I Built My Dream Studio In My Basement - 2023 Studio Tour

Senpai Gaming
28 Dec 202317:37

TLDRIn this video, the creator shares his journey of building his dream studio in his basement, reflecting on the mistakes made during the initial construction and the lessons learned. He talks about the transformation of the space, which started with a sledgehammer thrown through a wall and now includes a professional-looking studio with a focus on functionality and aesthetics. The tour showcases various areas such as the gaming and streaming desk, the audio hub with Mackie monitors, and the editing desk, all equipped with high-quality equipment. The creator also discusses the studio's evolution, including the addition of new tech channels, the installation of color lights for filming, and plans for further improvements in 2024. He invites viewers to subscribe for updates on the studio's progress and to share their thoughts or ideas for the space.

Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ  The speaker initially made mistakes while building the studio, leading to a need for significant changes and improvements over time.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Major renovations included throwing a sledgehammer through a wall, indicating the extent of the changes needed.
  • ๐Ÿ›๏ธ The launch of new merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies, windbreakers, and beanies, with a special discount for channel members.
  • ๐ŸŽจ The original studio's goal was to look professional, but it ended up appearing bland and sterile with too many white walls.
  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ The studio was initially designed for five employees, but the speaker later realized they overestimated the need for space and personnel.
  • ๐Ÿ›‹๏ธ The office has been transformed into a favorite space with a comfortable couch and a large TV, perfect for gaming and streaming.
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Two large desks made of Butcher Block material are featured in the room, one for gaming and streaming, and the other for work and minimalism.
  • ๐ŸŽง High-quality audio equipment from Mackie, including the dlz Creator and hr824 mark 2 monitors, have been integrated into the studio setup.
  • ๐ŸŒˆ Amaran color lights were added to the ceiling to provide versatile lighting for different shooting needs.
  • ๐Ÿ”ฉ The main space of the studio has been optimized for better use, with a focus on functionality and multi-purpose furniture.
  • โš™๏ธ The studio is wired with 10 GB Ethernet, connecting to a central NAS for high-speed file sharing and collaboration.
  • ๐Ÿ“น The unboxing area has been improved with the addition of a third Butcher Block table and enhanced sound treatment for better acoustics.

Q & A

  • What was the initial goal for the studio's appearance?

    -The initial goal for the studio's appearance was to look like a real professional studio, moving away from the RGB gamer aesthetic with big LEDs on the walls.

  • What was the second goal when building the original studio?

    -The second goal was to accommodate around five employees, which the creator later realized was a mistake due to overestimating the growth and his ability to manage a team.

  • How did the creator describe the studio's look after the initial build?

    -The creator described the studio's look as bland and sterile, with too many white walls, which was an overshoot from the intended professional look.

  • What was the purpose of launching the new merch and what did it include?

    -The purpose of launching the new merch was to introduce a fresh design to the brand's products. It included t-shirts, hoodies with the 'Notice Me Senpai' design, the Senpai windbreaker, and beanies with 'idiot' and 'genius' labels.

  • What is the benefit of joining a membership to the channel?

    -Joining a membership to the channel provides a coupon code that gives $5 off on any item purchased from the merch store, effectively offering a discount on the membership fee with additional purchases.

  • What changes were made to the studio's layout in phase one?

    -In phase one, the studio was reworked to be more functional. This included combining two smaller rooms into one larger room, removing unusable space, and setting up a more enjoyable and functional office space with a gaming/streaming desk and a work desk.

  • What is the significance of the 75-inch TV in the studio?

    -The 75-inch TV serves as a central entertainment unit in the studio. It is used for marathoning shows and gaming, and it is also set up at a perfect viewing height for comfort.

  • What brand of audio equipment was used in the studio and why was it chosen?

    -Mackie audio equipment was used in the studio, including the Mackie DLZ Creator and HR824 Mark 2 monitors. The creator chose Mackie after falling in love with the DLZ Creator and has been working with the company extensively.

  • What is the purpose of the Amaran color lights in the studio?

