GetLoFi Chiptone Generator (Sneak Preview)

This is a sneak preview of the GetLoFi Chiptone Generator, an upcoming product from GetLoFi:

This is a random melody generator with very basic control, simply flick a switch and the current random 8 step melody will latch on and playback indefinitely. To change up the notes simply reverse the switch and during the period of silence the internal CPU will come up with another mind bending chip tone melody.

Powered by a 12F675 PIC microcontroller and a 3Volt coin cell battery this electronic effect is super compact and simple to assemble.

Pricing and availability are to be announced.

7 thoughts on “GetLoFi Chiptone Generator (Sneak Preview)

  1. Obviously very easy to use.

    I like this because randomness is one of the things you rarely see in hardware but is now commonplace in vst's. Everytime you flip the switch you get a completely new sequence which is exciting, kind of like Buchla's source of uncertainty module.

    It could be integrated into a modular system and used as a carrier wave for other sounds.

    The problem is it doesn't appear as if it can midi-out or be set to play a certain key which really limits it from being anything more than a toy. But I like the direction they're going and I'd like to see more.

  2. If you are familiar with other GetLoFi products, you’d see that they are typically meant to be starting blocks for other projects but can be used as stand alone instruments. They are usually hackable and do not cost very much at all. The whole point is to get lofi…as far as midi goes, it would probably take a arduino based module to get that going. Also, GetLoFi stuff is usually sold in kit form so that means that it’s probably going to be inexpensive and relatively simpe to assemble.

    It would be cool to see some way of controlling the device to keep it from being completely random, though. Maybe with some other kits from GetLoFi like the 555 timer kit for an LFO or the LTC1799 Oscilator for clock manipulation?

  3. Honest to Christ, I am so fucking sick of lofi/chip music. ffs. I'd rather drink my own urine than have to listen to any more of it..

  4. There appears to be a certain market for this bit of kit, I just don't think I'm one of 'em. I love the idea of randomness, but I'm already bored with this thing just from the video. Having said that, I do appreciate the DIY approach here, we've been seeing more and more DIY instruments crop up as Arduino gets popular, and as musicians starts dabbling in actual electronics / circuitry. Too bad they all end up sounding like circuit bent furbies.

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