Libre Music Challenge #33: Chiptune

[nyxeles]

Welcome to the Libre Music Challenge #33, for the month of August 2024.

The deadline for this month's challenge extends one extra day to the end of the weekend, Sunday 1st September.

This is a friendly contest where we make music with free (libre) software exclusively. Everyone is welcome to join, at any skill level.
This is a place for learning and sharing knowledge, and an opportunity to explore creativity through limitation.
But most importantly, we just hope it inspires you to make some music!

The challenge for this month is to make a Chiptune track.
You can use any DAW, any sound source and samples and any other plugin, as long as everything is free software. Samples must be available at no cost and under free licenses (i.e. public domain, CC0, CC-BY with appropriate attribution). Remember to list all software and each sample used.

Anything that sounds like chiptune is okay, no need to stick to 8-bit hardware consoles limitations. But of course feel free to be as authentic as you like. For a true chiptune experience, look into the Furnace tracker!

Happy music making!

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Rules

Rules are the same as the previous challenges.

You can find them here for convenience: https://lmc.nyxkn.org/rules
Or here under version control: https://github.com/nyxkn/libre-music-ch ... a/rules.md

Links

Playlists and results of all the events: https://lmc.nyxkn.org/events

Join us on unfa's RocketChat/Discord server! We all hang out on #libre-music-challenge at https://chat.unfa.xyz

And if you'd like to stay up to date with future announcements, there's an RSS feed you can subscribe to: https://lmc.nyxkn.org/rss

Voting

Once the voting period starts, head on over to https://lmc.nyxkn.org/vote to enter your votes.

If you are a participant of this or any previous challenge, you can simply log in with your linuxmusicians username.

If you're not a participant but still want to vote, make your interest known and I'll enable an account for you.

[SpotlightKid]

I started some notes for this LMC iteration:

Resources for Making Chiptunes with FLOSS (on Linux)

Hth, Chris

[SpotlightKid]

Join us on unfa's RocketChat/Discord server! We all hang out on #libre-music-challenge at https://chat.unfa.xyz

As of today, 30th August 2024, the certificate for chat.unfa.xyz has expired, and since the site uses HTS, I can't connect to the chat anymore. Not sure where to report this, so I'm leaving this note here. Maybe someone using discord can notify unfa.

[cieciu]

Join us on unfa's RocketChat/Discord server! We all hang out on #libre-music-challenge at https://chat.unfa.xyz

As of today, 30th August 2024, the certificate for chat.unfa.xyz has expired, and since the site uses HTS, I can't connect to the chat anymore. Not sure where to report this, so I'm leaving this note here. Maybe someone using discord can notify unfa.

fyi:

unfa
—
Today at 9:33 PM
@everyone Rocket.Chat is currently down. Stay tuned.

[SpotlightKid]

Here's my submission for LMC #33:

Artist: Spotlight Kyd
Title: Catch Me If You Can
FLAC File (on my Nextcloud): https://0x20.eu/nc/s/2f8ifZqgcmw4BXH
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/spotlight-kyd/ca ... if-you-can
Ardour project archive: https://0x20.eu/nc/s/AwjPYzzKCH8m5yx

Project info:

Made in Ardour 8.6 on Manjaro Linux
Composed, performed, produced, recorded and mixed by Christopher Arndt

I limited myself to a maximum of six voices, where each can only play one sound at any one time (even the drums and SFX).

• Lead Synth Sounds 1, 2 and 3 (SID)
• Lead Delay (MIDI Delay) or Harmony (SID)
• Bass (SID)
• Chords / Arpeggios (SID)
• Noise Drums (SID)
• Sound effects (SFX8)

For effects I used MDA Degrader as a bit-crusher on the lead synths, only one reverb on an aux bus and and for mastering ZamMultiComp, CHOW TapeModel and x42-dpl limiter.

Equipment used:

• Tuxedo AMD Ryzen 7 laptop
• MIDAS MR18 digital mixer / audio interface
• AKG K92 headphones
• M-Audio Keystation 49 MIDI controller

Softsynths used:

• SFX8 by SocaLabs
• Commodore 64 SID by SocaLabs

Plugins used (all LV2):

Code: Select all

11 SID (by SocaLabs)
 1 SFX8 (by SocaLabs)
 4 MDA Degrade (by MOD Team)
 1 MIDI Delayline (by Robin Gareus)
 1 DFZitaRev1 (by chrisarndt.de)
 1 CHOWTapeModel (by chowdsp)
 1 ZaMultiCompX2 (by Damien Zammit)
 1 x42-dpl - Digital Peak Limiter Stereo (by Robin Gareus)

[asublin]

Find my entry below.

