How to recreate these 1980s-style pieces?

Hi folks. Not sure if this is the correct forum to post this in, so bear with me.

How would you go about recreating these 1980s-style tracks?

The first is in the style of an old 8-bit cartridge console soundtrack (though perhaps the 30-second preview we are stuck with does not adequately demonstrate that?):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GRGMDYX/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk1

The second is very much 1980s TV/film soundtrack:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C61PLX2/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk1

I have SONAR X3 as my DAW, but frankly I'm not impressed with its MIDI editor (I used to use SONAR 5 which was awesome and simple, but Windows 10 did not like it).

I also have Reaper on trial version.

Just wondering what VST instruments to plug into this now, and how to set up the general track structure.

If this is not the best forum for this, can you please point me somewhere else?

Thanks! 😀

The first example doesn't really sound authentically-Chiptune to me. The best way to emulate Chiptunes is to just use the same patches from the soundcards of old video game consoles; luckily, they've made a series of VSTs that do just that.

http://www.superaudiocart.com/ 

They have ones for consoles (audio cart), gameboy and PC.

For 80s-style chiptunes, you'd also want to compose with the limitations of the NES in mind. The NES did not allow for polyphonic channels, and you only had 3 channels for oscillators, with the fourth being white noise for a drum kit. This means you'd want to write contrapuntally or in 3-part harmony if you're aiming for authenticity.

For your second example, you'd want to use emulations (or the real thing) of synths like the Yamaha DX-7, Roland Juno 106, Jupiter 8 and for drums: The Linn LM-1. Tons of emulations exist of these things.

With the drums, the stereotypical-80s approach was to send the snare and toms into a freakin' massive reverb and then put a gate on the reverb so it cuts the tail off quickly. 

Other than that, they added chorus and delay to many lead sounds, pads, etc. 

Structurally, it was no different than modern pop music.

Thanks very much for that helpful answer, AngelCityOutlaw!

I am not looking to create authentic chiptunes but rather mimic the style in the links (these tunes were written for slot machines, something I'm potentially interested in).

Can I ask what MIDI editor you use, and which drum sequencer? Potentially I will be working entirely in MIDI so won't need a fancy DAW.

Thanks!

10 hours ago, BobbyBadass said:

Thanks very much for that helpful answer, AngelCityOutlaw!

I am not looking to create authentic chiptunes but rather mimic the style in the links (these tunes were written for slot machines, something I'm potentially interested in).

Can I ask what MIDI editor you use, and which drum sequencer? Potentially I will be working entirely in MIDI so won't need a fancy DAW.

Thanks!

Well, the MIDI sequencer I use was just the one in Reaper, which is still a DAW. Though, I'm oldschool and usually compose first with notation. 

Also, all of the emulations and VSTs I know of only run in DAWs, so I'm afraid I can't recommend any good, retro-style MIDI trackers. However, if you head over to Blue Stahli's YouTube channel, I know he's done some work with MIDI trackers and has videos of which ones he's used.

To clarify, by "fancy DAW" I meant something with massive CPU overheads like Pro Tools. I have Reaper so will go forward with that.

I will check out Blue Stahli, too. Thanks very much! 🙂