Atari 2600 Chiptune Synth
I’ve found my old Atari 2600 Paddle Joysticks but no signs of the console, so I’ve decided to make a small chiptune instrument.

Side story At the same time I’ve received an offer to write a book about music projects for Arduino I’ve found my Atari 2600 Paddle joystick, so this project is more a consequence of those unrelated circumstances than anything else. I’ve programmed the code to read Atari's Joysticks potentiometer and button values and then produce some kind of interesting chiptune sound from a cheap Arduino clone with the help of Mozzi library.
With visual aid from a 7 segment display, an Oscil sine wave is generated according to a fixed pentatonic scale mapping.
Atari Chiptune Synth is fun to jam and there is a little something about the hardware appeal that makes a world of difference.
With visual aid from a 7 segment display, an Oscil sine wave is generated according to a fixed pentatonic scale mapping.
Atari Chiptune Synth is fun to jam and there is a little something about the hardware appeal that makes a world of difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired you to do this?
An offer to write a book and then finding this piece of vintage hardware.
How long did it take to make it?
2 or 3 days
How long have you been doing things like this?
5 years with electronic art projects
How much did this cost to do?
u$4
Have you done other things like this?
An Arduino Drum Machine and a Power Theremin.
What did you wish you knew before you started this?
N/A
Are there plans available to make this? Do you sell this?
Nope
What’s next?
Who knows
Resoures?
https://sensorium.github.io/Mozzi/
Roni Bandini
: Electronic artist

Writer, musician and electronic artist. Recorded Room 641, a song played with all Arduino made instruments.
Connect with Roni Bandini
How I can help you:
Counter culture inventions and poetics of existential nihilism
Counter culture inventions and poetics of existential nihilism
How you can help me:
https://www.instagram.com/ronibandini/ https://twitter.com/RoniBandini and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc8xWwjtd6lhGgZCpvLqdzg
https://www.instagram.com/ronibandini/ https://twitter.com/RoniBandini and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc8xWwjtd6lhGgZCpvLqdzg
If you like this project, please make a small donation to the artist.