The Evolution of My YouTube Studio: A Journey of Creativity and Innovation
As I look around my studio, I'm reminded of how far it's come since I first set foot in this space about a year and a half ago. At that time, everything was basically empty, with construction still underway. I remember being in a panic mode, having to outfit the entire studio within a short timeframe as iPhone season was approaching. It was a challenge to mix and match equipment and make things work, but it was also an exciting opportunity to create something new from scratch.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I received some packages from Aperture, which really sparked everything into motion. With Tyler's help and the new Aperture lights, we were able to focus on what we wanted to achieve and start anew. We decided to completely start from scratch, moving all the lights out, rearranging everything, and then putting them back slowly, one by one. This process took longer than I expected, but it was worth it in the end.
One of my first ideas for a studio refresh was to get rid of the shelf in the background. It was time for a change and something that would give us a fresh look. After removing the shelf, we decided to rearrange everything else and make some adjustments to create a more cohesive space. With new lightstands, sandbags, and light modifiers, we were able to create a studio that was not only functional but also visually appealing.
The Lighting Test
With our new lights in place, it was time for the first lighting test. Tyler had set everything up so that we could still have room to move around on the patio outside. As I turned on the lights, I couldn't help but exclaim at how bright they were. We spent several days testing and fine-tuning the lighting setup to ensure that it met our high standards.
Setting Up for Success
As we moved forward with the studio makeover, one of my favorite new additions was a custom pink chair from Steelcase, which my sister had set me up with. It was a game-changer in terms of comfort and style, and I couldn't believe how much joy it brought to my workspace. The chair's customization options were impressive, allowing users to choose from a variety of colors and fabrics.
The New Teleprompter
Another exciting addition to the studio was the new teleprompter set up on the main camera. This allowed me to transport the person I was speaking with onto an iPad, which then reflected into the camera, creating the illusion of perfect eye contact. It was a small but significant innovation that made a big difference in my ability to connect with audiences.
The Aperture Link App
One of the most exciting developments in the studio makeover was setting up the Aperture lights inside the Situs Link app. Connecting each light over Bluetooth and being able to control them individually or create different scenes for various setups was incredibly easy and intuitive. It was a game-changer that I couldn't believe we didn't do sooner.
The Main Studio Setup
As I sit in front of my main camera, I'm surrounded by all the elements that make up my studio. The custom pink chair is a favorite feature, and the new teleprompter has improved my ability to connect with audiences. The Aperture lights provide a beautiful and versatile lighting setup, while the Situs Link app makes it easy to control everything from my phone.
The Third Studio Space
Finally, there's my real-life editing desk space, which is set up in a separate area of the studio. This is where I work on editing videos, using the speakers built into the studio monitor. It's a cozy and comfortable space that I've grown to love over time.