    -The Amaran color lights are used to add color to the set, regardless of the camera's direction. They hang from the ceiling and point at each wall, enhancing the visual aesthetics during filming.

  • What is the main focus of phase two in the studio's development?

    -The main focus of phase two is to give the space life, addressing the sterility, and making it a fun and engaging place to work and shoot. It involves further updates and changes to the studio's layout and design.

  • What is the creator's plan for the future of the studio?

    -The creator plans to continue improving the studio throughout 2024, aiming to make it the envy of all YouTube studios. This includes making the space more functional, aesthetically pleasing, and enjoyable for both work and filming.

Outlines

00:00

๐Ÿ—๏ธ Studio Renovation Experience and Merch Launch

The speaker discusses the challenges and lessons learned from initially building their studio, including the need for significant changes and the time spent on renovations. They mention a memorable moment where a sledgehammer was used to make a drastic change to the space. Additionally, they announce the launch of new merchandise on their website, including t-shirts, hoodies, a windbreaker, and beanies, and highlight a membership offer that provides a discount on these items. The speaker's original goals for the studio's appearance and functionality are described, along with the mistakes made during the initial setup, such as overestimating the need for space and hiring too many employees. The narrative concludes with the speaker's enthusiasm for the ongoing reworking of the studio, which is being approached in two phases, with phase two set to begin in 2024.

05:02

๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Desk Tour and Studio Space Evolution

The speaker provides a detailed account of their desk setup and the evolution of their studio space. They mention building their desk multiple times to find the optimal configuration and plan to do a desk tour for both their gaming desk and personal desk setup. They also discuss the addition of Amaran color lights to improve the set's aesthetics and the ongoing work on a large light fixture for the studio. The main space of the studio has been repurposed and improved, with unused desks removed and new light fixtures installed. The speaker describes building an 'editor's dream' desk for their colleague, Dustin, and the various high-quality audio and desk equipment used in the studio. They also touch on the multi-functionality of the desks, which serve both for video shooting and gaming setups. The discussion ends with the speaker's dissatisfaction with a particular table's impracticality and their plans for future improvements and a sneak peek at a kitchenette area.

10:04

๐ŸŽฎ Gaming Breaks and Studio Gear Consolidation

The speaker talks about their gaming breaks and the gaming setup they have in the studio, which includes a two-in-one PC setup and professional Mackie speakers. They mention the transformation of an unused space into a kitchenette and the ongoing debate over the need for a mini fridge versus a better entertainment system. The consolidation of gear is discussed, with the speaker noting the packed microphone shelf and the abundance of audio equipment. They delve into the technical aspects of the studio's network setup, highlighting the use of 10 GB Ethernet connections to a central NAS, which facilitates high-speed editing and collaboration. The speaker also mentions their plans for future channels and the importance of the studio setup in supporting these endeavors. They end with a humorous anecdote about a secret light switch that indicates when another person is working in the recording studio to avoid unexpected interruptions.

15:06

๐Ÿ“น Studio Aesthetics and Functionality Improvements

The speaker reflects on the frustration of having a large studio space that was mostly unusable due to poor planning. They outline the goals of 'Phase 1', which focused on improving functionality, making the space larger, and creating better shooting locations. The speaker expresses their vision for 'Phase 2', which begins in 2024 and aims to give the space more life, addressing its clinical appearance, and making it an enjoyable place to work and shoot. They also hint at using a sledgehammer for another round of renovations, suggesting a continuation of the dramatic changes made to the studio. The speaker invites viewers to subscribe and join them on the journey to build the 'perfect YouTube studio', asking for ideas and engagement from the audience.

Mindmap

Keywords

๐Ÿ’กStudio

A studio refers to a place where artistic or professional work is conducted, often for film, music, or photography. In the video's context, the creator discusses building a professional-looking studio in his basement, which is central to the video's theme of personal and professional development.

๐Ÿ’กSledgehammer

A sledgehammer is a heavy, long-handled hammer used for demolition or driving in large stakes. The creator humorously mentions using a sledgehammer to make a dramatic change to the studio, symbolizing the drastic measures taken to improve the space.

