Nordischsound is back with something unusual yet captivating: a C64 bagpipe performance of Amazing Grace. Using the Commodore 64’s legendary SID chip, he recreates the haunting tone of traditional bagpipes with an 8-bit twist.
The performance is more than a technical showcase. It demonstrates how the SID can mimic complex instruments while still carrying raw emotional weight. Bagpipes, often thought of as one of the most difficult sounds to emulate electronically, come through with surprising warmth and texture.
This track was not created in isolation. Nordischsound originally composed it for his 2024 Commodore 64 game, Timo’s Castle, where it features in the end credits. The arrangement bridges the gap between experimental music and retro gaming, giving the tune a second life beyond the game itself.
What stands out in this C64 bagpipe performance is how convincing the instrument sounds within the limits of 8-bit hardware. Each note feels alive, resonating with the unique timbre of the SID. The result is both familiar and strange: a classic hymn reimagined through one of computing’s most iconic sound chips.
Hearing Amazing Grace on bagpipes is stirring in its own right. Hearing it through the SID chip makes it unforgettable. Nordischsound proves once again that the Commodore 64 is not just a piece of retro hardware, but an instrument capable of producing deeply moving performances.
Watch the video to experience how the SID chip transforms a timeless melody into something new. The moment you realize those bagpipes are generated by an 8-bit sound chip is where admiration turns into astonishment.
