Chipsounds

Chipsounds is a software instrument developed by Plogue Art et Technologie that emulates a selection of classic sound chips used in vintage video game consoles and computers. It enables musicians to recreate authentic retro timbres within modern digital audio workstations. Rather than sampling from real hardware, Chipsounds uses high-precision software emulation to reproduce the characteristic behavior of each chip.

Chipsounds emulates widely used hardware from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras, including the sound chips found in popular consoles and computers such as the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Commodore 64, and the Game Boy, among others. The emulations include their distinctive waveforms, envelopes, noise channels, and pulse or sawtooth oscillators, capturing the quirky tonal qualities that define classic chiptune sounds.

The instrument is available as a plug-in in common formats (VST and AU) and can also run as a standalone application, working with both Windows and macOS. It supports MIDI input and provides a patch-based interface, allowing users to browse instrument banks or craft and save custom patches. Users adjust parameters related to each chip’s voice, including envelope, pitch, and volume, and route outputs within a host for effects processing and mixing.

Chipsounds has been adopted by researchers, composers, and chiptune artists seeking retro authenticity in film scores, games, and electronic music. Its design aims to balance faithful emulation with practical usability in contemporary production workflows.