๐Ÿ’กMerchandise

Merchandise refers to goods produced or sold by a company, often related to a brand or a particular theme. The video mentions the launch of a new website selling branded merchandise like t-shirts and hoodies, which is a way for the creator to engage with his audience and expand his brand.

๐Ÿ’กRGB

RGB stands for Red, Green, Blue, which are the primary colors used in electronic displays. The creator initially describes his basement as an 'RGB gamer' space with big LEDs, indicating a colorful and flashy aesthetic that he later wanted to move away from for a more professional look.

๐Ÿ’กButcher Block

A butcher block is a type of table or countertop used for cutting food, traditionally made from thick wooden boards. In the video, the creator expresses his preference for Butcher Block desks, highlighting their aesthetic appeal and practicality in his workspace.

๐Ÿ’กLiquid Cooling

Liquid cooling is a method used to cool computer components by circulating a liquid through a system of pipes and radiators. The creator mentions a 'gigantic liquid cooled gaming PC', emphasizing the high-performance nature of his gaming setup.

๐Ÿ’กStudio Monitors

Studio monitors are specialized loudspeakers designed for use in recording studios, providing accurate reproduction of sound. The creator discusses using Mackie studio monitors for gaming, which is an unconventional application but highlights the quality of the audio equipment.

๐Ÿ’กEthernet

Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies commonly used for local area networks (LAN). The video mentions a 10 GB Ethernet connection, which is a high-speed network connection used to facilitate fast data transfer for editing and collaboration within the studio.

๐Ÿ’กNAS (Network Attached Storage)

NAS is a file-level computer data storage server connected to a computer network that provides data access to a heterogeneous group of clients. The creator talks about connecting all desks to a central NAS, which is crucial for efficient editing and file sharing within the studio.

๐Ÿ’ก

๐Ÿ’กUnboxing

Unboxing refers to the process of taking a product out of its packaging, often recorded and shared for review or entertainment purposes. The creator has transformed a part of his studio into a dedicated space for unboxing videos, showcasing the versatility of the studio space.

๐Ÿ’กPhase Two

Phase Two refers to the second stage or part of a project. In the video, the creator outlines his plans for the next phase of studio development, which includes making the space more functional and aesthetically pleasing, and is a key part of the video's narrative about ongoing improvement.

Highlights

The creator reflects on the initial mistakes made while building the studio and the time spent on rectifying them.

Announcement of a new merch line featuring various apparel and accessories with a special discount for channel members.

The studio's original design goals were to appear professional and accommodate a team, but it ended up looking sterile and having unused space.

A dramatic renovation included the removal of walls to create a more efficient and enjoyable space.

The new studio setup includes a large TV and gaming/streaming desk with high-end audio equipment from Mackie.

The creator has a minimalist work desk on wheels, which has evolved through multiple configurations to suit his needs.

The studio now features color lights for set ambiance and is planned to have a large light fixture in the future.

The main space has been repurposed with more functional desks, including an 'editor's desk' with an advanced audio setup.

The creator discusses the challenges of managing a growing team and learning from past hiring mistakes.

The studio now includes a multi-functional desk that serves as both a gaming and editing station.

A kitchenette area has been added with basic amenities, though the creator humorously laments the lack of a mini-fridge.

The studio is wired with 10 GB Ethernet for high-speed collaboration and editing from a central NAS.

The recording studio has been made quieter and more isolated, with a new rule to avoid unexpected interruptions.

The unboxing area has been transformed with the addition of a butcher block table, enhancing the aesthetic of product shots.

Unused space has been repurposed into a home gym, hinting at a potential shift towards fitness content.

The creator outlines plans for 'Phase 2' in 2024, aiming to make the studio more lively and enjoyable for work and filming.

The studio's transformation is a continuous process, with a focus on functionality and a vision to make it the envy of YouTube creators.

The creator invites viewers to subscribe for updates on the studio's progress and to share their ideas for improvement.