Arcano Systems

Products

The Arcano NES Poly Chiptune Synthesizer is a polyphonic, MIDI-controlled music synthesizer for creating NES / Famicom style chip music. The Arcano NES Poly Chiptune Synthesizer is available exclusively through Chiptune Synth LLC.

The Arcano 8-bit synth is a polyphonic, MIDI-controlled synthesizer for creating chip music in the style of the 8-bit game consoles. The synthesizer's 32 preset patches are modeled after the sounds of the NES / Famicom game consoles. The Arcano 8-bit Synth is available exclusively through Chiptune Synth LLC.

The Arcano NES Mono Chiptune Synthesizer is a monophonic music synthesizer that faithfully recreates the classic sound of the Nintendo Entertainment System's audio hardware. This MIDI-controlled chip music synthesizer module is the successor to the Arcano NES Chiptune Synth R3. The NES Mono features 8 preset waveform settings and 8 preset sound parameter settings which provide a total of 64 preset patch combinations. Furthermore, the synth enables musicians to create their own custom patches by editing the device's sound parameters using MIDI CC messages. The Arcano NES Mono Chiptune Synthesizer is sold exclusively by Chiptune Synth LLC.

The Arcano NES Chiptune Synth R3 superseded the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth II. The R3 was the first of the Arcano synthesizers to be built around a powerful audio digital signal processor core, as opposed to a general-purpose microcontroller. The R3 also introduced a number of improvements and new features that have been carried forth to the latest Arcano synthesizers including: custom patch editing using CC channels, MIDI pitch bend capability, ADSR volume envelope system, higher sample output frequency for better waveform reconstruction, band limited synthesis for reduced aliasing, reduced audio signal impedance, and a more accurate recreation of the Nintendo Entertainment System's audio signal path.

The Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth II was the successor to the original Arcano Chiptune Synth. The device featured many improvements on its predecessor including: more polyphony, more waveforms, more patches, increased bass range, improved volume envelope system for reduced latency, linearized vibrato depth, improved Mega-Man-II-style two-channel echo patches, USB power, filtered audio output, and better audio signal DC-bias removal.

Launched through a crowdfunding campaign in 2015, the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synthesizer was the first of the Arcano-series synthesizers. The synth was designed to emulate the sound of the NES / Famicom game console, allowing musicians to play the classic 8-bit video game themes live and to create their own original chiptunes.

The Arcano VCX-8 Sound Chip is a programmable sound generator (PSG) designed for use in computers, game consoles, and chiptune music synthesizers. Due to its relatively high production costs, the VCX-8 only exists as a small batch of prototypes, and there are currently no plans for a production run or a public release for the programmable sound generator chip.

Gem-8 is an 8-bit, WiFi-enabled personal computer and chiptune music synthesizer inspired by the home computers of the 1980s like the Commodore 64, the Apple IIe, and the ZX Spectrum. Gem-8 can be used to create games, program custom applications, create music by connecting a MIDI device, connect to bulletin board services (BBS), and to control servos, lights, and relays. This 8-bit computer also includes an integrated Twitter client application and a MIDI controlled 256-color video synthesizer.

The Obscura Synth was an Arduino-compatible, USB-programmable chiptune synthesizer. Though no longer in production, the Obscura's audio synthesis engine became the basis of the Gem-8 Computer's integrated MIDI synthesizer.

The Arcano MIDI Controller Board is an AVR-microcontroller-based device that allows makers and musicians to easily create their own custom MIDI controllers by simply connecting pushbutton switches, such as those used in arcade games. The device connects to a synthesizer via a MIDI cable or a computer via a USB MIDI interface cable. The small form factor and mounting holes make it easy to embed the Arcano MIDI Controller Board in just about any custom MIDI controller project.