Conclusion
As I look around my updated studio, I'm filled with gratitude for the journey it has taken us on. From the early days of setting up everything from scratch to the latest innovations in lighting and technology, every step of the way has been an exciting adventure. My studio is now a space that inspires creativity and innovation, and I couldn't be more proud of what we've accomplished together.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en- Ooh, this is a littletoo moody for my taste.Let's spice it up a little.It looks so good!Oh man, this is great.Now, I have gone throughmany studio setupsover the course of my YouTube career,which is about 17 years.Like that's a really longtime to be making contentso my studio setups have gonethrough many, many changes.The one that you're currentlylooking at right now,I got this space abouta year and a half agoand everything happened so quickly.Like, this place wasbasically completely empty.Ghey were actually still building itso I was able to makesome changes as I needed.When I moved in, it wasactually iPhone seasonso I was in a panic.We basically had tooutfit this entire studio,get everything together,get everything readyfor shooting the new iPhone.Everything in here wassupposed to be temporary.We just kind of were mixing and matchingand making things work.I had overflow storage of equipment.I had so much stuff in herethat I couldn't actuallymove or really work.So there's been so muchthat has been going onbehind the scenes that I'm so hyped,because a few weeks ago I gotsome packages from Apertureand this really was kindof what stemmed all of thisand the fact that I reallycouldn't even move aroundin here anymore becausethere was no space.And also, Tyler came back in town,so with his help and withthese new Aperture lights,we were able to justreally focus and hone inon what we wanted to do.Hello, friends.So we have got somethingreally fun in today.Oh boy. I need a knife.Yeah, you bet.Yeah. Back up.(gentle upbeat music)Now, once we got our new lights,we decided to completelystart from scratch.So we moved all of the lights out,we rearranged everything,and then put them back slowly, one by one.And that actually took alot longer than I thoughtit was going to.Okay, it's been a couple of days.I ordered some new things.We've got some new lightstands, some sandbags.We've got some of themodifiers for our new lights.Did I say we got sandbags?Did I say yes?We have sandbags.This studio has beenbasically kind of the samefor the past year and a half.I've got a few ideas for some things.Tyler over here on thefloor also has some ideasfor some things.So we're gonna kind ofjust do a little refresh,redo the lighting, redo our cameras,and we're gonna take youguys along for the ride.There's one roll inthe studio, and that isdo not touch anything here.Don't touch the lighting,don't touch the tripod,don't touch this.Don't touch the overheadcam because it's all setup perfectly so thatif nobody else is here,I only have to push a few buttons.Everything is set up lit and it's perfect.But today--- It's getting touched- It's getting touched.Jenna is probably gonna bejust like having like some sortof panic attack and not knowwhy, because I've yelledat her so many times fortouching and she just knowsshe's not even here.She's in Mexico.She's gonna have no idea what's happeningbut she's gonna know.So where do you think we should start?- We pull everything off the rugs.- Okay.- Like, over here.- Yes.- Rearrange the desks and the rugs.And then start from scratch on this.(gentle upbeat music)(gentle upbeat music)- Oh, we'll address that.(gentle upbeat music)(gentle upbeat music)- We're gonna do our firstlittle lighting test.So Tyler has this all set up.So he moved this back, but use this armso that we would stillhave room to be able to goout onto the patio here.And this is gonna beour first little test.And see what, oh my God,that that light is so bright.(gentle upbeat music)We did a lot of testing overthe course of several days.Got to me like eating my salad.(playful music)(playful music)We're gonna get rid of the shelf.(playful music)It's a look. It's a vibe.(playful music)Oh, that looks good.(playful music)Hmm.(playful music)Yeah.(playful music)It looks so good.I've been eating a salad for two hours.Like the background is still dark enoughthat you can see all the lights.This record player wasactually a Christmas giftfrom YouTube.It looks so good there.I got my like little YouTube button there.Some of my awards over here.I love it.I love it.Also, the chair, which you guys sawthe unboxing of Steelcaseactually set my sister a chair.I sat in that chairand about lost my mind.So I connected with themand they have made me a custom pink one.They didn't make it specifically for me.Like you can actually go on the websiteand customize any of thecolors that you want.They have available.I obviously had to choose the pink.Oh my God, it's beautiful.It's so beautiful.I can already see it.Oh, here it is.Oh my gosh.