Blog - KORG DS-10
KORG DS-10
Wow!! KORG has made a software sequencer synth for Nintendo DS!
Features:
- World's first Nintendo DS music tool software
- Simulates 2 analog synths with 2 oscillators, supporting patches
- Drum machine
- 6 tracks (2 synth, 4 drum machine), 16-step sequencer
- Mixer has delay, chorus and flanger effects
- 3 note input modes: touch control, keyboard and matrix screens
- Real-time sound control mode
- Sync several DS-10's wirelessly
While it sure has its limits, it's a first and it sounds damn cool too.
This will be sold in Japan on Amazon only (not in stores). It goes on sale on July 24 and pre-orders are accepted now. The price is very cheap too at ¥4800!
Note: Amazon Japan only ships games within Japan.
They are planning worldwide releases later.
Here's a demo clip on YouTube, and there's lots more too.
By the way, I just knew about this today when reading Aprils' blog. They will appear in the upcoming issue of magazine "otona no kagaku" which will include parts to build your own synthesizer, out in July too!
Posted on May 26, 2008 at 23:05 | Tweet
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Any idea if the interface will be in english?
I want!!!! :D
Posted by Octaine on May 27, 2008 at 01:19
The synth's interface is in English I believe, from what can be seen in the videos, but the Japanese release manual might only in Japanese. If you want an English manual you should wait for the release in your own region (hopefully). :)
Posted by Patrick on May 27, 2008 at 08:00
Oh. My. GOD!
I really hope this makes it to the US. Unless there's someone who'd like to ship one to me? For a small fee, of course. ^__^
Posted by Zac Bentz on May 27, 2008 at 08:53
Genius! I'll definitely have to get this.
I really like how the DS is becoming such a multi-purpose platform, and not just a games console. There's all sorts of exciting software coming out for it now.
Posted by Johan Nystrom on June 3, 2008 at 00:20
The first (almost) music tool for the DS was Toshio (Tenori-on) Iwai's Elektroplankton. It resembles a game but there is no score and it's usable more or less as a musical instrument.
Clearly the good point is the incredibly small portable size and low price. The DS sound quality surely won't be a strong point in terms of trying to sound like a real 1978 era Korg, then again the game sound quality of it could be turned to an advantage.
As for the otona no kagaku synth. It's not unreasonable that it might be a coincidence, but it does greatly resemble a 1970s synthesizer kit, the PAIA Gnome - http://www.synthmuseum.com/paia/paignome01.html
On the other hand the Gnome cost twice the price (even more by 1970s economics) though it was built more substantially and had a few more features.
No one I know of has done a synth quite as cheaply (and packaged it), though you can get free plans to build a far better synth here -
http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/
And fwiw PAIA is still in business making kits
http://paia.com/
Posted by nick on June 9, 2008 at 01:41
Thanks for all those details!
I'm not usually much into those kinds of kits, but I might try out this one as it's quite cheap indeed! I'll need to try out Elektroplankton sometime too.
Posted by Patrick on June 9, 2008 at 11:35
elektroplankton is cool but it's more for live/improv performance. the korg ds-10 is synth/sequencer/drum machine/kaoss pad all rolled into one. amazing cart imo.
Posted by korg ds-10 blog on June 25, 2009 at 22:59
Great inspiring work on your blog, keep it up!
http://korgds-10.blogspot.com/
Posted by Patrick on June 25, 2009 at 23:56