Tunehoney is a blog focused on learning how to make chiptune music at the beginner level. Tunehoney is here to help budding chiptune composers overcome the daunting hurdle of deciding what kind of music to write -- and learning how to make it.
A chiptune is a piece of music produced on the sound chip of a vintage computer or through emulation of those chips. Chiptunes span many musical genres and styles, and the nature of chiptunes allows for great musical flexibility. Chiptune music was popularized in 8-bit video games of the '80s and early '90s (such as the NES and Commodore 64) but has since grown and evolved into a widespread musical medium.
Chiptunes come in many different varieties -- here are some examples:
- Carter/Outbreak - Dead Feelings: A 6-channel chiptune composed in FastTrackerII
Tunehoney is here to walk alongside you on your journey to make chiptune music.
As a fellow beginner, I (the author) will be offering composition tips that I've found useful, sharing the work that I create, and discussing the processes and theories behind it.
Ultimately, Tunehoney is out to help the world create and share sweet tunes.
What You'll Need
We'll be learning to track using two open source trackers -- FamiTracker and MilkyTracker-- so you'll need to download those.
You'll want to familiarize yourself with both pieces of software -- BrandonWalsh's tutorials are a great place to start for MilkyTracker, and 8bitDanooct1's tutorials are a great introduction to FamiTracker and tracking in general.
Beyond those two trackers, you'll only need an open mind and some musical influences.
Thanks for reading, and welcome to Tunehoney.
- Carter/Outbreak - Dead Feelings: A 6-channel chiptune composed in FastTrackerII
Ultimately, Tunehoney is out to help the world create and share sweet tunes.
What You'll Need
Additional Reading and Works Cited
8bitDanooct1. (9 June, 2010). Famitracker Tutorial Part 1 - The Instrument Editor and You [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwNElW5IEo0
googleplusplzno. (Sep 2, 2009). A Crimson Rose and a Gin Tonic (YMCK 8bit Mix). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtbBkdRIiE
JimWalshified. (16 Feb, 2013). Brandon Walsh Milkytracker / Chiptune Tutorial #1 - Getting started [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2s04YYO0Wg
JimWalshified. (Feb 15, 2011). Carter/Outbreak - Dead Feelings - XM version [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Cc09YsWDQs
Woolyss. (n.d.). Chipmusic Discovery [blog post]. Retrieved from http://woolyss.com/chipmusic.php
Additional Reading and Works Cited
8bitDanooct1. (9 June, 2010). Famitracker Tutorial Part 1 - The Instrument Editor and You [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwNElW5IEo0googleplusplzno. (Sep 2, 2009). A Crimson Rose and a Gin Tonic (YMCK 8bit Mix). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtbBkdRIiE
JimWalshified. (16 Feb, 2013). Brandon Walsh Milkytracker / Chiptune Tutorial #1 - Getting started [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2s04YYO0Wg
JimWalshified. (Feb 15, 2011). Carter/Outbreak - Dead Feelings - XM version [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Cc09YsWDQs
Woolyss. (n.d.). Chipmusic Discovery [blog post]. Retrieved from http://woolyss.com/chipmusic.php
