24bitnes

24bitnes is a music tracker software for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It is a fork of the popular FamiTracker, but with a focus on 24-bit sample playback. This allows for a higher fidelity sound than typically achieved with the NES's native audio capabilities, which are limited to 5-bit pulse wave, triangle wave, and noise channels. 24bitnes achieves this by effectively using the NES's DPCM channel to play back pre-rendered 24-bit samples, albeit with a reduced sample rate to fit within the NES's limited memory and processing power.

The software is designed for chiptune musicians who want to push the boundaries of NES audio. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for composing, arranging, and mixing music, including a pattern editor, a sequence editor, and a mix view. Users can import and manipulate their own samples, create complex arpeggios, and utilize various effects to craft unique soundscapes. Due to the increased sample data, music created with 24bitnes often requires larger ROM sizes for NES cartridges.

24bitnes is an open-source project and is available for Windows. It has a dedicated community of users who share their creations and contribute to the software's development. While it requires a deeper understanding of both music production and NES hardware limitations, 24bitnes offers a compelling avenue for creating high-quality, sample-based music on a classic console.