Chip Maestro - Conduct NES Music, MIDI-Style!

[Nz17]

Looks like the heckuva popular new NES cartridge + software + hardware hack called the Chip Maestro (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jarek/chip-maestro-an-nes-midi-synthesizer-cartridge/) is off to a fantastic start as it has already gained backing from over 50 people who want to buy the thing, resulting in over 3000 dollars already paid toward the maker's way.

So how's it work? Check the link above for a demonstration video, but the gist of it is using computer software or a standalone piece of MIDI hardware (keyboard, etc.) to control the NES and directly create your own chiptunes without emulators. Sounds pretty good too, whether they are free-styling it or using some pre-made sheet music/MIDI tracks like the music from the Zelda or Mega Man series.

[Compute]

That's friggin awesome. If I were into synth stuff I'd totally pick one up.

[Queen Of The Felines]

Kickstarter is going to be the death of me.

[JSoup]

Pretty damn cool. Didn't know about KickStarter.

[Ryaan1234]

Ummm.... Doesn't this already exist? It's called MidiNES (http://www.wayfar.net/0xf00000_overview.php). Unless I'm missing something both MidiNES and Chip Maestro do the same thing: Allow you to control your NES's audio capabilities via MIDI.


Also, Gashisoft's free program, GXSCC (http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconValley-SanJose/8700/P/GXSCCB236/indexE.htm) emulates the NES sound chip playing a MIDI file of your choice. Not exactly on the original hardware but good if you don't want to spend 2k monies on a special cart, or spend a lot of time making one.

[Nz17]

@Ryaan1234: I can see two reasons why people are excited about this new one: first, the thing costs only $50 including shipping, where the other older one is $110 plus $12 shipping; second, while emulators are good and sometimes even sound exactly like the original, as a game player and collector you should know that there is nothing like playing on the real thing.

Besides, I imagine a lot of these are being sold as performance pieces; the audience would think it is much more impressive and cool to see someone on stage playing live music using a real NES, like the one from its childhood, than some software without a physical presence.

And the label is awesome.

[Family Computer]

The MIDINES has way better packaging / graphic design, but this one is half price and hopefully shorter waiting times to get your hands on it after they get this produced.

I am interested to see a full feature comparison between the two before deciding which one to go with.

I know the MidiNES can do some pretty cool visualizations which the Maestro can't.

Overall, a cool project though!

[Ryaan1234]

@Ryaan1234: I can see two reasons why people are excited about this new one: first, the thing costs only $50 including shipping, where the other older one is $110 plus $12 shipping
I know, I just wanted to point out that there's already one of these out there in existance. I wasn't trying to say it was better or anything (although that remains to be seen). In fact I'm considering backing this guy at the $50 level because I've been wanting a cartridge like this.


second, while emulators are good and sometimes even sound exactly like the original, as a game player and collector you should know that there is nothing like playing on the real thing.
Again, I just wanted to point out the emulator for someone who doesn't want to spend $50 OR $110 on an NES MIDI cart. It may be just an emulator but it's free.

[Nz17]

So what you're saying is... calm the beef min? ;) I gotcha, and thanks for the info.


132 Backers
$7,362 pledged of $1,150 goal
25 days to go

Holy crackers, that thing has skyrocketed in the past few days! I don't know how much of the difference is due to me posting here, but I feel like I helped make this project a success.