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Im looking to buy a better sounding keyboard but I need one that not only has a good sound but has the square lead instrument setting for 8-bit music. p.s. I really like the yamaha p155 but I have no idea if it has the square lead. If anyone has one can they tell me if it has a square lead setting or at least a good 8-bit sounding one?
How would you define "a good square lead"? My experience has been that most of the keyboards from the leading manufacturers will have a decent square lead. I'm not sure what you've tried, and what hasn't worked for you.
Keys: Yamaha GC2, Casio Privia PX-5s, Roland RD800, Alesis VI61, Yamaha YC61, Pianoteq 7.0, Native Instruments, Gig Performer My motto: Play and Let Play!
An example of one im looking for would be one that sounds like any 8 bit song. the keyboard that I use for square lead at the moment is the yamaha ypg 535
todday, I believe '8-bit' is referring to the computer architecture used to create this music in the 80s/90s, rather than the bit-depth of the samples.
There are a bunch of very gritty "lead synth" sounds on my microKorg XL+. And one of the effects (or oscillators, I forget which) is "8 bit granular". [It's funny how the meaning of "vintage sound" changes over time.]
You can control the microKorg from any other keyboard via MIDI. It has a full 88-note range in the sound generator, even though its own keyboard is 37 keys.
. Charles
PS -- I guess many other inexpensive, and/or "vintage" synths, would have the same kind of sound, and a MIDI port.
. Charles --------------------------- PX-350 / Roland Gaia / Pianoteq
I agree with Jay the SH-01 GAIA is very good choice. Another good choice is the XW-P1 from Casio, I have one and its an excellent synth. I like the korgs but could never get past the mini-keys being that I am a full sized adult. But if I were a hobbit
A long long time ago, I can still remember How that music used to make me smile....
I am working on an 80's arcade project, so I have been working with some chip tune synths. I have a lot of suggestions for you ranging from FREE to $500.
These are the ones I am currently using:
+1 on the XW-P1 for making Chip Tunes. This video is pretty cool- all the music and sound effects (except the end credits) were made on the XW-P1. (The XW-G1 can do the same sounds, but adds sampling.)
If you want to be a purists, the AY3 chip tune synth by Alex Smith is very fun and packs a lot of features into a little box:
todday, I believe '8-bit' is referring to the computer architecture used to create this music in the 80s/90s, rather than the bit-depth of the samples.
This is amazing! We've had 30 years of complex wavetables and full-blown samples available - much longer with filters to hone down a sound, yet many people still prefer naked pulse waves of the sort you used to get on those 1970's novelty electronic door bells with 8 variations.
It's the most primitive of electronic sounds having no subtlety or naturalness. Yet a whole scene appears to have grown up based on a sound which was only used because of the extreme limitations of the technology of the time.
I suppose it's the equivalent of preferring great blocks of colour rather than detailed interpretations of reality such as impressionism. It's music done in Roy Lichtenstein style.....or just nostalgia?
Toddy, It's amazing, we have all these incredible computers and digital media software, and yet some people still use pencils to make art. You're probably right that nostalgia is a huge part of it, but I think another part is simply that some artists like the challenge of using limited tools to create their art.
fizkisto - yes, you're right - limiting your materials is a great spur to creativity, and that is probably another big reason for 8-bit's popularity.
Though your point about artists using pencils would be an argument for going back to real pianos, clarinets and triangles (rather than square, sawtooth and triangle waves).
Real acoustic instruments.... that's also a most excellent idea! (says the man who's just pulled the trigger on the Komplete Ultimate suit of digital goodies in Native Instrument's summer sale)
ps - the pieces Scott Hamlin posted up above are truly impressive. Limitation is another mother of invention.
You're probably right that nostalgia is a huge part of it, but I think another part is simply that some artists like the challenge of using limited tools to create their art.