactly what you touched on in this video. I follow my intuition by situating myself across from a window where I can look out into the distance when my eyes start feeling tired. I immediately started seeing the results and improvement in my blurry vision I was experiencing. Great video!
Im currently having my studio built and having natural light was a must for me. Thanks for the supportive information.
Another thing that makes me feel really good is keeping the windows open and breath real fresh air, preferably with two windows open where there's a breeze helps. Really great video, I'm glad that you are helping people realize the importance of health.
Great stuff! Thanks!
Thank you for your generosity.
It's kinda tangential, but something about this that I first thought of when struggling with mental health and later applied to my creative work: Don't trust an idea you have after 10pm. Tiredness, darkness, any number of factors play into it, but I definitely trust morning thoughts and ideas a lot more than evening thoughts and ideas.
I live by that rule. Anything negative doubt or worry that creeps into my mind in the evening cannot and should not be trusted!
haha, I only create music at night when I'm depressed
I watched that Huberman labs video several months ago, and found it to be very helpful. Your video shines a light (pun intended) on a huge problem for creatives. As a drummer, I love playing, recording, and mixing drums, but I spend ALL of my time doing so in a windowless basement. Sometimes I find I dread going down there, no matter how badly I want to work on drum stuff. I'm not sure how I can improve my studio setting in the short run, but I'm definitely inspired to make some changes. Thank you for sharing your message.
Thank you. In the short term, maybe you could try working in your studio right after an outdoor activity/workout so that you already feel like you’ve made the most of the outdoors before settling down in the studio? It’s just an idea, you might have tried it already.
Since you probably can't hammer a window into your basement, I would recommend putting a daylight lamp in there. They can make a huge difference.
Wow, this could not have come at a better time. Coming from the IT industry and now working from home full time since COVID. After 3 years i am seeing the negative impact of a poor space to work in. As a budding music producer in my spare time I end up spending after hours and weekends in the same space, these tips are so applicable. The mental health consequences are very real and I am having to deal with this daily. Thank you Michael. Really excellent message.
I'm sorry to hear that you suffering but I'm glad you're working to deal with it. I think a lot of people ended up in a similar situation since the lockdowns and restrictions and it's taken a while to realise the negative impacts. I hope you feel much better soon and take it easy on yourself.
@@inthemix totally agree. As a bit of an introvert, not working in an office deprived me of the opportunity to get out the house and interact with people. Its taken me all this time to realise the impact on my mental health and that i have to make a far greater effort. Not to mention the toll it takes on our partners who share the same home/work space.
I love this topic! It's great that you're totally thinking outside the box compared to typical sound engineers, with this kind of subject matter in a video on your channel! I totally agree with what you're saying. I wouldn't be optimal if I worked for a long time without natural light. In fact, I want as much natural light as possible in every context of my life. Thanks for taking the time for these videos 😀
Honestly I'm trying to make the sort of videos I wish existed when I was younger. I appreciate your support!
As a musician/producer/drummer I couldn't agree more. I have spent more time in the cave for 15-20 years to vouch for it. Thank you for the reminder. This may be the most important video in audio. I am happy to have those reflections from the windows than be inside a dungeon that makes me feel depressed. :)
Great stuff! I think natural daylight is essential to retaining my mental sanity, especially when producing for a long time. It's really one of the only "distractions" that are healthy and beneficial to creativity.
I appreciate that you took the time to relay that information to us, despite it not being about sound directly. In a way, maybe I and some others wouldn't really have come across that kind of advice by sticking to our echo chambers if it weren't for you introducing it. Thank you!
Very smart man you are for figuring out that light is the fundamental pillar of health! Not many understand how much artificial light is actually destroying our health. It’s great that someone in this space is covering this topic.
Everyone should look into Jack Kruse’s work to fully understand how pivotal circadian biology is to our health.
💯I hate being in a room without windows and the nice warm glow on natural light just can't be beaten. Working in a closed space you also tend to lose track of time. Not to mention also, that studies have shown a link between time outside or exposure to natural light with the incidence of nearsightedness.
