how to produce songs like steve lacy
MY SAMPLE PACK to help support the channel
drewgrit.gumro...
HOW TO STEVE LACY - Production Breakdown
In this video I break down indie musician Steve Lacy’s production style, known for using an iRig and Garageband on his iPhone to create songs. Compton native and multi-instrumentalist, he is a member of Grammy nominated Odd Future offspring The Internet, as well as nominated for Best Urban Contemporary award for his debut album ‘Apollo XXI’. He is Also included on Kendricks Lamar's Grammy winning ‘Damn’, helping produce the track ‘Pride’, and has collaborated with many people across the industry, including Tyler, The Creator, Kali Uchis, Vampire Weekend, Calvin Harris, Goldlink, DJ Dahi, Blood Orange, and Ravyn Lenae. He describes his brand of indie guitar music as “Plaid” and keeps his production workflow simple which is spoken about in a TED Talk called “The Bare Maximum”.
In this video I deconstruct his Demos EP song ‘Some’ and the drum sample used that comes from the anime Gundam’s soundtrack, as well as looking into the songs ‘Thangs’ and ‘Looks’ sourcing the drum breaks from Whosampled. Here I make a track in the same style of Steve Lacy to demonstrate the indie guitarists characteristics like the distinctive drums and 7th chords commonly used. By pitching down drums, adding heavy compression and saturation, a warmth and weight is given that becomes easily identifiable as his sound.
His Prince like sound mixed with indie genre, creates a unique style as an artist and producer which is clearly heard on his demos project ‘The Lo-Fi’s’. He has cemented himself among the titans of indie solo artists alongside acts like Clairo and Mac Demarco to name a few.
MY SOCIALS
Instagram: / drewgrit_
Twitter: / drewgrit_
LINKS
Rhythm Lab: rhythm-lab.com...
All The Breaks: / all_the_breaks_vol_1_2...
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:33 About Steve
1:51 'Some' Drums
5:49 'Looks' Drums
6:42 'Thangs' Drums
7:30 Steve Lacy Type Beat
10:31 The Important Part
Пікірлер: 113
DUDE WHAT THE "SOME" DRUMS ARE FROM THE GUNDAM SOUNDTRACK????? That blew my mind lol. Amazing video man. Love your insight and the editing is top tier. Definitely learned some stuff. Keep it up!
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Hahaha literally bro I was the exact same, it knocked me off my seat when I found out, just couldn’t believe it😂 and thank you for the kind words my friend, I really appreciate it✌️
U are a legend for making this!! been pulling my hair out tryna recreate Steve drums with midi assuming he did it himself in GarageBand..this helps so much
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Simon I really appreciate it! Glad I can help and feel free to send me across any of the music you make after finding out this info. Would love to hear it! Hit me on ig @drewgrit_ if you’re sending links bro💪
It’d be cool to have a decosntruction of “infrunami” seems like a very simple song but it’s so damn good
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely love that song, maybe even the best off The Lo-Fis but you’re right, it’s so stripped back im not even sure I would have a lot to dissect haha Cheers for the idea Diego, if i think I can make a good video out of it then I will💪
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
hey diego, my computer must be listening to because it just recommended me this haha it gives a decent idea of how "infrunami" was made, hope it helps✌ kzread.info/dash/bejne/iZaTyqOggti4fqg.html
i didn’t even realize, but coming from a back ground of sampling for a lot of my songs, and now switching over to playing more instruments i realize i produce exactly like him 😭
@drewgrit_
Жыл бұрын
Hahaha i love that dude, good work. Thats a way to make music and even cooler thing to realise youre doing it right with even realising😂 welcome to the channel and thanks for the comment my friend💪
This video is genuinely amazing man, very well thought out and edited and you've a great personality for youtube! I'll definitely be watching the next ones.
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much man, means a lot honestly. Going to take 2022 seriously and really pump out the vids haha so hopefully plenty more that youll be into!
Literally been looking for this exact video, THANK YOU. And I loved your outro about being original that is key!
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you my friend! I really appreciate the comment and so glad you enjoyed it. Youre the first person to mention the originality part and you’re so right, it is key. Great to know you’re on the same wavelength💪
@Moniker_YT
2 жыл бұрын
@@drewgrit_ yes sir ofc! I appreciate your response 😎 Keep it up man!
