C64 Audio

C64 Audio (also styled C64Audio.com) is a British record label and publisher dedicated to the music of the Commodore 64 and the wider 8-bit computing era. Founded by Chris Abbott, the venture began on the Internet in 1995 as a source of free MIDI files of C64 game tunes. In 1997 it adopted the C64Audio.com name and produced "Back in Time", the first Commodore 64 remix CD. Since then, the label has released a steady stream of physical and digital albums, including CDs, vinyl, Blu-ray discs, and box sets, while also acting as a publisher and licensing facilitator for many composers of the C64 and 8-bit era. The label's catalogue spans remix albums, original chip music, and archival compilations. Notable releases include the "Back in Time" series, "Project Galway" (featuring the music of Martin Galway), "Project Sidologie", "Project Hubbard" (celebrating Rob Hubbard), "8-Bit Symphony" (orchestral recordings), and "The Little Book of Sound Chips". C64 Audio has also produced live events such as "Back in Time Live" and the orchestral "8-Bit Symphony" concerts. The company has successfully crowdfunded numerous projects, including "Back in Time Brighton 2015", "Project Sidologie", "Back in Time Symphonic Collection", "Code of the Ninja", "Ninja Musicology", "Project Hubbard", and "8-Bit Symphony - First and Second Half". It has also supported other crowdfunding efforts, such as Matt Gray's "Reformation" series. C64 Audio operates primarily as a direct-to-consumer label through its online shop, offering downloads, physical media, and merchandise. The core team consists of Chris Abbott, Damian, and Anna. The label continues to serve the retro gaming and chiptune communities, with a digital archive exceeding one terabyte available to fans. Its releases often involve collaboration with composers, arrangers, and project leaders such as Kenneth "Slaygon" Mutka, Marcel Donné, FastLoaders, Rob Hubbard, and Ben Daglish.

C64 Audio began in 1995 as an Internet presence offering free MIDI files of Commodore 64 game tunes. In 1997, it was renamed C64Audio.com and produced "Back in Time", the first Commodore 64 remix CD. This was followed by a series of physical releases throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, including "Back in Time 2" (1999), "Nexus 6581" (2000), "Back in Time 3" (2001), "Karma 64" (2002), "Remix 64" (2002), "Instant Remedy" (2002), "Galway Remixed" (2002), "Crystal Dreamscapes" (2003), "Nexus 6581 II" (2003), and "Project Galway" (2003). The label also became active as a publisher for many composers of the C64 and 8-bit era, assisting with licensing issues. Over the years, C64 Audio expanded its activities to include live events such as multiple "Back in Time Live" concerts and orchestral "8-Bit Symphony" performances. It successfully crowdfunded numerous projects, including "Back in Time Brighton 2015", "Project Sidologie", "Back in Time Symphonic Collection", "Code of the Ninja", "Ninja Musicology", "Project Hubbard", and "8-Bit Symphony - First and Second Half". The label also provided support to other crowdfunding projects, such as Matt Gray's "Reformation" series. Collaborations have been a hallmark, with project leaders like Kenneth "Slaygon" Mutka (Symphony 64), Marcel Donné (Project Sidologie), FastLoaders (Ninja Musicology and Symphony 64), and composers Rob Hubbard and Ben Daglish (8-Bit Symphony). The label continues to release downloads, CDs, Blu-ray, and other merchandise. Its digital archive, offered as a read-only Google Drive share, contains over one terabyte of content, including release files, alternate versions, work-in-progress directories, concert videos, and development documents. C64 Audio remains a central hub for the preservation and celebration of Commodore 64 music.

• 2015

  Crowdfunded "Back in Time Brighton 2015".

• 2003

  Released "Crystal Dreamscapes", "Nexus 6581 II", and "Project Galway".

• 2002

  Released "Karma 64", "Remix 64", "Instant Remedy", and "Galway Remixed".

• 2001

  Released "Back in Time 3" (Chris Abbott, Alistair "Boz" Bowness and Jason "Kenz" Mackenzie).

• 2000

  Released "Nexus 6581" (Reyn Ouwehand).

• 1999

  Released "Back in Time 2" (various artists).

• 1998

  Released "Back in Time" (Chris Abbott and Rob Hubbard).

• 1997

  Became C64Audio.com and produced "Back in Time", the first Commodore 64 Remix CD.

• 1995

  Started on the Internet giving away MIDI files of C64 game tunes.

Specialist label and publisher for Commodore 64 and 8-bit era music, serving retro gaming and chiptune communities.

• 1998

  Back in Time

• 1999

  Back in Time 2

• 2000

  Nexus 6581

• 2001

  Back in Time 3

• 2002

  Karma 64

• 2002

  Remix 64

• 2002

  Instant Remedy

• 2002

  Galway Remixed

• 2003

  Crystal Dreamscapes

• 2003

  Nexus 6581 II

• 2003

  Project Galway

• Project Sidologie

• Project Hubbard

• 8-Bit Symphony

• The Little Book of Sound Chips

• Back in Time Brighton 2015
• Project Sidologie
• Back in Time Symphonic Collection
• Code of the Ninja
• Ninja Musicology
• Project Hubbard
• 8-Bit Symphony - First and Second Half

1. 1C64Audio.com - C64 SIDs, Remixes and Booksc64audio.com
2. 2About Us – C64Audio.comc64audio.com
3. 3Project Galway – C64Audio.comc64audio.com
4. 4C64Audio - The Whole Digital Archive – C64Audio.comc64audio.com
5. 5C64 Audio - Wikidatawikidata.org