Lo-fi Background

By: Jacob Chlebowski (jachlebowski@wpi.edu)

Since starting Foundations of Music Technology roughly four weeks ago, I have gotten a sense of where my interests lay and what I may want to learn more of. Recently, I have been researching the LO-FI (low fidelity) genre, which embraces “technical flaws” that make an arrangement or recording sound differently than that of a live recording. My final project will consist of an already-made or my own original arrangement. I will then apply the appropriate effects. LO-FI contains effects such as distortion, humming, background noises, or a limited frequency response.

Musically, I want to focus on the LO-FI genre and creating my own arrangement or building upon another. Technically, I will make use of the various effects (as mentioned before) MIDI has to offer to allow for a LO-FI “feel.” My intention is to create a laid back arrangement that serves as background music in any occasion (studying, coffee shop, etc.).

I already know the basics of compression, equalizing, and quantization for the purpose of properly producing. I want to make use of the effects (like reverb) to establish a LO-FI piece that I can compare to other LO-FI pieces. I plan to learn new skills by closely listening to LO-FI, and by watching youtube tutorials. I believe aurally I will be able to create the frequencies/sounds that I desire.

I will be working on this project for the remainder of the term and will set bi-weekly goals that I want to achieve in order to produce the respective audio file for submission. I will present the MIDI project, that will also be uploaded with my submission so anyone viewing my project can understand the work behind it.

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Project Presentation: File:VideoPresentation-jachlebowski.mp4

Final Project Audio: File:Lo-Fi-FinalProject2-jachlebowski.mp4