Junior
4-bit Synthesizer
Junior is a 4-bit wavetable synthesizer based on the soundchip of our favorite vintage handheld video game console, bringing the raw tones of the original into present day.
100% Junior sounds by laamaa
Not only is Junior the perfect lo-bit playground but also a completely unapologetic synthesizer with a unique palette that holds a very special place in many of our hearts. Perhaps it can find its way into yours too.
Not even 8
Based on the limitations and characteristics of the Nintendo Game Boy™ soundchip, Junior emits raw and harmonically rich 4-bit values that will cut through anything. From 0 to 15, there is nothing more and nothing less.
Wave + noise
The tone generator in Junior plays back a custom wave buffer of 32 4-bit values which gets transformed by different sound shaping controls. Paired with a 7-bit LFSR noise generator, they form the perfect lo-bit palette.
Table trickery
Junior has four flexible modulators inspired by modulation sequencers often used in trackers (LSDj, Defmon, M8 ..) called Tables. The 16-step modulation table in Junior can be configured as an LFO, envelope, arpeggiator, MIDI input mapper and more.
Dreamland
While Junior simulates the Game Boy™ sound, it's not a strict emulation by design. It expands upon the original capabilities with a modern feature-set and control while staying true to the original. The balance between accuracy and fun is just right.
All the tuning, everywhere
Junior supports MPE continuous pitch bend, CLAP Note Expressions and ODDSound MTS-ESP for all your tuning and bending needs.
... and yes, you can change the color theme.
Want to make your own?
-> theme creator
To sum it up
- 4-bit Wave Oscillator
- 7-bit LFSR Noise Generator
- 4 × Table Modulators
- Stereo 2-Voice Unison
- Chipstyle Arpeggiator
- Portamento
- Tuning support via:
- MPE Continuous Pitch Bend
- ODDSound MTS-ESP
- CLAP Note Expressions
- Up to 16 voice polyphony
- Random Preset Generator
- Scalable interface
- and custom color themes
Demos are boring
So we made a free version instead
Junior-Lite is the free version of Junior and focuses in on the core of the wave oscillator, an immediate tool for melodic lo-bit tones that lets you explore the 4-bit sound in its essence.
It may not have all the bells and whistles of the full version, but the core sound still packs a punch and is a perfect instrument to grab when you just need that lo-bit flair.
Comparison
Want to learn more?
Check out the Junior guide.
Compatibility
Junior and Junior-Lite are instrument plugins that run in a compatible host application such as a DAW. They have been tested in most major DAWs that support the CLAP, VST3 and AUv2 plugin formats.
- macOS 10.13 or newer
- Apple Silicon / Intel
- CLAP, VST3 and AUv2
macOS
- Windows 10 or newer
- x86 Intel / AMD
- CLAP and VST3
Windows
- Ubuntu 22 or newer
- x86 Intel / AMD
- CLAP and VST3
Linux
DRM free
There is no license authorization, online requirement or other forms of DRM measures taken in Junior. We believe that users should be treated with respect and trust.