Hermes, K. 2024. Levelling up chiptune: nostalgic retro games console sounds for the ROLI Seaboard. in: Jan-Olof Gullö, Russ Hepworth-Sawyer, Justin Paterson, Rob Toulson and Mark Marrington (ed.) Innovation in Music: Technology and Creativity Focal Press. pp. 237-251
| Chapter title | Levelling up chiptune: nostalgic retro games console sounds for the ROLI Seaboard |
|---|---|
| Authors | Hermes, K. |
| Editors | Jan-Olof Gullö, Russ Hepworth-Sawyer, Justin Paterson, Rob Toulson and Mark Marrington |
| Abstract | In the seventies and eighties, special chips were built that could transform electrical impulses from a computer into analogue sound waves. From the technological restriction of these old devices emerged “chiptune”, a lo-fi style of electronic music. In juxtaposition to the technological restriction of this old hardware, modern electronic music instruments are becoming ever more complex, offering fine control over sonic parameters both live and in the studio. MIDI polyphonic expression (MPE) expands the expressive power of traditional MIDI controllers by allowing individual modulation data to be sent for each musical note in a chord. This paper explores the question as to whether the nostalgia of chiptune can be translated to MPE performance instruments, given the fact the hardware aspects of chiptune music and the importance of authenticity play an important role in the identity of the genre. The research underlying this paper combines a literature review with a practice-led case study where the author reflects on her preset pack “Chiptune Bubblegum” for the “Equator 2” MPE software synthesizer, which was published by ROLI in 2021. The argument is made that nostalgia can be a useful springboard for innovation and new creative expression. |
| Book title | Innovation in Music: Technology and Creativity |
| Page range | 237-251 |
| Year | 2024 |
| Publisher | Focal Press |
| Routledge | |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 27 Mar 2024 |
| ISBN | 9780367633370 |
| 9780367633363 | |
| 9781003118817 | |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003118817-17 |