E3 2008: KORG DS-10 to Give Birth to New Music Scene

Mark my words. There are people out there stringing up lines of Gameboys to create of the craziest and most amazing music out there. I believe the KORG DS-10 takes this a step further. While it may not be as obscure as creating music with an original Gameboy, I think the novelty of a tool specifically created to turn the DS into a musical instrument will catch on among musically-inclined gamers.

We were able to catch an extensive demo of the software on the floor, and even got the opportunity to get our hands on it, and I’ll say right now that I’m going to be picking this one up on day one.

Hit the jump for impressions.

Catering to the performers from the get-go, those who are so inclined can sync up to eight DS’s running the KORG DS-10 software for a single performance (although this requires 8 separate carts). Up to 18 songs can be saved and traded locally with friends and other musicians. So on to the music.

Projects can consist of up to 16 patterns (2-5 minutes of music depending on the tempo) with 6 channels, 2 for synths and 4 for drums. This is a traditional analog synth in the purest sense, and there isn’t a sound library on the cart. Sounds can be created and customized by manipulating pure wave forms and tweaking virtual knobs with the stylus. Notes can be entered via a sequencer or a virtual piano to aid in live performance.

One of the coolest features is the chaos pad. Nearly any parameter can be assigned to the x-axis and y-axis and changed on the fly by moving the stylus across the screen. This makes it easy to create a unique sound each time, and the pen stroke can be recorded and saved if one likes the outcome.

Unfortunately there isn’t a tutorial mode for the KORG DS-10. I think this will make the tool highly inaccessible to those who are want to simply dabble in music. While the XSEED rep said that a tutorial could make it’s way into the game, he seemed to think my suggestions for an online video tutorial or an instruction book tutorial would be more likely.

For musicians, the KORG DS-10 is a must have. For those who aren’t, but may be interested in the world of music creation, I think if XSEED bangs out a tutorial, this may be worthwhile for those people too. I know I’m looking forward to the fall 2008 release date.

Know any gamers who aren’t into music who are excited about the DS-10? Does anyone think this software can be the next big thing in the underground music scene?