Open source NES-style music maker FamiStudio has a big new release

By Liam Dawe - 8 September 2020 at 8:34 am UTC

Another great project we are following is FamiStudio, a free and open source NES-style music maker and they have a fresh release up now.

Who is this targeting? Mainly chiptune artists and NES homebrewers. Anyone who wants to make chiptune could pick up this quite easily and get going. Could be great for game developers doing retro stuff or anyone really. Over time it's picking up a number of advanced features, with the 2.2.0 release out now adding in:

Recording mode to record note-by-note using MIDI controller or QWERTY keyboard

Arpeggio support

Official FamiStudio Sound Engine release

Follow mode

Displaying the piano roll view range in the sequencer

FDS disk export

Basic tutorials for first time users

Error logging when importing/exporting files

Wav export loop count

Option to disable dragging sounds when a song is playing

Check out their release trailer overview of the new update:

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What's especially great about this being free and open source, is how they expect contributions to adhere to a few basic principles. Their previous build was the first for Linux, and now their GitHub states very clearly that all features coming in need to be implemented and tested across "all 3 platforms (Windows, MacOS and Linux)". I have to admit that made me smile seeing that. Platform parity is a wonderful thing for everyone.

See more on the official site.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.

Tags: Apps, Game Dev, Music, Open Source

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About the author - Liam Dawe

I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly checked on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. You can also follow my personal adventures on Bluesky.
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2 comments

scaine Sep 8, 2020

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I've never owned a NES or SNES, so I had no idea how closely its music chip resembled the classic C64 SID chip. I'm getting all nostalgic for some Hubbard tunes now!

This project reminds me of the Atari ST and Amiga mod trackers that were so popular in the 90's. I'd love to be able to use them, but sadly music and I have a one-way relationship.

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axredneck Sep 8, 2020

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... so I had no idea how closely its music chip resembled the classic C64 SID chip.

NES/Famicom has completely different chip than SID while SNES is close to Amiga in terms of sound.

Last edited by axredneck on 8 September 2020 at 11:58 am UTC

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