Several years prior to recording "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm", group member Q-Tip created much of the album's production on pause tapes when he was in the 10th grade. He would have his first studio experience while recording with Jungle Brothers on their debut album "Straight out the Jungle" (1988). Although this was a learning experience, he acquired more recording and producing knowledge being present at all of De La Soul's "3 Feet High and Rising" (1989) sessions. Recording engineer Shane Faber taught Q-Tip how to use equipment such as the E-mu SP-1200 and Akai S950 samplers, and soon-after, renowned producer Large Professor taught him how to use other equipment, for which he would expand upon on "People’s Instinctive Travels".