How to Make a Lo-Fi Hip-Hop Beat in Soundtrap

Lo-Fi Hip Hop music is known for having a unique, uneven, and laid back rhythmic sound. Lo-fi simply stands for low-fidelity, meaning the music has imperfections in its recording or performance which lends to its aesthetic features and warmth. It is the perfect type of beat for producing nostalgic and chill hip-hop sounds. Here are a few tools you can experiment with in Soundtrap to achieve a lo-fi hip-hop beat.

Compile samples and loops together to create a foundation

First step in producing a lo-fi hip-hop beat is to put together a compilation of drum, guitar, and even piano instruments to your liking. Consider finding recordings of vinyl crackle, analog noise or lo-fi samples to accentuate the textured noise. Many solid lo-fi samples are based off of older styles of jazz, soul, or R&B so add one or two sounds from these genres. Search the loop library by looking up terms like “Lo-Fi” or the styles mentioned above. 

Quantize your drum loops with a swing 

This effect makes the drums appear acoustically live and played by a real drummer rather than computer generated. This produces an intimate and vintage appeal as well. Start by hovering over the track and click “Edit”. Then follow by clicking “Quantize” and selecting either swing options.

Adjust your drum sounds to be slightly off the beat

Making the beat sound more bumpy and laid back will help you make a lo-fi hip-hop beat. To do so, maneuver your drum instrumental notes by slightly dragging them off center. For example, by dragging the hi-hat or sidesticks on the piano roll so the notes are slightly behind the beat produces a laid-back feel.

Add some effects to your drums

Select the drum track and click on the “effects” icon. Click on “Add Effect” and select “Dynamics Compressor” and “Filter”. The dynamics compressor can help smoothen out the dynamics of the drum. The filter can be used to cut out the high frequencies to mirror an old vinyl recording.  

Lo-fi beats have a groovy and complex array of old textured sounds that are filled with beautiful imperfections. Explore the music resources and tools provided in Soundtrap to develop your own lo-fi hip hop beats.

Do you want to learn how to produce your own music and podcasts on Soundtrap? Sign up for Valley Producer Program Level 100, our FREE online production course here.

Source: “How to Make a Lo-fi Hip-Hop Beat in 6 Steps,” LANDR