• Title: TinkietPaGeRevien
• Session: https://github.com/asublin/asublin-comp ... PaGeRevien
• Render: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/asubl ... evien.flac
• Made with: Ardour, a few instances of Zynayumi, nothing else.
• Trivia: I had little time to spend on the song itself because I spent so much time on Zynayumi.

Enjoy!

[palchomidas]

If other people are putting their entry here I will also. A bit screamo so you might want to turn your headphone volume down a little

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yaoHp1 ... sp=sharing

Chip in my Brain.
Made with Furnace and Ardour 8.6.0.
Artist: athornvoices

Made by making about 6 chip tunes in Furnace and importing into Ardour and recording vocals. Could provide raw files as well but with the workflow not sure how I would upload that: ardour file?

[cieciu]

Yo! I managed make horrible tune. And it means something (in compare to what a pathetic it was even yesterday)
Sadly - mixing is poor. I really tried, but well...

https://soundcloud.com/user-889632176/cheap-tuna-tin

This is Yamaha OPL3 chiptune but ignoring channel restriction. It has 15 voices but generators mostly work in conjunction mode so it use more actual chip channels.

At first i had to put on it eqs and vintage delay to get to any music Finally removed all filters and reworked a little OPL sounds. In place of delays added channels to emulate simple tap echo. In the end i notice i have eq on kick and removing it was a disaster. That is why i choose such a heavy kick - it's not that clicky/noisy as other i found and add a bit of subs.

11 * VST2 OPNplug (by Jean Pierre Cimalando)
2 * VST2 ADLplug (by Jean Pierre Cimalando)
2 * VST2 JuceOPL (by Plainweave Software)
1 * LV2 LSP Spectrum Analyzer x2 (by LSP LV2)
3 * LV2 ACE Compressor (stereo) (by Ardour Community)
1 * LV2 Simple Scope (Stereo) (by Robin Gareus)
2 * LV2 x42-dpl - Digital Peak Limiter Stereo (by Robin Gareus)
3 * LV2 Arpeggiator (by MOD)
(attache screenshots of mixer, if anyone interested i may share session somehow later)

[SpotlightKid]

If other people are putting their entry here I will also.

This is exactly the right place, according to the rules.

[palchomidas]

I tried to register my user name here [palchomidas] at the voting page. But I got:

Cannot register with this username. If you're not a participant but want to vote, let us know and we'll enable an account for you.

[bsg75]

https://soundcloud.com/sg75_2/chiptune2whitenoise

Only 8 ADLplugs but perversely much stuff on the main channel.
All the stuff you should not do, like reverb, delay, distortion and several instances of LSP Gott compressors and limiters. All automated into white noise

Downvote me if you don't like it

Code: Select all

Made with Ardour and
CNT | TYPE | NAME
  1 * LV2    LUFS Meter (by Klangfreund)
  1 * VST2   Crystal (by airwindows)
  1 * LV2    Calf Deesser (by Calf Studio Gear)
  1 * LV2    Wolf Shaper (by Patrick Desaulniers)
  1 * LV2    EBU R128 Meter (by Robin Gareus)
  1 * LV2    Della (by OpenAV)
  1 * LV2    LSP Multiband Limiter Stereo (by LSP LV2)
  1 * LV2    MIDI Transpose (by Filipe Coelho)
  1 * LV2    Stereo Phase-Correlation Meter (by Robin Gareus)
  1 * VST2   Phase Detector (by LSP VST)
  1 * VST2   Wider (by airwindows)
  1 * LV2    LSP Spectrum Analyzer x2 (by LSP LV2)
  1 * VST2   Galactic (by airwindows)
  1 * LV2    CS Chorus 1 (by David Robillard)
  8 * LV2    ADLplug (by Jean Pierre Cimalando)
  1 * LV2    DR-14 - Crest Factor Loudness Range Meter (Stereo) (by Robin Gareus)
  2 * LV2    LSP GOTT Compressor Stereo (by LSP LV2)
  4 * LV2    LSP Parametric Equalizer x16 Stereo (by LSP LV2)
  1 * LV2    x42-dpl - Digital Peak Limiter Stereo (by Robin Gareus)
  1 * VST2   ToTape7 (by airwindows)
  1 * LV2    B.Angr (by Sven Jaehnichen)
  1 * LV2    LSP Compressor Stereo (by LSP LV2)

[SpotlightKid]

I tried to register my user name here [palchomidas] at the voting page. But I got:

Cannot register with this username. [...]