What I experienced: I am that type of person who works until something is finished. No breaks, rarely outside, bad sleep schedule and so on. A few months ago I started developing a hearing disorder. Everything sounded panned slightly to the right. I checked on different new headphones and devices but the problem remained. Felt like becoming insane. That on top of the "normal" mental health problems, GG.
So I had to take a longer break from making music and using headphones for such long periods of time. Luckily it went away after many weeks, but I can't tell if it had a physical or psychological origin.
I realized how important breaks are.
This is a great video that touches upon some very important points that are often overlooked or swept under the rug in the music community, so thank you for making this! The tips are quite helpful :)
Probably one of the best videos you've ever made. Thank you!
i love the fact that u go on this topic. About to turn 30, i just got the first alarming signals from my body. I wish i could understand all of this way younger.
To all of my people working face to face with the screen, take care of your health
Im 20 & i came across ur channel almost 5 yrs ago.I must say that I love u😅😁❤️u helped me to improve a lot & personally i love u as a great human being! God bless you!
I can definitely confirm that. I have a room, but I also have my sunflex always closed. It defintely made me feel a bit depressed in my room. I just opened my sunflex and suddenly I feel a lot better.
LOVE THIS VIDEO MAN! We need more people to talk about health as music professionals.
I would have never expected a video like this from you. I really appreciate this kinda of content man. Great work😌
It has been many years since I made a health-focussed video. I want to keep trying different video topics that interest me :)
Thanks a lot for this video. Health affects everything and that includes audio work - more people need to know the things you mentioned in this video
when i picture my ideal studio, i don’t see walls lined with gear and acoustic panelling. i see the artist nothing,nowhere’s home studio in a large, open room with a massive window overlooking the vermont countryside. I’ve never seen a setup that inspires me as much as his does. It’s gorgeous.
I posted on my status the other day "I'm scared and I don't know why, but I've been for the past 3days".
I'm working on this project which had me locked up at this studio for a week sleeping there waking to work. Now I get it. Thank you very much for this info much appreciated.
If I had a dollar for every person in the last 4 years that told me "you're not a doctor" regarding my opinion on the forced poison clot shots I'll be millionaire now, and all of us who didn't got injected with that garbage are healthier and alive than those that believed their politicians, so yes, you're right!
Extremely proud of you to upload a video like this. Even though uploading "out of topic" videos can negatively impact youtube algorithm, you anyways did it to help lot of people. I have heard about this before but I wasn't doing anything particular to take care of it. I realized things like 20-20-20 rules were what I needed so much; a specific practice you can easily implement. I will try to keep that in mind 24/7. Thank you for your sincere work, very much appreciated!
As someone that enjoys researching and learning about good health, I enjoyed this video. In my little home office/studio space, I have a decently good Window and I also have Govee Light Strips that I can change colors and are on a schedule. For example, towards the evening, my Lights still change to a warm orange color which I've noticed helps feel ready for sleeping and relaxes me during the night and creates a less harsh environment for doing things. That's the short version of how I use. I love being by a window and being able to look outside, and I will get up from my desk and go outside riding around my Skateboard and when I come back, I feel mentally and emotionally better. Being a 24/7 caregiver, this kind of habit is really needed to help with my whole body health. Thanks for sharing this video and you're right, people are allowed to share they're own health experience. You don't really need to be a doctor to sure your own health advice because everyone's body is different and experience is the best medical advice I think. Good video!
Thanks for making this, people need to hear this. I've never worked in a room without windows, but it was exactly for this reason. And it doesn't matter if you're a doctor or not.
That’s great! I love your videos by the way!
yet more impressive advice - you're a very wise fella! i myself use a "bright light" in the winter afternoons/evenings when working and it seems to work wonders...
GOOD INFO! Go out side for a walk; helps clear 'echoes' out of your head of those mixes. When you come back, you will here more of what you are needing to fix, remove, and the like.
