All the VST Plugins You Need to Make Chill Lofi Hip Hop Beats
Love 'em or hate 'em, lofi beats are more popular than ever. Populating Spotify playlists and YouTube channels, they've probably become a part of your life if you work in an office, or you like to study once a semester, or if you're just a stone-cold chiller who likes to chill. If you were thinking of getting in the lofi game, or if you've been at it and you're thinking to yourself "Baby needs some new toys", I have some suggestions for you. And you don't even have to break the piggy bank to take your sound to the next level, as those plugins are either free or relatively cheap. Also, I don’t want to tell you how to live your life, but you should take your cash out of the piggy bank and put it in some sort of savings account, just sayin'. Here are a few of my favorite plugins and VST at the moment.
All the VST Plugins You Need to Make Chill Lofi Hip Hop Beats
1. Lifeline Expanse | Excite Audio
Lofi is all about breaking the rules, and I'm going to break the rules straight up right now. Before I give you a bunch of awesome free plugins (you're welcome, by the way) I'll talk about a paid VST (albeit a VERY affordable one).
When I first heard about Lifeline Expanse, I thought it was just another one of those RC-20 Retro Color knock-offs. I was like: "Hey buddy, another multi-effect? Are you jerkin' my gherkin?" And yes, I said this out loud even though I was alone... ;(
Anyways, Lifeline Expanse has become my favorite - and only - friend in the whole world! This thing ROCKS. It's super versatile, and basically what it does is it adds a tone of flavor to your sound, and it can "spatialize" your elements in a weird way.
I’m not sure I understand everything that’s going on under the hood, but the results speak for themselves. So if you'd like your drums to sound like they were recorded in a musty cupboard, or if you'd like your guitar to sound like it's coming from another room through a haunted amp, this does that.
If you like artists such as Jai Paul and J Dilla, just people that have a different approach to mixing and producing, this is for you.
Seriously, just get it. I've been dreaming of a VST that sounds like this since I started making music, ages ago. My dreams are now a reality, thanks to Excite Audio. Thank you Excite Audio xx 😘
Download Lifeline Expanse here
2. RC-20 Retro Color | XLN Audio
If after all this, you're still jonesing for that sweet RC-20 sound you heard on your favorite records of the past couple of years (and I do mean it's on every freakin' track!) then... Go ahead.
Treat yourself, bro. (And in case you’re wondering, I am using the word “bro” in a non-gender specific way.)
Bro, look at me… Bro, get RC-20, there's no shame in that. It's a great plugin. That tape hiss generator, that flutter that gives your synth the wow factor (pun intended), the distortion, that magnetic module that I'm not sure what it does but who cares because: LOOOO-FI!
It's all in there. Go get it.
Download RC-20 Retro Color here
3. Arcade | Output
Ok, so I was skeptical when this came out. To catch you up, Arcade is a sampler loaded with kits and all the functionality you need to get the creative ideas flowing in an instant.
I'm one of those guys who has a million samples organized in myriad sub-folders, and a therapist would probably say I have problems, but I like to collect samples and keep them organized. If that's a crime, lock me up.
So the idea of having a VST preloaded with samples was destabilizing to me, just because that's not what I'm used to.
But turns out, Arcade is really fun to use. It's really well-made, especially when you compare it with other software on the market (yup, I am looking at you Loopcloud). The sound selection is simply gargantuesque, and the fact that you don't need to sort through endless sub-folders (this time I'm looking at you, Splice) is frankly super refreshing. (And I was just kidding Splice, don't be mad ok?)
When I feel a track needs a little I-don't-know-what just to switch things up, I pull up Arcade. I can settle on a weird vocal hook or a sexy guitar riff, or maybe some funky percussion. Or all of the above, because you only live once and no one can tell you what to do!
Arcade has a free one-month trial. Please check it out, your life won't ever be the same.
Download Arcade here
4. ShaperBox 3 | Cableguys
This is me at a party: "Yo, are you docking your tracks? You gotta dock everything except your kick drum bruh!" As you can imagine, I'm quite a sensation at every event I'm invited to. A true "party animal."
But seriously, docking (or side-chaining) is a really good way to make some room in your mixes and give that pumping groove to your beats. ShaperBox 3 is great for that because you can just select a curve and modulate your volume without having to route it to your kick. (Although you can do that too, if that's your thing.)
The volume docking is a go-to, but you can also mess with filters, or even time stretching. It's a really creative tool that makes your tracks weird and interesting in an instant. This is also a great substitute for a tool like Gross Beat if you're not an FL Studio user.
Download ShaperBox 3 here
5. LoFi Flux Machine | Yum Audio
Yum Audio is a new player in the lofi game. To be quite honest, I haven't been completely blown away by anything they've done yet, but I've enjoyed using their plugins, especially when I'm tired of using stuff like RC-20 all day every day and I need to reconnect with myself and take a look at the man in the miror.
LoFi Flux Machine has many great qualities. First, it has LoFi in the name, so you know it "gets it."
The functionalities have their own flavor, the UI is cute and fun to use, and the presets are really useful. For all those reasons, I'm in.
Flux Machine is basically a tape emulator, while LoFi Tapestop and LoFi Pitch Dropout are pretty self-explanatory and do what it says on the tin. LoFi Playtime is their most unique offering so far, it offers some pretty out-there modulation I’ll have to explore in a dedicated post someday.
Yum Audio, can I call you Yum for short? Yum, I know you're reading this. I'm rooting for you, baby. I know you'll come up with more great plugins in the years to come, and I can't wait. You might even change the game soon, and I'll be in the first row with a giant foam finger.
Download LoFi Flux Machine here
6. Mello-Fi | Arturia
If you don't know Arturia, this French company has made a name for itself by offering really faithful (and frankly, straight-up mind-blowing) emulations of priceless vintage synths. (Those synths are great for lofi btw, but that's a subject for another post!)
