BassoonTracker
A browser-based music tracker that plays and edits Amiga MOD and FastTracker XM files using plain JavaScript.
What is BassoonTracker?
BassoonTracker is a browser-based music tracker that emulates classic Amiga and FastTracker 2 software, allowing users to create, edit, and play MOD and XM module files directly in a web browser. It solves the problem of accessing retro music creation tools without needing vintage hardware or specialized software.
Musicians, composers, and retro computing enthusiasts interested in tracker-based music production, especially those familiar with Amiga MOD or FastTracker XM formats.
Developers choose BassoonTracker for its accurate emulation of classic tracker effects, dependency-free JavaScript implementation, and the ability to run entirely in a browser without installation, making it accessible across devices.
Overview
Webbased old-school Amiga music tracker in plain old javascript - Plays and edits Amiga Mod files and FastTracker XM files
Use Cases
Best For
- Creating retro-style music using MOD or XM formats
- Editing and playing Amiga module files in a browser
- Learning tracker-based music production without vintage hardware
- Integrating module playback into web projects via the standalone player
- Experimenting with classic audio effects like portamento and vibrato
- Managing music libraries with cloud integration and playlist support
Not Ideal For
- Projects requiring modern DAW features like VST plugin support or multi-track audio recording
- Teams needing real-time collaboration or integrated version control for music production
- Applications that must run offline without browser dependencies or with native performance optimizations
Pros & Cons
Pros
Supports 99% of Protracker and 97% of FastTracker effects with extensive compatibility testing, ensuring high fidelity to classic trackers as detailed in the README.
Runs entirely in the browser using plain JavaScript with no dependencies, allowing instant access across devices without installation, as highlighted in the philosophy.
Features a full sample editor for importing and editing WAV, MP3, OGG files, and connects to Dropbox and modarchive for vast music libraries, enhancing workflow flexibility.
Export compositions to MOD, XM, WAV, and MP3 formats, enabling easy sharing and integration with other software, as listed in the key features.
Cons
MIDI input is unsupported in Firefox and Safari, and Safari plays audio in mono due to lack of WebAudio StereoPanner support, limiting functionality on some browsers as admitted in the README.
Missing FastTracker features like tremor and panning slides, and XM files are not packed when saved, resulting in larger file sizes, as noted in the 'Missing features and bugs' section.
The canvas-based layout can be resource-intensive on large screens, and the simpler HTML/CSS alternative is not maintained, potentially affecting usability and performance.
Open Source Alternative To
BassoonTracker is an open-source alternative to the following products:
FastTracker 2 is a music tracker software for creating and editing module files (MOD, XM) on DOS systems, popular in the demoscene and chiptune music communities.
Protracker is a classic music tracker software originally developed for Amiga computers, used for creating module music with samples in tracked formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Found a gem we're missing?
Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.