Very good. I knew all that since a long time. But it is so important to bring these problems to the surface to prevent them. Thank you.
wow, this is the answer ive been looking for this past week-- exactly the answer i was looking for
perfect timing, ty for making this video 🙏
Thanks for your video and sharing your expirience! - Here is mine: Since i have been running Studios for more than 30 years, i bulit 5 Studios and one of them had no windows - it was the biggest studio with 2 separate quite big recording rooms - i was there for about 2 years - BUT: the clients did not want to come, because they missed my daylight Studios, i for myself did not really want to spend much time there - after this two years i moved to the actual place and my studio is super small - but daylight! and i have a big garden! and since i moved there my secdule is really full and i love to be there - greeting from Austria - all the best to you - keep on producing and mixing!!!
This is such a valuable experience to share. I am glad to hear that you settled for a space that worked for you!
I think this video covers a very important topic very well. If you're not healthy then it is very hard to be productive!
Dude, THANK YOU so much for bringing this up!! This is not only important for us audio engineers, but for everyone! My best friend is the primary tracking engineer for the Tetragrammaton podcast, and so he travels wherever Rick goes. He learned from working with Rick, how important it is to get at least 15 minutes of uninterrupted sunlight outside, every day, if you can.
-I myself have been to Rick’s studio, Shangri La in Malibu, multiple times, and the large windows throughout the place are a HUGE part in what I think makes it such a magical studio space. Especially when compared to the standard studio dungeons we’re all used to. 😜
-On another note, I didn’t know you were from Scotland!! That’s awesome! Edinburgh is such a beautiful place, and I can’t wait to visit again this fall. Cheers mate!
MICHAEL THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU SHARE HERE!!!! 💙💙
Well done for doing this video. I'm pretty old now and really wish this stuff was taken more notice of 30+ years ago.
Eye strain related tip - blue light coming from screens can really affect your eyes - and your sleep patterns (hence night time settings on phones and tablets etc now). But a pair of blue light goggles (which can fit over specs if needs be) when using screens can really help to protect your eyes also (where accurate colour repro isn't required, obviously).
Having ME as I do now, I can't use screens for too long without inducing brain fog - but blue light filters really help lengthen the time I can spend on screen. Using a screen while wearing them tires the brain out far less than using a screen without wearing them. Well worth looking into for everyone using a screen. They're also very cheap from the likes of Amazon etc.
A great video for people to spend so much time at mixing and editing desks. I have a acoustically treated studio as well as a 1.5 sq meter vocal iso booth. I also have a giant glass door that looks out over a beautiful park. That view is kept me sane over the years especially during corona lockdowns. My solution for treatment when I have to do critical listening and mixing is 4 heavy moving pad blankets I hang over the door/glass. In the film industry these are also known as sound control blankets. All the while corner and ceiling bass traps are all in place at all times. When I’m doing critical video editing I have a full blackout curtain system. When I am doing tasks that do not require critical listening or color detail I let the sunshine in. Thank you for a very insightful video.
Excellent video sir. This is the first time I've heard this argument and it has changed my mind completely. I've been needing a change and this will do nicely. Now I just need to sort out how I will do it...
You make an excellent point here. From a biophysics standpoint, sunlight is absolutely essential for the brain and overall biology. Most people are essentially deficient in UV and infrared light. You could supplement red/IR with a red light panel but nothing beats sun exposure. Set your circadian rhythm by getting outside into natural light at sunrise or upon waking to kickstart your circadian clock before getting into the studio.
Thank you ever so much for the time and work it takes to share your knowledge,, 🌟🙏🌟
Cheers from Sweden,, 🍻😋👍
Thank you so much for this invaluable message.
Thank you for making this video and informing us about something that is definitely overlooked. Will surely apply this to my work settings.
I have my home studio in a room with a small window. I always find myself staring at the horizon while I'm at the keyboards playing. Whenever I dream of having a new studio, I always imagine it with a great view of nature or city
I'm a remote cyber security consultant, TH-camr, and now getting into production. All my hobbies are basically on my screen so this video definitely helped me out. Gonna give these tips a shot
This definitely needs to be said and repeated, thank you for making this video
Well said! I couldn't agree more with all of this.
For a video that's primarily about light, this is very VERY sound advice.