- It's very customized.- Oh my goodness. Maddie, come here.Come experience.It's so comfortable.I can't believe it.My butt's moving forward.- Yeah, youcan move it forward.- Look.- You have more like, I know.So if you adjust it, itmoves, it scooch it forward.- How do we adjust the tension?Oh, this one.I don't know what I'm doing.Oh yeah, check that out.I mean, this is game changing.Like look at this like I can lounge.I can move these little arms up.I can move them in, whichis perfect for gaming.I feel like everything is coming together.Everything's looking good.Top-down camera on point.So I have these little monitors rightin front below the camera.So I'm able to basically film by myself.I just hit record on the top down,hit record on the frontcamera as time to roll.We're in business.We actually made a lot more room.Like I can actually walkaround here like before,I could not do that.We also got a newteleprompter set up here.So sometimes I do use ateleprompter if I have a lotof notes or a lot ofscripts that I need to hit.But what I mostly use thisfor is doing conference calls.So I'm able to transport tothe person that I'm talkingto onto the iPad, which thenreflects into the camera.So it looks like I am making, you knowperfect eye contact with them,which is pretty incredible.But by far, one of the best partsof the studio makeover was setting up allof the aperture lightsinside of the Situs Link app.It's so easy.You just connect each lightover Bluetooth and thenfrom there you can controlall of the lights individuallyor you can even create different scenesfor different setups.And it's just super easyto make adjustments righton the fly from your phone.This is such a gamechanger that I just can'tbelieve we didn't do this sooner.So we ended up with two main sets.But we do actually have a thirdwhich is my real life editing desk.Like this is where I work,this is where I edit.This is where I do everything.I have just been using thespeakers that were builtinto the studio monitor.Well, Jonathan Morrison was like,\"Hey, I wanna send you somethingand I'm not gonna tell you what it is.\"I was like, oh, okay, cool.Like I thought it would be maybelike an iPhone case or something.Oh, no, no, no, no, no.It was this.Hi. So Jonathan Morrisonsent me something.I don't know what it is, buthe said to fill my reaction.So I'm gonna unbox it.I'm about to open it.I got my knife Jenna's overthere for moral support.I have no idea what is inside of here,but this box is very heavy.Oh, oh, oh, a note.Okay. This is the symphonydesktop, which looks amazing.Sounds amazing.And has Mac Os keyboardvolume integration.Get it paired with, oh mygoodness, this is a gold mine.Okay, I think these might be speakers.Oh, whoa.Look at this.This is such a cool unboxing experience.Maybe I bring back my DJ career.- Oh no.- Wow, this is so exciting.I cannot wait to try this out.Look at all of these goodies.So this is everything that Jonathan sent.So I think for this particular setupI really just wanna getthese speaker setup.So for that, I'm gonnause the symphony desktop.This thing looks so awesome.I even bought some speaker stands.Now I'm a little concerned about them'cause I don't know whatthey're gonna look like,how they're gonna be.I got them on Amazon andthey had like decent ratings.Click buy and this box is so heavy.(upbeat music)I'm into it so far.We're gonna put these togetherand we'll be right back.You notice I said we?- Yeah.- Okay. So it looks good.But I definitely thoughtthat these stands weregonna be taller.I mean, I guess that sometimes happenswhen you see thingsonline and you're like mm.Yeah, not quite matching up.But overall, like I really likethe look of them and I thinkit's gonna work out great becauseI'm gonna be sitting here.I feel like the angle Iprobably would like itto be a little bit higher, butI think this is gonna work.I love Apogee stuff.So I am so hyped about this.I'm gonna get this all updated and set upand download the software andthen we're gonna test it out.We've got the controller happening.You don't actually need to use the dialto adjust the volume.You can still use the keyboard controlsand it syncs with the symphony.So this is pretty exciting.So first I want to let youguys hear what it soundslike on the studio monitor.And this is actually apretty good speaker system.I think on here.I edit all of my videosdirectly with this.Using these speakers built in.Pretty good. It's good.I mean like, I like editing on thatbecause I feel like itgives me a good general baseof like what audio is gonna soundlike on most people's devices.Now, oh my God.