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Description

Dive into a world of retro sound with Plogue chipsounds, a versatile synth plugin designed to emulate classic chiptune hardware. Perfect for musicians and producers who cherish the nostalgic tones of vintage video game consoles, computers, and arcade systems, chipsounds delivers authentic 8-bit and 16-bit sounds right to your digital audio workstation. This plugin meticulously replicates the sound engines of legendary hardware like the Commodore 64, Nintendo NES, and Atari 2600, among others, allowing you to recreate or innovate with the iconic soundscapes of the past.

Plogue chipsounds stands out not just for its authenticity but also for its flexibility, offering a range of customization options. With an intuitive interface, you can easily navigate through its features, tweaking parameters to create unique sounds or simply selecting from the array of preset voices for instant inspiration. Whether you’re crafting the perfect soundtrack for a retro-themed project or experimenting with hybrid genres, chipsounds provides a robust toolkit for creative exploration.

Key Features:

  • Emulates the sound of 15 classic chips from vintage consoles and computers
  • Includes a comprehensive library of over 100 preset sounds
  • Compatible with major DAWs on both Windows and macOS platforms
  • Real-time control and modulation for dynamic sound creation
  • MIDI learn feature for seamless integration with your hardware controllers
  • Advanced effects and processing options for sound enhancement
  • Supports 64-bit VST, RTAS, and AU plugin formats
Plogue Art et Technologie, Inc.

Plogue Art et Technologie, Inc.

chipsounds 1.6 | 8-bit Software Synth | VST/AU/RTAS Plug-In

Video thumbnail for chipsounds 1.6 | 8-bit Software Synth | VST/AU/RTAS Plug-In by Plogue Art et Technologie, Inc.

chipsounds 1.6 | 8-bit Software Synth | VST/AU/RTAS Plug-In

Plogue Art et Technologie, Inc.

Plogue Art et Technologie, Inc.

Video thumbnail for Plogue Chipsounds review - retrogaming nostalgia by TORLEY

Plogue Chipsounds review - retrogaming nostalgia

TORLEY

TORLEY

Video thumbnail for chipsounds : saving endangered chip species! by Plogue Art et Technologie, Inc.

chipsounds : saving endangered chip species!

Plogue Art et Technologie, Inc.

Plogue Art et Technologie, Inc.

Video thumbnail for CUCKOO demoing Plogue Chipsounds plug-in by True Cuckoo

CUCKOO demoing Plogue Chipsounds plug-in

True Cuckoo

True Cuckoo

Video thumbnail for Plogue chipsounds running on VMachine Hardware by plgDavid

Plogue chipsounds running on VMachine Hardware

plgDavid

plgDavid

Video thumbnail for Plogue Chipsounds WaveTable Tutorial by Jay Beatscribe

Plogue Chipsounds WaveTable Tutorial

Jay Beatscribe

Jay Beatscribe

Video thumbnail for CHIPSOUNDS DEMO by RockoNCompany

CHIPSOUNDS DEMO

RockoNCompany

RockoNCompany

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Plogue chipsounds.

Features and functionality

  • Chipsounds has low CPU usage, running smoothly on older machines like a Dell Dimension 5150 with 512MB RAM, even alongside other intensive VSTs.

    Source
  • Chipsounds is specifically a synth/sampler emulating vintage consoles, differentiating it from effect units.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Despite its $95 price tag, the software is considered a bargain for the dedication and work involved in its development.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Used extensively for both intense chiptune and subtle music passages, becoming a staple for users deeply involved in chip music production.

    Source
  • Ideal for those integrating chiptune sounds into broader music styles, not just dedicated chiptune projects.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Chipsounds offers a broader range of chip emulations, including NES and SID, while Chipsynth SFC is focused on SNES emulation, which acts more like a primitive sampler.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Plogue Chipsounds review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Plogue Chipsounds is a must-have for 8-bit enthusiasts, capturing the essence of nine vintage sound chips with impressive accuracy. Its vast array of chips and excellent sound quality make it a standout soft synth. However, it falls short with a limited number of presets and some subpar GUI elements. While the SID and AY emulations aren't perfect, the overall experience is nostalgic and richly detailed, offering great value for retro sound fans.

positive

Waveformless: Review: Plogue's Chipsounds

waveformless.blogspot.com

Plogue's Chipsounds is a nostalgically powerful tool for chiptune enthusiasts and adventurous electronic musicians alike. Its authentic emulation of classic computer and gaming sound chips is complemented by the ability to layer up to eight chips, creating rich, diverse sounds that go beyond simple retro tones. While the interface leaves much to be desired aesthetically, it's intuitive and skinnable. The inclusion of a wave sequencer is a standout feature, though more intuitive implementation is desired. The lack of effects beyond reverb is a minor drawback, but the raw sound quality makes up for it. Overall, Chipsounds is a must-have for those seeking unique, vintage sonic textures, with room for future enhancements.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 13 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
moogbadger

Chiptune heaven

Sound more like Crystal Castles than Crystal Castles with this plug. It's all here - the SID, the Speccy, the Atari, the Nintendo...

expus

slay me plogue

I own both chipspeech and chipsounds- chipspeech is amazing as well as chipsounds, they are both amazing plugins

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Stephen Walking uses Plogue chipsounds

Stephen Walking

Music Producer

Orbiter

...
Verified via Photo

In the description of his twitch channel, Stephen Walking lists the vsts and daws he uses, which includes Plogue chipsounds.

See how Danny Baranowsky uses Plogue chipsounds

Danny Baranowsky

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Dannybstyle

In this blog post, he says he uses Plogue chipsounds.

See how Mike Morasky uses Plogue chipsounds

Mike Morasky

Guitarist, Music Producer

DUH

...
Verified via Plogue

"Plogue chipsounds is used throughout Portal 2 and the game wouldn’t have sounded the same without it. I am a big fan."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Plogue chipsounds, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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