FamiTracker
Original author(s)jsr
Initial release15 September 2005; 19 years ago (2005-09-15)
Stable release
0.4.6 / 4 February 2015; 9 years ago (2015-02-04)
Operating systemWindows
Available inEnglish
TypeMusic tracker
LicenseGNU General Public License
WebsiteFamiTracker.com

FamiTracker is a tracker-type music sequencer designed to emulate the sound chip of the Nintendo Entertainment System/Famicom and its related expansion chips. First released as version 0.1.2 on September 15, 2005,[1] the program was created by "jsr", a pseudonymous programmer. FamiTracker is noted for video game composer Jake "virt" Kaufman's exclusive use thereof, set in a mode where it emulates the Famicom-exclusive VRC6 expansion chip,[2] to create the entire soundtrack for the indie video game Shovel Knight. Kaufman commented on the authenticity of FamiTracker's replication of the NES' audio and its technical limitations,[3] to the point where the program is capable of exporting projects in the specific file format designed for playback on NES cartridges, known as .NSF or NES Sound Format.[4]

Release and version history

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FamiTracker was first released on September 15, 2005 as freeware under an open-source GNU General Public License, and has since been updated periodically to fix bugs, introduce new features and improve the program's overall functionality.[5] In future versions, support is planned for emulating other expansion chips such as the Sunsoft 5B/FME-7.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "FamiTracker wiki - list of FamiTracker versions". Famitracker.com. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  2. ^ Centers, Josh. "FunBITS: Shovel Knight Digs Up the Fun". TidBITS.com. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  3. ^ Nutt, Christian. "Road to the IGF: Yacht Club Games' Shovel Knight". Gamasutra.com. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  4. ^ McFerran, Damien. "Shovel Knight digs its way onto Wii U". Redbull.com. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  5. ^ "FamiTracker - older news". Famitracker.com. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  6. ^ "FamiTracker wiki - Unsupported Expansions". Famitracker.com. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
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