LoFi vocals can add a lot of character and depth to your music.
They can also be a challenge to produce, but with the right techniques, they can be easy to get the desired sound.
In this article, we will outline 15 different ways that you can make lo-fi vocals in your mixes.
From drive preamp emulation to using a 4-track cassette recorder, I’ve got you covered.
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Drive Preamp Emulation to Make Make LoFi Vocals
One way to get lo-fi vocals is to use a drive preamp emulation plugin.
This will add grit and distortion to your vocal track, giving it a lo-fi sound.
To use this technique, simply add a drive preamp emulation plugin to your vocal track and adjust the settings to taste.
You may also want to add a bit of EQ to shape the sound of the distortion.
Use a Bandpass Filter
Another way to create lo-fi vocals is to use a bandpass filter.
This will remove some of the low and high frequencies from your vocal track, making it sound thinner and more lo-fi.
To use this technique, simply add a bandpass filter to your vocal track and adjust the cutoff frequencies to taste.
This will take some trial and error to get the sound you’re looking for, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
Use a High Pass Filter
If you want to make your vocals sound a bit more lo-fi, you can try using a high-pass filter.
This will remove the low frequencies from your vocal track, making it sound thinner and more lo-fi.
To use this technique, simply add a high pass filter to your vocal track and adjust the cutoff frequency to taste.
If you want to go further, you can also try using a low-pass filter to remove the high frequencies.
Use a Vintage Mic
Using a vintage mic is another great way to get lo-fi vocals.
Vintage mics tend to have a lot of character and distortion, which will give your vocals a lo-fi sound.
To use this technique, simply record your vocals using a vintage mic and see how you like the sound.
You may also want to add a bit of EQ to shape the sound of the distortion.
Try Compressing Your Vocals After Reverb and Delay
Compressing vocals to get a lo-fi sound is a bit of a counter-intuitive technique, but it can actually work quite well.
What you want to do is add reverb and delay to your vocal track, then compress the whole track.
This will make the transients stand out more, giving your vocal a lo-fi sound.
To use this technique, simply add reverb and delay to your vocal track, then compress the whole track.
Adjust the settings to taste and see how you like the sound.
Here are the best compressor plugins for vocals that you can checkout to compress your vocals.
Make a Copy of Your Vocal Track and Pitch It Down
If you want to make your vocals sound really lo-fi, you can try pitching them down.
This will create a lot of distortion and make your vocals sound really dirty.
To use this technique, simply make a copy of your vocal track and pitch it down by an octave or two.
You may also want to add a bit of EQ to shape the sound of the distortion.
Use iZotope Vinyl Plugin
iZotope Vinyl is a great plugin for creating lo-fi vocals.
It has a lot of different settings that you can adjust to get the sound you’re looking for.
To use this technique, simply add the iZotope Vinyl plugin to your vocal track and adjust the settings to taste.
You may also want to add a bit of EQ to shape the sound of the distortion.
Use Goodhertz LoFi Plugin
The Goodhertz LoFi plugin is another great plugin for creating lo-fi vocals.
It has a lot of different settings that you can adjust to get the sound you’re looking for.
To use this technique, simply add the Goodhertz LoFi plugin to your vocal track and adjust the settings to taste.
You can checkout this plugin on their official site.
Emulate Broken Gear
You can also try emulating broken gear to get a lo-fi sound.
Gear such as guitar amps and tape machines often sound great when they’re broken.
To use this technique, simply add a plugin that emulates broken gear to your vocal track and see how you like the sound.
Bounce The Vocals to Cassette Tape
When you bounce vocals to a cassette tape, you can get a really lo-fi sound.
This is because cassette tapes tend to have a lot of distortion and noise.
To use this technique, simply record your vocals to a cassette tape, then bounce the tape to your computer.
Use Bit and Sample Reduction Technique
Bit and Sample Reduction is a great way to get lo-fi vocals.
This technique involves reducing the bit depth and sample rate of your vocal track.
This will create a lot of distortion and make your vocals sound really lo-fi.
To use this technique, you have to bounce your vocals to a lower bit depth and sample rate.
You can do this easily in your DAW.
Try Ugly Space Emulation
Have you tried Ugly Space Emulation? It’s a great way to get lo-fi vocals.
To use this technique, you need to add a plugin that emulates ugly space to your vocal track.
This will create a lot of distortion and make your vocals sound really lo-fi.
Use LoFi Tape Settings
Some Plugins come with LoFi tape presets. These are great for creating lo-fi vocals. You may also use a real tape machine to create LoFi vocals.
Real tape machines have settings to change the sound quality. You want to use the LoFi setting to get a distorted and lo-fi sound.
Use a 4 Track Cassette Recorder
4 track cassette recorders were used back in 70s. They tend to produce a lot of distortion. This is great for creating lo-fi vocals.
If you’ve listened to old-school Hip Hop, you’ve probably heard vocals that were recorded with a 4 track cassette recorder.
To use this technique, simply record your vocals to a 4-track cassette recorder, then bounce the tape to your computer.
This is a great way to get really lo-fi vocals.
Try Wire and Speaker Emulation
Last but not least, you can try wire and speaker emulation. This technique is great for giving your vocals a distorted and lo-fi sound.
There are several plugins that you can use for this.
To use this technique, simply add the plugin to your vocal track and see how you like the sound.
These plugins are able to emulate different types of wires and speakers.
So, try out different settings to see which one sounds best for your vocals.
Conclusion
There you have it. These are 15 different ways that you can make lo-fi vocals in your mixes.
So, try out these techniques and see which ones work best for you.
Do you have any other tips for making lo-fi vocals?
Let us know in the comments below.
FAQs
How can I make my vocals sound lo-fi?
There are a few different ways that you can make your vocals sound lo-fi. You can try using distortion, bit and sample reduction, or Ugly Space Emulation. You can also try using a 4 track cassette recorder or bouncing your vocals to cassette tape.
What is the best lo-fi plugin?
There are a few different plugins that you can use to make your vocals sound lo-fi. Some of our favorites include the Goodhertz LoFi plugin, the Ugly Space Emulator, and the LoFi Tape Recorder plugin.
What is the best way to make my vocals sound lo-fi?
The best way to make your vocals sound lo-fi will depend on your personal preference. Some producers prefer to use distortion, while others prefer to use bit and sample reduction.
What is the best DAW for making lo-fi music?
The best DAW for making lo-fi music will depend on your personal preference. Some producers prefer to use Ableton Live, while others prefer to use Logic Pro X.
How can I make my vocals sound less clear?
There are a few different ways that you can make your vocals sound less clear. You can try using distortion, bit and sample reduction, or Ugly Space Emulation. You can also try using a 4 track cassette recorder or bouncing your vocals to cassette tape.
What is the best way to make my vocals sound more distorted?
The best way to make your vocals sound more distorted will depend on your personal preference. Some producers prefer to use digital distortion, while others prefer to use analog distortion.
What is the best lo-fi microphone?
Some of our favorite lo-fi microphones include the Rode NT1-A, the Audio-Technica AT2020, and the AKG C414 XLII.
How can I make my vocals sound less polished?
If you want to make your vocals sound less polished, you can try using a bitcrusher or downsampler. You can also try using a 4 track cassette recorder or bouncing your vocals to cassette tape.
What is the best way to make my vocals sound more raw?
The best way to make your vocals sound more raw will depend on your personal preference. Some producers prefer to use digital distortion, while others prefer to use analog distortion.
How can I make my vocals sound more natural?
If you want to make your vocals sound more natural, you can try using a bitcrusher or downsampler. You can also try using a 4 track cassette recorder or bouncing your vocals to cassette tape.
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