Alright, so you'd think the guys that can make a perfect emulation of the CS-80 also know a thing or two about tape emulation... And they do.
Mello-Fi has all the character and behavior of the Mellotron, but it's in your DAW, and it's cool, so maybe you should get it and stop asking so many damn questions.
I'm sorry I snapped at you.
Download Mello-Fi here
7. Origin | Cymatics
Cymatics has done its fair share to help the producer community. Seriously, these guys are the real deal. They changed the loop game, they've been sampled by some of the biggest producers out there, and now they're dipping their toe in the VST pool.
If you're looking for a solid multi-effect (or just an alternative for XLN's famous RC-20) look no further than Origin, a fine plugin that will manipulate your frequencies, tweak your mids and add some movement to your vibes. Chorus, saturation, resampling, this little guy does 'em all.
Download Origin here
8. Vinyl | iZotope
Classics never go out of style. If you're craving that vinyl feel, look no further than this freebie by the amazing company iZotope. You'll get all the vinyl flavor you need without pressing anything on actual plastic. Your music is gonna sound dope and you won't have to pay duty fees. Isn't that wonderful?
Even if you have all the money in the world, pick up Vinyl. You won’t regret it.
Download Vinyl here
9. Magic Switch + Magic Dice | Baby Audio
Another great company, another bunch of top-shelf freebies. Magic Switch and Magic Dice are both “baby” versions of great Baby Audio products. Super VHS and Spaced Out to be more precise. If you can't afford the real deal just yet, pick them up. And even if you have cash, they’re worth picking up because everyone needs great effects with a small footprint.
Switch is a funky chorus that can take any ol' boring sound and make it feel like it's just been cast in the Stranger Things reboot (you know it's coming.) Dice is a randomized reverb, which means you can just hit the dice and get some cool, exclusive reverb generated just for you.
And lofi is all about embracing chaos and imperfection, man, so why not randomize your reverb? 'Know what I'm sayin'?
Download Baby Audio freebies here
What plugins should I use to make my beats sound warm and nostalgic?
To achieve a warm, nostalgic sound in your beats, you’ll want to focus on plugins that replicate the imperfections and character of analog gear. Tape emulation plugins like iZotope Vinyl, RC-20 Retro Color, and Baby Audio Super VHS add subtle pitch warble, flutter, and harmonic saturation, giving your sounds that aged, lived-in feel. Saturation plugins such as Soundtoys Decapitator and Lifeline Console introduce rich harmonic distortion that mimics the warmth of vintage gear. If you want your sounds to feel further away or aged, bitcrushers and filtering tools like D16 Decimort or ShaperBox 3’s filtering module can help degrade your audio in an organic way. Lastly, reverb and delay plugins such as Baby Audio Comeback Kid or Arturia’s Mello-Fi can push your sounds into that hazy, dreamy space that defines lofi and chill production. The key is layering—combining subtle warble, slight distortion, and filtering can transform even the cleanest digital sounds into something deeply nostalgic.
What’s the best free plugin for getting a lofi sound?
If you’re looking for a high-quality free plugin to get an authentic lofi sound, iZotope Vinyl remains one of the best options. It has been around for years and is still widely used for its realistic vinyl crackle, mechanical noises, and pitch warping effects that instantly add a vintage feel. Another fantastic free option is Cymatics Origin, which not only gives you saturation and filtering but also includes a resampler for downsampling your sounds, mimicking old-school samplers like the SP-404 or MPC60. If you want to add more modulation and unpredictable textures, Baby Audio’s Magic Dice is an easy way to introduce random reverb and delay effects, creating lush, washed-out atmospheres. These three plugins alone can transform clean, digital recordings into dusty, warm, and character-filled sounds without spending a dime.
How do I make my beats sound more like classic lofi hip hop?
Classic lofi hip hop beats have a distinct feel, often influenced by old-school sampling techniques, vinyl textures, and laid-back grooves. Start by using dusty drum samples—processed with gentle distortion, filtering, and swing—to create an organic, slightly off-grid rhythm. Many classic lofi tracks are inspired by boom-bap beats, so try layering your kicks and snares with subtle foley textures or vinyl hiss to add depth. Chord progressions played through electric pianos or analog synths (softened with saturation and slight detuning) help create that warm, melancholic tone. To push the nostalgic factor further, run your melodies through tape emulation plugins like RC-20 Retro Color or Arturia Mello-Fi, which introduce warbling pitch fluctuations and saturation. Lastly, sidechain compression and subtle filtering automation can help shape the dynamics of your mix, giving it a smooth, rolling movement without overpowering any elements. The key to classic lofi beats is imperfection—embracing slight detuning, noise, and dynamic fluctuations makes the track feel alive and textured.
What are some good alternatives to RC-20 Retro Color?
RC-20 Retro Color has long been a go-to for lofi producers, but plenty of alternatives offer similar (or even more flexible) effects. Lifeline Console by Excite Audio is a fantastic multi-effect that brings tape saturation, vinyl crackle, and spatial processing, making it a strong competitor to RC-20. AudioThing Vinyl Strip is another excellent option, as it models the analog warmth of vinyl deep customization. If you're looking for something more experimental, Baby Audio’s Super VHS provides a quirky, VHS-style degradation effect with saturation, detuning, and modulation that’s perfect for lofi textures. For those who prefer a modular approach, ShaperBox 3’s VolumeShaper and FilterShaper can replicate tape-style volume dips and tonal shaping, giving you deep control over your sound's movement. Depending on your workflow, each of these plugins can serve as a solid alternative—or complement—to RC-20, letting you craft lofi textures with a fresh approach.
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Cover credit: Vance A.
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