Looking for something that can do a wide spectrum of retro 8-bit sounds. Not sure I can justify $100. Maybe I'm just a cheap bastard.

it's unbeatable for 8 bit crowd.

dw

If you're not fussy about authenticity or you're not bothered about recreating the exact sound of certain 8-bit chips, then I would recommend you grab de la Mancha's Basic65 while it's on sale for only a few dollars. A bit higher up the money ladder there is QuadraSID from reFX which is fantastic, but is a total bitch to program.

Edit: Basic65 is currently showing as $24, but when you add it to your cart it comes up as $7.20
Last edited by audington on Wed May 16, 2012 7:37 am; edited 1 time in total

Chipsounds IS unbeatable, but Delamancha's basic65, while not near as "authentic" and versatile, might be just what you need:

http://www.delamancha.co.uk/basic.htm

edit: beat me to it, dagnabbit!

Not much around, best thing you can get for such an array or (carefully) modeled soundchips. Unless you go SynthEdit or just go for the C64 "synth emu" QuadraSID, which was mentioned already.

i've never used Plogue's plugin, although i've heard it's very good. however, if you'd like to try some cheaper stuff, here are some of my favorites:

ymVST - Atari ST emulation by chiptune artist gwEm

Magical 8-bit Plug - NES emulation by chiptune trio YMVST

basic65 - inspired by the SID chip

if you want samples, i've published some free C64 and Game Boy sample packs here, here, and here, and there's Odo's fantastic collection of C64 sounds here.

Odo's Unknown64 Pro and 38911Bytes are nice and free.

http://theodosynthsarchive.wordpress.com/

if its specifically SID you are after, Hypersynth SIDizer is worth a look
http://www.hypersynth.com/sidizer.html

Just don't fall into the trap that chiptune music = terribly aliased squarewaves! (As I did at first, before I got schooled, lol)

For authentic and tricky C64-style patches that make use of wavetables and modulation tricks, QuadraSID is my pick. That has a tendency to alias on high leads which kinda ruins the whole "soaring PWM lead" thing, so for simpler lead patches I go for Hypersynth SIDizer or Chipsounds.

Also, DLM Basic65 is well antialiased, and can do some very funky stuff, and you can bring in the aliasing via bit reduction if you want it. For very lofi chippy stuff, Dirty Harry is very unique and, well... dirty

For non-C64 chip stuff, Chipsounds all the way I'm afraid.
Last edited by Sendy on Wed May 16, 2012 8:17 am; edited 1 time in total

http://lday.ld.funpic.de/new/sidmonster.htmL-Day made a couple cool ones

I decided to go with Chipsounds. I found a 2 year old post of mine whining about the price.

And I was about to write that all recommendations sans QuadraSID and Magical8Bit are Windows only, almost all of the Windows one even SynthEdit.

+1 for ymVST....what a little noisemaker

just a heads up - norton and avast block some of Lday's pages for me.

not many presets at all with chipsounds though although is that a demo thing?

it certainly did SOUND tasty.

I love chip sounds, they always give me goosebumps, in a way that analog does but totally different!