LANDR Retro

Name: LANDR Retro
Price: 79 USD
Author: LANDR

by LANDR · Synth · Lo-fi keys and synth instrument

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LANDR Retro is a lo-fi instrument that blends sampled electric keys, an analog-style synth and a mini-wave engine.

It is included in LANDR Studio subscriptions (from $8.25 a month) and can also be bought on its own; the product page does not show the single-plugin price.

Best for: Keys & Synths. Genres: Lo-Fi, Hip-Hop & Trap, R&B & Soul.

Keywords: lo-fi, leads, sample-based, analog, dreamy, retro, subscription, basses, pads, randomize, subtractive, textures, vintage.

What it does

LANDR Retro is a lo-fi instrument that stacks three sound engines and runs them through vintage-style degradation. LANDR's aim is everything from "dusty bedroom pop pianos" to wobbling, hazy textures.

Keys engine: sampled electric keys as the core layer for chords.
Synth engine: analog-style synthesis for leads, bass and pads.
Mini-wave engine: a third, dedicated mini-wave source for extra tone and movement.
Layer mixing: each engine can be toggled and gain-staged on its own, with its own ADSR envelope and tone knob.
Effects: Space reverb, Dimension for stereo width and Amp for drive.
Lo-fi saturation: four modes, Vinyl, Digit, Bitcrush and Tape, for the worn, degraded character.
Randomizer: works per layer or globally to generate new patches, alongside mix-ready factory presets.

It is included in LANDR Studio Pro plans and can also be bought on its own; the product page does not show the single-plugin price or a trial.

Source: LANDR product page

When to use it

Retro is the faster pick when the lo-fi sound is the goal: the tape, vinyl and bitcrush colour is built in, so dusty keys come straight out of the presets. Compared with Vital or Pigments 7, it has far less synthesis depth, and you would need extra effects to get the same worn character from them. Its sampled electric keys also give it a ready keys sound that a general synth lacks. It suits beatmakers who want chords and leads with character quickly, especially LANDR Studio subscribers who already have it.

Best for: lo-fi keys, chord loops and hazy leads for beats.
Genres: lo-fi, hip-hop, R&B and bedroom pop.
Look elsewhere if: you want a clean, deep synth for sound design (Vital or Serum 2) or a dedicated electric piano instrument.

Where to buy

Best Service: $79
Plugin Boutique: $79
PluginFox: $79
LANDR: see store

Tutorials and reviews

Introducing LANDR Retro: The Ultimate Vintage Keys & Synth Plugin

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