Make NES Music With LMMS

LMMS has a module named Nescaline that reproduces NES sound.

We are going to use this free music production software, to make music, 8bit style!

• First we will take a look at LMMS interface
• Then we will learn how to create a pattern
• Finally, we will create our song

We are going to use a premade session already setup to make NES music.

• Download LMMS : https://lmms.io/
• Download the NES session http://nes.madnerd.org
• Open nes.mmpz

There are also examples, check them out!

As always all documentation/files are available on github in english/french : http://github.com/tutoblender/lmms_nes

Before we start, let's take a look at LMMS Interface, if you have already use Fruity Loop, this should looks familiar.

• Piano Roll : where you create a pattern : a group of notes
• Song Editor : where you use your patterns to create a song
• FX Mixer : where you can set the volume of each instruments
• Instruments : Click on CH1/CH2/CH3/CH4 in the song editor to display the instruments.

Here we have 4 instruments, each instruments is assigned to the 4 channels of our nes

• CH1 / CH2 generates pulse wave, for the melody
• CH3 generates triangle wave, for the bass
• CH4 generates noise, for the percussions

For more information, check out this two videos on youtube

• explod2A03 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la3coK5pq5w
• 8-bit guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la3coK5pq5w

We will now see how to create a pattern, each pattern consists of 1 or more measure.

To create a pattern, go to the song editor :

• Click on an empty box on the instrument you want
• Double-click on the box to display it in the piano roll

We can now create our pattern in the piano roll.

• Create a note: Left-Click on the piano roll
• Move a note: Left-Click on a note
• Resize a note: Left-Click on the right corner of the note
• Delete a note: Right-Click
• Play the pattern : Space bar

If you want to hear all the patterns:
Click on the song editor and press the Space Bar

Create a loop

By default, the song will not loop

• Turn on/off loop : Left click on the two green triangles (Enable/Disable loop points)
• Move loop start : Middle-click
• Move loop end : Right click

Copy/Paste a pattern

• Left-Click on an empty box where you want to copy your pattern
• Right-Click on the pattern / Copy
• Right-Click on the empty pattern / Paste

You can erase a pattern with a middle click

Click on CH1/CH2/CH3/CH4 in the song editor to display the instruments.

Try to modify each instruments, each channel is on his own line.

• VOL : Volume
• CRS : Tuning (Note by note) (1 --> C3 become C#3)
• ENV/LEN : Reduce length of note
• ∞ : Repeat note
• Width : Change sound
• Sweep/AMT/Rate : Change pitch of notes progressively
• Note : Noise changes depending of note
• Mode : Noise sounds more metallic

Here for the basis, I hope it's inspired you to make rad old-school music (It's so bad!)

If you made a music using this tutorial, Please post it in the comments!