PRODUCTION & TUTORIALS, VIDEOS

Tutorial: Emulating the SNES Sound In Your Favorite DAWS

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The SNES definitely has its share of memorable tunes.
The SNES definitely has its share of memorable tunes.

The SNES definitely has a lot of memorable tunes. Amazing compositions in games like Legend of Zelda,  Secret of Mana, Donkey Kong Country, Final Fantasy 6, Chrono Trigger and many others have left 16-bit tunes running through our heads for years. This is where video game music started to take a turn toward the epic orchestral sounds we’re so used to today. However, you might have noticed that a lot more people are making NES, Genesis and Gameboy chiptunes and not SNES tunes. Why?

Well, the overall quality of SNES music isn’t really that great. It’s all samples. Many people will say it’s hardly any better than your standard MIDI. It is true that it doesn’t have as much character as 8-bit synths. However, there is some charm to be found in these degraded 16-bit samples of strings, flutes and guitars. I mean, the amazing, lush songs on some of the SNES’ RPGs just couldnt happen on the NES or Gameboy. I really love the snappy compressed drums in Secret of Mana too. Today, we’ll look at how to get these samples loaded up in your DAWs and also emulate the SNES’ classic reverb with a basic tape delay controller.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrdqoQhbsvk"

Continue reading Tutorial: Emulating the SNES Sound In Your Favorite DAWS →

CHIPTUNE, EVENTS, Features, MIXES, MUSIC

Dj CUTMAN Starts an Internet Radio Show: This Week In Chiptune

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This-Week-In-Chiptune-Soundcloud-art-UPDATE: You can now Subscribe on iTunes to This Week In Chiptune’s Podcast, the full shows downloaded right to iTunes!

It’s not exactly Radio, Dj CUTMAN has been using the streaming DJ site Mixify to host a live show each week highlighting new music in the chiptune world. There’s been two episodes so far, and while a regular day of the week hasn’t been decided on for the show, the future seems bright for this as a series.

Two episodes of This Week In Chiptune are already available on Dj CUTMAN’s Soundcloud, Mixcloud, PodOMatic and Mixify pages. If you like keeping up-to-speed on what’s happening in the chiptune world, or just like hearing new music, consider signing up for a Mixify account to be notified when Cutman will be streaming next (it’s super fast via Facebook Connect.)

ALBUMS, CHIPTUNE, Features, GAMING, MUSIC

Chiptunes = WIN: Volume 2 open for submissions!!!

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YUP. You read that header correctly:

 

IT’S TIME FOR CHIPTUNES = WIN VOLUME 2, PEOPLE.

 

And by volume 2 I mean the true sequel to the wide open, ALL chipartists invited, worldwide, monster compilation that we unleashed on the chipworld last summer.

Yup. That’s right. Open to EVERYBODY. And the submission deadline isn’t until June 17th, so you’ve ALL got plenty of time. ;)

For some details on the project, check out this video of me excitedly rambling about it:

 

 

Snarkyass monkey hat…. >_> THAT’S THE LAST TIME I WEAR YOU IN A VIDEO!!! :P

At any rate, for FULL info on the project (including many of the finer details that I failed to mention in the vid :3 ), give the project gdoc a good read here:

Chiptunes = WIN: Volume 2 – Project Details Document

It’s damn hard to believe that it’s been nearly a year since this whole ChipWIN compilation business got started. And I can’t think of a better way to celebrate it than with this.

Enough chat!! LET’S DO IT TO IT, Y’ALL!! ^_^

\m|♥|m/

Chiptunes = WIN:
Bandcamp | Fb Group | Fb Page | Twitter
Soundcloud | Youtube | Tumblr | Myspace

Dj CUTMAN:
Dj CUTMAN.com | Gamechops.com | Videogamedj.com
Fb Page | Twitter | Soundcloud

Andrew Kilpatrick:
Pxl-bot.com | The Waveform Generators | Bandcamp | Weekly Treats

Kubbi:
Fb Page | Bandcamp | Soundcloud | Twitter

8 Bit Power Hour on 8bitx.com

Crossposted to the ChipWIN Blog HERE  for extra awesome!! ^_^

Photoshop by the always awesome Oliver Campbell of attackinitiative.com.
Photoshop by the always awesome Oliver Campbell of attackinitiative.com.
ALBUMS, GAME MUSIC, MUSIC, VIDEOS

Smooth McGroove Releases an Album of Awesome VGM Acapellas

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2283838841-1YouTube user Smooth McGroove has been popping up on my facebook feed a lot lately, first with the epic rendition of Spark Mandrill from MegaMan X embedded below.

Smooth McGroove does an impressive job of performing the game music he selects, and his arrangements are as creative as they are entertaining. His cat usually shows up on one of the takes, which is a recipe for internet success. From a technical standpoint, his songs are cleanly produced, properly mixed, and an all around joy to listen to. He’s offered 22 tracks for $9 from Bandcamp, and with a deal like that it’s hard to pass up! Stream the whole album for free below and click the Buy link to purchase a download. If you can’t shell out a few bucks to support this guy, follow Smooth McGroove on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe on YouTube.

A blog for video game and chiptune music, retro gaming, and live events. Created by Dj CUTMAN.