Ever since we first heard of the Korg DS-10 software synthesizer for the Nintendo DS, I've been impatiently rocking in my chair. When I'm not writing for this fine network of Web sites, I'm making music, and this software on a portable game system is like a dream to me. I preordered a copy at the earliest opportunity.
I've been dying to see this in use, and today Siliconera delivers. At Linear, a “hybrid entertainment floor” in Shibuya, an artist had a chance to show off and perform with an early copy of the Korg DS-10 synth. It's not the most compelling performance, and I think my Welsh Corgi could track a better beat, but it is cool to see this thing in action.
Here recently, I've had to warn a few people about the nature of this DS software. I tell them that if they're expecting a game, they're going to be sorely disappointed. Of course, if editing envelopes and step sequencing is fun for you, then you can think of it as a game. Otherwise, this is a software synth. A video below the jump shows some parameter tweaking, which may be exciting or totally boring, depending on your love of digital music.
How many of you are picking this up?
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site
Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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Contest:
10:17 AM on 06.06.2008
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I only wish they won't knock up the price just because it's a softsynth. I also wonder what the sound quality is going to be like. Granted, it's not going to sound like a vintage Moog, but I just hope there won't be too much of certain digital artifacts, namely anti-aliasing on higher frequencies.
And what about MIDI-functionality? Audio line out? Saving custom templates/songs? Man, I so want this and if it's not coming out in USA/Europe, I'm importing it!
I am chomping at the bit.... now all they need is a companion app to emulate MIDI over Wifi so you can hook this into your sequencer.
I cant wait
I'm not a proper musician in any sense but I did dick around with the Game Boy Camera's DJ mode (another 16 step sequencer) over a year ago and got some pleasing results. It was fun. I'm sorta interested in importing this.
Plus it would be a helluva lot cheaper than going out and spending a couple hundred on a sample library that mimics the Korg synthesizer.
You do not need a sample library. There are countless mature and full-featured softsynths, from new stuff, to emulations of vintage analog instruments, including products from Korg. If there was ever a market for expensive sample libraries of synths, it dried up about 15 years ago.