@nyxeles will have to sort that out, but note that voting doesn't start until he has set up the voting system for this round's submissions, which sometimes takes a few days...

[nyxeles]

Voting is now open!

Here's the playlist: https://archive.org/details/libre-music-challenge-33

For the voting, head on over to https://lmc.nyxkn.org/vote. Use your linuxmusicians username to log in. You'll find more instructions on the page.

As usual, on top of voting, you're encouraged to provide feedback on the songs here on the forums!

[cieciu]

@asublin and @SpotlightKid great chiptunes. to give honest feedback i just love asublin's tune. both gantelman 5.
@bsg75 should not have 5, because as chiptune it is far behind tunes mentioned above. but song is just great so 5.
athorn-voices, tbh your tune is actually not a chiptune. i even tried to excuse it somehow but lyrics don't even fit in 64kb as sample. but i really like your concept and vocal flow so 4

i'd really like not listen my kick has too much sub it's nice warm and all.

Thank you very much!

[palchomidas]

Maybe the older someone is the more broadly they define a chiptune. I was brought up in 1980s roller skating rinks. In between skates I would play the 20 cent arcade games like Space Invaders, Galaxian or Pacman.

I asked AI what is Chiptune?

chiptune music
Chiptune music, also known as 8-bit music or chip music, is a style of electronic music that originated in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It is characterized by its use of simple, small samples and limited sound capabilities, reminiscent of the audio chips found in old computers and consoles such as the Commodore 64, Atari, NES, Gameboy, and Sega Genesis.

Key Features

Limited sound palette: Chiptune music typically uses a restricted range of sounds, often emulating the audio capabilities of early consoles and computers.
Tracker format: Music is often composed using tracker software, which allows for the creation of music using a grid-based system, with notes and effects represented as rows and columns.
Arpeggios and polyphony: Due to the limited number of voices (sound channels), chiptune music often employs quick arpeggios and clever use of polyphony to create rich and complex soundscapes.
Electronic timbres: Chiptune music is known for its distinctive electronic timbres, which are often bright, crunchy, and nostalgic.
Subgenres and Influences

Wonky hyperpop: A modern subgenre that blends chiptune elements with hyperpop and kawaii future bass.
Synthwave: A retro-futuristic genre that draws inspiration from chiptune and 8-bit music, often incorporating elements of synth-pop and electronic rock.
Neoclassical metal: A fusion of chiptune and neoclassical music, often featuring complex arrangements and metal-inspired instrumentation.
Video game music: Chiptune music has been heavily influenced by video game soundtracks, particularly from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Notable Artists and Tracks

FantomenK: A renowned chiptune artist known for his intricate compositions and versatility.
The Gimmick soundtrack: A highly acclaimed soundtrack for the 1991 Gameboy game, featuring innovative use of chiptune sounds.
Magical Chase soundtrack: Another iconic Gameboy soundtrack, notable for its catchy melodies and clever use of chiptune effects.
Vacation by Crying: A chiptune track with vocals, praised for its composition, structuring, and thematic cohesion.
Tools and Software

Soundation: A web-based digital audio workstation (DAW) that allows users to create chiptune music without extensive technical knowledge.
Music trackers: Software such as Famitracker, Deflemask, and Little Sound DJ that enable the creation of chiptune music using tracker format.
Community and Resources

r/chiptunes: A Reddit community dedicated to chiptune music, featuring discussions, music sharing, and resources for aspiring chiptune artists.
Chiptune forums and websites: Online platforms where artists share their work, discuss techniques, and collaborate on projects.
Overall, chiptune music is a unique and captivating genre that continues to evolve, incorporating new styles and influences while maintaining its nostalgic charm and technical challenges.