Chiptune Revolution: How to Make Authentic 8-Bit Music Online for Free

There is a timeless, magnetic charm to the bleeps, bloops, and square-wave melodies of classic video games. From the bouncy overworld themes of Super Mario Bros. to the haunting, driving chunes of Mega Man, 8-bit music defined the childhoods of millions and birthed an entire subculture of electronic music known as chiptune.

Today, you don’t need a vintage Game Boy, a dusty NES console, or expensive, complex digital audio workstations (DAWs) to join in on the fun. A thriving ecosystem of browser-based, free 8-bit music makers allows anyone—from absolute beginners to seasoned beatmakers—to compose retro soundtracks right inside their web browser.