QWERTYDIOR is a future star in the lo-fi house scene
Returning with his soulful, jazz-leaning and powerful new single “Buspirone” – QWERTYDIOR shares a captivating exploration of sound and self, showcasing the innovative approach that has earned him a loyal following in the electronic music scene. The track begins with intriguing analogue drum patterns, evoking hints of Latin and samba influences, before unfolding into a lush, ambient soundscape. As layers of warm synths build and crisp house beats emerge, Buspirone takes listeners on a transformative journey, blending soulful vocal samples and playful keyboard solos with masterful precision.
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“BUSPIRONE” IS AVAILABLE TO STREAM BELOW
True to QWERTYDIOR’s hallmark themes of identity and the complexities of modern life, Buspirone is both a statement of artistic intent and a celebration of electronic music’s boundless possibilities. We asked one of the rising stars of the Lo-Fi house scene, to take us through the project..
Main Plugin or Synth – DX7 – Arturia
The DX7 V from Arturia has been a huge game-changer in my workflow. It’s a virtual version of the iconic Yamaha DX7, which shaped so many tracks in the ’80s. What I love about it is that it keeps all that vintage character, but it’s way easier to dive into than the original DX7. FM synthesis can be a little intimidating, but this plugin makes it so much more approachable.
When I start a track, I like to work out the chord progression first and build from there. For this one, I picked the Evolving Mellow Pad preset in the DX7 V and loved the warbly, spacey vibe it gave off. After locking in a solid progression, I tweaked a few parameters—things like detune and envelope shapes—nothing too drastic. Arturia’s interface makes all these tweaks feel intuitive. Then, I added a little mix of their built-in reverb and chorus effects, cut some lows and highs with EQ, and threw on some light compression to make sure the synth sat nicely in the track.
When I start a track, I like to work out the chord progression first and build from there. For this one, I picked the Evolving Mellow Pad preset in the DX7 V and loved the warbly, spacey vibe it gave off. After locking in a solid progression, I tweaked a few parameters—things like detune and envelope shapes—nothing too drastic. Arturia’s interface makes all these tweaks feel intuitive. Then, I added a little mix of their built-in reverb and chorus effects, cut some lows and highs with EQ, and threw on some light compression to make sure the synth sat nicely in the track.
If you’re into lo-fi house, deep house, or anything with that warm, vintage sound, the DX7 V is perfect for those nostalgic vibes while keeping things fresh. One trick I’ve found is layering its electric piano presets with subtle detuning and chorus effects. It gives your mix a dreamy, textured vibe that sits beautifully. For basslines, tweaking the sine wave operators will give you that punchy yet smooth low-end that drives the groove. The modulation matrix is also worth playing around with—it’s great for adding movement to pads and chords.
Non-Synth Plugin – Stage-73 V
Another Arturia plugin I use a lot is the Stage-73 V, which is a great emulation of the classic Rhodes electric piano. It nails that warm, vintage tone and all those little quirks that make a Rhodes sound so special. You can tweak everything from the amp settings to the mic placement, so it’s super easy to get the exact vibe you’re after.
For this track, I needed something with a bit of retro grit for a solo in the second half. I started with a suitcase-style preset and played with the volume of the mechanical noises to get that real Rhodes feel. After I found the right tone, I added some EQ, phaser, auto-pan, and reverb to match the dreamy vibe of the track. The Rhodes is such a classic sound, and the Stage-73 V is perfect for adding that warm, nostalgic feel to your tracks. I love using its softer presets, rolling off the highs with EQ to give a cozy vibe for chord stabs or progressions. If you’re going for that lo-fi aesthetic, adding tape saturation or wow-and-flutter effects really takes it to the next level.
Non-Synth Plugin – RC-20 – XLN Audio
For anything lo-fi, RC-20 by XLN Audio is always my go-to for adding texture and vibe to a track. It’s got six different effects—like Noise, Wobble, and Space—that let you add vinyl crackle, tape wobble, or digital grit. The interface is super user-friendly, and the Magnitude slider makes it easy to dial in just the right amount of effect.
For this track, I used the Cassette 1st Generation preset on RC-20 to bring in that warm, vintage vibe. I rolled off some highs to keep it smooth, then adjusted the Space and Distortion settings to add depth and grit. I automated the Magnitude slider in a few places, letting the effect fade in and out for some added movement. A little compression and reverb after that really tied everything together and gave the track that worn-in, nostalgic feel I was after.
If you’re making lo-fi house, RC-20 is a must-have for adding texture and personality. Start with a cassette-style preset, tweak the Noise and Wobble to create that subtle, worn-out tape vibe, and roll off the highs with EQ to keep everything smooth. Automating the Magnitude slider during breakdowns or transitions will give your track an evolving, organic feel that keeps the listener’s attention.
Non-Synth Plugin – TubeDelay – Softube
Tube Delay by Softube is another plugin I use all the time for adding a warm, vintage-style delay to my tracks. It gives you that tube-driven sound that just makes everything feel more alive. You can keep it simple with a quick slapback or get creative with longer, trippier echoes. It’s super easy to tweak with just a few controls.
For this track, I used Tube Delay on the main vocal sample to give it some extra texture. I didn’t start with a preset—just adjusted everything manually. I made sure the delay was tempo-synced to stay in time with the beat. To give it a little more character, I cranked up the drive on the feedback, adding that warm, gritty saturation that really made the vocal stand out. I also played around with the mix knob to keep the delay subtle enough to sit in the background without overshadowing the original vocal. The delay added just the right amount of space and character to really tie everything together.
If you’re making lo-fi house, Tube Delay is perfect for adding warmth and texture. I love using it on melodic elements like pads or keys to create a subtle sense of movement. Try a longer delay time with a low feedback setting to add texture that evolves throughout the track. The trick is to keep the wet/dry mix balanced so the delay doesn’t overpower the original sound but still gives it that lush, atmospheric feel. It’ll help fill out the space in your track without taking focus away from other elements.
Quick Fire Tips For Making This Genre
Tip #1: Two Sentences on how to make the genre of the track.
Turn up the noise—don’t be afraid to add some vinyl crackle or tape hiss. It gives your track that instant nostalgic feel.
Tip #2: Two Sentences on how to make the genre of the track.
Keep it warm—use analog-style plugins to add warmth to your basslines and chords. It’ll make everything feel more inviting.
Tip #3: Two Sentences on how to make the genre of the track.
Layer textures on textures—throw in some field recordings, like rain or chatter, to fill out your mix and make it feel alive.
Tip #4 (optional but encouraged): Two Sentences on how to make the genre of the track.
Subtle automation = magic—automate reverb, delay, or filter sweeps to make your track evolve and keep things interesting.
Tip #5 (optional but encouraged): Two Sentences on how to make the genre of the track.
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