KORG DS-10 Plus

A much wanted and sought after video-game application for Nintendo DS, KORG DS-10. AQ Interactive released a new version version for both DS and DSi just short of a month ago; KORG DS-10 Plus.

This version promised a few improvements over the original when played on the normal Nintendo DS, but the main core of the application is in the DSi version. The same game-card can be used for both systems and the DSi version is fully backward-compatible, meaning that when linking up the systems for multi-play, both “games” will sync-up it’s tempo and thus you can still use your old version to create tracks on multiple DS’s. For more on it’s features, I’m gonna let Denji Sano do the talking in his Keynote: Take it away Denji!

Allowing up to four DS to be synced. When used wisely, like say, via à 4 channel mixer, one could create a very interesting song created on four separate KORG DS-10’s, all running in sync. The DSi version features the same stuff you already knew from the original DS version, but, everything in dubbles. Twelve instead of six channels, four instead of two synths, eight instead of four drum-tracks and so on. When used with the new DSi “Dual-mode” this would mean, technically, you could have 8 KORG’s all synthesizing in tune and in time with each other. That’s some bang for your buck! Unfortunately, I don’t have a DSi yet, so I could not test the DSi features myself.

I ordered KORG DS-10 Plus on Amazon, costing me only ¥3150. But expect retailers (if sold in a store at all… Remember how many shops sold DS-10?) to squeeze about €45,- out of your wallet, or I guess, about $50,-. So I recommend ordering the application via the good ol’ internet. Remember that this is a Japanese release, and so the manual will be in Japanese. If you want an English manual, you’ll have to wait for Q1 2010 for an American and European release. But if you already used the original version and read the original manual, you won’t find any surprises in this installment.

Traktor DJ Studio

In the past week I’ve been practicing hard on using Traktor DJ Studio 3.

My setup for DJ’ing consists of:
- iBook G4 1333mhz 1.5 GB RAM
- Traktor DJ Studio 3.4
- M-Audio X-session Pro for controlling Traktor DJ
- Korg Kaoss Pad 2 (Who’s BPM is synced to Traktor using a Phonic midi-hub.)

In the past, one of the first things i noticed is that using only a mouse and keyboard to control a DJ application sucked big time. So ones i got a X-session pro i created a layout for controlling the software which suites my taste. But ones i had that covered i didn’t have enough free knobs to control the effects! Well, i already own a Kaoss Pad. So using effects in the mix is sorted as well.

Later this week i will write a few useful hints for syncing Traktor DJ to external gear like a kaoss pad, or Ableton Live. For now, please listen to ‘Jean Parlette‘. A band from the Netherlands with a nice style of their own.

Games

When i was younger i (not so suprisingly) played a lot of video-games. Sega and Nintendo was the shit back then. Atari was just about to fail, and Sony was a brand selling stuff like VCR’s and cd-players. After Sony did make the Playstation, and even microsoft made the Xbox. I called it quits. Well offcourse i still like a good round of GTA every now and again, but i am not a “gamer” anymore.

What gives me an excuse to buy a console nowadays?

Music! I got myself a Nintendo DS back in December, and started searching around for good homebrew applications. There’s allready tons of sites informing about the latest homebrew in all sorts, shapes and sizes. So i’m sticking to the musical side of things. Being an avid Ableton and Reason user, what kind of programs would satisfy my producing needs?

- Nitrotracker http://nitrotracker.tobw.net/

A tracker for the DS, a good start to the list, and definitly the first download you should get if you want to produce music on your DS. The program loads samples straight of your SD-card and those samples can then be programmed like any other tracker would allow you to. It also supports DSMIDIWIFI (next on the list) which makes it the worlds smallest sequencer. The only downside i can think of is the lack of effects (the ones usually found in fasttracker clones). My guess is the DS is just to slow a computer to handle effects.

- DS Midi WiFi http://dsmidiwifi.tobw.net/

Pretty much does what it says on the tin. You can use you Nintendo DS as a midi-player over your wireless connection. The site provides some more additional applications to toy around with as well.

- Protein DScratch http://gorgull.googlepages.com/protein

Touch-screen scratching, very cool. I personally use it to slow down samples, because it does that perfectly! Sounds real good.

- Glitch http://www.glitchds.com/

Using samples, the touchpad control and the other controls on your DS to manipulate the sound in some very weird ways. Ideal for IDM, BreakCore and Techno. Glitchds.com also provides RepeaterDS, a sampler using the touch-screen to play the sample from different staring points.

- KORG DS-10 http://www.aqi.co.jp/product/ds10/en/index.html

It’s not out yet, and it’s not a homebrew app. This is what i’ve been waiting for! A simple synth with all kinds of parameters to tweak and an arpreggio and a step sequencer. Should come out next month, i can’t wait!