Quick start
This guide will get you from installation to generating your first LoFi track in just a few minutes.If you haven’t installed LoFi Engine yet, see the installation guide first.
Your first track
Launch LoFi Engine
Open the application:
- Linux: Find it in your application menu or run
lofi-engine - macOS: Open from Applications folder
- Windows: Launch from Start Menu or Desktop shortcut
- Web: Visit lofi-engine.vercel.app
Start playback
Click the large play button in the center, or press the Space key.LoFi Engine will immediately start generating a unique LoFi track using procedural generation powered by Tone.js. Every time you play, the experience is different.
Explore the interface
The main interface consists of:
- Top bar: Language selector and settings
- Track list (left side): Ambient sound controls
- Controls (right side): Immersion modes and effects
- Play button (center): Main playback control
Press ESC at any time to open the info box with all available keyboard shortcuts and app information.
Choose an Immersion mode
The Immersion system (Auto DJ) manages your soundscape automatically. Try different modes:
- Music: Pure LoFi beats and chords without effects
- Atmosphere: Adds weather and nature sounds
- World: Includes city textures and environmental sounds
- Manual: Full control to customize everything yourself
Adding ambient sounds
Enhance your track with ambient sounds:Browse ambient tracks
Look at the Track List panel on the left side of the screen. You’ll find various ambient sound options:
- Nature sounds (birds, rain, waves)
- Weather effects (wind, thunder)
- Environmental sounds (city noise, cafe ambience)
Toggle tracks
Click on any ambient track to enable or disable it. Active tracks will be highlighted.
Customizing the look
Personalize your LoFi studio with different visual themes:Access background settings
Click on the settings icon in the top bar to access customization options.
Choose your artwork
Browse through carefully crafted artworks from talented artists. Select one that matches your mood or study session vibe.
Long study sessions become more enjoyable with the right visual atmosphere.
Keyboard shortcuts
LoFi Engine is designed for keyboard-first workflow. Every action has a shortcut:Playback control
Space: Play/Pause
Info box
ESC: Show/hide shortcuts and app info
Track controls
Keyboard shortcuts for all ambient tracks
Effects controls
Keyboard shortcuts for all effects and modes
Understanding Immersion modes
The Immersion system offers four distinct experiences:Music mode
Focuses purely on the procedurally generated LoFi beat and chords. No atmospheric effects, just clean music. Perfect for focused work.Atmosphere mode
Adds core weather and nature effects to the music for a fuller, more immersive sound. Great for studying or relaxing.World mode
Incorporates specific environmental textures like city sounds, wind, and more detailed ambient layers. Creates deep immersion for creative work.Manual mode
Gives you complete control. Mix and match any combination of music, effects, and ambient tracks. Be the artist and create your unique soundscape.You can switch between modes at any time while playing. Experiment to find what works best for your current activity.
Working offline
One of LoFi Engine’s key features is complete offline functionality:- No internet connection required after installation
- Your listening experience is fully private
- All audio generation happens locally using Tone.js
- No data is collected or transmitted
The web version requires an internet connection, but the desktop app works entirely offline.
Multilingual support
LoFi Engine speaks your language. Switch languages from the top bar:- English
- Français (French)
- Nederlands (Dutch)
- Русский (Russian)
- 日本語 (Japanese)
- 中文 (Chinese)
- हिन्दी (Hindi)
Tips for the best experience
Use quality audio
LoFi music shines with good headphones or speakers
Experiment with modes
Try different Immersion modes for different activities
Learn the shortcuts
Master keyboard shortcuts for seamless control
Create your atmosphere
Mix ambient sounds to match your perfect study environment
Next steps
Now that you’ve generated your first track, explore more:Keyboard shortcuts
Master all available shortcuts for maximum productivity
Customization guide
Deep dive into all customization options
Auto DJ modes
Learn how to use Auto DJ modes effectively
Interface guide
Understand the complete interface
Getting help
If you encounter any issues or have questions:- Press ESC in the app for built-in help
- Check the tips and tricks guide
- Visit the GitHub issues page
- Read the Contributing Guide