Bitcrusher

Make Audio Sound 8-Bit.

Drop your audio here

Your file stays on your device. Nothing is uploaded.

Early game consoles and samplers stored sound with very few bits and very few samples per second. The result was gritty and metallic, and people now add that on purpose. This tool lowers the bit depth, the sample rate, or both.

Bit depth adds the fuzzy noise floor. Sample rate adds the ringing, robotic overtones. A Game Boy feel sits around 4 bits; an old drum sampler is nearer 12 bits at 26 kHz.

How to use the Bitcrusher tool

  1. Add your audio file.
  2. Set the bit depth and the sample rate.
  3. Crush it and download the result.
  • Chiptune-style music and game sound effects
  • Gritty drums in the style of early samplers
  • Robot and retro-computer voices

Tips for the best result

  • Below 4 bits, quiet passages vanish into noise. Normalize the file first.
  • Lower the sample rate before the bit depth; it is the more musical of the two.

Quick facts

PriceFree
Works withMP3, WAV, M4A, OGG, FLAC
Where it runsIn your browser, on your device
AccountNot needed

Frequently asked questions

Is the file actually 8-bit afterwards?

No. It sounds 8-bit but is saved as a normal audio file that plays anywhere.

Will the file be smaller?

Not much. For a small file, use the Audio Compressor.

Can I make real chiptune with this?

It gives the texture. Real chiptune is written for sound chips with square and triangle waves.

Why does it sound harsh in headphones?

Low sample rates create strong high overtones. Raise the sample rate slider a little.