The Arcano 8-bit Synth : Preset Patch Samples

video upload by Arcano Synthesizers

"The Arcano 8-bit synth will be released on Monday, October 2, 2023 at https://chiptunesynth.com. The Arcano 8-bit synth is a MIDI-controlled synthesizer that recreates the sounds of the NES / Famicom game consoles. This video features 2.5-second samples of all of the synthesizer's 32 preset patches."

Arcano NES Chiptune Synthesizer R4

Published on Dec 24, 2018 Arcano Synthesizers

"All of the audio track was created with the Arcano NES Chiptune Synth R4 prototype. There are no immediate plans for a production run of the R4; however, five R4 prototypes will be available for purchase at https://chiptunesynth.com/ starting on Wednesday, January 2, 2019."

Retro Video Game Chiptune Music Synthesizer - NES / Famicom C64

Published on Aug 9, 2016 Arcano Systems

"Create music in the style of the classic video games of the 80s with this MIDI synth. Now on Kickstarter: http://kck.st/2adRRSu"

See the Arcano channel here on MATRIXSYNTH for previous incarnations and kickstarter campaigns. From what I can see they have three core models, the NES, Obscura and GEM-8. The NES is Nintedo only. The Obscura is NES and Famicon C64, and the GEM-8 covers home computer sounds like the Commodore 64, the Apple IIe, and the ZX Spectrum. This appears to be the second incarnation of the Obscura 8-bit engine. Details follow.

"The Obscura 8-bit Chiptune Synth 2 is a MIDI synthesizer that enables musicians to create music in the style of the classic video game themes of the 1980s. The device is the successor to the Obscura MIDI 8-bit NES & C64 Chiptune Synthesizer, a project launched on Kickstarter in 2015.

No programming is required and there is no software to install. Simply connect a MIDI controller to create your own original chiptunes or play your favorite retro video game theme tunes live.

This monophonic music synthesizer features several improvements on the original including:

more waveforms
more patches
improved volume envelope system for reduced latency
greater vibrato depth
faster arpeggio frequency

The Obscura 8-bit Chiptune Synth 2 comes in two hardware versions. The SMD version is based on the original Obscura MIDI 8-bit NES & C64 Chiptune Synthesizer hardware design, and is available with a handcrafted wooden base. The through-hole version is based on the Arcano MNCS2 hardware design, and is available with or without a wooden base.

A prototype production run of 18 units has already been completed, and 16 of these synths are available as early-delivery rewards. Help fund a second production run and receive an Obscura 8-bit Chiptune Synth 2 as a reward.

If the Kickstarter campaign is successful, you can share the music you create with your Obscura 8-bit Chiptune Synth 2 by tweeting a link to @ArcanoSystems."

Arcano MIDI Controller Board Kickstarter Campaign

This one in via Skot Wiedmann of the Hyve Touch synthesizer and Motus Mavis.

You'll find the Kickstarter campaign here.

"The Arcano MIDI Controller Board is an AVR-microcontroller-based device that allows makers and musicians to easily create their own custom MIDI controllers by simply connecting pushbutton switches, such as those used in arcade games. The device connects to a synthesizer via a MIDI cable or a computer via a USB MIDI interface cable. The small form factor and mounting holes make it easy to embed the Arcano MIDI Controller Board in just about any custom MIDI controller project.

The Arcano MIDI Controller Board features 13 note inputs, two octave-control inputs, and a reset input. Input button states are polled 4000 times per second for ultra-low-latency MIDI output. MIDI data is output via a standard MIDI DIN connector, and power is supplied through a mini USB connector.

No programming is required. Each Arcano MIDI Controller Board includes a programmed microcontroller. The device's software has been refined through more than 20 iterations. The latest version features a conventional note-on/note-off mode and three latch modes, which are great for triggering drum samples and loops.

Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth 2 Classic Nintendo Sound

Published on May 17, 2016 TecHyper

"The Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth II is an AVR-microcontroller-based music synthesizer that faithfully recreates the classic sound of the Nintendo Entertainment System’s audio hardware. The device is the successor to the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synthesizer, a project launched on Kickstarter in 2015.

No programming is required and there is no software to install. Simply connect a MIDI controller to play the NES classics live or create your own original chiptunes.

The design of the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth II is the culmination of the lessons learned from the original Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synthesizer project launched in 2015. The most valuable resource in the development of the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth II has been the feedback from the community of Kickstarter backers who funded the original project. The Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth II features many hardware and software improvements on its predecessor."

Previous posts here.

NES Chiptune Synth w/ custom arcade button MIDI controller

Published on May 11, 2016 Arcano Systems

"The Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth 2 is an AVR-based MIDI music synthesizer for creating Nintendo NES-style chiptune music. Project page: http://kck.st/26aHK9e"

Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth II - an AVR, Nintendo-style synthesizer

Published on Apr 18, 2016 Arcano Systems

"Kickstarter Campaign Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
The Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth II is the successor to the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synthesizer project launched on Kickstarter in 2015."

New Arcano Systems Gem-8 Retro 8-bit Computer and Chiptune Synthesizer on Kickstarter

Published on Mar 15, 2016 Arcano Systems

"Gem-8 is an 8-bit, WiFi-enabled personal computer and chiptune music synthesizer inspired by the home computers of the 1980s. Back the Kickstarter campaign to receive Gem-8 as a reward.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/..."

