We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

FamiStudio, a pretty fun looking program designed for people making chiptune music and NES homebrewers recently had a big new release and it came with their first Linux build.

Quite an impressive feature set too with it being able to export to various formats, not only that though the editor itself has some sweet features. Some you would expect like Copy/Paste and Undo/Redo along with Volume, fine pitch, vibrato effect tracks and more. The latest release adds in some great sounding features too (on top of Linux support) like trackpad controls, a command-line interface, extended MIDI keyboard support, improved WAV export and import of instruments from any supported format.

This is actually really cool, take a look at their fresh trailer for the update:

YouTube Thumbnail
YouTube videos require cookies, you must accept their cookies to view. View cookie preferences.
Accept Cookies & Show   Direct Link

For Linux it requires Mono and gtk-sharp2 installed. In my initial testing, it seemed to work quite nicely and appears to be quite a streamlined and fun retro music making application.

Not only is it free to download from the official site, it's also open source software! You can see the innards up on GitHub under the MIT license.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
15 Likes
About the author -
author picture
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
17 comments
Page: 1/2»
  Go to:

wvstolzing Jul 1, 2020
Looks great. I wish something similar existed for the C64 SID.
kokoko3k Jul 1, 2020
Quoting: wvstolzingLooks great. I wish something similar existed for the C64 SID.
lmms with c64 instrument:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEqc8yC4m4s
This one went in depth with the SID emulator (didn't found in english, sorry)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xrsfVPiVoA


Last edited by kokoko3k on 1 July 2020 at 1:12 pm UTC
axredneck Jul 1, 2020
Is there any tool for creating "tracker" music, like OpenMPT but with sequencer-like interface and piano roll?


Last edited by axredneck on 1 July 2020 at 6:09 pm UTC
axredneck Jul 1, 2020
Quoting: GuestLooks great. Like a MOD tracker in better. If only i knew how to compose music. Even small time music i would love to learn that.

Edit: Oh, i googled and they are plenty of free courses on the web ! Can anyone knowledgeable tell me if it is a practical way of learning some music or just a loss of time? I always thought you had to go to a music academy and stuff at minimum.
Yes, in order to create music You need to know some stuff about it, also You need an ear for music.
slaapliedje Jul 1, 2020
Quoting: wvstolzingLooks great. I wish something similar existed for the C64 SID.
Needs more POKEY. :)
Dunc Jul 1, 2020
Quoting: axredneckYes, in order to create music You need to know some stuff about it, also You need an ear for music.
True, but one of the things I discovered very early on with MOD trackers is that you don't really need to know much to at least have a bit of fun. The great thing about sequencing is that you don't even have to be able to play in real time, and you can fix anything that sounds wrong.

I mean, after almost 30 years I can count the number of tracks I've done that I wouldn't mind other people hearing on the fingers of one hand (and most of those aren't “finished”, in the sense that they're just 8-12 bar loops that I mix in real time, rather than songs with a beginning, middle, and end), but I enjoy messing around with them. I find “real” sequencers a lot harder to get along with.

Dedale, I'd say if you remember anything from school - the scale, keys, basic harmony and rhythm - just grab a tracker and dive in. Use headphones so nobody can hear, and just see what sounds good.

That said, if you do want to learn “properly”, so did Shamus Young, so that might be a good place to start.
furaxhornyx Jul 2, 2020
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: GuestEdit: Oh, i googled and they are plenty of free courses on the web ! Can anyone knowledgeable tell me if it is a practical way of learning some music or just a loss of time? I always thought you had to go to a music academy and stuff at minimum.

Well, I know nothing about music theory, nor do I know how to play an instrument, but that doesn't prevent me from toying around. It depends on what you want to achieve, I guess
kokoko3k Jul 2, 2020
Quoting: axredneckIs there any tool for creating "tracker" music, like OpenMPT but with sequencer-like interface and piano roll?
What do you mean?
There is no "tracker" music... i mean you can create any kind of music with trackers and sequencers, they are just tools.
furaxhornyx Jul 2, 2020
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: kokoko3k
Quoting: axredneckIs there any tool for creating "tracker" music, like OpenMPT but with sequencer-like interface and piano roll?
What do you mean?
There is no "tracker" music... i mean you can create any kind of music with trackers and sequencers, they are just tools.

Unless he was thinking about creating files in .xm, .it, .mod... format, which are lighter than mp3 files ?
axredneck Jul 2, 2020
Quoting: kokoko3k
Quoting: axredneckIs there any tool for creating "tracker" music, like OpenMPT but with sequencer-like interface and piano roll?
What do you mean?
There is no "tracker" music... i mean you can create any kind of music with trackers and sequencers, they are just tools.
Create .xm, .it, .vgm files with piano roll.
.mid files are small and i can create them with Muse but they sound differently on different devices.
.nsf files are small too and i can create them with FamiStudio but they sound too "simple".
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.