I have designed my ideal studio. Its basically like a small greenhouse. Plenty of light.
The goat has spoken once more🔥
Thank you for producing this very important video. How I'm doing (mentally, physically, emotionally) affects everything I do throughout the day
Hey Michael, thanks so much for this - these videos are massively appreciated and I know a lot of people would like to see more of them. I'm also based in northern Scotland so can relate to your specific situation. The winters do make it very difficult to ensure your daily intake of natural light, but its crazy how quickly a lack of it can affect your mental/physical health. I've frequently felt dissociated, foggy, etc, leading me to be more withdrawn in my personal/social life. I think it's important to consider that a lot of people pursue their creativity on top of a day job, leading a lot of people to sort of 'lock in' in the evenings, either as an escape or to ensure they use their limited free time effectively. The issues you've raised are definitely common problems in creative spaces that aren't often acknowledged, so it's always reassuring when people with big audiences like yourself draw awareness. Looking forward to more videos like this!
It can only be sane indeed to be able to share thoughts moments and point of view freely without hurting each other, but more indeed improving each other .you are doing it well thanks for this though you seem to need some hollydays 😊. Peace ✌️
Brilliant video and very helpful.
I'm also in Scotland mate - so yeah, no argument from me. lol. I got myself a couple of S.A.D. lights a few years ago. They really work well. I also keep fish and found myself with a spare 24 hour day time / night time changing light. Its a 10K light. and can do midnight , changing throughout the whole day using different Kelvin settings. 10K is middle of the day, 6700K is getting on in the afternoon and 3900K for evening etc. These have really helped me with doing years and years of Nightshift whilst living in Scotland. (oh, and it totally fools the fish too. lol) :)
The fish light is probably a well kept secret. I bet they are cheaper than lights marketed for health too...
Living in Scotland feels like a ticking time bomb of health issues if we don't take proper care of ourselves!
@@inthemix They are about £350 - £400 they even have random Thunder and lightning storms programmed in. Incredible bit of tech. :)
Well done, and very true. One comment, it seems to me musicians tend to want no noise at all when in fact music can have ambiance as part of its feel. As you mentioned, there are excellent noise reduction apps these days, so its better to feel good which will help you make great music. This is not a toss up. Regarding that last comment that you are not a doctor, I can tell you as a scientist and published author in Medical Hypotheses specifically on the function of melatonin, that what you have said about melatonin and the circadian rhythm is perfectly correct, to the best of current scientific knowledge. Big thumbs up!
I think the best way to remove glare on my screen is to black out my windows.. 😂 im messing Mike great video!, i had just literally come back from a walk and a break and watched this video! daylight and exercise is very important to us bedroom hermits 👍
I was literally talking about this the other day. You need a creative space that make your feel creative not like it's work and you hate it.
You were ACTUALLY talking about this the other day.
Thank you for pointing this out Michael! :-)
There're also studies that mention the guts as the regulator of moods to the brain, and also, the importance of excercise and movement to aid the lymfonic system that drains waist materials from all over the body.
It really is all connected. ;-)
I live in Alaska in the interior, during our winters we have very little sunlight for months. It is definitely necessary to get sunlight and that Vitamin D, cabin fever is a thing and depression is high during the winter months. Using Happy lights getting exercise and perhaps a supplement can help a lot. Agree 100% on this.
Very useful video, as always. I am lucky in having daylight pouring in from all sides in the environment where I work in my DAW. This makes working on music for me very relaxing - even within sometimes strict deadlines. And, by the way, I'm pretty old - 72 years 🙂
Very interesting. As most us us are (I assume) amateurs, any loss in room dynamics caused by a window is clearly outweighed by its benefits.
Good video sir 👏
My studio is in the middle of a huge bay window in my living room. It feels like I'm in a spaceship and I feel so much better mentally when I can't look out into the world, its also inspiring for writing lyrics. I don't care if the recording quality isn't pristine.
I work in a room with two 10/8 feet windows looking at tall trees and mountains. So no issues 😃
Now that's something beautiful, i think its also kind of inspirational.
