How to Convert Any Song/Audio to 8-bit Music

8-bit music, with its simplistic and synthetic tones, is making a nostalgic comeback. Many musicians are creating 8-bit versions of modern songs that capture the classic video game soundtrack vibe. But what if you want to convert your own music collection into a retro 8-bit style? With the right audio editing software and techniques, you can transform your songs into lo-fi chiptune tracks that sound straight out of the 80s. In this article, we'll explore what 8-bit music is, few 8 bit music converter options, and step-by-step instructions to turn your tunes into pixelated, synthesized glory. Get ready to go back in time with just a few clicks!

Part 1. What is 8-bit Music Converter?

An 8 bit converter music is audio editing software or an online platform that can process an existing song or audio file and convert it to have an 8-bit video game-style sound. The converter simplifies the musical data and reduces the number of bits used to encode each audio sample.

This gives it a jagged, digitized sound replicating old video game soundtrack technology which could only play simple melody and harmony lines. The music to 8 bit converter may change the tempo, notes, harmonies, synths and instruments to match 8-bit sound fonts and create a charming, nostalgic lo-fi and pixelated version of the original track. Some apps provide filters and effects to further degrade the sound into a basic but funky chiptune.

Part 2. 4 Best 8- bit Music Converters Can Make Chiptune Beats

1. FL Studio

FL Studio, formerly known as FruityLoops, is one of the most popular digital audio workstations out there for music production. With its array of virtual instruments and effects, it allows you to convert your music to a lo-fi chiptune 8-bit style.

But what vaults FL Studio into professional territory is its vast library of virtual instruments, presets, plugins and audio effects - everything you could ever need to craft fully produced songs. This includes nostalgic 8-bit video game-esque sounds courtesy of legacy tools like the Fruity SQ8L plugin. By reducing bit depth and utilizing features to control sample rate and more, FL Studio provides unmatched versatility in sculpting retro chiptune music.

Pros

Full-featured DAW with advanced audio editing capabilities
Huge library of plugins and tools
Automation for effects
Supports VST plugins

Cons

Steep learning curve
Expensive compared to other options

To convert music to 8-bit with FL Studio, use the legacy Fruity SQ8L plugin which emulates vintage 8-bit synths. Tweak the available parameters to achieve your desired retro video game sound. Reduce bit depth for samples, tweak resonance, lower sample rate, etc. Export when satisfied with your chiptune creation. You don't need to worry too much when learning how to convert MP3 to 8 bit music using this tool. It provides a simple and a hassle-free interface to get the job done.

2. Audacity

Audacity is 100% free, open source audio editing software. It comes equipped with the tools you'll need for basic manipulation of music into an 8-bit chip sound. If you are searching for an alternative tool on 8 bit music converter online, you may think of using this. For crafting 8-bit chiptune music, manipulate settings with Audacity's Bit Crusher, Downsample, and Old Time Radio effects alongside clip editing tools to flatten and quantize melodies into bleepy retro video game sounds. Audacity provides quick 8-bit audio conversion without complexity or cost.

Pros

Totally free
Simple interface
Supports common audio formats

Cons

Less features than paid DAWs
Fixed interface lacks customization

In Audacity, use the manual Effect menu to access Bit Crusher, Downsample, Echo, Old Time Radio effects and more to reshape your song's tones. For a chiptune vibe, reduce bit rate and sampling rate. Edit via Clip Fix to quantize and flatten melodic lines into characteristic 8-bit sequences.

3. 8-Bit Music Maker

Maker Exclusively designed for 8-bit chiptune design, 8-Bit Music Maker is a mobile app that provides lightning-fast music conversion into retro video game styles. Optimized for iOS and Android touch interfaces, the streamlined workflow lets you immediately dive into upload music from your phone library. Across a huge catalog of high-quality presets, find signature waveforms modeled after classic gaming console sound chips like the Sega Genesis YM2612. Mix and match 8-bit synths, drums, and samples customized to different chiptune genres. If you wonder how to convert 8-bit music maker from scratch to MP3, you may think of using this.

Pros

Specialized solely for chiptune conversion
Huge library of presets
Intuitive workflow

Cons

Limited effects compared to full DAWs
Export only in lossy MP3

This mobile app provides a quick and focused way to achieve the 8-bit video game music sound. Load in your track then apply effects like Bitcrusher, Stretch, and more. Add retro waveforms from classic console sound chips. Export your very own chiptune with ease.

