LOW STAKES
open 24/7
19 April 2024
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The world is wild.
The waves feel like they're getting bigger.
The darkness feels like it is looming larger.
I have been deep in the chiptune mines, toiling away 24/7, hunting for the core, the nostalgia, the warmth in those harsh squarewaves. Trying to rediscover the joy of it all.
All I have to offer is five little M8 Tracker chiptunes.
I hope you enjoy them.
LOW STAKES
Whispering Back
8 March 2024
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Five minutes of chiptune quickly and joyously pulled from the ether with the help of a Dirtywave M8 Tracker. Entirely inspired by firebrandboy’s phenomenal ‘whisperback’ EP.
LOW STAKES
Still Out Here For Everlasting Peace (Chipbreak Revival 2024)
8 March 2024
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An attempt to help will the 2024 chipbreak revival wave into existence.
firebrandboy
whisperback
1 March 2024
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firebrandboy’s whisperback is an homage to the sounds of sabrepulse and saskrotch in tribute to the raw energy of mid-2000s chipbreak.
firebrandboy
songs for skateboarding
9 February 2024
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firebrandboy, deeply immersed in skateboarding culture, presents ‘songs for skateboarding’, an EP where funky beats meet the crisp sounds of chiptune. This collection stands out as a raw, DIY expression of skateboarding spirit, with chiptune serving not as a throwback, but as a modern musical medium.
MeaTTraY
Corpirate Eora
8 December 2023
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Learn the sound of the Eora electronic underground resistance with the help of MeaTTraY.
Dot.AY + little-scale
Loom
3 November 2023
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Originally released in 2011, this project was the result of an intensive weekend of collaboration between little-scale and Dot.AY. Initially as a way to test and prototype the capabilities of the not yet completed GenMDM Mega Drive MIDI Interface they used 8 Sega Mega Drives (Genesis) for a total of 80 channels of chiptune hardware. The result is a lush, symphonic and experimental ode to FM synthesis.
A video of the 8 Mega Drives in action can be found here.
BORRIS BECKER
First Serve
6 October 2023
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”BORIS BECKER are the once and future masters of 6-dimensional concept band chess. They're the band you didn't know you wanted, yet at the very same time, the band you won't have known you will one day want. These songs are cleverly written, catchy, and easy to sing along to (and even easier yet to sing along to whilst holding the meticulously-assembled fanzine). This lifelong fan eagerly awaits this band's impending collaboration with the real Boris Becker. Favorite track: Agassi Clearly Now (My Hair Has Gone).”
- bryface
Classic Mistake
Rockets / Gunnpod
22 September 2023
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Classic Mistake returns in 2023 with 2 new tracks, expanding his sound palate and soaring to new heights.
Rockets tears through space with a Nintendo Game Boy strapped to its exterior, paying tribute to electro, trance and rocket league aerial manoeuvres. Gunnpod guides listeners into darker territories where hazy nanoloop mono melodies and drum patterns are resampled and recut for display.
Thanks to everyone that has supported my music over the years. I'm releasing this music for you and for everyone I've met along the way.
Both tracks are written with nanoloop mono for the Nintendo Game Boy and the Elektron Digitakt.
Various Artists
Handheld Breaks
15 September 2023
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Hedonist and 10k/LOW STAKES decided at a Nanoloop and LSDJ workshop that they wanted to put out a compilation. The result is a collection of tracks from the Australian scene which represent the interesting intersection of breakcore, chiptune, handheld music, post-chiptune, and a heavy DIY mindset.
All profits from digital Bandcamp sales of this compilation will go to The Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS). The ALS is a community-based organisation that provides legal services to Indigenous Australians across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The ALS is in no way affiliated with this compilation's release.
0F.digital
palaqara
25 August 2023
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palaqara is a new collection of abstract electronic pieces from Melbourne’s 0F.digital, for year of our lord 2023.
water nomad lifestyle
languages other than acid
21 July 2023
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Five lessons undertaken in an attempt to teach a Roland tb-03 a new language. Conducted August 15, 2021. Originally released October 30, 2022.
