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Chiptune

 Chiptune
type
FeatureClass
 Chiptune
label
Chiptune
 Chiptune
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chiptune
 Chiptune
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Advertisement:propertag.cmd.push(function() { proper_display('tvtropes_content_3'); })Chiptunes are songs — or song data — usually designed to be played back by a specific sound chip with limited capabilities. The sound is often associated with early Video Game and computer systems, though many early synthesizers also often contain similar (or even the same) sound chips. While the term may apply to old or antiquated hardware, it is not specifically exclusive to game music or old songs. Many have repurposed game hardware, and even the sound chips contained inside, to build inexpensive instruments or synths. Nowadays however, chiptunes are only used by stylistic choice.
So, while some might consider Chiptunes to epitomize the overuse of synthesizers typical of Eighties Synth-Pop, other listeners consider them a way of demonstrating the composer's mastery over a limited electronic instrument, and likewise many of those composers enjoy that challenge. Fans and composers of the genre will be quick to point out that the resulting sound is the entire point of writing such tunes. Like any music played by a computer, Chiptunes are mathematically perfect, and it's probably a combination of this perfection with a touch of nostalgia that their fans love.
Advertisement:propertag.cmd.push(function() { proper_display('tvtropes_content_2'); })Chiptune music is a widespread genre, beloved by many on the Internet, but hasn't really reached mainstream status yet. Despite that, Electronic music in general has been heavily influenced by Chiptunes (mostly classic ones from Video Games in the 80s), and in recent years mainstream music has shown more and more Chiptune influence. It has reached a point that truly distinguishing between chiptunes and some subgenres of electronic music such as Techno and Glitch is becoming increasingly difficult.
An interesting quirk of Chiptunes is that they come out either sounding awesome or like crap, and there is generally no middle ground. And on the listener side, well, you'll either think it's great, or you'll think it rubbish. On the other hand, though, depending on what kind of listener you are, you may also think it doesn't interest you OR it has one flaw among the other awesome aspects of composition OR the Capcom's monkiers have become too old and such, so decide for yourself!
Advertisement:propertag.cmd.push(function() { proper_display('tvtropes_content_1'); })Another interesting quirk that chiptunes share with General MIDI is that they can be stored in numerous native formats that take up very little space. A full song can be stored in around 10 kilobytes, compared to perhaps 10 megabytes for an MP3 file. This makes them the ultimate in bandwidth friendly music, particularly if you are stuck on dial-up Internet.
A distinct sub-genre is Keygen. Keygen arose out of a simple way to show that someone had devised a program to generate a key for an illegally downloaded program, and the music came as a form of signature. However by its very nature as existing as a bonus rather than a form of music, it's less known, though its influences (namely a much more flowing style and slurred notes) have noticeably seeped into the mainstream chiptune scene.
And lastly, if you have 20 year-old hardware, fear not! By their very nature, chiptunes are designed to be replayed on something old. Even replayers that emulate the sound chips tend to require very little in the way of resources. It should be no surprise, because of this, that Chiptunes (especially in tracker form) have long been a staple of the Demoscene and continue to be so to this day. Thus, a lot of chipmusic is available online for free.
As with most nerdy fandoms, many camps of chiptuners and chiptune fans have emerged:
Extreme purists that are only interested in writing or hearing music specifically reproduced by the sound chip in question (or maybe an emulator for that chip). Examples: music written in LSDJ on a Game Boy, or NSF / SID files written in a system-specific tracker (to be replayed by the system or at least some plugin)
Somewhat-purists that at least want to write or hear music that is possible on the sound chip in question. Examples: MOD/S3M/XM/IT (tracker) files utilizing carnal knowledge of a specific sound chip. Sometimes also referred to as "Fakebit".
A more extreme version of Fakebit, which utilizes chiptune sounds but pays no mind to what is actually possible on a sound chip. Sometimes also referred to as "riptunes". Examples: improper use of the Triforce MIDI plugin, "8 Bit Remixes" made with GXSCC that are very popular on Youtube, or compositions designed to simulate two consoles running at once.
Composers or bands that utilize chiptunes as one of the many elements in their music. This can range from using a sound chip in combination with a rock guitar, to using only a sound chip and drums.
A word of warning before you go hunting for Chiptunes: the good ones tend to be Ear Worms.
 Chiptune
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2018-10-14T11:59:04Z
 Chiptune
parsed
2020-06-25T17:24:41Z
 Chiptune
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 Chiptune
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 Chiptune
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DBTropes
 Chiptune / int_11c85b97
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Chiptune
 Chiptune / int_11c85b97
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Information Society's remix/cover of Devo's "Beautiful World".