4. Soundtrap

Based in the cloud, Soundtrap brings a user-friendly music and podcast DAW into your internet browser. Developed in Sweden, Soundtrap captures the minimalistic visual design sensibilities of Scandinavian style. This clean accessibility allows those new to music production to jump past the steep learning curves of traditional DAW interfaces. Soundtrap supports standard drag-and-drop audio editing across a multi-track mixer view powered by cloud storage. For YouTube creators and video game streamers seeking to spice up soundtracks with 8-bit flare, the FX tab in Soundtrap holds decimators, bit crushers and more to transform audio into down sampled chiptune textures reminiscent of classic consoles.

Pros

User-friendly browser-based interface
Good for beginners
Decent loop editing features

Cons

Limited mixer channels
Requires paid subscription for saving projects

On the intuitive web interface of Soundtrap, open the FX tab to find 8-bit effects like decimator and bit crusher to reduce bit and sample rates. You can also browse through chiptune-style presets for instruments across a wide variety of genres to spice up your 8-bit conversions.

Bonus Tips: How to Convert MP3 to 8 Bit Music?

To turn your MP3 songs into 8-bit chiptune tracks, you'll first need to download the music files to your computer. The magical HitPaw Spotify Music Converter is an ideal tool for grabbing songs straight from Spotify playlists and libraries.

With over 300 million active users, Spotify dominates as the world's most popular music streaming app. But its files use restrictive DRM protection. HitPaw circumvents this limitation, empowering you to download any Spotify song, album, artist or playlist in high-quality MP3 format to then convert.

Features of HitPaw Video Converter

Guide to Download MP3 Music from Spotify

Step 1: Access HitPaw Spotify Music Converter

Initiate the HitPaw Video Converter program. Locate and click the prominent "Convert Spotify Music" button on the welcome screen. Alternatively, navigate to the Toolbox menu and select the Spotify Music Converter option to begin.

Step 2: Log Into Spotify

To enable song streaming and downloading abilities, you must first connect your Spotify account. Click the "Log In" link in the top right corner. Enter your Spotify username and password when prompted.

Step 3: Search for Songs on Spotify

With access now unlocked, utilize the built-in Spotify web player to browse, preview or search for specific artists, albums, songs or curated playlists you wish to download based on your tastes. Millions of tracks are at your fingertips.

Step 4: Download Spotify Track and Playlists

To gather tracks for download, open each desired artist page, album, playlist or song file individually. Click the "Download" button next to the browser address bar each time to grab that unique Spotify URL.

Step 5: Queue All Spotify Links to Download

Back in the HitPaw software, your downloaded Spotify links will populate in the conversion queue. Toggle to the "Converting" tab to preview and manage the list of pending Spotify tracks. Search or delete files easily here.

Step 6: Set Output Format

In the output settings, select your desired final file format - MP3, M4A or WAV. Lossless CD-quality exports are possible. Optionally, you can define MP3 bitrate quality up to 320kbps.

Step 7: Convert and Export all Your Downloads

With output configuration set and Spotify music queued up, click the "Convert All" button to commence batch downloading and format conversion. Sit back and let HitPaw rapidly rip and convert tracks to local files.

Now you know how to convert Spotify MP3 to 8 bit. But if you want to convert a song from any other platform or Chiptune music, feel free to use any of the four tools we suggested above.

FAQs about 8 Bit Music Converter

Q1. What instrument is used for 8-bit music?

A1. 8-bit music uses primitive digital waveforms inspired by the sound chips built into early video game consoles and computers. The classic 8-bit sound relies on 4-bit pulse or square waves paired with noise percussion. Synths approximate vintage sounds like the Commodore 64 SID chip's square, sawtooth, triangle and noise waves.

Q2. What program is used to make 8bit music?

A2. Many digital audio workstations (DAWs) have plugins or effects to convert music into an 8-bit chiptune style. Top-rated tools include FL Studio with its Fruity SQ8L VST, Audacity using bit crusher effects, mobile apps like 8-Bit Music Maker, and online platforms like Soundtrap. Manipulate bit depth, sample rate and more to reshape sounds into lo-fi retro video game music textures.

Conclusion

Transforming your audio library into bleepy, pixelated chiptune tracks reminiscent of classic console games takes just a few steps with the right software. We covered everything from what defines the 8-bit music aesthetic to multiple DAWs offering quick conversion of MP3 songs into funky retro stylings. With intuitive tools like HitPaw Video Converter empowering you to batch download high-quality music files from leading streaming platforms like Spotify, you now have all the resources to become a bedroom 8-bit music creator.

Select the product rating：

Join the discussion and share your voice here