LOW STAKES
M8s and Beat Tapes
14 July 2023
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A collection of the more lo-fi beats, moody and relaxing end of LOW STAKES' M8 and modular expressions. Recorded straight from the live rig! The stakes could not be lower!
Features input from both DirtBaby and sleepy_nice.
Dot.AY and Tom Foolery and the Family Jewellery
Footworkn’t EP
14 Apr 2023
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This unreleased split EP was created while Alex (Dot.AY) had a broken ankle in 2018 (it is thought) from a concept he and Warwick (Tom Foolery) wanted to try; making some raw 160bpm Game Boy tracks using Nanoloop Mono and LSDJ samples.
The result was recorded live down onto 4 track cassette and left to marinate. Now it’s been dug up from the archives and shared with the world because its pretty fun and fuzzy.
LOW STAKES
And One
7 Apr 2023
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And One is the spiritual successor to the two 'm8tracker junglist' releases. All tracks sequenced on the m8tracker incorporating sounds from the JX-8P, SH-101, PSR-32 and modular.
LOW STAKES
WET / RPT
24 Mar 2023
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A pair of m8 tracker and modular synth tracks inspired by Eprom's robotsextape, with a bonus glunk remix from firebrandboy. Most sounds were made with the noise engineering BIA, for those that are interested.
LOW STAKES
idk / Late
10 Mar 2023
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Third in a series of two trackers from LOW STAKES using the m8 tracker, Vector Wave, JX-8P and PSR-32. Keeping the stakes low and the releases flowing.
LOW STAKES
Chi Boogie / Checkin’
24 Feb 2023
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Another two new tracks from LOW STAKES using the m8 tracker, Vector Wave, JX-8P and PSR-32. An (ongoing) ode to the sounds of Chicago’s legendary Teklife crew.
RIP Rashad.
MeaTTraY
P@SSWRRD : SL@NK (Sides A and B)
10 Feb 2023
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Firing out of the underground with twenty three tracks split over an A and B side, Sydney electronic music hero MeaTTraY is back!
Derris-Kharlan
Rogue Singularity OST
11 Nov 2022
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The Derris-Kharlan produced soundtrack to Rogue Singluarity, an indie game developed by Considerable Content, is finally hitting streaming services. The tracks brilliantly capture the high-speed infinite obstacle course, through which you navigate the perils at the edge of a rogue singularity as it tears worlds apart!
Also available on bandcamp.
Derris-Kharlan
Drawkanoid OST
7 Oct 2022
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Derris-Kharlan produced the soundtrack to Drawkanoid, a video game best described as “hyperspeed neon brick-breaking with bullet time and explosions, ludicrous powerups and multiple game modes.” In 2022 it finally hits streaming services for fans to enjoy!
Also available on bandcamp.
water nomad lifestyle
Ciat Drone Vol. 1
30 Sep 2022
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A collection of layered noise drone loops recorded from Ciat Lonbarde Rollz and ultrasound filters, curated into existence over the course of early September, 2020.
Also available on bandcamp.
water nomad lifestyle
Autonomy
23 Sep 2022
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Self-generating Nord Modular patches given life on the evening of the fifth of June, 2018.
Also available on bandcamp.
water nomad lifestyle
Deadlock
16 Sep 2022
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Deadlock was made between the hours of five and eight, whilst it rained, on the evening of the eleventh of May, 2018.
Also available on bandcamp.
Derris-Kharlan
Dungeon Dashers OST
9 Sep 2022
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Apple Music
Dungeon Dashers was a turn-based, co-operative, table-top-style dungeon crawler that hit Steam for early access in 2013. It was well received in its early form, but was sadly destined to never see the light of day as a completed project.
