After 20+ years I’ve learned, the only people that care how the record was produced is you and other producers. 🤷🏾‍♂️

As a designer of not-exactly-cheap analog gear and plugins, I gotta agree with this vid. The vast majority of how your production sounds and (more importantly) *feels* comes from the composition, arrangement, sound selection, and performance. A killer mix pushes all of that to the next level, and most of *that* comes down to the ears of the mixer. It is 1000% the case that room acoustics are far and away the most critical variable in any attempt to record, produce, and/or mix. +100 on getting that shit sorted out first, if you can't hear the truth you're f•cked. Then, if your writing is dialed and your room is tight and you're gonna buy gear that sits in a rack, here's my $.02 on what gives the biggest bang for the buck: a killer preamp feeding an analog eq. Killer preamps make every mic sound sweeter, smoother, fatter, even an SM58 can crush it when the preamp is juicy. I know people love compressors but here's the secret: plugins comps are absurdly close, but analog eq can produce a tone that no plugin can begin to touch. If you have a sweet pre/eq combo, EVERY sound you record gets the benefit of that sweetness, so your 5% tone bump gets closer to 25% because you're slathering it all over. Great video man, thanks for keeping it real.

Facts! My dad always said anyone can buy the gear but if you haven't got the skill to create the music, its a waste! That stuck with me and I think it has helped me, i have only just upgraded my monitors after 10 years!

Facts my first placement in a 06 was done with reason and a 25 key Axiom Record went on to earn me a Grammy Nomination & The single on the Album.💪🏾.

An interface, decent mic, laptop, basic keyboard, decent treated room and I'm banging some dope stuff!..no fancy gear needed, just the basics👍

This needs to be repeated a 1000x Save your money!!

💯 Tell them cause people blame equipment and can’t be bothered to master/Learn the craft. 👍🏾

The more I get comfortable and confident in my craft the more I see I don’t need a lot of the bells and whistles. You have a new subscriber, sir. Thank you.

A good song is a good song no matter how it’s made and no matter what gear you used to make it.

Perception is everything. Marley Marl proved that.

Kept it real! Sound is contained in a room. A acoustically treated room will provide the best analog sound. Eg vocals, strings, brass, wind, percussion and strumming instruments!

Lots of truth here. Back in the 90s I worked in a nice studio and they had big, in wall monitors, but most folks mixed on the smaller monitors on the console. One guy called them "client impressers". Like you said, skilled people can use anything and make it work.

Real talk. I’ve been trying to kick my gear habit for a minute

Man it's a bunch of cats that needed to hear this

The only expensive gear I want is synthesizers and keyboards. Only because I like working outside the box while creating.

I’ve been engineering and producing since the early 80s, and now for me, there’s nothing better than experience and some $10 a month subscriptions! I’m diggin your channel sir!!! Thanks!!

My studio is covered in vintage gear, cheaper used vintage gear from EBay. Shop around and you can get quality used gear at fair prices. The new stuff is kool too

Damn.. Awesome to see a great Tampa producer with a channel. The OG She Got It still bumps in the ride..

I’M SCREEEAMING BRO, R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Preach on Rev Bolo! I’m from old school, so I know the limitations that gear had and YES, you tended to need a lot of it. BUT, today’s gear / devices do sooooo much, it just isn’t necessary to having a lot to make something GREAT! I feel you on that! Mad props to you Bolo! 🙏🙏🙏

thank you for your wise and honest words, stay as you are.

Respect Bolo Da Producer!

Yesssss.. Completely agree on that acousticly treated space. Best investment I've made for my little portable minimal gear setup.

So true hits were made from simplicity not only gr8 but sensible & factual tutorial

Love your candidness. You are right. I just get extra stuff to make myself feel good.

You keep it real my man!!!! Thanks. I want to spend one day kicking it and just watch your process!!

It’s always been about working with less that’s the FOUNDATION of hip hop!!NEVER CONFUSE IT!!

You are one the most level headed guys on the Tube!

This is facts!

This is one of the best videos I have seen in a really long time. Love the honesty. Helping the young folks learn to keep it real.

Love your approach. Thanks

+Bolo, Thanks for sharing your perspective!! I really appreciate this!

I AGREE, and distribution plays a big part

The artist H.E.R. recorded the vocal's and acoustic guitar for the Grammy winning song of the year "I Can't Breathe" in her bedroom at her mom's house.She used an Apollo Twin X plus a TLM 103 for both.Her bedroom is not treated.

Thanks fam! You’re right! You spoke right to me!

Bet!! Solid advice.

Big facts. Thank you! Subscribed

Them cats in the MPC forums need this video. They buy every MPC that comes out.

BDP, you nailed it!!! I've believed from the beginning. As I started doing live sound I believed that you didn't need the best gear but knowing how to use what you have and the perception of what it should sound like and most importantly, training your ears. Thank you for this, you just gained a new fan!!!!!

One of the few videos I agree with 97%. I deal with this exact issue producing (as a hobby). I have lots of sound toys, drum machines, synths, and sample libraries. I also play guitar and keys and know a good bit of theory. My brother has a laptop with FL Studios and the stock plugins, no music theory. His music sounds a lot better than mine. He just has better tastes and judgement than I do. It used to get me down feeling like a fraud knowing I had all this gear but no talent, but I enjoy the process of making my music and it's relaxing to me. It took me a long time to get to a point of just enjoying making sounds after building a nice studio. My takeaway is you don't need expensive gear to make amazing sounds. If you can afford the gear and it's not breaking the bank splurge on your studio. Might be ignorant but I mix in headphones acoustic treatment for rooms is too complicated for me.

