I made this using FL Studio!
After finishing Side Streets, I wanted to make something a little slower. I’ve been listening to a lot of old reggae lately, and I liked how much space those records leave between the instruments.
The Groove
This beat really started with the drums.
The hi-hats have more swing than I usually use, and I spent a while moving kicks and snares around until everything felt like it was rolling instead of marching. Once I found the pocket, everything else came together pretty naturally.
I also kept the percussion simple. A few extra sounds go a long way when they’re in the right place.
The Melody
Most of the melodic ideas were inspired by old dub records and the warm, slightly imperfect sound of analog recording. I wanted everything to feel a little dusty without sounding low quality.
Instead of constantly introducing new instruments, I reused the same ideas in different ways throughout the beat. Small changes usually end up being more interesting than big ones.
Looking Forward
I think this is the closest I’ve gotten to making something that sounds like me.
There are influences from boom bap, reggae, and even a little jazz, but it doesn’t really fit into any one category. I’m starting to realize that’s probably a good thing.
As much as I like experimenting, I keep coming back to beats that leave room to breathe. I think that’s the direction I want to keep exploring.
Palm Smoke is available to stream for free on YouTube or the Music page.
Interested in licensing or collaboration? Email me at nickstambaugh@proton.me