Welcome to the world of basic 65 – a monophonic synthesizer that transports you to the golden age of the 80s, drawing inspiration directly from the legendary Commodore 64 home computer and its iconic SID sound chip! If you dream of authentic 8-bit sound, a retro-gaming atmosphere, and unique lo-fi textures, basic 65 will become your indispensable tool.
Return to the Source: The Legendary Sound of the Commodore 64 in a Modern Synthesizer
Developed as an upgrade to the popular basic 64, this synthesizer has been completely redesigned from the ground up in collaboration with the talented developer Sink (who also created all the excellent presets). basic 65 doesn’t just imitate the SID – it expands its capabilities, offering new features and flexibility while maintaining its characteristic sound.
The heart of basic 65 beats to the rhythm of three powerful oscillators, reproducing classic waveforms: pulse, sawtooth, triangle, and noise. Special attention is paid to the pulse wave – its width can be modulated by the envelope or both LFOs, opening up space for creating moving timbres, characteristic of many retro games and musical tracks of the 80s.
Advanced Features for Creativity
The Heart of Sound: Oscillators and Filters
- Three oscillators with waveforms: pulse, sawtooth, triangle, and noise.
- Pulse wave width modulated by the envelope or two LFOs.
- Possibility of synchronizing oscillators and ring modulation between them.
- Each oscillator has its own ADSR envelope and can be individually routed to the filter.
- Resonant filter with modes: low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and notch.
The Magic of Movement: Arpeggiators and Modulation
One of the most interesting features of basic 65 is the dual arpeggiator, which works sequentially and synchronizes with the tempo of your project. It allows you to create extremely complex and dynamic arpeggios, instantly associated with classic 8-bit sounds. Arpeggiator parameters such as tempo, range, and note length are easily adjustable.
The modulation system is also impressive. In addition to the classic ADSR envelopes for each oscillator, there is an additional modulation envelope that can affect the pulse width and pitch of individual oscillators, as well as the filter and the “Dirt” parameter. Two tempo-synchronized LFOs offer a wide range of waveforms, including random. They can control the pulse width and pitch of the oscillators, and one LFO can even modulate the depth and speed of another LFO – a real space for experiments!
- Two tempo-synchronized arpeggiators that work sequentially.
- Adjusting the tempo, range, and note length of the arpeggiator.
- Modulation envelope for controlling pulse width, oscillator pitch, filter, and “Dirt.”
- Two tempo-synchronized LFOs with a variety of waveforms (including random).
- LFOs control pulse width, oscillator pitch, filter, and “Dirt.”
- Possibility of modulating one LFO by another.
- Non-linear envelopes with retrigger options (from zero or smoothed).
Retro Features: From Drift to Bitrate
To add even more authenticity and lo-fi character, basic 65 includes features that mimic the imperfections of old equipment. The “Pitch Drift” parameter models pitch instability with adjustable depth and frequency. You can choose the sound bit depth (4, 6, 8, 12, or 16 bits) and even randomize it to get unique, grainy textures.
- “Pitch Drift” to simulate pitch instability.
- Bit depth selection: 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16 bits.
- Bit depth randomization option.
- “Dirt” parameter to add characteristic “dirt” to the sound.
Ready Sounds: Presets from Sink
Inspiration comes quickly thanks to 128 excellent presets created by Sink. They cover a wide range of sounds: from classic arpeggios and dense leads to deep basses, drums, and unique lo-fi textures. These presets demonstrate the capabilities of basic 65 and will be a great starting point for your own sound experiments.
basic 65 is based on SE 1.1, which guarantees stable operation even with many instances in one project. This synthesizer is the perfect choice for musicians who want to add a touch of nostalgia, create tracks in the style of chiptune, indie, electronic music with a retro flavor, or simply explore the unique world of sounds of the legendary SID chip. Dive into the past, armed with modern tools with basic 65!
