N-Philes

Korg DS-10

Posted July 28th 2008 by kino.

WARNING: This review might be in the Nintendo DS section, but it is is absolutely NOT about a videogame. Succeeding to the likes of Daigasso! Band Brothers and Jam Sessions, an even more ambitious and, let's admit it, unexpected musical instrument has now been made to fit into your pocket: a KORG analog synthesizer.

Both functionally and visually based on the design of the highly appreciated vintage (and I'm talking Jean-Michel Jarre epoch) KORG MS-10 Synthesizer, the DS-10 simulator offers a couple additions over its role model. The Nintendo DS rendition features six tracks of polyphony; two analog synths and four drums. All generated waves can be precisely modulated, and various envelope and resonance (called peak in the KORG world) filters can be applied via the use of a virtual patch panel, all with corresponding and rather obscure voltage-controlled oscillators and switches. The DS stylus is used to connect the patch cords and tune the knobs, with the software automatically preventing you from shorting the wrong plugs without worry of signal voltage differences.

DS-10 also includes a 16 step sequencer to record your loops. Patterns can be selected and copied for easy manipulation, and a separate matrix view is used to arrange created patterns to form a complete song, tracker style. 16 patterns can be saved per session and you can store up to 18 different sessions into the cart's memory.

The actual composing is made possible through three input methods: A classic, touch screen controlled mini-keyboard with adjustable octaves, a matrix view, where composers can precisely arrange and pan each note by placing dots in a grid, and a virtual equivalent of the Kaossilator; a portable, touch pad based Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer produced by KORG. As its name implies, using the KAOSS pad is less precise but more intuitive. It is more open to improvisation and produces more organic results, while still leaving a comfortable level of signal tuning, with all the previously mentioned frequency, envelope and peak values assignable to the X and Y axes of the touch pad.

Drums have their own dedicated module. Using the same matrix editor, users can fully customize the four available drum machines and arrange their own percussion loops that can later be merged into the pattern, or played manually by the performer.

Finally, an FX table is found at the end of the audio chain. There, the user can mix delay, chorus and flanger filters to the synth channels separately, both at the same time, just the drum machine or with the whole output for added effect. All filters can be applied in real time to break the monotony of the repeating patterns during a live performance.

The product's relative ease of use is enhanced by an elegant and simple interface. A flow chart metaphor illustrates the synthesizer's components, the D-Pad is used to cycle through the panels and the L button switches view between the two screens. Lefties will not be left (haha) out of the loop (double-haha) thanks to the presence of an alternate left-handed control scheme. The patches, dials, switches and levers won't immediately make the most of sense to novice users, but the intuitive combination of the stylus + buttons, the real time implementation of the various electronic effects, as well as the full labeling of all the components will encourage neophytes to experiment freely. This review is based on the Japanese version of KORG DS-10, but the software itself is entirely in English, though the official user guide currently available separately from Amazon is Japanese only.

The sound quality coming out of the Nintendo DS' innards faithfully replicates the warm signature of the vintage instrument it mimics. Keen ears will certainly discern a difference, but it is no-less an accomplishment considering that all sounds are procedurally synthesized by the system (DS-10 contains no prerecorded samples), and that the output never fails to impress, even when hooked up to a stereo system or mixing table/amp. This serves as a testament to how committed the developers have been to squeeze the highest quality sound out of the product. With that said, given the DS lite's tiny speakers, hooking up decent headphones or an amp is recommended.

Users will have seen most there is to do in DS-10 within the first hour or so of playing around with the panels. Some will regret that developer AQI Inc. did not bother including some fun options available separately on real life synthesizer, like a vocoder that would have made use of the DS' admittedly low quality microphone, an LED screen for outputting values, or even a limited sampler (not unlike Toshio Iwai's Electroplankton). Unfortunately, the on-screen mini-keyboard is a little imprecise to use with a stylus, especially with no multi-touch support on the DS' lower screen. Just like its real life counterpart, the software also lacks a way to store live performances. Aspiring DJ's will have to hook up the jack output of the DS to the recording system of their choice, if they want their sudden genius- struck improvisations left to posterity. Some method to export creations or even share them directly online would have been welcome.

We could unfortunately not test the title's multiplayer features in time for this review, but from what we have seen they seemed to work quite well. In addition to sending creations locally to a nearby Nintendo DS with a copy of the game, DS-10 provides an interesting link feature for dedicated creators to abuse. Up to four DS-10 can be linked wirelessly, with one unit acting as the master, and all the slaves playing their own patterns in synchronization with it. This feature further brings the DS-10 closer to professional setups.

KORG DS-10 is only available in Japan through Amazon.co.jp, for ¥4,800. At the time of this review, a North-American release has just been announced by publisher XSEED Games for Q4 2008.

Steady Beat - Watch out Underworld and Mr. Oizo, Nintendo fanboys are coming for you!

DS-10 is a fine piece of software for DJs and aspiring electronic musicians. The link feature wirelessly emulates a MIDI interface for use in DJ sets, and with a little creativity and preparation, it is possible to use the Nintendo DS in conjunction with more "serious" equipment like a sampler or vocoder. We are a little skeptical about actual professional music production, but DS-10 still serves as a truly meriting introduction to electronic composition, and is scored here accordingly.

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