Hey guys, still busy with making it work. Just out of curiosity, do you guys want polyphony or is monofonic with different channels preferable?
Also I am intending to post some initial ideas for the synth and the user interface soon.
1 Jul 16, 2015 12:21 pm
Re: What would you like in a chiptune hardware synth (63 replies, posted in Other Hardware)
2 Jun 8, 2015 11:42 am
Re: What would you like in a chiptune hardware synth (63 replies, posted in Other Hardware)
wedanced wrote:
so uh what happened to this?
Hi thanks for the reminder. I am still busy with the synth at the moment. Unfortunately I am doing everything on my own, which takes a crazy amount of time and I haven't had that much to spare.
So far the status update. I currently have a functioning (polyphonic) sound generator, currently it can support up to 30 voices (10 note polyphony) with free running and syncable ADSR envelopes, however this is without filters. It has a square wave channel; currently with pwm (divided in 12.5% increments). A selectable waveform (square, triangle, ramp, saw, sine, also toying with the idea with user selectable waveforms), with hard sync.
Of course many features still have to be implemented, midi sync is definitely one of them, but also an arpeggiator. Perhaps you noticed in my ramblings that I am talking features and not the interface. This is because I am still considering what the interface will be. I am toying with the idea to keep it a small and simple desktop synthesizer, combining a menu oriented interface with discrete and assigned/ assignable controls, or piling on more features and controls like a step sequencer and dedicated knobs.
I am hoping to have more time over the summer to spend on this and that I am nearing completion by the end of the summer. Furthermore I want to complete some sketches of several interface and exterior possibilities within now and a few weeks to show you guys. I am really curious what you think of the ideas for this synth I am toying with.
3 Aug 28, 2014 10:24 pm
Re: What would you like in a chiptune hardware synth (63 replies, posted in Other Hardware)
sandneil wrote:
well my idea was that the mod files would be the backing tracks & so that would be tweakable because you can edit them on your pc but its a bit of a dream really & also you are the one making the thing not me so do w/e
kind bored of arduino shields that make a noise when you plug stuff into them though
interface is such a big deal in music creating and sound is kind of not really a big deal at the end of the day
Quite a realistic dream really. Just side tracking my own thread just on this subject 
how would you imagine playing something like that live. Like a rigid precise exercise or more of an emphasis on (limited) improvisation)
4 Aug 28, 2014 10:20 pm
Re: What would you like in a chiptune hardware synth (63 replies, posted in Other Hardware)
e.s.c. wrote:
Kool Skull wrote:nes is only capable of very weak sounding blips and reqlly whimpy noise channel sounds.
i call bullshit
this is all midines
https://datathrash.bandcamp.com/track/o … an-version
This is exactly how I would have imagined chiptune death metal, minus the voice samples
5 Aug 28, 2014 10:10 pm
Re: What would you like in a chiptune hardware synth (63 replies, posted in Other Hardware)
sandneil wrote:
imagine a casiotone keybaord but you could load mod files onto it and it would use patterns from the mod files as the autoaccompaniment and repitch the mod files based on the chords you were playing on the keys while you noodled over the top
*dream*
Like the idea but when someone proposes a instrument like that I always think of it like a magical music box that does no allow for a lot of tweaking of backing tracks. Having said this I did create and programed software that was able to recognize patterns and I am still toying with the idea to use it for live accompaniment, amongst other things.
6 Aug 28, 2014 10:07 pm
Re: What would you like in a chiptune hardware synth (63 replies, posted in Other Hardware)
an0va wrote:
...I mean what I essentially just described was a NES version of Korg VolcaKeys/Bass...
Love the idea I was indeed toying with a minimalistic modular approach (split functionality like bass, rhythm, melody and chords) and make basic synths that deliver in that specific area and are interconnectable.
P.s. :I own a Korg Volca beats and I love it
7 Aug 28, 2014 3:36 pm
Re: What would you like in a chiptune hardware synth (63 replies, posted in Other Hardware)
And of course more input is still welcome!
8 Aug 28, 2014 3:36 pm
Re: What would you like in a chiptune hardware synth (63 replies, posted in Other Hardware)
Thanks for all the replies guys, I heard some good ideas. Initially I was leaning more towards somekind of cheap small chiptune synthesizer, which could be used for playing melodies and samples. However I can see the groovebox idea is also really in favour I also love the live tracker idea of defPremium, a sort of mix between live performance and direct pre written track manipulation.
I will get back to the drawing board and if I have enough time this week I will post the initial concept ideas.
Again thanks for the input
9 Aug 26, 2014 10:17 pm
Topic: What would you like in a chiptune hardware synth (63 replies, posted in Other Hardware)
First off: I want to know what your ideal chiptune hardware synth would look like.
Hopefully this got you interested and now for the reason why I want to know. As of yet I am a graduated industrial designer with a passion for music technology. I am currently in the process of designing a hardware chiptune synthesizer and I would love the input of an experienced chiptune community.
As I am in the early stages of my design process I would love to have some input. To give a bit of direction; My basis for the design would be the the NES sound and use these limitations and specifically the work arounds of these limitations, in my (sound) design. I have been in discord with my self if I should design for a more simple design that aims at providing a basic mono synth that is able to create melodies, melodical sounds and arpegiated chords or that I should design a more extensive (poly) synth which would be able to provide both melodical as well as percussive sounds and functionality.
I would love to hear your motivated opinions both on what you want in your workflow of music creation and what you would love to have as a live instrument for performance.