Clairooo shoutzzz...low-key, most impressive artist of recent furrrealz
@drewgrit_
Жыл бұрын
I 110% endorse this message haha easily one of my favourites and even though shes popular shes still not getting the musical credit she deserves if you ask me. Glad we are on the same wavelength about this my friend😂
great video mate! fun lil fact - logic also sampled the same sample steve sampled on 'thangs' on his song openmic/aquarius III
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you my friend! And I was so confused for a second, I thought you meant Logic the DAW haha but you’re right I just looked the song up and it is the same sample. That’s so cool, I appreciate you dropping that knowledge on us💪
Love how u said we don’t need Steve lacy copies😭 amazing vid man!
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much dude! And yea it’s so true, we all need to embrace individuality as well as being inspired by others haha I appreciate the kind words, more videos you might enjoy coming very soon✌️
EARNED A SUB!! THIS IS SUCH A HELPFUL VID I WAS JUST WONDERING WHERE TO FIND FREE DRUM SAMPLES
@drewgrit_
8 ай бұрын
Hey no prob at all! Glad you enjoyed it and yea rhythm lab is such a underrated resource, enjoy and thanks for the sub my friend💪
That’s crazy where he sampled those drums from. I would love to know where I would even look to find drums like those to sample in my music
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Yea man I totally feel you but that’s the challenge, and it makes it feel extra rewarding whenever you do hit gold because youve earned it! I will admit the gundam sample is a really interesting find but there is still some great drums in the resources I mentioned in the video. Definitely a good place to start my friend💪
great content my friend nice to see a Irish/NI on here keep it up and the subs will definitely start to come, going to tell the lads in my music class to check out your vids very worth while.
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much jos, I really appreciate the kind words and the recommending to classmates, thats unreal honestly. Keep in touch my friend, @drewgrit_ on ig. You've shown me some serious love so I owe you one, hit me me up any time✌ and uppa NI hahaha
Genuinely really insightful content Drew definitely looking forward to seeing more from you
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you Kallum sir, I really appreciate the comment, next one is something I think you’ll enjoy, look out for that this week💪
Yo, really nice tutorial/analysis of the Steve Lacy Style! After your nice comments I had to hop over to your Channel and really dig it. keep it up!
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Ah thank you man, I really appreciate that you shot over and checked it out, you didn’t have to but I’m glad you enjoyed it💪
yooo this is best video i’ve found that is the closest sound to steve lacy thank you so muchhhhhhh 😭
@drewgrit_
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Ethan, Steve’s vibe is one of a kind so if you think I got close then I’m happy haha feel free to send me any music you make man, would love to hear it💪
Guaranteed banger 😤
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thank u thank u, I feel like you’ll enjoy the next vid man, defo going to get it out within the next week💪
🔥🔥🔥
@drewgrit_
6 ай бұрын
Love my friend💪 fire is the best compliment a guy can ask for haha
this is amazing :)) thanks so much!! subbed! Also, u said you don't play instruments... how do u usually make ur basslines? Thanks so much for ur pearls of wisdom - steve is one of my absolute faves
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much my friend. Comments like this make my day and push me to stay motivated! So basically I have a couple options, I own a bass and can try work out a bassline with poor playing and compiling a load of takes just to get an ok 4 Bar bass loop. However that’s much easier said than done so I dont try that too often haha What I would recommend is a free plugin called Ample Bass P lite. Then either play in with a midi keyboard or draw it in and humanise it manually by adjusting velocity and moving the midi slightly off the grid. Also there are features like buzz and finger noise to make it even more realistic sounding in the plugin. Alternatively in the paid realm I have heard good things about the Kontact Rickenbacker bass, Kenny beats demonstrates it at 8:43 in this video breaking down dominic fike - phone numbers, kzread.info/dash/bejne/iq6ij62xececYNo.html And honestly it’s so good I doubt even top bass players would be able to tell its not real haha But yea thanks for the comment b. mo, hit me up on IG anytime if you need anything! @drewgrit_ ✌
instructions wasn't clear, accidentally made jungle
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Making jungle is never an accident, it is gods hand at work
@rossmachala2119
2 жыл бұрын
😂😂😂 always the way with KZread tutorials
so sick!!
