8-bit retro game sound synthesizer

Basic64 is a free synthesizer plug-in for VST software "inspired by the 8 bit sounds of the classic Commodore 64." Link (Via Hobby Blog)

[#1 posted by deejayqueue , November 2, 2007 10:46 AM]

This is NOT a standalone program, It's a plugin for Cubase VST.

[#2 posted by Gainclone , November 2, 2007 10:55 AM]

Anybody out there know of a Mac equivalent? This is just what I seek... but for the wrong OS...

[#3 posted by NE2d , November 2, 2007 11:01 AM]

Pretty neat. Anyone know of a crude sequencer available for download? Right now I use one based on the sequencer from Mario Paint. Fun, but a little too crude.

[#4 posted by royaltrux , November 2, 2007 11:08 AM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Studio_Technology

Mac, Linux, commercial and free Windows-based VST software discussed at link above.

[#5 posted by jonbro , November 2, 2007 11:29 AM]

I don't know about crude, but for free (and drawing on a rich chiptune heritage) is LGPT:

http://www.10pm.org/nostromo/lgpt/

will send midi out to your synthz if you need to get control over your rack of vsts.

[#6 posted by NE2d , November 2, 2007 12:24 PM]

jonbro,

Thanks, but yikes, that looks a little out of my depth--I think I'll stick with Mario for now.

[#7 posted by Brett Burton , November 2, 2007 1:02 PM]

So has anyone recommended a good Commodore 64 (aka SID CHIP) simulator for the Mac? Preferably one that is Universal Binary? Or any other 8-bit Mac UB synths?

[#8 posted by Paul , November 2, 2007 1:31 PM]

I've been using a Max-based sequencer called Cbasicore64 for over a year now, and it's great. It's a fairly good SID chip emulator, it's standalone, and it has ReWire support. It's also available for both Mac and Windows.

You can get it from the developers' site here (after scrolling down for a bit):
http://mils.mils.free.fr/pagesoft.html

[#9 posted by thespreads , November 2, 2007 4:14 PM]

Previous post is inaccurate - VST is not exclusive to Cubase.

I use VST in Protools with a wrapper.

FYI

Can't wait to download this

[#10 posted by Draconum , November 2, 2007 4:43 PM]

Thespreads is right. VST is almost universal in the software sequencer world (at least for Windows, anyway).

The only major music sequencer for Windows that I know of that DOESN'T support it is Reason, for a reason I cannot fathom (other than the fact that they want you to use generators developed by their company).

FLStudio FTW (anyone who refuses to believe that FL is powerful hasn't used it for four or five years like I have :)

[#11 posted by Fake Rake , November 2, 2007 8:52 PM]

An excellent free program (at least, free to evaluate, it's old-style unrestricted shareware) for trying this out is Reaper. And once you get set up with Reaper or another host, you can grab a ton of other free synths and effects from all over the Internet (KVRAudio is a good site for finding some of them...)

[#12 posted by roger , November 2, 2007 11:59 PM]

I

[#13 posted by nex , November 3, 2007 12:22 AM]

Draconum (#10), Reason doesn't allow you to use any 'outside' stuff except for MIDI (a necessity, otherwise you couldn't play it) and sample banks. (Of course it supports ReWire, but only to get sound out of it, not into it.) So, it's really a general design philosophy that it sports very little interoperability, and they're intending to never ever change that. One would hope this is done for a good reason (heh), I'm thinking code optimisations that wouldn't be possible otherwise. (A bad reason would be, "We're leaving these interesting, useful bits out to make it easier for ourselves; either eat it as it is or starve.")

So, yeah, VST isn't called VST because it's the super-special technology used by Cubase VST. Rather, Cubase VST is called Cubase VST because it's a Cubase that supports VST. Which was something worth pointing out in the mid 90s, when it first came out. Nowadays VST support is simply understood, and in fact in the last 5 years or so, no version of Cubase had the 'VST' suffix.

Does anyone know about good SID-like instruments for Linux or Mac? I'd like to try out Basic64, but can't ... :-(

Btw., for really simple retro gaming bleeps, try YMCK's "magical 8-bit plug-in". That one at least is available for Windows and Mac.

[#14 posted by SoulDaYondah , November 3, 2007 9:59 AM]

Awsome plugin. I just made a little ditty with it, called ' Us Old School Zomb's Don't Bothah to Run'. It just posted it on my myspace: www.myspace.com/jeanfrancoisc

[#15 posted by OCNCTY , November 3, 2007 3:11 PM]

I agree 100% with Draconum. FL Studio Pro is an incredibly useful, powerful tool - i run all my VST through it.

[#16 posted by jphilby , November 3, 2007 8:02 PM]

Note that Logic 8 (some call a "great pro app") still does not support VST. But Reaper OSX does. Thanks, Paul, for the Pagesoft tip.

[#17 posted by acb , November 4, 2007 1:04 PM]

#2: there's a commercial SID-emulating softsynth for OSX and Windows named reFX QuadraSID; it has extensions such as envelopes, modulators and a mini-sequencer, and even has soundbanks by C64 music luminaries such as Chris Huelsbeck and Rob Hubbard. If you prefer Nintendo sounds, Japanese electropop group YMCK have released a free softsynth based on the Famicom's sound chip, at http://www.ymck.net/english/download/index.html

#16: you can use VST plugins under Logic, with the addition of a third-party VST to AudioUnit adaptor. fxPansion make one, which is a commercial product. I've been using it and it works rather nicely.