I wonder if you ever encountered the dilemma I do, especially when good weather is coming: where to compose lo-fi music? The sun is shining more, less rain and somewhat it is just easier to walk outside then spending more time between the four walls. If you have this feeling as well, hit play button below and read this article further.
Compose lo-fi music inside
I guess it really starts with the best and most safe solution: let’s do that inside. You have your fave table with all the tools. The use of more instruments is more spontaneous and well… You can take breaks anytime, add your fave wine or booze to support your creativity. You are isolated, no disturbing noise in general.
Furthermore you have the chance to record your sessions. You have your space to do whatever your want. So, only reading this long you could ask: the hell I am wasting your time with it? And this is where my dilemma starts. Even though it is too good, I feel like missing the inspiration in many times. I feel like having obstacles and lacking of musical inspiration in many cases. Not all the cases, I mean I composed 100+ beats at home. But the more I play lo-fi beats, the more I think about this topic.
Even lo-fi girl is sitting inside
Ignoring the fact that it is me sitting by the window with a fancy pen instead of the well-know lo-fi girl. It still remains a fact that somehow we imagine the cozy vinyl-vibe warm lo-fi beats by sitting inside with a warm mug of coffee. So why would the production take place outside?
Compose lo-fi music outside
What makes it very different to be outside is the stimulus. A city is vivid and lively. Cars are passing, dogs and other pets running in the parks. By the river bank you see ships and kayakers. You may enjoy your coffee or fave slice of cake by the table. In the mountains the scenery and the ambient peace to drive your motivation. Clouds slowly passing by. In short it is much easier to compose lo-fi music there. Or is it?
Compose lo-fi music DAWless
Lidly is a great example from Japan to prove, you can compose lo-fi music outside. The perfect place by the fence, sitting on concrete and here we go. This method of course requires a couple of gears. First, a DAWless mobile instrument with enough power to support your needs. I mean SP-404 is a trendy instrument to choose, but it has it’s costs. Also and this is important to highlight. You will need to prepare your deck before hand in order to have a performance like that. Second, you will need some extra gear to record it. And last but not least: there is a video of it. So an extra phone (maybe yours, 4K 60fps is getting more trendy nowadays) along with your mate to do it.
See at the end, even though it is ultra motivating, it takes some preparation to achieve the perfect results.
With regards to the instruments, PO-33 KO could be an alternative, as they are smaller, lighter. Though they come with some limitation compare to other (more pricey) instruments).
On the other hand, I still say it worth doing so. Could be the same for beat production. You might not need fancy videos, but still need to pack your gear, take it with you. It is not easy to add your samples or change anything outside the DAW. Sure, you may download them with your mobile and record it. Or you could have an android phone with micro SD card (same for the instrument), so you can change the samples more easily. But it will be less smooth over doing things at home with the laptop next to you.
Compose lo-fi music… with DAW?
Why not? Nothing is impossible, said Taetro and:
Ultra fancy right? In this case you have much more freedom compare to the DAWless one. I mean your laptop is right next to you to boost your chill-out session. It is offering you more variety but comes along with more hassle. Almost you would need a car by now. You are to take a laptop, a key or pad, some cables and the camera stuff either.
And rolling back to the original thoughts: even if you do now with to record yourself. Unlike the DAWless setup, you still need a minimum full backpack of gear to compose music successfully. Not to mention that in case of an accident (sudden rain e.g.) your loss will be higher.
Budget alternative
Using your smartphone. It is in your pocket anyways, right? Sounds like the easiest way to compose lo-fi music outside. Also Koala Sampler for example let’s you record field (ambient, or city) noise to boost your beats.
I released a longer article on music production with different tools featuring Koala Sampler as well here.
The best part of this paragraph is that I have found 0 videos on people creating dope beats on Koala Sampler. And then I realised why: most people record their production videos with their smartphone. But Koala Sampler is the app on phone so most likely as a solo lo-fi beat producer, you cannot record yourself and produce beats the same time. Blimey, took me some time to realise it.
Dilemma
So here is my dilemma at last. Where is the best place to compose lo-fi music. Should I choose the ultra safe bedroom with comfy table and set? After all I can take a break any time. I can hear the beats and change the instruments on the go. Or rather going outside risking the gears but opening up to a more lively environment?
At the end it is up to the person’s way of thinking and capabilities. But I believe after writing this article, I was able to sum up my thoughts a bit and well. Spend more time with gears outside. I will take the risk and hope to compose more lo-fi beats on the go.
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