ChipNomad User Manual

ChipNomad is a multi-platform chiptune tracker. It is heavily inspired by LSDj and Dirtywave M8. While ChipNomad is available for desktop platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux), it is designed for handheld consoles, such as Anbernic RG35xx, TrimUI Brick, etc.

ChipNomad currently supports only AY-3-8910/YM2149F chips with more chips coming in the future.

Introduction

The core UI concept and the song structure is the same as in LSDj or M8 Tracker, so if you used them, then you will feel at home. LSDj-style trackers use different song structure compared to traditional trackers. In a traditional tracker the song is built as a list of patterns where each pattern has multiple tracks and a fixed number of rows. ChipNomad, like all LSDj-style trackers, uses a hierarchical structure: each song track is a list of chains, chains are groups of phrases, phrases contain notes and effects (commands). This structure works really well with small screens of handheld consoles.

ChipNomad screens are laid out in the map. Each screen is dedicated to a singe function.

P G
SCPIT
S  P

Common controls

If you’re familiar with LSDj or M8, you can expect most shortcuts to work the same in ChipNomad.

ChipNomad uses 8 logical buttons. The default mapping on consoles and desktops:

Button Consoles Desktop
LEFT D-Pad Left Cursor Left
RIGHT D-Pad Right Cursor Right
UP D-Pad Up Cursor Up
DOWN D-Pad Down Cursor Down
EDIT A X
OPT B Z
PLAY Start Space
SHIFT Select Shift

You can define your own keys and have up to 3 physical buttons mapped to each logical button. You can also use gamepads.

To quit ChipNomad use the button at the Setings screen or press MENU + X on consoles.

Editing

Selection and Clipboard

Playback

Project limits