'Game of Thrones' theme played on a homemade NES keytar

Shawn Knight

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Scotland-based programmer Greig Steward recently completed work on what he calls the NESKeytar and published the clip below to his YouTube channel. In it, he’s playing a remixed version of the intro to HBO’s Game of Thrones but in my opinion, the instrument is far more interesting than the tune he's pumping out.

We’ve seen multiple examples of musical instruments used to recreate iconic Nintendo melodies but this could very well be the first musical instrument made using an actual game console.

The heart of the NESKeytar is of course, the NES console. The build also uses a Guitar Hero controller, an NES controller, a Famicom controller and a Raspberry Pi, among other components.

Steward didn’t just use the shell of the NES to build a guitar, however. The system itself is part of the instrument as it uses the original RP2A03 chip in the NES, giving it that classic 8-bit sound. Best yet, the console retains its original function as a gaming machine.

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I can honestly say, beyond the shadow of a doubt, Keith Emerson has nothing to fear from this guy.

Although, I suppose with enough "Preparation H" on hand, you could install him on that cold iron throne, as the figure head, "king of the nerds".
 
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