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date: 23 January 2021

Abstract and Keywords

This chapter gives an overview of the history, hardware, and sound of the chiptune music scene by one of the composers for the award-winning indie videogame Retro City Rampage. The role of the unique sound of specific microchips and software tools used in the production of chiptune music is examined to find out what constitutes the aesthetic of the chiptune sound. Compositional scoring techniques are explored to give a deeper understanding of the tricks and methods used in many chiptune songs. The function of the hardware and software used in the production of chiptune music is discussed in depth to give the reader a deeper understanding of how chiptune musicians use older videogame hardware and computers in the production of their music.

Keywords: chiptune, chipmusic, Retro City Rampage, Open ModPlug Tracker, Famitracker, GoatTracker, Commodore 64, Nintendo Entertainment System, Demoscene, Gameboy, MOD Music, trackers

Leonard J. Paul

Leonard Paul has worked in the games industry since 1994 and has a history in composing, sound design and coding for over twenty major game titles. He has most recently worked on the indie games Vessel and Retro City Rampage and is the co-founder of the School of Video Game Audio. He has lectured on the topic of video game audio worldwide to a variety of audiences. He was also composer for the award-winning documentary The Corporation. His website is: http://VideoGameAudio.com

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