# chiptune

> English word · Noun · frequency rank #99,100

## Definitions
1. A piece of computer music in which the sounds are generated and mixed in realtime, common before the advent of mass storage for prerecorded sound.
2. A style of music that samples or emulates the audio capabilities of older sound chips, but ignores certain hardware or software limitations inherent to them; especially (demoscene) a tracker module simulating the sound of early 8-bit computers.

## Etymology
From chip + tune, referring to a computer's sound chip; see chip (“electronic circuit”). Initially in the meaning of modules, as an antonym to 'real' chip music, then generalized/recontextualized.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/chiptune