Lo-fi

Lo-fi ? from "Low Fidelity" ? describes a sound recording which contains accidental artifacts, like distortion, or environmental noise, or a recording which has a limited frequency response. This stands in contrast to high fidelity or "hi-fi".

Related Topics:
Sound recording - Distortion - Frequency - High fidelity

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In digital audio lo-fi usually refers to an audio file with a lower bit rate, and thus a lower sound quality.

Related Topics:
Digital audio - Bit rate

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In some cases high fidelity recording is avoided, or the artifacts are deliberately retained or added to all or part of the recording for artistic reasons. This decision is usually made by the record producer. Some argue certain unique aural qualities are available only with "low-tech" recording means.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Examples of lo-fi include recordings of vinyl crackles on compact discs, as on Portishead's album Dummy, and telephonic vocals on Craig David's track "Fill Me In".

Related Topics:
Vinyl - Compact disc - Portishead - Dummy - Craig David

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~