How to make a lo-fi hip hop beat

1

Start with some retro keys

It’s all about nostalgia - start with some chilled out sounds to create your main loop. You can select a sample you like, or create chords using a virtual instrument. Vintage keyboards are the best to use, so searching “vintage” in Serato Studio will turn out some great options - remember, old school is the best school.

2

Add a dusty drum beat

Add some drums in, keep the tempo slow and relaxed (70BPM - 90BPM). Allow the drums to sound imperfect, experiment with some old school sounds you like. Serato Studio’s Core Pack has the perfect drum kits for lo-fi.

3

Throw down a bass line

Keep it mellow, keep it rhythmic. Add some bass in to compliment your drum beat. Make sure you’re creating a bassline that’s conscious of your drum beat, and using the right sounds. The “Sat Bass” in Serato Studio is a great option if you’re stuck.

4

Add FX and Samples

This is the fun part. Play around with any cool FX you have and slot them in where you think they best fit. If you’re stuck, try the “Lo-fi Crush” or “Light Sizzle Crusher” FX in Serato Studio. For samples, crackling fire or vinyl scratching are the vibe you want to go for.

5

Mix it

A good mix is all about how it sounds to you - you are the judge. Make sure all your channels are sitting at a similar level and no one element is too overpowering. If one channel is too intense, you can use a limiter to restrict it being too loud. Similarly, using EQ and FX can take out the sharpness to some of your sounds. You want the track to come across as one package, not multiple layers competing for attention.