Melbourne Game Music Composer, Derris-Kharlan, produced a fully fledged soundtrack for the game, and a decade after Dungeon Dashers was left behind due to irreconcilable game engine complexities, the original soundtrack emerges for fans of VGM and chiptune to enjoy in new contexts.
Also available on bandcamp.
Decadent Discord
Empyrean
19 Aug 2022
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Empyrean is the first album by eclectic instrumentalist Decadent Discord and was recorded in isolation during the first Covid-19 lockdown in NSW. Reflecting on the year that was 2020, Empyrean stretches across a vast sonic landscape drawing influence from ambient as well as Berlin-School. Through this lens, Empyrean is a cosmic trip through fire, exploring themes of isolation, meditation, radical acceptance and transcendence.
Empyrean was originally released on bandcamp. The track ‘Be Here Now’ was previously released on the New Weird Australia curated, ‘Space Between Space’ compilation.
MeaTTray
155@2204
12 Aug 2022
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An album of footworky songs made using a bunch of gear picked up over years of playing. It's been heavily inspired by local artists making noisey, hands on machine music with beats (Lucy Cliche, Enderie, Low Flung), footwork records (DJ Rashad, RP Boo, Taso), particular tapes put out by Nice Music and Altered States (Papaphilia, Match Fixer, Suburban Cracked Collective) and Memphis Hip-Hop (DJ Paul, DJ Zirk, DJ Sqeeky).
Originally released on bandcamp.
MeaTTray
ket@kick@ns
12 Aug 2022
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”This is a collection of dance tunes that I could imagine being played over the PA between bands at the DIY shows in Sydney that I grew up going to and playing at. I wanted the songs to sound like the cassette mixtapes of hip-hop, hardcore punk, and heavy metal that I listened to on my walkmans and boom-boxes growing up. The tracks are saturated with delicately engineered distortion, reverb, chorus, and phasing (that Sydney underground sound).” - MeaTTray, 2022.
Originally released on bandcamp.
MeaTTray
SydStr
12 Aug 2022
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The sights, sounds, and smells of Sydney shimmering off a silver 1970s Celica. Primarily inspired by Memphis hip-hop, Detroit techno, footwork, Chicago house, UK dubstep, and Sydney underground. Originally released on bandcamp.
godinpants
no breads no masters
8 Jun 2022
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You ever get a medical diagnosis that completely shifts the direction of your diet and now you can't eat any of your favourite things anymore? That. Originally released on bandcamp.
Alex Yabsley
Northern NSW
29 Apr 2022
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Alex Yabsley is known by many names (Dot.AY and Alligator Williams, amongst others) and for wearing many hats. In 2021 he began collecting the local sounds of Australia - here are some of the resulting recordings from Northern New South Wales.
Alex Yabsley
Around Victoria
22 Apr 2022
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Alex Yabsley is known by many names (Dot.AY and Alligator Williams, amongst others) and for wearing many hats. In 2021 he began collecting the local sounds of Australia - here are some of the resulting recordings from regional Victoria.
Alex Yabsley
Melbourne Lockdown Dusk
15 Apr 2022
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Alex Yabsley is known by many names (Dot.AY and Alligator Williams, amongst others) and for wearing many hats. In 2021 he began collecting the local sounds of Australia - here are some of the resulting recordings from Melbourne during lockdowns.
snottdog
music doer
25 Mar 2022
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A collection of single session, minimally structured, wonky tracks written for snotter’s 2022 #weeklybeats campaign. Also available on bandcamp.
0F.digital
Live at Radio Bar
18 Mar 2022
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Recorded live at Radio Bar Fitzroy, 26th October 2019, as part of Breakcore Australia's "Can I Get An Amen #7" show using the Elektron Monomachine and Empress ZOIA. Originally released on bandcamp.
0F.digital
GOTHWORK
11 Mar 2022
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More minimal, abstract and industrially compacted Nanoloop 2.8.2 music from Melbourne’s 0F.digital. This release originally appeared on bandcamp in 2019.
