I really like retro consoles, computers and hardware in general. The old 8 and 16-bit systems have all kinds of restrictions, which in a way defines them and gives them character. Sometimes I like to make up my own retro systems, with their own quirks and make stuff with their limitations. This sound system is one of them. The PentaSound Chip is a part of a fictional 16-bit computer, called The MT Computer(real imaginative, I know). Unlike most 16-bit systems, which would use FM Synthesis for their audio, this one uses Subtractive Synthesis, much like the C64's SID chip.
The PentaSound Chip has a total of 5 sound channels. Each channel has one operator. The first four can be either Saw Waves or 50% Square Waves. The fifth one can be either a 50% Square Wave or Noise. Each channel can be put through a Low-pass filter and the level of Resonance can be changed. And that's pretty much it. I decided to leave out stuff like pitch range or the number of volume levels, since adding these restrictions can make it a pain in the ass to make music, especially when there is no specialized software for this. (Although I'd personally have either a 4-bit or a 6-bit value for each channel's volume)
I've made a cover of the Vampire Killer theme from Castlevania to showcase what the Pentasound chip can do. You can check it out here.
What do you think of the cover? What do you think of the idea of fictional sound chips, in general? Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks!
The PentaSound Chip has a total of 5 sound channels. Each channel has one operator. The first four can be either Saw Waves or 50% Square Waves. The fifth one can be either a 50% Square Wave or Noise. Each channel can be put through a Low-pass filter and the level of Resonance can be changed. And that's pretty much it. I decided to leave out stuff like pitch range or the number of volume levels, since adding these restrictions can make it a pain in the ass to make music, especially when there is no specialized software for this. (Although I'd personally have either a 4-bit or a 6-bit value for each channel's volume)
I've made a cover of the Vampire Killer theme from Castlevania to showcase what the Pentasound chip can do. You can check it out here.
What do you think of the cover? What do you think of the idea of fictional sound chips, in general? Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks!