alt.hn

1/17/2025 at 8:54:28 AM

The Family Bass - Music with an NES

https://www.linusakesson.net/music/family-bass/index.php

by rcarmo

1/17/2025 at 4:32:42 PM

For those who want to try it out, you can also access these sounds in a somewhat easier way by using an NES audio emulator in your favorite DAW, or by using one of the various tracker programs:

https://www.mattmontag.com/projects-page/nintendo-vst

http://famitracker.com

by klodolph

1/17/2025 at 6:18:23 PM

Further, FYI: famitracker has a few different variants, with DN–famitracker being the fork, currently closest to accurately reproducing, the NES and the most common extant sound expansion chips: https://github.com/Dn-Programming-Core-Management/Dn-FamiTra...

And Famistudio is an excellent alternative if you prefer composing on a piano roll: https://famistudio.org

by mock-possum

1/17/2025 at 10:57:00 PM

This one lets you play the bass on the left hand of a keyboard and the square waves (should really be PWM) on the right hand:

https://aframe.itch.io/famikondo

by xxr

1/17/2025 at 4:12:14 PM

This was great.

I always recommend watching his old Chipophone video (homemade 8-bit synthesizer from a repurposed old electronic organ). He has made many cool instruments since. Some of which maybe more tehcnically impressive, I can't tell. But this one is probably still on my all time top 10 "most enjoyment from watching a Youtube video" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1pchpDD5EU

Such cool sounds and he plays it well!

by RamRodification

1/17/2025 at 10:15:09 PM

So many other videos are amazing as well. I am blown away.

https://www.linusakesson.net/music/vivaldi-summer-presto/ind... https://www.linusakesson.net/music/withering-bytes/index.php

by ethagknight

1/17/2025 at 1:57:45 PM

IMO: Play the second video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gds1EeQGMaQ&t=166s) for a few seconds, and observe when Linus plays with the Japanese Famicom keyboard.

It'll give you a good idea for what he's making. (The music video is also really cool.)

by gwbas1c

1/17/2025 at 4:42:15 PM

This is the nerdiest, hackeriest thing I've seen in ages, and I love every moment of it. That was brilliant.

by kstrauser

1/17/2025 at 7:51:40 PM

I am a fan of these Famicom/NES synthesized sounds, they have a flavor that is rarely found in modern game music. There are a few musicians who does rearrangements of songs for playback on the Famicom, example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM3bYVt-c1k

Original song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKKyrGGaDk

by omoikane

1/17/2025 at 6:34:34 PM

Super cool, and I also love how this page has text and still-image content equivalent to what's said and shown in the video.

by Lammy

1/18/2025 at 12:21:57 AM

Seems like a homebrew program that uses the Miracle Piano would be a lot nicer to use than a Famicom keyboard.

by Dwedit

1/18/2025 at 5:08:48 AM

this cart look easier to use https://wayfar.net/0xf00000_overview.php

by nick__m

1/18/2025 at 6:06:37 AM

Unfortunately the Midines is basically vaporware. I don't think he has actually built and delivered a cart in more than 15 years. He took my money for one about 18 years ago and never delivered.

They do occasionally show up on eBay and Reverb though.

by malexw

1/18/2025 at 12:40:18 PM

I was wondering why it was more expensive on reverb than on his site, now I understand. You saved me the price he ask, thank you!

by nick__m