KiraStudio

What it does

A self-contained multitrack DAW aimed at 8-bit and chiptune writing. Tracks are built from console-style generators, NES, Famicom, Game Boy and Yamaha FM operators, plus generic waveforms and loadable soundfonts, and are edited in a piano roll with linked or independent pattern blocks. Per-track and master effect chains cover filters, EQ, reverb and chorus, and projects export as WAV, OGG or MIDI. Projects also open on Mac, Windows and Android.

In the demo

Jade taps in drums, chords and a melody by hand, then converts a chord into a chiptune arpeggio and draws slide notes between pitches. She shows the difference between linked and copied blocks, and edits per-note velocity from the parameter lane.

Worth knowing

It is not an AUv3 and it will not host AUv3s, and there is no external MIDI keyboard input, so every note is drawn or tapped in. Jade notes the online documentation is still unfinished in places.