Bitpop

Bitpop is a type of electronic music, where at least part of the music is made using old 8-bit computers and video game consoles. Among systems used are Commodore 64, Game Boy, Atari 2600 and Nintendo Entertainment System. The sounds produced from these systems can be combined to any degree with traditional instruments such as guitar and drums, modern synthesizers and drum machines or vocals and sounds effects. Some artists use software based emulators or virtual synthesizers to recreate the sounds of 8-bit systems. While some use hardware synths which use the actual sound chips from those systems, such as the Sidstation and Midibox.

Origins

The term bitpop was coined by those artists who separated themselves from pure Chiptune as they used more modern production styles and equipment. The name has also been considered as a pun on britpop and the word bit.

Bitpop uses a mixture of old and new equipment often resulting a sound which is unlike Chiptune although containing 8-bit sourced sounds. For example, a bitpop production may be composed almost entirely of 8-bit sounds but with a live vocal, or overlaid live guitars. Conversely, a bitpop production may be composed almost entirely of live vocals and instruments, but feature a bassline or lead melody provided by an 8-bit device.^{[1][2] [3]}

Misconceptions

Due to the use of "pop" in the name, Bitpop is sometimes mistaken for a popular music genre rather than a production style.

There is a common misconception that Bitpop is the same as Chiptune or 8-bit music. The key difference between the production styles is that Chiptune uses genuine vintage 8-bit equipment exclusively, with little or no post processing with modern equipment.

Related genres are chiptune, Gamewave, Picopop, and electropop.

See also

• Chiptune
• SIDstation
• Circuit bending
• List of electronic music genres
• 8-bit (music)
• Game Boy music

External Links

Audio samples of Bitpop

	"Anamanaguchi - Helix Nebula" A typical example of the style of bitpop, note the electronic style reminiscent of that from 8-bit consoles due to the prominence of square and triangular waveforms.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Notable bitpop artists

• She [4]
• 8 Bit Weapon [5]
• StarScream [6]
• ComputerHer [7]
• Anamanaguchi [8]
• Binäerpilot [9]
• Paza [10]
• Goto80 [11]
• 8bit Betty [12]
• CP80 - [13]
• Coleco [14]
• Zabutom [15]

Resources and communities

• Last.FM Bitpop Tag [16]
• 8 Bit Peoples [17]
• 8 Bit Collective [18]
• Bitpop [19]

References

1. ^ What is Bitpop [1]
2. ^ The Rise of Bitpop [2]
3. ^ Listen to Bitpop [3]

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