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Furnace
What it is
Furnace is a free, open-source chiptune music tracker for composing with emulated sound chips. It supports systems and hardware including Yamaha FM chips, NES, Game Boy, SID, SNES, and arcade platforms. You can combine chips, choose from more than 200 presets, or create configurations with up to 32 chips or 128 channels. Its modular interface lets users arrange windows and change the color scheme. Furnace loads and saves DefleMask .dmf modules and supports .dmp instruments and .dmw wavetables, although saving as .dmf can leave some features unavailable. Export options include WAV, VGM, text, Zsound Music, Atari 2600 ROM, SAP type R, and Furnace Command Stream files. Listed tools include MIDI input, a sample editor, wavetable synthesis, and per-channel oscilloscopes. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with minimums of 256 MB memory and 25 MB storage. The maker notes that issues may remain.
For and against
For
- Supports many classic sound chips and systems
- Offers over 200 presets
- Configures up to 32 chips or 128 channels
- Exports multiple audio and tracker formats
- Includes MIDI and sample-editing tools
Against
- Some .dmf saves may lose features
- Some emulation cores need higher requirements
- The maker notes issues may remain
- Technical computing background may help
The verdict
Furnace provides a broad, customizable tracker for chip-based music across three desktop platforms. Its format limitations and stated technical learning curve are important considerations.
Who it suits
Furnace suits chiptune composers and users working with emulated retro sound hardware. It is available to desktop users on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Plans and prices
Furnace
Open-source chiptune tracker under GPLv2 or later/GPLv3
Read 4 Oct 2026 · tildearrow.org
On the record
- Custom setups
- Users can mix sound chips, choose from over 200 presets, or create setups with up to 32 chips or 128 channels.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Exports
- Export formats include WAV audio, VGM, text, Zsound Music, Atari 2600 ROM, SAP type R, and Furnace Command Stream files.tildearrow.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- File compatibility
- Furnace loads and saves DefleMask .dmf modules and supports .dmp instruments and .dmw wavetables; some features may be unavailable when saving as .dmf.tildearrow.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Interface
- Its modular interface lets users arrange windows freely and customize the color scheme.tildearrow.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Limitations
- The maker says Furnace may still have issues and recommends some technical computing background for the best experience.tildearrow.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The project credits tildearrow and says it was built by several experts contributing their free time.tildearrow.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- MIDI and editing
- The feature list includes MIDI input, a built-in sample editor, a wavetable synthesizer, and per-channel oscilloscopes.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Furnace is a free, open-source chiptune music tracker for creating music with emulated sound chips.tildearrow.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The maker’s pages reviewed describe the software as open-source under GPLv2-or-later/GPLv3 and do not state security certifications or compliance claims.tildearrow.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Sound chips
- It supports a broad range of chips and systems, including Yamaha FM chips, NES, Game Boy, SID, SNES, and arcade hardware.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker identifies GitHub Discussions and Discord as Furnace’s official discussion channels and links to documentation and a quick start guide.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The maker lists 256 MB memory and 25 MB program storage as minimums, with higher requirements for some emulation cores.tildearrow.org · read 4 Oct 2026