0F.digital
2,3
4 Mar 2022
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Recorded live at Melbourne Chiptune Academy, Bar SK, Collingwood on the 23rd of November 2018.
Octatrack + Monomachine, no edits, no external processing. This release is also available on bandcamp.
LOW STAKES
m8tracker junglist II
4 Mar 2022
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It's a hardware tracker and modular synth jerkoff session; raw, unthought, barely mastered, definitely unmixed, state of flow style stuff. Hopefully you can tolerate it! This release is also available on bandcamp.
0F.digital
STTC
25 Feb 2022
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Two hours of pounding minimalist un-techno, all created with Nanoloop for Game Boy Advance, originally released in 2016 and remastered and expanded in 2019. This release is also available via Memory Glands on bandcamp.
0F.digital
veleplexure
18 Feb 2022
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Previously unreleased 2015 album from Melbourne-based, idm/abstract, audio-visual designer, 0F.digital.
LOW STAKES
m8tracker junglist
11 Feb 2022
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Following on from the inspiration churned up in December collaborating with snottdog, LOW STAKES is back with more footwork and jungle inspired hardware beats. This release is also available on bandcamp.
LOW STAKES x Snottdog
Massive Stakes
17 Dec 2021
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Snottdog got a M8 tracker. A few weeks later, this collection of five jungle and footwork-infused tracks had magically formed. This release is also available on bandcamp.
Classic Mistake
Geothermal
10 Dec 2021
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Classic Mistake explores house music by moulding the low fidelity sounds of unassuming handheld technology, like Nanoloop 2.0 on the Game Boy Advanced, into carefully constructed live arrangements. It was originally released in 2018 and is also available on bandcamp.
Classic Mistake
Mates Rates
10 Dec 2021
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Mates Rates is a cheap and nasty piece of work slapped together by Perth artist Classic Mistake. These lo-fi, cost-effective dance tracks explore house and techno through the vintage lens of a Nintendo Game Boy Advance using Nanoloop 2.7. Written in apartments, on aeroplanes, or curbside in North Melbourne. Available on bandcamp.
Classic Mistake
Blind Spot
3 Dec 2021
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Debut EP from Classic Mistake. Composed in nanoloop one throughout 2014-2015, this short collection of Game Boy tracks are punctuated by hardcore punk, synthwave and trap influences. Hit it.
Originally released on OSCBOX Records.
Tom Foolery and the Family Jewellery vs Classic Mistake
Nanoloop Mono Battle
3 Dec 2021
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When an online flex turns into 3 rounds of diss tracks and becomes a live battle at Square Sounds Melbourne between the east and west coasts of Australia, this is the final result. 10 bassy Game Boy club tracks covering trap, futurebass, bassline, dancehall, drum and bass and more. Originally released on bandcamp in 2020.
LOW STAKES
M8s and 808s
26 Nov 2021
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A collection of bass-heavy, chiptune-infused, footwork-inspired, tracker jams that have been produced on the M8 Tracker, tr08 and Modular Synthesizers, recorded live to tape.
Tom Foolery and the Family Jewellery
LSDJ 4.8.5 unreleased and exclusive gems
26 Nov 2021
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Works in progress that had been sitting around on a flashcart for up to 3 years.
Having finally made the jump after a lengthy hiatus to LSDJ v8, it was time to release these remaining tracks into the world in 2020. Originally released on bandcamp.
Tom Foolery and the Family Jewellery
Naiad-15082020
19 Nov 2021
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Taking the chiptune ethos to another level, TFATFJ ties together nanoloop 2.8.2, nanoloop mono, te po-32, tascam 464 and strymon bigsky / timeline to weave together this gem. Originally released on bandcamp in 2020.
Tom Foolery and the Family Jewellery
Telpherage
19 Nov 2021
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2017 saw TFATFJ return to LSDJ for this eight track moster of Game Boy madness. You think you know what LSDJ can do, until you’ve heard this release. Originally released on bandcamp.