Arcano Systems previously brought us the MIDI NES Chiptune Synth as well as the Obscura MIDI 8-bit Chiptune Synth.

Details via Kickstarter:

"Gem-8 is an 8-bit, WiFi-enabled personal computer and chiptune music synthesizer inspired by the home computers of the 1980s like the Commodore 64, the Apple IIe, and the ZX Spectrum. This 8-bit AVR-based personal computer features 256-color VGA video output, PS/2 keyboard input, audio line output with 8-bit quantization, 8 digital input/output pins, and a serial expansion port to connect peripheral devices.

Specifications:

Processor: Atmel Atmega1284

RAM: 16 kB

Video: 256-color VGA

Keyboard: PS/2 (compatible with IBM PC AT scancode set 2)

Audio: 8-bit-quantized line out (standard stereo connector with same signal in both channels)

Peripheral Interfaces: serial expansion port + 8-pin female GPIO pin header

Two peripherals have already been created for Gem-8: a WiFi card and a MIDI interface. The WiFi card allows Gem-8 to connect to the internet using the preloaded serial terminal application. Gem-8 is particularly well suited to accessing online multi-user domains, text-based multiplayer online games, and bulletin board services that use the Telnet protocol. The MIDI interface peripheral connects a MIDI keyboard or other MIDI musical instrument to the Gem-8 computer, allowing users to create their own C64 and NES-video-game-style chiptune music using the preloaded chiptune synthesizer application. The Gem-8 chiptune synthesizer application also features video synth visualization capabilities. Currently, the Gem-8 synthesizer software features 8 waveforms and 4 effects settings for a total of 32 unique patches.

[Middle Pic: Gem-8 MIDI interface and Gem-8 WiFi card (based on the ESP8266-12 WiFi module)]

Using additional applications included in Gem-8 OS, users can set the digital states of 8 output pins, which can interface with external components like LEDs and relay modules. Gem-8 users are also able to set the duty cycles of up to 8 pulse-width-modulation signals, which can be used to control servos or to vary the intensity of external LEDs.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Obscura MIDI 8-bit Chiptune Synth / Arduino serial monitor mode

Published on Nov 9, 2015 Arcano Systems

"This is a brief demo of how to use the Obscura 8-bit synth's serial monitor mode. The Kickstarter campaign ends December 4, 2015. Back the Kickstarter campaign to receive an Obscura synth before it's too late. Campaign page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/..."

Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth on Kickstarter

Published on Jul 27, 2015 Arcano Systems

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

"This is demo music created with the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synthesizer. The device is an ATmega328-microcontroller-based MIDI synth designed to emulate the classic chiptune sound of the Nintendo Entertainment System's APU (audio processing unit.) If you are interested in the synth, please refer to the Kickstarter campaign page. The Kickstarter campaign rewards include both a fully assembled and tested version and a kit version for those who prefer to build it themselves. I created the music track myself, and I am not very musically talented. I'm interested to hear the music that more talented musicians will create with this synth, which is why I'm sharing the device through Kickstarter."

via the Kickstarter campaign:

"The Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synthesizer is a minimalistic, microcontroller-based synth designed to emulate the classic chiptune sound of the Nintendo Entertainment System's APU (audio processing unit.) The synthesizer's MIDI input allows musicains create NES-video-game-style chiptune music by simply connecting a MIDI keyboard or other MIDI device.

No programming is required. Each Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synthesizer includes a preprogrammed microcontroller; however, each synth also features a 6-pin AVR programming header, allowing programmers to flash the embedded ATmega328 microcontroller with their own custom software. The programming header enables hackers to create their own custom waveforms, envelopes, software low-frequency oscillators, and PCM samples.

Unlike many other microcontroller-based synthesizers which use internal PWM peripherals to generate weak, scratchy, low-quality audio signals, the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synthesizer uses an auxiliary digital-to-analog converter chip to create a clear, high-quality audio signal.

Specifications:

3-note polyphony
1/8'' (3.5mm) jack mono audio output
MIDI input through standard MIDI DIN connector
7-segment LED waveform mode indicator
simple two-button interface
embedded ATmega328 microcontroller
Preset Modes:

Mode 0 - 12.5% duty cycle pulse waveform
Mode 1 - 25% duty cycle pulse waveform
Mode 2 - 50% duty cycle pulse waveform
Mode 3 - 75% duty cycle pulse waveform
Mode 4 - sawtooth waveform
Mode 5 - triangle waveform
Mode 6 - triangle-wave-based drums
Mode 7 - noise-based percussion
Mode 8 - arpeggio, 12.5% duty cycle pulse waveform
Mode 9 - arpeggio, 25% duty cycle pulse waveform
Mode A - arpeggio, 50% duty cycle pulse waveform
Mode b - arpeggio, sawtooth waveform
Mode C - arpeggio, triangle waveform
Mode d - vibrato, 12.5% duty cycle pulse waveform
mode E - vibrato, 50% duty cycle pulse waveform
mode F - vibrato, 75% duty cycle pulse waveform
mode G - vibrato, sawtooth waveform
mode H - vibrato, modulated duty cycle pulse waveform"