(gentle music)I have goosebumps.Like I actually, oh my goodness,that just hit me to the freaking core.That's not even all the way up.We're only at two.(gentle music)Oh my gosh.(gentle upbeat music)Holy. I've never--I've literally never heard speaker.Like I've never heard sound so good.Oh my. This has ruined my life.Let's listen to Jonathan's MagSafe song.♪ I'm laid back, but I don't front ♪♪ Dopamine up and the MagSafe plugged ♪♪ I'm laid back, but I don't front ♪Wow, this is such anincredible addition to my desk.Like I didn't ever thinkthat I really needed some goodstudio speakers and these arebeyond anything that Icould have ever wished for.Thank you Jonathan and Apogee.As you can seethis is my editing setupand it is such a dream.I love having a vertical monitorseeing what I might wantto use in my main timeline.And then over here I have aoutput of the entire video.So if I just want to, you know,relax and just see my work of art.But the cool thingabout this little areais this is our third set.So I can just kind of seta camera up right here.And here you go.It's still a part of thisset, but I can do demos here.I can test things out.And all of this is actually being runoff of my 14-inch M2 MacBook Prowhich is kind of shocking to think about.This is sort of my powered by OWC station.And honestly OWC has beenpretty much my storage solutionfor the past couple of years.I've got the Thunderbolt flex herewhich I'm using for all of my backup.I also have this OWC stackand this Thunderbolt dock.It's a little crazy.The fact that this is all being poweredoff the little MacBook,powering my entire workflow.I know I could probablybe using the Mac studiofor all of this, butthere is just somethingabout being able to just unplug my MacBookand everything that I was working on.I can take the with me on the go.Another thing that was really importantto me in the studio isto make sure our cablemanagement was kept as tidy as possiblebecause I run into things all the time.Oh, so we needed to makeit as safe as possible.Now it might not be super pretty,but everything is tapeddown and it's been a whilesince I've tripped or runinto anything, which is reallythat's definitely the key factor here.Overall, everything is so much more tidy.There's actually a lot morespace because we did move someof the lights backand something else that's really exciting.We have a trash can now.I know it's been a yearand a half and I haven't had a trash can.It's so ridiculous.We also reorganized mygear closet and this isactually something that Ihad started doing months ago.This is where we've kindof got some overflow gear.We've got some tripods, we've got lightswe've got a ton of bags.This definitely needs to bereorganized, but trust me,this is way better than it was.I don't even wanna show you aphoto cause I'm embarrassed.We also reorganized our littleaudio and charging stations.We've got extra microphones,logs, Sony batteriesand this is those littleMC lights, which is so cool'cause it's this little carrying case,but it's also a charger.We've got a label maker,which is very important to me.This is one of myfavorite pieces of decks.Extra camera bodies, lenses,ND filters, lens capssome extra monitors, batteries.Tyler, you got me thisfor my birthday a couple years ago.We still have six pictures left.Let's take one.We do have a dedicated podcast roombut that is currently under construction.If you've watched the podcastor listened to it, you already know this.Spooky. It's a work in progress.We have some big plans, big ideas.Hopefully we can execute.Probably one of my favorite partsof my new studio is my gaming room.(upbeat music)This is the vibe room.I've got this excessivelylarge as Asus monitorwhich I'm so obsessed with,but like my desk is too smallto fit all of this stuff.Road caster here.And that's obviouslyconnected to this microphone.Actually, I love this Insta 360 webcam.Like I've been using that to stream.Now originally thiswas going to be editingand gaming in one room,but I loved having my editingout here in the studio.It just felt so much more open.I also love this roombecause I don't reallydo much work in here.I kind of just come in.It's super zen.Oh shoot, sorry. Oh god.And it's just like, I don'tknow, it's just a vibe.It's like my toy room.I just go in there and play.I actually, it's morelike a child's playroombut like an adult version.I'm into it.(gentle upbeat music)So that's the current studio setup up.I'm so happy with it.Everything just feels clean and neatand there's room to move around.So I'm hyped.Thank you guys so much for coming alongon this journey overthe past like 17 years.Many of you have beenhere since the beginning.Some of you are new.Hello. Hi.Maybe you don't even know who I am.Welcome. I'm glad you're here either way.And with that I'm goingto turn off the lights.3, 2, 1.Oh, I look like I'm getting interrogated.(upbeat music)(upbeat music)\n"
