Virtual instrument innovators EastWest Sounds have announced the release of a "dangerous and degraded" new product, called LO-FI.
"With their latest release LO-FI, EastWest steps beyond the conventions of traditional hip-hop and EDM toolkits into a world where dark, gritty textures and edgy, distorted sounds meet modern production," read a company statement.
LO-FI, they say, is "designed for producers who seek bold new territory beyond the clean and polished—diving into a world of intentional imperfection and extreme processing. By creatively reshaping sound through pitch shifting, distortion, and degradation, EastWest has transformed everything from synths and keys to orchestral textures and guitars into dynamic, expressive instruments. Whether crafting hip-hop beats, atmospheric soundtracks, or experimental electronic music, these sounds provide the raw energy and depth to inspire new sonic frontiers."
Going into more detail, "LO-FI’s user interface centers around an XY Pad with four selectable Macro Effects that change multiple parameters simultaneously. Blending a vintage knob-per-function design with sleek modern styling, all of LO-FI’s controls are easily accessible in a single page - from dual filters that can be modulated to an advanced 16-step arpeggiator, a multi-mode portamento (glide), and a bevy of effects to widen, pulse, distort, delay, and spatialize the final sound."
Ultimately, it's all about sonic experimentation. "From growling basses to mangled orchestral stabs, each instrument reflects relentless processing, with versatile categories like warped guitars and eerie textures, plus a suite of FX to shape or amplify the chaos. This is a production toolkit with a bold, unfiltered edge—distorted, unpredictable, and built to inspire."
The new release comes as the company is celebrating the 10th anniversary of ComposerCloud+, which was the first subscription service for music producers, and featured over 42,000 high-quality instruments. EastWest is offering the subscription for $9.99/month or $99/year to all new subscribers in April 2025, to celebrate the milestone.
LO-FI is available at soundsonline.com/synth-and-effects/lofi. It is included in every ComposerCloud+ subscription (only $9.99 throughout April 2025), or on sale for $199 (regular $299) for a perpetual license.
