A Day of DS-10: A Word With Yasunori Mitsuda

From the first moment I learned about the KORG DS-10 back in May, I was curious about Procyon Studio’s presence in the copyright. Well, we’ve finally caught some time with Yasunori Mitsuda to ask him about his role on the project, as well as his current musical interests.

We’re loving the KORG DS-10, so be sure to check out our comprehensive coverage along with a series of videos the editors and our friends have created on the OSVchannel.

Read our brief interview with Mitsuda after the jump.

OSV: Mitsuda-san, it’s great to talk to you about the KORG DS-10.  Thank you for your time.

Procyon Studios is listed in the copyrights for the KORG DS-10 software, but we haven’t heard any news of your involvement on the project. What has been Procyon’s role with the KORG DS-10?
Mitsuda: Sano-san from AQ had a really strong idea of making “real” analog synth on the DS. I felt that this would be too simple, and that we should have sequencer so fans could enjoy and produce music and upload their works to YouTube, so Procyon Studios was involved with developing the sequencer as well as the programming.

OSV: You mentioned Nobuyoshi “Sanodg” Sano, who is the director and producer of the title. Describe your relationship with Sano-san and how this project was first started?
Mitsuda: First of all, we are good friends and we often drink together. Whenever we met, we talked about various synthesizers of the past. Sano-san knew the KORG people and wanted to make an analog synth on the DS, so we thought, “the time is now,” and that’s how it started.

OSV: You’ve created many beautiful soundtracks for the DS over the past few years. What tools do you use to create music for this system, and did this experience have any influence on your decision to get involved with a music tool on the DS, the KORG DS-10?
Mitsuda: We use a self-developed sound driver for all our DS projects, and it was also used for the DS-10. We have an in-house programmer to work on this.

OSV: Many view your recent music as mostly Celtic and orchestral in influence. It is then surprising to see your involvement with a classic analogue synthesizer with raw electronic sounds. Tell us about your feelings towards this kind of electronic sound and the music that is created with it.
Mitsuda: Actually, I was more involved in electronic music when I started out because I experienced YMO and Kraftwerk, but I always loved the Celtic sound too, and I was really into it when I composed for Chrono Cross. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of American folk and British rock.

OSV: Thank you for your time. We’re looking forward to getting our hands on the KORG DS-10 Synthesizer in November!