Tom Foolery and the Family Jewellery
Contrast Abuse
12 Nov 2021
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For his sophomore release, TFATFJ changes up the pace bringing a hard-hitting, low-down, raw and gritty take on electro house. Squeezing crunchy samples out of piggy tracker. Originally released in 2016 on bandcamp.
Tom Foolery and the Family Jewellery
Overdub
12 Nov 2021
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TFATFJ’s debut release of brutal basses, crunchy kicks and sizzling snares, all squeezed out of a single Nintendo Game Boy running LSDJ. Originally released in 2016 on bandcamp.
LOW STAKES
M8 Bundles
12 Nov 2021
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A bunch of tracks pulled together from Creative Commons BY Licensed sample-material and instrument presets gifted to use standard on the M8.
M8 bundles download link on bandcamp release page.
Maddest Kings Alive
Selection
5 Nov 2021
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Because sometimes, you really just have to do it for Fenris.
A collection of recordings from live sets, previous releases and old hard drives, selected by the legend himself.
Vera, Etc.
Online
29 Oct 2021
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”this album is about internet friendships. how they bloom, how they wither and how time let's u move on.” - Vera, Etc.
This amazingly candid and heartfelt lo-fi, chiptune, indie-rock masterpiece was originally released through Avant en Garde! on bandcamp.
LOW STAKES
Chiptune For Fingerboarders
22 Oct 2021
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A collection of bass-heavy, chiptune-infused, tracker jams that have been produced on the Dirtywave M8 Tracker, gb303, tr08 and Modular Synthesizers, recorded live to tape.
EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY!
EEEP!
15 Oct 2021
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In the 00’s this CD-R, hand-stamped DIY EP was in the loungerooms of everyone who went to Hot Damn in Sydney, and for good reason. Tastes of what people loved about Crystal Castles; blistering distortion on low bit samples, microKORG, Game Boy bleeps, and super hooky, fried, electro club vocals.
HarleyLikesMusic
Licensed & Bonded
8 Oct 2021
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Harley just kept crushing it on the Game Boy. Originally released by PteSquad in 2020 on bandcamp, the album download features the original LSDJ song files, for those playing along at home!
HarleyLikesMusic
Steel City Zone
1 Oct 2021
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Relentlessly pushing the limits of a Nintendo Game Boy's sound chip Harley's Steel City Zone graciously provides us with four LSDJ-produced rudely hard & heavy tracks. Originally released by The Base Bit Recs in 2018 on bandcamp.
HarleyLikesMusic
1.5
24 Sep 2021
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If Game Changer wasn’t enough, HarleyLikesMusic dropped this on the scene a year later - all were thankful. Originally released in 2016 on bandcamp.
HarleyLikesMusic
Game Changer
17 Sep 2021
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Chipmusic had absolutely no idea what was coming for it. As the title says, this collection changed the game! Originally released in 2015 on bandcamp.
water nomad lifestyle
Withdrawal
17 Sep 2021
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This raw analogue release from water nomad lifestyle explores the often hidden-from-view feelings of liminal space and trauma associated with changes in psychiatric care.
freezedream
Today
10 Sep 2021
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The IDM chipmusic-on-chip album Today was first released as a physical 16-bit cartridge for the SEGA Mega Drive console. On the cartridge version, the sound was generated at playtime by the Yamaha YM2612 FM synthesiser chip. In 2021 you can stream Today for the first time! Originally released in 2010 on bandcamp.
little-scale
Error Repeat
10 Sep 2021
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This 2009 CalmDownKidder Records release is a SEGA and NES cult classic. Quoting little-scale’s original post about the release - “My aim with this release was to write popular chiptune. I hope that I succeeded” - it’s safe to say it was a success.
LOW STAKES
M8 Tracker Renders
3 Sep 2021
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Apple Music
A collection of bass-heavy 160bpm tracks that have been produced on, and rendered by the Dirtywave M8 Tracker, with no further editing or mastering.
