What is BeepBox?
BeepBox is a music sketchpad for retro, video game style tunes. You click squares on a grid to place notes, stack up melody and drum channels, then arrange short patterns into a full song. It plays back instantly, so you can hear changes as you make them, and it is easy enough for beginners while still being deep enough for real tracks.
It is developed by John Nesky, who calls it a passion project that will always be free. Its smartest trick is that the whole song is stored in the web address: every edit updates the URL, so saving or sharing a song just means copying the link. The source code is open under the MIT license, there is an offline version to download, and BeepBox does not claim ownership of anything you make with it. It is popular with chiptune fans and game jam developers.
What You Can Do
- Place notes on a grid with clicks
- Layer multiple melody and drum channels
- Arrange patterns into a full song
- Share songs by copying the URL
- Download an offline version
- Use the MIT-licensed source code in your own projects
How to Play BeepBox
- Open BeepBox and press play to hear the starter loop.
- Click squares on the grid to add or remove notes.
- Add channels and arrange patterns along the bottom.
- Copy the URL from your address bar to save or share your song.
Is BeepBox Free?
BeepBox is free with no account. Its creator says it will always be free to use.
Who Will Enjoy It?
- Indie game developers who need quick soundtracks
- Chiptune and retro music fans
- Beginners who want to try composing
- Students learning how songs are built
Websites Like BeepBox
- Chrome Music Lab: Song Maker is a simpler grid music tool for younger users.
- The Infinite Drum Machine: Make beats from thousands of everyday sounds.
- Lo-Fi Player: Relax with chill beats you can steer instead of write.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BeepBox free?
Yes. It is free, open source and needs no account.
How do I save a song in BeepBox?
The song lives in the URL, so bookmark or copy the link to save it.
Who owns songs made in BeepBox?
You do. BeepBox does not claim ownership of songs made with it.