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How to Make Lo-Fi Beats with Free VSTs | Afroplugin & Afrokeyz | J Dilla & Nujabes

20/11/2024
How to Make Lo-Fi Beats with Free VSTs | Afroplugin & Afrokeyz | J Dilla & Nujabes
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If you’re a fan of Lo-Fi beats, J Dilla, and Nujabes, you’re probably familiar with the smooth, soulful sounds that define this genre. The laid-back grooves, the jazzy influences, and the atmospheric vibe make Lo-Fi a staple in both hip-hop and chill music scenes. But what if I told you that you can recreate those iconic beats using free VSTs? Yes, you can make Lo-Fi beats in the style of J Dilla and Nujabes without breaking the bank!

In this article, we’ll walk through how to make Lo-Fi beats using Afroplugin, Afrokeyz, and LANDR Composer—all free VSTs that will help you produce professional-sounding tracks without any expensive gear. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced producer, this guide will help you create authentic Lo-Fi grooves, signature drum patterns, and soulful melodies just like your favorite producers.

Why Lo-Fi Beats?

Lo-Fi music has become a cultural phenomenon, loved for its smooth, nostalgic vibes and its ability to create a relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect background music for studying, chilling, or just vibing out. The genre is heavily influenced by hip-hop, jazz, and soul, which is where legendary producers like J Dilla and Nujabes come into play. Their signature sound—characterized by dusty drums, chopped-up samples, and melodic loops—has been a major inspiration for Lo-Fi artists around the world.

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Step 1: Getting Your VSTs

The first step in making Lo-Fi beats like J Dilla or Nujabes is having the right tools. While professional-grade plugins can be pricey, there are some great free VSTs that can help you achieve that smooth, soulful Lo-Fi sound.

Afroplugin is a great tool for creating warm, organic sounds, with a wide variety of options perfect for Lo-Fi production. Afrokeyz brings in piano and keyboard sounds that are essential for creating jazzy, mellow melodies, a hallmark of Lo-Fi music. LANDR Composer adds a great touch with its ability to help you manipulate sound and create atmospheric effects.

Step 2: Crafting Your Drum Patterns

The drums are the backbone of any Lo-Fi beat, and J Dilla’s influence can be heard in the way he manipulated drums. Dilla was known for his off-beat, imperfect drum patterns, often using swing to give his beats a relaxed, human feel. Nujabes, on the other hand, was known for his smooth, jazzy rhythms.

To get started:

  • Load up Afroplugin or Afrokeyz and experiment with different drum kits. Look for kits with a vintage, dusty sound.
  • In your DAW, start with a simple kick, snare, and hi-hat pattern. Don’t be afraid to swing your drums or add imperfections to make them feel more organic.
  • Layer different percussion sounds for extra texture. You can use shakers, claps, or even vinyl crackle to give the drums that classic Lo-Fi vibe.

Step 3: Adding Melodic Elements

Once your drums are in place, it’s time to add melodies. Nujabes and J Dilla often used jazzy chord progressions and soulful piano loops to create a laid-back atmosphere. With Afrokeyz, you have access to some beautiful keyboard sounds that are perfect for creating those soulful Lo-Fi melodies.

Start by playing around with different chord progressions on the keyboard. Use jazzy minor and seventh chords to give the track a smooth, emotional feel. You can also experiment with sampling and chopping up old records, which is a technique that J Dilla mastered. Afroplugin can help you manipulate these samples to get that raw, gritty sound.

Step 4: Adding Atmosphere

Lo-Fi is all about creating atmosphere, and this is where LANDR Composer comes in. You can use it to add atmospheric effects such as reverb, delay, and ambient pads that give your track depth and space. Play around with different settings until you get that warm, mellow vibe.

Don’t forget to add some vinyl crackle or tape hiss to your track—this can be done easily with Afroplugin or any free plugin that simulates analog warmth. This small touch will add authenticity to your Lo-Fi beat, bringing it closer to the sound of classic J Dilla and Nujabes records.

Step 5: Mixing and Mastering

Once you’ve laid down your drums, melodies, and atmospheric effects, it’s time to mix and master your track. Lo-Fi beats don’t need to be over-polished, but a little mixing can help everything sit nicely in the mix.

  • Make sure your drums are punchy but not overpowering.
  • Keep the melodies in the background, allowing the drums to be the focal point of the track.
  • Use EQ to remove unnecessary frequencies and create space for each element in the track.
  • Finally, use some gentle compression to glue everything together.

Conclusion

Producing Lo-Fi beats in the style of J Dilla and Nujabes is easier than ever, thanks to free VSTs like Afroplugin, Afrokeyz, and LANDR Composer. Whether you’re looking to create chill, jazzy grooves or sample-based beats with that classic “dusty” feel, these tools give you everything you need to get started—without spending a dime!

By following these steps and experimenting with different sounds, you’ll be well on your way to making your own Lo-Fi beats that capture the magic of two of the greatest producers in hip-hop history. Happy producing!