Derris-Kharlan
Time Surfer OST
3 Sep 2021
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Apple Music
The soundtrack to the chart-topping mobile game, Time Surfer! Originally released on bandcamp.
Derris-Kharlan
Live
27 Aug 2021
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Not only did he play a gig, he shook the foundations of civilisation as we know it. Originally released by CalmDownKidder Records (2010), CDr and on bandcamp.
water nomad lifestyle
Elektron Flex 20210717
20 Aug 2021
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A lush, textural and bass-adorned hardware session recorded by the illusive water nomad lifestyle in 2021.
chr15m + fenris
sounds incredible
20 Aug 2021
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An IDM-laden, glitch-heavy release from the Perth-raised founding fathers of Australian chipmusic. Originally released on bandcamp.
hardware house
friday night variations
20 Aug 2021
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One take M8 tracker and modular synthesiser house jams, recorded in 2021 from one ever-evolving patch.
snottdog
hot dog time machine
13 Aug 2021
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This release is an exploration of sound from the SH101 synth. Originally released on bandcamp.
hardware house
rainy monday part-001 redux
13 Aug 2021
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Apple Music
One take M8 tracker and modular synthesiser house jam, recorded in 2021.
LOW STAKES
Modular Beat Tape
6 Aug 2021
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Apple Music
Short mixtape of 160BPM, footwork-infused, DIY, live and wonky, modular beats.
hardware house
tuesday work life patch
6 Aug 2021
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Apple Music
One take, self-generating modular synth patch, recorded in 2021.
who even
godinpants
30 Jul 2021
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Game Boy, bass guitar and amazingly deep storytelling. Once in a generation stuff. Originally released on bandcamp.
Dot.AY
You’re Better At This Than You Think
30 Jul 2021
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Game Boy tunes written for Square Sounds Tokyo, recorded direct to tape in a computer-free studio. Originally released in 2019 on bandcamp.
hardware house
thursday lunchtime ode to modbap
30 Jul 2021
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Apple Music
One take M8 tracker and modular synthesiser hip hop-inspired jam, recorded in 2021.
godinpants
couch expert
23 Jul 2021
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Described as being written because ‘you need more than 6 minutes of material for a set’ …couch expert could be considered essential. Originally released in 2018 on bandcamp.
Dot.AY
Specific Emotion
23 Jul 2021
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Beautifully wonky Game Boy bass rhythms, originally released in 2013 on bandcamp.
hardware house
rainy monday modular jam
23 Jul 2021
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Apple Music
One take M8 tracker and modular synthesiser house jam, recorded in 2021.
Ten Thousand Free Men & Their Families
Rite Now
23 Jul 2021
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Apple Music
Chiptune punk, originally released on vinyl at Blip Festival 2011.
Dot.AY
Ceratopian Society
16 Jul 2021
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Dinosaur themed Chip Bass from a Game Boy, originally released in 2011 on bandcamp.
hardware house
wednesday night loop jam
16 Jul 2021
One take M8 tracker and modular synthesiser house jam, recorded in 2021.
Maddest Kings Alive
sleepy kisses on the train ride home
9 Jul 2021
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Apple Music
The opening track of Maddest Kings Alive EP Make Me, originally released in 2008 on bandcamp.
hardware house
sleepy sunday part-003 redux
9 Jul 2021
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Apple Music
One take M8 tracker and modular synthesiser house jam, recorded in 2021.
Ten Thousand Free Men & Their Families
Hexadecimal Genome (Bit Shifter Cover)
2 Jul 2021
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Originally released on CD as part of Reformat: A Tribute To Bit Shifter's Information Chase in 2011.
hardware house
sleepy sunday hardware jam
2 Jul 2021
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One take M8 tracker and modular synthesiser house jam, recorded in 2021.
hardware house
saturday evening hardware jam
25 Jun 2021
Spotify
Apple Music
One take M8 tracker and modular synthesiser house jam, recorded in 2021.