 Chiptune / int_11c85b97
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1.0
 Chiptune / int_11c85b97
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1.0
 Information Society (Music)
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Chiptune / int_11c85b97
 Chiptune / int_3045bc0e
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Chiptune
 Chiptune / int_3045bc0e
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Machinae Supremacy (Use a synthesizer with a Commodore 64 sound chip in addition to normal rock instruments to creature an unusual brand of metal.)
 Chiptune / int_3045bc0e
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1.0
 Chiptune / int_3045bc0e
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 Machinae Supremacy (Music)
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Chiptune / int_3045bc0e
 Chiptune / int_50bcf7a6
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Chiptune
 Chiptune / int_50bcf7a6
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Some members of the Homestuck music team; though not all of them. Toby "Radiation" Fox is the most noticeable.
 Chiptune / int_50bcf7a6
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1.0
 Chiptune / int_50bcf7a6
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 Homestuck (Webcomic)
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Chiptune / int_50bcf7a6
 Chiptune / int_6cacd7a
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Chiptune
 Chiptune / int_6cacd7a
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peepeepo
 Chiptune / int_6cacd7a
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1.0
 Chiptune / int_6cacd7a
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1.0
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Chiptune / int_6cacd7a
 Chiptune / int_8d45ca75
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Chiptune
 Chiptune / int_8d45ca75
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Listie used to upload "MIDIS shoved through GXSCC".
 Chiptune / int_8d45ca75
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 Chiptune / int_8d45ca75
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Chiptune / int_8d45ca75
 Chiptune / int_98c8113a
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Chiptune
 Chiptune / int_98c8113a
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Savant
 Chiptune / int_98c8113a
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1.0
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Chiptune / int_98c8113a
 Chiptune / int_d2b32a3d
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Chiptune
 Chiptune / int_d2b32a3d
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The Reign of Kindo, normally a jazz-influenced indie rock band, made the last-minute decision to record "8Bit Remixes" of every track on their album This Is What Happens, and release it concurrently under the title This Is Also What Happens. Just one look at the cover◊ tells you what you're in for.
 Chiptune / int_d2b32a3d
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Chiptune / int_d2b32a3d
 Chiptune / int_e2fa7287
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Chiptune
 Chiptune / int_e2fa7287
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ZUN
In turn, Hertz Devil has produced a series of 8-bit PSG Touhou remixes, collectively known as Mega ZUN after Mega Man.
 Chiptune / int_e2fa7287
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1.0
 Chiptune / int_e2fa7287
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1.0
 Touhou
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Chiptune / int_e2fa7287
 Chiptune / int_f043b61c
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Chiptune
 Chiptune / int_f043b61c
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Mind.in.a.box's Retro album.
 Chiptune / int_f043b61c
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1.0
 Chiptune / int_f043b61c
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1.0
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Chiptune / int_f043b61c

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Chiptune
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Music Tropes
 Happy Heroes (Animation) / int_3ec82b29
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Chiptune
 Chiptune
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Chiptune
 BABYMETAL (Music) / int_3ec82b29
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Chiptune
 Beck (Musician) (Music) / int_3ec82b29
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 Igorrr (Music) / int_3ec82b29
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 Lich King (Music) / int_3ec82b29
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 Listie (Music) / int_3ec82b29
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Chiptune
 OK Computer (Music) / int_3ec82b29
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 Perturbator (Music) / int_3ec82b29
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 Poppy (Music) / int_3ec82b29
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 Opie & Anthony (Radio) / int_3eb99f49
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 Game Ka Na Ba? / int_3ec82b29
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 Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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 Bravely Default (Video Game) / int_3eb99f49
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 Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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 Crypt of the NecroDancer (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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 DuckTales (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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 Friday the 13th: The Game (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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 Inscryption (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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Chiptune
 Kahoot! (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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 Mercenary Kings (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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Chiptune
 Mighty No. 9 (Video Game) / int_3eb99f49
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 Mystik Belle (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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Chiptune
 Pokémon Gold and Silver (Video Game) / int_3eb99f49
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Chiptune
 Rhythm Heaven (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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Chiptune
 Robot Wants (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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Chiptune
 Spelunky (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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Chiptune
 Spiral Knights (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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Chiptune
 Super SpongeBob 2 (Video Game) / int_3eb99f49
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Chiptune
 The Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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 The Angry Video Game Nerd II: ASSimilation (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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 The Legend of Zelda: Oracle Games (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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 The Room: The Game (Video Game) / int_3ec82b29
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 Daughter for Dessert (Visual Novel) / int_3ec82b29
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