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you my friend, every supportive comment keeps me motivated haha working on a similar video about clairo that’s coming asap, look out for that if you’re interested in her music💪
Sick vid mate
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you Kerzy, I appreciate that you took time out of your day to leave an encouraging comment, really means a lot, legend💪
@rovelol
2 жыл бұрын
@@drewgrit_ your videos are really good you are so underrated i cant wait to see you skyrocket in views keep smashing out content brotha
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
@@rovelol Damn thank you dude that has made my day. I am in the middle of editing the next video right now and have been procrastinating like an idiot. This comment is exactly the motivation I needed haha I owe you one kerzy✌
@rovelol
2 жыл бұрын
@@drewgrit_ 👌
0:39 not you putting the Big Bang Theory squad AS WEEZER BAJHAHAH
@drewgrit_
Жыл бұрын
hahahahhah thanks for noticing, glad someone appreciates my stupid humour, youre the first person to mention it!
@byersvhs
Жыл бұрын
@@drewgrit_ no problem 😂
First of all, crazy insightful and well-made video. Great job, fr. But like now it's got me wondering. How do artists sample songs so frequently without copyright infringement? Like I want to sample stuff but I would be worried I produce a fire beat but then can't do anything with it 😭😂
@drewgrit_
Жыл бұрын
First of all thanks very much dude! And yea I totally feel you, I think this is one of the biggest problems with modern music production. This is NOT legal advice but what id recommend is if you use a sample not too obviously, you might be ok. It might avoid automatic taken down and will prob only be noticed if the song gets big. Which hopefully by then you have a better chance of sorting a fair deal, maybe even be signed by then. In steves case with drum breaks, I would definitely just go ahead and use them, far less likely to get you in trouble and almost definitely wont cause an automatic take down. I hope that helps my friend✌
@kevinamon4254
Жыл бұрын
@@drewgrit_ Sweet, great advice! Not only do you put out good videos, you respond to your viewers as best you can. You just earned a new subscriber
@drewgrit_
Жыл бұрын
Ah damn thank you dude, I try my best to reply to every single comment, positive or negative because why not?😂 I think all smaller KZreadrs should be trying to do the same, if someone takes time out of their day to watch my video and write a comment, I should find the time to respect them and write a reply! That’s my theory on it anyway haha good to have you onboard my friend, welcome to the channel💪
Dope
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you Hugo, every comment gives me massive motivation to create more videos so I owe you one my friend haha
sick video
@drewgrit_
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Alfie, glad you enjoyed it my friend
Fye Vid ! :O
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks dude, I just checked out your channel myself, venture is sounding crazy!
@FATLLAMA
2 жыл бұрын
@@drewgrit_ no problem! Yoo thank you for checking it out appreciate it!
cool video, but is there a reason why you use two drum tracks instead of just one?
@drewgrit_
6 ай бұрын
What do you mean two drum tracks? I just watched through the video and cant see anywhere where I’ve done that, if you can give me a time stamp I’ll answer no problem my friend💪
is there anything else you recommend besides rhythm lab? Also, amazing tutorial. really helpful
@drewgrit_
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Eric, glad you enjoyed it! And I do actually have a new recommendation since recording this video. There’s this sick drummer and producer called AJ Hall, he makes packs of vintage sounding drum breaks using analog equipment, old mics, vintage kits etc. Those will also be royalty free compared to using drums from actual old records. Hope that helps my friend, shout me anytime if you’ve got any other questions✌️
Sheeesh🎉
@drewgrit_
Жыл бұрын
Hahahaha sheeesh is the best compliment a producer can get! Thank you my friend✌
you’re so seriously funny 😂
@drewgrit_
10 ай бұрын
Hahaha thanks dude, in these older videos I really tried to make them as funny as possible. I really enjoyed it too, I hoping to bring the jokes back into the new videos a bit more💪
Hey dude, I was wondering if you still have the Gundam drum sample. It's not on KZread anymore.
@drewgrit_
15 күн бұрын
I think I’ll still have it on my hard drive, give me a message on Instagram and we can work it out from there my friend💪
@mikewsampled209
15 күн бұрын
@@drewgrit_Done but I accidentally sent a link to this video on your Instagram and I wanted to delete it. So I clicked unsent, but the problem here is you can only send 1 message unless you accept the invite. Don't know if my message is still visible to you, since I unsent it. 😕
@mikewsampled209
15 күн бұрын
@@drewgrit_Done but accidentally click "unsend" because I accidentally clicked enter on a keyboard which just straight up sent my unfinished message.
