Basics: How to Make Anything Sound Lo-Fi
With just three stock plugins, you can create an effect that's perfect for interesting intros, transitions, or even entire sections of a song. This effect is found in all different genres and even created it's own.
Over the years, it's been called many things: the telephone effect, the radio effect, and more recently, the lo-fi effect.
Today, we're going to learn how to build a fully customizable version of this effect so you can use it in your own music, and get it sounding exactly how you want.
Track Setup: Single or Multiple?
The first thing you need to do is decide where you want to use the effect.
If you're just adding it to a single track, it's pretty straightforward. Just apply the plugins directly to that track.
However, if you want the effect on multiple tracks or an entire section, one of the best and easiest ways is to set up a bus track. Once that's in place, route everything you want the lo-fi effect on to it. How you do this depends on your DAW.
This is why it's very important to understand how audio flows through your software and how you can control that flow.
Cut The Lows and Highs
Now that you've decided where to use the effect, it's time to add an EQ to cut the low and high frequencies. This creates the signature "lo-fi" sound the effect is known for.
Start by loading your favorite EQ plugin. Make sure it includes both high-pass (low cut) and low-pass (high cut) filters, and that it lets you adjust the filter frequencies.
These filter frequencies will be your main controls for shaping this part of the effect.
Activate the low-pass filter and set it to 3.5 kHz
Activate the high-pass filter and set it to 350 Hz
These are just starting points. From here, adjust the low-pass filter to control how much high-end you let through, and use the high-pass filter to decide how much low-end you want to keep.
Take some time to experiment with the cutoff frequencies and, if your EQ allows it, the filter slopes. This will help you get a feel for how these settings shape the overall sound.
When you're done experimenting, either reset the filters to the starting points above or leave them where you like.
Add Some Grit
Next, we're going to add some grit to the sound by applying distortion. This will create a more degraded tone and add some variation.
When adding the distortion plugin, add it before the EQ.
Once the plugin is loaded, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the controls if you haven't already.
Usually, the Drive knob controls the amount of distortion or saturation. The strength of the input signal going into the plugin also affects the amount of distortion. Many distortion plugins have dedicated input gain and output gain controls.
Some plugins offer multiple types of distortion to choose from, while others only have one.
Like the EQ, spend some time experimenting with the plugin to understand what each control does and how it changes the sound.
After you get a feel for the plugin, start by adding just a small amount of distortion. The goal is to dirty up the signal a little, not completely destroy it. A little goes a long way.
Don't get too hung up on how it sounds yet, you can go back later to tweak it.
Squish The Dynamics
The final step is to reduce the dynamic range using a compressor. The distortion you just added already compresses the signal to some extent, but combining it with a compressor will help squish the sound even more and add extra grit.
Add the compressor plugin between the distortion and EQ plugins.
Start by setting the compressor to a ratio of 6:1 or higher, with a fast attack (0.15ms) and slow release (300ms).
A fast attack reduces the punch, while a slow release makes the sound feel fuller.
Compressors can be intimidating if you're not familiar with them. If that's the case, just set the ratio to 6:1, fast attack, and slow release, then experiment with the threshold until you find a sound you like.
Mix It Up
Now that you have all three plugins set up to create the effect, go back and tweak the settings to find a sound you like.
While you're at it, try mixing things up by experimenting with different approaches, such as:
Play around with the plugin settings
Changing the order of the plugins
Making the effect mono
Applying it to different elements, like the entire mix, just the vocals, or just the drums
Using automation to vary the effect over time
Trying out different combinations to see what kinds of sounds you can create
Have fun experimenting and discovering new possibilities and sounds!
Final Thoughts
With some light distortion, a bit of compression, and a few simple EQ adjustments, you can create a great sounding and versatile effect that works well for intros, transitions, and just about anything. Just be careful, it can be easy to overuse.
Do you have any go-to effects you like to use? If so, leave a comment below and share what you like!
-Anthony