Thank you Sir, for this TRUTH. Gear doesn't really matter to the final product as much as being as creative as possible... getting there, however, is up to each persons knowledge of their own gear.

You hit the nail on the head 👏

Amen!!! It’s about the music!

First video, instant sub. 20 years in it, totally ascribe to what you say. HQ video, inspiring!

I want to endlessly say Thank you Mr. Bolo for this video. I have always been confused about starting my home studio with a BM 800 mic, laptop, audio interface and headphones, in addition to an improvised vocal booth (all covered in soft blankets), and it seems now I can go!💪

Thanks for keeping it real as always.

Thank you Bolo. Real talk 💯 woooo I have that SSL interface, my first one! Feels good finally seeing someone else with it!

My G!! I appreciate this!! 🙏

Just discovered this channel! Kind stuff I need to hear, immediately subscribed 🙌🏼

Solid advice man. Thanks.

Just recently found your channel, i became an instant fan. Great viedos, amazing information (that's better). So, thanks! Looking forward to hear/see more!

Very inportant message unc!

My Man Speak truth to power

This is the mindset i have always had, but i didn't have the motivation to do it until the pandemic hit. I started producing, recording, and mixing myself with just plugins. I have found that you don't need to spend yourself into debt to get the right sound. When i play songs for people, they think i went to a million dollar studio and I'm like nope i recorded that in my closet and mixed it on my computer that's 3 feet away from the closet

Thx Bolo👊😉You Have Amazing Studio Gear😍

Makes a lot of sense. When I see an inspired player on a $500 synth, I think no amount of gear can replace talent and inspiration. Creativity cannot be purchased and deep knowledge of an instrument or processor is way more important than having expensive gear that is not completely understood. Wise words! sub.

That opener a SUPER FLEX!!!!! BOLO!!

Glad u made this.. 💯💯

Have to say Bolo, you talk so much sense. Thank you

Preach it brother Bolo. Respect.

I needed to hear that. Thanks.

Bolo wit da Aux Track gem!!!! Love it. Great vid! 🔥

Excellent!!!😀

Thank you brother I really appreciate this

Keep up the good work dropping them jewels 💎

You’re too cool. Great advice!

I agree a thousand percent

Right on!

CONGRATS ON THAT RECORD!

Thank You! Great Vid!

1: I would rather buy lots of cheaper gear to get more experience doing different things rather than one piece of really expensive gear 2: I love watching videos with people using cheaper gear and get it to sound amazing vs people with a bulky credit card that can buy whatever they want. I prefer the DIY hacker type .. 3: I think people that focus on expensive gear are either A) just a youtuber talking about high end gear, lights, how to market, etc but they never seem to play anything? B) Lacking ability to get good sound out of what they have (See point 2) This would be like me being a very average basketball player wearing cheap shoes, then all of the sudden I go buy some expensive shoes and thing that is going to change my ability. Your point about knowing your gear is the most important point you made in this video!

Well said!

Bolo you the realist ninja I know on this producing scene.

Aye man you dropped real gems in this video💯

Great video! I agree

Thanks man, this was a nice reality check. Nice channel! 😎

Bro you're right a 1000%

U just gained my subscribe 💯. Keep up the good work.

agree with you man. thanks for great insight. please show me how i can treat my acoustic setting in a simple bedroom studio

Dig the knowledge base, bro. 🙏🏾

Cool video @Bolo Da Producer!!

God bless you for this video Bro, well said.

Appreciate you Bo

True words!! Totally agree with you. Considering we go through all proper steps to make decent quality music and the majority of listeners use cellphones, tablets or laptops for playback.

Spot On... Respect 👍🏾

This dude is real as hell!!

I got some expensive gear and some cheaper gear and when its all said and done its really about having a good treated room and I will say sound selection and the performance .. Im still working on getting my room treatment top notch thats a big piece of the puzzle..

Word. Do the best you can with what you got before moving on up.

Nice Keep pushing!!!

I'm a Beatles fan, and love the _sound_ of their tracks. You can imitate it with modern $$$ gear, but you just can't _nail_ it with today's equipment, for love or money. All to say: The Best & The Latest/Greatest isn't always what you need, anyway. What you _really_ need is a developed ear for the sound you like - and the patience to figure out how to make it happen with the gear you've already got.

Some mighty find words my man 👍 Peace 🥰

Facts bolooo

Real talk B!

Great video! Thanks!!

Totally agree

100 percent correct, I need to overcome my gear addiction! Thanks!

I looked at a photograph one day of all the gear I had (pack rat) and sold everything but a turntable, MPC Touch, small Zoom mixer. Brought a couple of semi-modular synths and felt better about creating loops. Less is More.

New subscriber. You are so right and your point of view is valuable and relevent to musicians like myself. Thanks for helping me out with this video.

good advice video ! i really agree

Best studio Philosophy on KZfaq!!!! Ears don’t know if the gear was cheap or not

Totally agree.