The chip channels

Retro music is built from a few simple, limited voices.

Classic 8-bit music came from sound chips that could only play a few voices at once, each a simple waveform. That constraint is exactly what gives chiptune its recognizable character. The classic NES chip, for example, had two pulse (square) channels, one triangle channel, and one noise channel.

Pulse / square — bright, buzzy; used for melody and harmony
Triangle — soft, round; usually the bassline
Noise — no pitch; used for drums and percussion (hi-hats, snares)
You typically get only a handful of voices, so every note counts

Tip The limits are a feature. With only 3–4 voices you are forced to write clear, memorable parts instead of hiding behind a wall of sound.

Quick check

In classic chiptune the bassline is usually played by the:

▶ Open the music editor Play a few notes on different voices and hear the difference.

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