What is Chiptunes?

Origins and Evolution:

Chiptune, also known as chip music or 8-bit music, is a genre of electronic music where all sounds are synthesized by a computer or console sound chip. It began in the 1980s with the rise of video game consoles and computers like the Commodore 64 and the Game Boy, which had sound chips that could produce simple waveforms. Music composers for these early video games had to work within the hardware’s constraints, resulting in the distinct, minimalistic sound that characterizes chiptunes.

Characteristics and Sound:

Chiptune is distinctive and easily recognizable by its synthesis method. It’s defined by the iconic ‘blips’ and ‘beeps’ that conjure up nostalgic feelings of old-school video games. Its tonal properties are shaped by the capabilities and limitations of the sound chips used in the 1980s and 1990s video game consoles and computers, like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Game Boy, and the Commodore 64.

The music is often characterized by simple waveforms, such as square waves, sawtooth waves, triangle waves, and noise channels for percussion, leading to a raw and pixilated aural aesthetic. Despite these restrictions, chiptune music can be incredibly diverse, capable of reproducing a wide array of music genres, from classical to rock, pop, and electronic dance music.

Creation Process:

Chiptune can be produced in several ways. Some artists use actual retro hardware to compose music, either by repurposing old video game consoles or computers or by using sound chips from these devices in custom-made hardware. Others use modern computers with software emulators, trackers, or plugins that reproduce the sound of vintage sound chips. Tools such as LSDJ (Little Sound DJ) for Game Boy, or FamiTracker for the NES, are popular in the chiptunes scene.

Notable Artists and Albums:

Chiptune music has been championed by a host of talented artists over the years, including:

1. Anamanaguchi – This American band combines chiptunes with live instrumentation to create energetic and melodic pop-rock. Their album “Endless Fantasy” is considered a modern chiptunes classic.
2. Chipzel – Chipzel (aka Niamh Houston) is an Irish artist known for her intense, rhythmic compositions, often created using a Game Boy. She gained prominence for her work on the Super Hexagon soundtrack.
3. Sabrepulse – As one of the UK’s most recognized chiptunes artists, Sabrepulse (Ashley Charles) is known for fusing chiptunes with various forms of dance music, including breakcore and happy hardcore.
4. Jake ‘virt’ Kaufman – A video game composer who often uses chiptunes elements in his work. He’s well-known for his soundtracks for games like Shovel Knight and the Shantae series.

Cultural Impact and Current State:

Chiptune has evolved from its beginnings in video game soundtracks to become an influential genre in its own right. It has impacted various other musical genres, notably pop and electronic music, with chiptune sounds and aesthetics being used by numerous artists.

Chiptune music also has a significant presence in the demoscene, a subculture focused on creating multimedia productions within strict technical constraints. The music continues to thrive in live performances, festivals like Blip Festival, and online communities, and remains a vibrant and innovative field within electronic music.

From its roots in early video game consoles to its modern-day incarnations, chiptunes offers a fascinating study of the interplay between technology and music.