Make Lofi beats
Lo-fi is warm, mellow, jazz-tinged hip hop built for relaxing and studying: dusty drums, soft jazzy chords and a gentle swing, usually around 100 to 120 BPM but felt easy. Imperfection, nostalgia and atmosphere are the point.
Tempo: 100–120 BPM · Jazzy 7th chords, mellow
What defines lo-fi?
Lo-fi is mellow, jazzy hip hop made to fade into the background. The drums are dusty and lightly swung, with the hi-hats nudged slightly late, behind the grid, for a human feel that sits softer and dustier than boom bap’s crisper hits. The chords are soft and jazzy, and a layer of vinyl crackle or tape warmth gives it that cozy, imperfect character. The melodies stay simple and loop gently.
The imperfection is intentional. Lo-fi isn’t about polish, it’s about mood: warm, hazy, nostalgic, and easy to live inside while you study or relax. That reminiscent tug is a big part of why it draws you in.
How do you write a lo-fi melody?
Start with seventh chords. A plain triad is just the one, three and five of the scale; lo-fi gets its warmth from stacking extensions on top, sevenths first, then ninths and beyond when you want more color. A diminished chord passing between two stable ones adds a moment of tension that suits the genre. Over the chords, keep the melody almost naive: a kalimba or soft keys tracing the progression a few notes at a time is plenty.
Then let the processing finish it. A touch of noise, slow pitch wobble and gentle saturation push a clean part toward that worn-tape feel, and small imperfections, a squeak or a slightly late note, are the vibe rather than mistakes. How you treat a lo-fi melody matters as much as the notes themselves.
Signature elements of Lofi
- Dusty, mellow drums with a gentle swing and hi-hats nudged slightly late
- Soft, jazzy chords and keys
- Warm vinyl crackle and tape character
- A relaxed, hazy, nostalgic mood
- Simple, looping melodies
How Songen makes Lofi
Songen generates a lo-fi loop with the lead, jazzy chords, bass and dusty drums as editable MIDI. Start there, then soften the keys, swing the drums, or simplify the loop.
Lofi FAQ
- What BPM is lo-fi?
- Lo-fi usually sits around 100 to 120 BPM but feels slow and easy, thanks to its gentle swing and relaxed drums.
- What makes a beat lo-fi?
- Dusty, mellow drums with hi-hats nudged slightly behind the grid, soft jazzy chords and a warm, hazy, nostalgic character, often with vinyl crackle. The relaxed, imperfect feel is the whole appeal.
- What kind of drums does lo-fi use?
- Dusty, mellow drums with a gentle swing: soft kicks, a round snare and hi-hats nudged slightly late.
- What instruments does lo-fi use?
- Soft, jazzy keys and electric piano, warm bass, simple looping melodies and a layer of vinyl crackle and tape character.