Kotaku: korg

First Album Recorded Using DS KORG Emulator Released

Stuart Houghton — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:00:00 MDT

..and by 'Released' we mean 'put up on a website in a Zip file'. Say what you like about the democratizing power of the internet - it does rather suck the glamour out of album launches.

Anyway, what we have here is a cracking little collection of musical experiments created using the KORG DS-10 emulator for the Nintendo DS, for a competition at MP3Death.us/diplodocus.

I listened to all twelve tracks on the way home tonight and it is mainly what you would expect - squirly, twiddly synth sounds and squelchy beats. Some tracks have quite an 8-bit soundtrack feel — Aliceffek's 'Toneworks' is great fun and would not sound out of place on a Commodore 64 platformer — while the brilliant 'DSTennis' by A Rival is reminiscent of Hexstatic's 'Bass Invader.'

It may not be to everyone's taste, but you have to be slightly agog that this stuff started life on a little handheld games console. The competition to create this took place over just 24 hours - imagine what could be done with an extra couple of days..

Presented here for your listening pleasure - 'Sand' by Starpause.
Boomp3.com

KORG DS-10 Compo [Mp3deaqth via Boing Boing Gadgets]

Yay! Korg's DS-10 Synthesizer Isn't Japan Only

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:00:00 MDT

Yes, I've been a bit obsessed with the Korg DS-10 synthesizer software since it was announced by AQI. Fortunately, it seems that others share my passion for making electronic musical diversions, as the company has responded to (I assume) BILLIONS of requests for a global release. Turns out, Korg DS-10 isn't Japan only, as previously thought.

Tomi from AQI let prospective fans know in a rare English-language update "YES, we will release DS-10 worldwide and currently we're making an adjustment with each territory. So please be patient." Fantastic! Who shall be brave

Hello Everyone! [Korg DS-10 Blog]

Korg Makes Your Nintendo DS A Real-Life Synthesizer

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:40:12 MDT

Music creation isn't anything new on the Nintendo DS. Nintendo's Daigasso! Band Brothers and Ubisoft's Jam Sessions have let budding musicians fiddle around with writing their own tunes, but it's Korg DS-10 that may offer the most to on-the-go songwriters. Korg DS-10 comes with two analog synth simulators, a drum module, and a 6-track/16-step sequencer, all of which can be controlled and manipulated using the Nintendo DS touchscreen. You're right, dear reader, that does sound pretty boss.

The included sounds come straight from Korg themselves for authenticity and credibility. Even cooler? Wireless support lets multiple musicians hook up for group performances. Interested?

Here are the official specs:
- Two patchable dual-oscillator analog synth simulators:
- Four-part drum machine that uses sounds created with the analog synth simulator
- Six-track (analog synth x 2, drum machine x 4) /16-step sequencer
- Delay, chorus, and flanger sound effects available from the mixing board
- Three note-entry modes: touch-control screen, keyboard screen, matrix screen
- Real-time sound control mode via touch-control screen
- Exchange sounds and songs and play multiple units simultaneously through a wireless communications link

The software is set to debut at the International Musikmesse Frankfurt this week, if you happen to find yourself there. If not, it ships in Japan this July for 4800 yen. It's officially "for Japan only", so you may want to import.

The KORG DS-10 site has an MP3 sample of what the software sounds like. Expect me to be recreating my own Yuzo Koshiro remixes all summer long.

KORG DS-10 [AQI]