Comments on: Nintendo to Block Homebrew Game Hardware; Leaked DS-10 ROM Inspires DS Music

By: DS-10 Dominator

DS-10 Dominator — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:48:49 +0000

Buy Korg DS-10! It’s cheap and loud. To prove that I composed an album with it, check http://www.mp3death.us

By: ale/pepino

ale/pepino — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:03:29 +0000

So what does a digital software synth to do with “8-bit music” or “chiptune”?
OK I’ll reply â€“ nothing!

By: Create Digital Music » DS-10 US Preorder Available; US Ship Date 9/30

Create Digital Music » DS-10 US Preorder Available; US Ship Date 9/30 — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:12:28 +0000

[...] Nintendo to Block Homebrew Game Hardware; Leaked DS-10 ROM Inspires DS Music Demystifying Sound Design: 15 Online Learning Resources for Film, Games, and [...]

By: peter

peter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:43:28 +0000

http://www.amazon.com/Korg-DS-10-Synthesizer-Nintendo-DS/dp/B001EB8CD6

US preorders! Time for Pirates to prove their word!

By: Mars

Mars — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:52:58 +0000

Oh yeah you can also record using the Kaoss pad as an arpeggiator, with gate, volume, pan, peak, and cutoff abilities.

By: Mars

Mars — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:49:17 +0000

Downpressor: Oh yeah I forgot about counting the drum tracks. And I was thinking about it … technically they aren’t oscillators either, they’re synths! there are many oscillators in there! :P

robman: Ah I see. Well yeah, I’d totally love it if Nintendo offered a downloadable application service. Keyword: application ;)

The song mode can play one pattern at a time, linearly. You could ‘program’ (a measure’s worth at 1/16 per pattern) synth effects (note, gate, volume, pan, kaossx & kaossy). Or you can ‘record’ notes on the virtual keyboard. However, the synth is a collection of oscillators, and the output of some of those oscillators can be used as parameters to affect the sound of the synth. You can’t really record oscillator effects like you would in the popular audio dev platforms.

But then again .. it’s like having more basic tools like this force you to approach making music differently … like trackers. Woot!

And the moral of the story is … I love it and I’ll buy a second DS and Ds-10 when I can afford it! And I’d rather download it! *glances at the nintendo rep in the room*

By: robman84

robman84 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:08:37 +0000

You might be missing my point a bit. Not complaining about anything in terms of its technical ability or sound quality or price. Just seems somehow odd that you can only save 16 patterns and a small-ish number of named patches. Why not 32? Why not 64? Why not 128? Maybe these are technical limitations of the DS or maybe they were more arbitrary limitations – no idea. The point I was trying to make is that with downloadable software, if the developer decides to make some improvements you simply download a new version, but with a cartridge you are stuck with what you’ve got. Even Xbox360 and PS3 games seem to get free downloadable enhancements on a regular basis.

But back to DS-10. The price is incredible, and it truly sounds amazing, and if there’s no chance of them raising the storage limits for a US or UK launch then I’ll import. And if Nintendo feels like offering it as a legal purchased download for flash cart owners, I’ll do a merry dance.

On a technical question, for those who own or have used it, is the song mode limited to triggering a numbered pattern in sequence, or can you record changes to patch parameters, effects, track muting/volume etc as the song plays?

By: Downpressor

Downpressor — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:30:03 +0000

Actually, it has 6 (digitally simulated)oscillators. The drum track is really just four more oscillators.

robman84,

For under 5,000 Yen, I dont feel the right to complain about “only” 16 patterns per track. Your standards of value judgment are your own of course, but I think this is a heck of a value.

By: Mars

Mars — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:01:37 +0000

robman84:

There might be some limitations of the DS-10 compared to like an Electribe, sure. But this is just a software version of an MS-10. I haven’t used one… maybe someday when I find one at a garage sale or something. But I read that it had a single oscillator. At least the DS-10 has two! Thats pretty nifty of this little device. After all, you aren’t paying for a full-fledged DAW in the first place :P

I think the DS-10 is amazing for what it is! I saw someone post a stateside point of sale, I’m totally ordering it tonight!

And well .. yeah the latest glitchds is also amazing!

-Mars

By: robman84

robman84 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:27:28 +0000

It’s a crying shame that, in this age of ultra-cheap flash memory, we still rely on cartridges for our portable consoles rather than embracing the idea of legitimately carrying around 8 gig of software on one cartridge. I hate the fact that buying a new piece of software for my DS means another package to keep/recycle, and another cartridge to find storage space for and another piece of software that cannot be updated. When I bought Jam Sessions (guitar “sim” for DS) I was simultaneously amazed by the sound and horrified by the ridiculous limitations that could have easily been fixed with a small update. But to update it would require the makers to produce another cartridge, and me to spend another 20-odd quid to buy it again!

What is stopping me from buying an import of DS-10 is the shortcomings I have read about in other reviews (only 16 patterns per song, very limited patch storage etc) and the faint glimmer of hope that before the UK launch the coders are able to solve some of these issues. Of course hearing the demos makes me want it right now though!!

Now, if the makers would offer a downloadable ROM for DS-10 instead I’d pay the full cartridge price and they’d make a bigger margin, as would Nintendo. They could also offer me updates. I suppose it would be harder for Nintendo to trust the software makers to provide legit sales figures for downloads unless it was done through a Nintendo-run app store.

For now I’ll carry on playing the awesome homebrew music stuff on my DS. The latest GlitchDS rules!