@@djKIR Tnx bro
I worked for 16 years at a defense contractor. For security reasons there were no windows throughout a massive facility.
After my time there, I felt I’d aged almost twice the time I was there and my not great mental health declined considerably during that time.
I left in 2020 and now work remotely, and my mental and physical health have slowly improved. I’ll probably never get back to what I once was, but I never thought how the lack of sunlight could have been affecting me.
Totally agree and a great video. I would add that we also have just as important a relationship with gravity as we have with light. In the words of one expert “sitting kills, standing heals”. We should stand up every 20 mins for a minute or 2, or have a standing desk arrangement.
Definitely going to remove the 50cm padding from the bay window today and check out the impact on sound quality (And my mood :)
Thank you for taking time to make this video - much appreciated.
preach! everybody loves the sunshine.
this changed the direction of my day today in a positive direction!
Most important gear is our own bodies, thanks for sharing🤞🏼
Well done, thanks for touching on a topic very few producers bring up
You a real good dude bro, thank you for the advice.
I agree 100%
Thanks for talking about this topic, it’s very important in my opinion ❤️
Love this! We have 2 big windows in our studio and it definitely makes things better when the light is out. Gunna try to take some these techniques to help with psychological side of engineering
I don't see why anybody should have any problem with your advice or content, it's not like you are just putting out false information that's going to harm anyone or lying trying to sell anything. You just can't please everyone.
I've always found your videos really helpful and have been my main go to channel on anything to do with music production. I don't have the money for any kind of studio or expensive equipment but your advice and information has still always been useful. All the best, look forward to more videos in the future!
Fantastic video, I remember Curbi used to produce in his studio with the window covered, and now he has a new studio with a giant window behind his desk and imo his music has never been better. Just a funny thing I noticed, love your channel
A bit different topic than usual but I appreciate it. We also need this type of content.
I agree 100%. Very sound and common sense advice, as is usual in most of your videos. I can't imagine why anyone would want to argue about it. We're not bats. Our bodies are not designed to live in dark caves, no matter how sophisticated they may be.
totally agree . nature Light & air & view from windows are great for everything !
I totally agree what you said. It's important to have a window and be illuminated by natural light, I propose a law that requires all offices to have windows, especially if girls living in front of that don't close the curtains when they undress.
Spot on. I can't work without windows. And the amount of distortion you introduce into your environment when you opt for windows is negligent in that well documented workarounds exist already that make this a non issue technically. On the other hand not having windows, natural light, ergonomics, not paying attention to the lightning in the room and so on will have a detrimental impact on your health over the long term. Great video thank you.
I think what you've said is just pure common sense. Natural light, taking breaks, going for walks, resting your hearing....it's all really important. Great message and not controversial at all!
My mix desk is always near a window in my home studio, I think sort of by instinct. I enjoy gazing at trees intermittently. Sound correction software (ARC) I think offsets any window influences. Thanks for the video!
Thank you for making this video and videos like this in general. I totally agree about the benefits of natural light and your presentation of your opinion is compelling.
It makes me sad you felt like you had to give a 5 minute disclaimer about not being a doctor and how you feel it's still okay to share what you've learned. Yeah man, it's okay. Responsible viewers will do our own research after you show the path. You're not telling us that injecting bleach will cure COVID.
Thanks for the video. I put together my studio last month and was anxious about the large windows I have in the corner. But I'm just so friggin' happy coming in here to work every morning. It's so worth it.
Firstly, I am so glad your space makes you happy!
Without a disclaimer like this you wouldn’t believe the amount of negative comments that pile up. Luckily, we avoided all of that. It’s just a weird time!
13:42 True I have a relative who is a neurosurgeon, he is very skilled and have high level salary but he doesn't have the time to eat fresh food 😢 , Bob Marley told right 'Money Can't Buy Life'
i think it is very important to remember these things, that was a valuable video thank you!💙
Great topic, thanks for raising awareness about it :)
14:20 correct , If we can share good information for the mankind and people accept it it's gonna be a great world 💗🌍
Wau..sir u are so much a good person...I'm just a novice..and I'm so happy for getting to know all these now ..🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