Cart 0
Arcano NES Poly Chiptune Synthesizer (blue)

Arcano NES Poly Chiptune Synthesizer (blue)

$249.99

FREE US shipping!

Create your own Nintendo-style chiptune music with this MIDI synthesizer, or play the 8-bit video game music classics live.

The Arcano NES Poly Chiptune Synthesizer is a polyphonic music synthesizer that faithfully emulates the classic sound of the Nintendo Entertainment System’s audio hardware. Simply connect a MIDI controller to play the NES classics live, or create your own original chiptunes.

The Arcano NES Poly Chiptune Synthesizer is the polyphonic successor to the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth R3 and features many improvements on its predecessor including:

  • more sound parameters
  • greater volume-envelope bit depth
  • full 128 MIDI note range
  • additional audio waveform (8-bit sine)
  • 3 additional vibrato LFO waveforms (triangle, square, and sawtooth)
  • quantized note slide effect capability
  • additional pitch bend depth setting (+/- one octave)
  • detune effects capability
  • rugged, die cast aluminum enclosure

Hardware Specifications:

  • standard MIDI DIN input
  • 1/4'' TS jack unbalanced mono audio output
  • USB type B connector (for power only)
  • simple two-potentiometer control interface
  • embedded audio digital signal processor chip

Audio Specifications:

  • polyphonic synthesis (4-note polyphony on most patches, 2-note polyphony on patches that use detune effects)
  • Up to two-oscillators per voice (second oscillator used for detune effects)
  • 12.5%, 25%, and 50% duty-cycle pulse, 5-bit sawtooth, 4-bit triangle, and 8-bit sine waveforms
  • realtime waveform switching capability for NES pulse “pluck” effects
  • vibrato pre-delay, attack, and 4 vibrato low frequency oscillator waveforms for more expressive vibrato effects
  • 16 sound parameters that can be edited with MIDI CC messages
  • accurate, DDS-based NES audio waveform reconstruction
  • NES analog signal path recreation for authentic sound

The Arcano NES Poly Chiptune Synthesizer is the latest iteration of the Arcano-series synthesizers. The synth is based on a powerful audio digital-signal-processor chip which implements a unique, bandlimited synthesis algorithm for accurate NES sound emulation without the aliasing, noise, and poor audio signal quality associated with products that use inexpensive microcontrollers and crude PWM / RC-low-pass-filter-based DACs to generate chiptune sounds.

The Arcano NES Poly Chiptune Synthesizer's analog audio signal path has been designed to closely resemble that of the NES for an authentic chiptune sound that includes the subtle nuances of the original audio signal produced by the classic game console. The Synth also allows users to create a custom patch using MIDI CC messages to edit 16 sound parameters.

The Arcano NES Poly Chiptune Synthesizer is built to last. Unlike most synthesizers, the NES Poly was designed without cheap electrolytic capacitors, which degrade and fail over time. All of the synth's audio-signal-path capacitors are high quality, audio grade film capacitors, and all of the non-signal-path capacitors are ceramic and are thus not susceptible to the degradation and failure that plagues their electrolytic counterparts. All of the exposed traces and soldering pads of the NES Poly's printed circuit board are gold plated to prevent corrosion. The NES Poly features a rugged die cast aluminum enclosure.

The Arcano NES Poly Chiptune Synthesizer is assembled in Florida, USA. The printed circuit board is fabricated in Washington. The electronic components are sourced from a global supply chain that includes 12 countries. The lead-free solder is made in Texas. The aluminum enclosure is made in Louisiana. All orders ship from Florida, USA.

(Does not include cables.)

The Arcano NES Poly Chiptune Synthesizer may not work with some MIDI controllers. Please verify your MIDI controller has a standard MIDI DIN out and is able to output MIDI data on channel 1. The Synth's USB connector is for power only, not for MIDI-over-USB control. 

A note to customers outside the United States: 

The shipping fee does not cover customs fees, duties, or import taxes such as the VAT (value added tax.) Please consult with your country's customs office for information about customs, duties, import taxes, and other possible fees. The shipping fee is not refundable.