Kamikaze is my latest single from Wabi-Sabi Extended album. It is a short, less than 2 minute beat. I was experimenting with different rhythms on a chillful weekend and I ended up producing some beats for you. Kamikaze is probably my fave among the 5 beats produced.
Fun fact: 4 of the beats are part of Wabi-Sabi Extended, whereas the last one turned out to be less chill. It is the b-side song on this single.
Kamikaze was welcome well: on the first day 2 Spotify playlists immediately put the song on their list. Blimey, I did not even had the chance to release my video or upload the single. Personally, I find it great. I guess generally Wabi-Sabi album is pretty much able to offer such vinyl warmth vibe that has been sought by many. I can promise to produce more lo-fi beats in the future similar to this set of songs.
About Kamikaze b-side song: Fierce Duel
As mentioned above, besides Kamikaze there is a more faster beat featured on the lo-fi release. The song is called Fierce Duel. As the name suggests it is more a dark song. I gave the title because in my head this song is about two samurais. They are facing each other and it rains heavily. I can’t tell who is going to win, but it is quite sure that this battle will be fierce. Probably that vibe was too far from Wabi-Sabi, so I removed the beat from the extended version as well. Still, if you are interested, head to the single’s page to download or listen to it below:
By the way as we are at this topic I can drop some notes on Kamikaze’s story as well. To me it is more remembering to them in perspective the time passed. So I do not wish to express any political opinion, whatsoever with the song. For me it is only a moment of looking up at the sky and remembering them. This is why this lo-fi song has much more chill than many of the songs even on Wabi-Sabi Extended album.
I wonder if you ever encountered the dilemma I do, especially when good weather is coming: where to compose lo-fi music? The sun is shining more, less rain and somewhat it is just easier to walk outside then spending more time between the four walls. If you have this feeling as well, hit play button below and read this article further.
Compose lo-fi music inside
I guess it really starts with the best and most safe solution: let’s do that inside. You have your fave table with all the tools. The use of more instruments is more spontaneous and well… You can take breaks anytime, add your fave wine or booze to support your creativity. You are isolated, no disturbing noise in general.
Furthermore you have the chance to record your sessions. You have your space to do whatever your want. So, only reading this long you could ask: the hell I am wasting your time with it? And this is where my dilemma starts. Even though it is too good, I feel like missing the inspiration in many times. I feel like having obstacles and lacking of musical inspiration in many cases. Not all the cases, I mean I composed 100+ beats at home. But the more I play lo-fi beats, the more I think about this topic.
Even lo-fi girl is sitting inside
Ignoring the fact that it is me sitting by the window with a fancy pen instead of the well-know lo-fi girl. It still remains a fact that somehow we imagine the cozy vinyl-vibe warm lo-fi beats by sitting inside with a warm mug of coffee. So why would the production take place outside?
Compose lo-fi music outside
What makes it very different to be outside is the stimulus. A city is vivid and lively. Cars are passing, dogs and other pets running in the parks. By the river bank you see ships and kayakers. You may enjoy your coffee or fave slice of cake by the table. In the mountains the scenery and the ambient peace to drive your motivation. Clouds slowly passing by. In short it is much easier to compose lo-fi music there. Or is it?
Compose lo-fi music DAWless
Lidly is a great example from Japan to prove, you can compose lo-fi music outside. The perfect place by the fence, sitting on concrete and here we go. This method of course requires a couple of gears. First, a DAWless mobile instrument with enough power to support your needs. I mean SP-404 is a trendy instrument to choose, but it has it’s costs. Also and this is important to highlight. You will need to prepare your deck before hand in order to have a performance like that. Second, you will need some extra gear to record it. And last but not least: there is a video of it. So an extra phone (maybe yours, 4K 60fps is getting more trendy nowadays) along with your mate to do it.
See at the end, even though it is ultra motivating, it takes some preparation to achieve the perfect results.
With regards to the instruments, PO-33 KO could be an alternative, as they are smaller, lighter. Though they come with some limitation compare to other (more pricey) instruments).
On the other hand, I still say it worth doing so. Could be the same for beat production. You might not need fancy videos, but still need to pack your gear, take it with you. It is not easy to add your samples or change anything outside the DAW. Sure, you may download them with your mobile and record it. Or you could have an android phone with micro SD card (same for the instrument), so you can change the samples more easily. But it will be less smooth over doing things at home with the laptop next to you.
Compose lo-fi music… with DAW?
Why not? Nothing is impossible, said Taetro and:
Ultra fancy right? In this case you have much more freedom compare to the DAWless one. I mean your laptop is right next to you to boost your chill-out session. It is offering you more variety but comes along with more hassle. Almost you would need a car by now. You are to take a laptop, a key or pad, some cables and the camera stuff either.
And rolling back to the original thoughts: even if you do now with to record yourself. Unlike the DAWless setup, you still need a minimum full backpack of gear to compose music successfully. Not to mention that in case of an accident (sudden rain e.g.) your loss will be higher.
Budget alternative
Using your smartphone. It is in your pocket anyways, right? Sounds like the easiest way to compose lo-fi music outside. Also Koala Sampler for example let’s you record field (ambient, or city) noise to boost your beats.
I released a longer article on music production with different tools featuring Koala Sampler as well here.
The best part of this paragraph is that I have found 0 videos on people creating dope beats on Koala Sampler. And then I realised why: most people record their production videos with their smartphone. But Koala Sampler is the app on phone so most likely as a solo lo-fi beat producer, you cannot record yourself and produce beats the same time. Blimey, took me some time to realise it.
Dilemma
So here is my dilemma at last. Where is the best place to compose lo-fi music. Should I choose the ultra safe bedroom with comfy table and set? After all I can take a break any time. I can hear the beats and change the instruments on the go. Or rather going outside risking the gears but opening up to a more lively environment?
At the end it is up to the person’s way of thinking and capabilities. But I believe after writing this article, I was able to sum up my thoughts a bit and well. Spend more time with gears outside. I will take the risk and hope to compose more lo-fi beats on the go.
Click on the cover or go the Wabi-Sabi Extended page to read more about the extended version of the oriental lo-fi beats album.
Why I released Wabi-Sabi Extended
Truth to be told Wabi-Sabi album was very close to my heart from the very beginning. It was my first ever album I produced using PO-33 KO only. Which was a challenge, looking back now. I mean PO-33 KO is a great pocket sampler fitting anyone’s budget. Maybe Koala Sampler is cheaper assuming you have at least a mid-level smartphone in your pocket. Anyways it felt uplifting to understand the way how sampled beat production is generally working away from keyboard.
On the other hand, it gave me bunch of challenges. Lo-fi is generally about low-fidelity. Great quality is not the most important part of the vibe. Still, if you use DAW for awhile, you get used to its benefits. I mean I can edit the different instruments separately. Change them after I listened etc. Now with PO-33 KO you almost record straight to your phone or dictaphone. No edits, no changes.
And as I had some stage experience from the past, playing melodies with less mistake was kind of OK. However mixing literally the whole song before it was played was a bit difficult.
I mean yes, you can edit in EQ afterwards. Still, if the bass is too loud compare to kick, no way to mend it after the record. And also, let us not forget vinyl vibe, compressors etc. The while process became different.
Which was a challenge. I have to say I enjoyed it and still enjoying but I am making mistakes.
Wabi-Sabi for example turned out to be too silent compare to other Latte Chill releases. In order to mend it, I completely remastered the album and changed it to Wabi-Sabi Extended. Hence I wished to offer you something more, so I added 4 new songs to the album.
