Also, BACK UP YOUR SAVES. This should be obvious but I don't think it can be stated enough.
BACK UP YOUR SAVVVVVVEEESSSSSS.

On the flip side, there is always the option of using plug-ins with your DAW (Pro Tools, Logic (for Mac), Ableton, FL, etc) instead of a tracker.

In any case, welcome to the mad house. Godspeed

It has a nice interface and is fairly easy to use.  It's free on Mac and PC.

kitsch wrote:

and, yeah....  nanoloop is a bit easier to jump into, imo.  but less rewarding in the long term (again, imo).  learning curve is considerably easier though if you don't have a tracker background.  its a bit like playing a game.

I've always found LSDJ easier to use, as it is now one of my favorite programs in terms of interface design.  It is the first tracker-style program I have used.  With nanoloop I find things fiddly and have to keep consulting the manual.  Then again, I started using LSDJ first, so maybe that biased me.  But do try both and see which you like; each to their own I suppose.

Nanoloop just seems too nebulous and minimal for me, but the nanoloop/lsdj preference from person to person seems like it depends on what kind of person they are.

Idk if I'd say it's less rewarding. Shitbird makes stuff with Nanoloop, and that fact kind of speaks for itself. I think Nanoloop just demands creative programming to ensure variety, in exchange for its natural live-performance format, and vice versa w/ LSDJ.

and, yeah....  nanoloop is a bit easier to jump into, imo.  but less rewarding in the long term (again, imo).  learning curve is considerably easier though if you don't have a tracker background.  its a bit like playing a game.

I've always found LSDJ easier to use, as it is now one of my favorite programs in terms of interface design.  It is the first tracker-style program I have used.  With nanoloop I find things fiddly and have to keep consulting the manual.  Then again, I started using LSDJ first, so maybe that biased me.  But do try both and see which you like; each to their own I suppose.

No I am not familiar with it I was just using it as a reference

So before I start I wanted to say I read all the stickies and I am entirely new to this site and chiptuning. From what I have read all I need is a gameboy, blank cart, and lsdj ROM. I am planning on getting a gameboy and using lsdj with it, however are there any particular mods that would be useful? Is there an easier program for a complete beginner in making 8-bit? And what would I need to be able to run my gameboy into a virtual interface on my laptop, such as Ableton? I am sorry if this has already been covered/asked, I looked all over the forums, but either I missed it or couldn't find it.

Are you already familiar with Ableton? You can make chipmusic through Ableton as well.

my personal favorite is FM-Kingtracker.  its what i learned on though, a bit biased

don't pull your hair out   tracker interface can take some getting used to, and you'll find yourself getting quite angry about your process until you pass that hump and understand the logic behind what it is you are doing (if its even a tracker style app you go with)

and, yeah....  nanoloop is a bit easier to jump into, imo.  but less rewarding in the long term (again, imo).  learning curve is considerably easier though if you don't have a tracker background.  its a bit like playing a game.

Experiment with LSDj and an emulator, and see what you can do.
It's fun and deeply rewarding.

save money and grab a gameboy and a blank cart, then throw the rom on the cart

make tracks and have fun !

then when it's time to record, grab an audio interface or just plug into the line-in if your comp has one

then when it's time to play live, i recommend getting a second gameboy+cart and a mixer so you can blend between tracks

this is just one method of doing it too - you could also just get nanoloop and call it a day!

edt: And nanoloop too!