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Music Trackers

Lightning Talk

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Usage

Tracker = Music sequencing software

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Make music in a technical/QWERTY-focused manner

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Alternative to Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) (FL Studio, Ableton, Cubase, etc.)

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Typically lightweight

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Save songs as highly compressed module files (kbs) (.mod, .xm, .it, .s3m, etc.)

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Most are open source* and/or free*

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*Some are private but usually open to feedback

*Some cost $ to use commercially

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History

Spawned in mid 1980’s

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Named after ---->

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Used heavily during demoscene era

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Nowadays used for:

- Soundchip-specific stuff

- Chiptune, IDM, breakcore, techno, house, etc.

- Modern looks like ---->

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Types/Formats

3 categories:

- PSG (Programmable Sound Generator)

- SID (Commodore 64)

- 2a03 (NES/Famicom)

- GBS (Gameboy)

- FM (Frequency Modulation)

- YM2612 (Genesis/MegaDrive)

- PCM (Pulse-Code Modulation aka samples)

- SPC7000 (SNES/Super Famicom)

- MS-DOS + onwards computers

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Most are PCM* unless designed to use/emulate a specific soundchip

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*of varying bit depth/quality

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How They Work

Effect(s)+

Parameters

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Volume (0-15)

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Instrument

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Octave

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Note

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Row #

Options

Pattern Editor

Channels

Instruments/Samples

Pattern

Matrix

Song Settings/Data

Instrument/Sample Editor

Bar scrolls through notes

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More Info

battleofthebits.org

Chiptune/tracker/pixel competitions + info + IRC chat

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woolyss.com

Various info/downloads for trackers/chip stuff

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