@drewgrit_
15 күн бұрын
@@mikewsampled209 try again dude✌️
@mikewsampled209
15 күн бұрын
@@drewgrit_I can't make another message unless you accept the invite. Don't know if my message is still visible to you since I clicked unsend. By the way, the message is a KZread link to this video.
Drew Beats 🙏
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Haha that’s the one, cheers for watching bro💪
10:30 💯💯💯💯
@drewgrit_
Жыл бұрын
Glad you agree my friend, hope everyone is on the same page as us💪
Cymatics, looperman, any free loops are better than lndr Steve Lacy type loops
@drewgrit_
4 ай бұрын
Literally haha they weren’t even remotely close😂
What's the exact name of the drum sample?
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
dhh2_drum_loop_swing_full_90 from the Dirty Hip-Hop 2 pack on Splice. If you mean the one I used for the song I made in the style of steve. Hope that helps dude, let me know if you come across any issues or need any help in general✌
what gundum song???
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
It’s called Space Colony by Watanabe Takeo apparently but this is the link to the song if you want it kzread.info/dash/bejne/dp6Irpiqca2zg6g.html
next can you do Spencer. ❤
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
I only started to listen to Spencer. recently, hes great. Ill have to start listening to him more and if an idea for how I can make a good video on him hits me then I will✌ Thanks for the suggestion Phelelani, I appreciate it!
How did you learn all of this, did you take classes?
@drewgrit_
Жыл бұрын
Ive been doing music production for about 8 years now, it has been a combination of studying in classes and online resources like KZread. I did a two year course at a community college type of place and then a three year university degree. Both of those courses were great but it really depends on the University etc. Hope that helps my friend, let me know if you have anymore questions💪
bro, help me please, i'm searching for the Gundam soundtrack that have the drums to sample but i just didn't found this. Can you send me the link of the video where you found the drums? Thanks bro.
@drewgrit_
Жыл бұрын
Hey bro, I feel your pain because its in Japanese I struggled to find it when I needed it. The way I did it was using the Whosampled page for the song, that’s how I found out about it. Heres the link, www.whosampled.com/sample/661418/Steve-Lacy-Some-Watanabe-Takeo-Space-Colony/ Just looked at it but the KZread link is gone, but good news is it at least has the name of soundtrack in English Watanabe Takeo Space Colony Mobile Suit Gundam Sony 1981 Hope that helps✌
good video
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you dants, I really appreciate that you took the effort to comment, means a lot💪
upa steve lacy
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
its incredible that you can tell someone is from the motherland with one single word haha thanks for the comment my friend✌
hey whats a good drum vst to use? I use reaper to produce
@drewgrit_
11 ай бұрын
Hey man I mainly use drum samples so I don’t have much experience with drum vsts. A lot of producers on KZread seem to like Addictive Drums though, I hope that helps my friend💪
still watching but i cant get past that intro what song is that???
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Ah thanks my friend, that’s the song I made in the style of steve lacy that I breakdown how I made towards the end of the video💪
Make a how to banes world
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the suggestion my friend, I’ve made note. I’m not actually familiar with banes world but just looked them up and they are good so I’ll do more investigating and if I think I can make a good recreation I will, thanks!✌️
What drum kit you using?
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
Hey Mo, that drum loop is called dhh2_drum_loop_swing_full_90 and is from Dusty Hip-Hop 2 pack on Splice by Sample Magic. Hope that helps bro, if you have any other questions let me know💪
@mohammadfirdaus9054
2 жыл бұрын
@@drewgrit_ alright thanks bro
Can I use your beat for a Steve Lacy type song?🥲
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
If you follow the tips I give in the video then you will be able to make your own Steve type song and also incorporate some of your own style so that it’s more than just a Steve copy! That’s the way to do my friend, thanks for the comment💪
You say at the end you've got a video coming on Kanye.. who's that?
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
He’s an underground Irish poet, you wouldn’t know him lol
Granny does not slap you
@drewgrit_
2 жыл бұрын
😂😂😂😂😂 ffs