ChipNomad Tracker

ChipNomad is a multi-platform tracker with LSDJ-like interface designed for creating chiptune music. Primary target platforms are handheld game consoles like Anbernic RG35xx.

ChipNomad manual

Join ChipNomad Discord server

Currently supported platforms

• PortMaster (list of supported devices)
• Pre-2024 Anbernic RG35xx with GarlicOS 1.4
• macOS
• Windows

Hardware Requirements

ChipNomad is written in pure C99 and can be ported to any platform that satisfies these requirements:

• Display capable of 40x20 characters
• 8 buttons: LEFT, RIGHT, UP, DOWN, A, B, START, SELECT
• Stereo 16-bit audio output
• CPU capable of running chip emulation or a platform with real chips

Background

I (Megus) started this project because I want to make real chiptune music on the go. LSDJ is amazing but it's only for GameBoy music. I come from ZX Spectrum scene, so I want to make music for AY-3-8910/YM2149F chips. I use M8 Tracker every day and love it. This is how I chose the approach to the UI. I considered making an app for iOS/Android, but I find using touchscreen for music making a painful experience and prefer a device with physical buttons. I have Anbernic RG35xx with Garlic OS which allows installing 3rd party native apps. This is how I chose the platform.

Building

Quick Start

# Build for current platform (macOS/Linux)
make desktop

# Build all platform releases
./deploy-all.sh
# or
make deploy-all

Platform-Specific Builds

Desktop (macOS/Linux)

# Simple build
make desktop
./build-desktop.sh

# macOS app bundle with packaging
make macOS-deploy

Windows

# Cross-compile from macOS/Linux (recommended)
make windows-deploy

# Native Windows build
build-windows.bat  # On Windows with MinGW

Handheld Consoles

# PortMaster (multiple ARM devices)
make PortMaster-deploy

# RG35xx specific
make RG35xx-deploy

Requirements

For Cross-Platform Builds (Docker)

• Docker installed and running
• No additional setup required

For Native Builds

• macOS: Xcode Command Line Tools, Homebrew, SDL2
• Linux: GCC, SDL2 development libraries
• Windows: MinGW-w64, SDL2 development libraries

Native Windows Setup (Optional)

For Windows developers who prefer native builds:

1. Install MinGW-w64 or MSYS2
2. Download SDL2 development libraries
3. Set SDL_PATH environment variable (optional)
4. Run build-windows.bat

Acknowledgements

ChipNomad wouldn't be possible without:

• LSDJ by Johan Kotlinski
• M8 Tracker by Trash80
• RG35xx app template by Anderson Antunes
• Ayumi AY chip emulator by Peter Sovietov