Synths

Game Music, Software

Contest: KORG DS-10 Synthesizer, You’ve Got The Touch!

November 26, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this

Did you see our videos of The OneUps and GEM Impact creating original tunes on the KORG DS-10? Were you left wishing you could make equally-amazing videos of your own and put them up on YouTube for the rest of the world to see? Well, wait no more, your chance has arrived!

Thanks to the good folks over at XSEED, we have one copy of the KORG DS-10 Sythesizer just waiting for your touch. Will you create your own original tunes or remix your favorite game and pop tracks? That’s up to you, but either way, I can tell you that you’re going to have fun doing it.

Hit the jump for contest details. (more…)
Game Music, Indie Music, Software

A Small Synthesizer With Heart: KORG DS-10 Impressions and OSVchannel Videos

November 3, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this

We’ve been talking about the KORG DS-10 for months now. I first got my hands on the Nintendo DS synthesizer at E3, and was thoroughly impressed with the features and retro sounds packed into the small cartridge. Well, it’s finally shipping to select retailers tomorrow, and we have something special in store for all of you who have been curious about the program.

You’ve likely seen the numerous DS-10 videos that have been popping up on YouTube over the past few months, and it’s even possible that you’ve caught a glimpse of a few of our own videos on the OSVchannel, but along with our impressions of the KORG DS-10 Synthesizer, we’re also going to show you some of the videos the editors at OSV and our friends have created to give you an idea of what the DS-10 is capable of. Which friends, you ask? We’ve got some killer videos from both GEM Impact and The OneUps, so we hope you enjoy them!

Hit the jump for our review and a series of awesome DS-10 videos. (more…)
Game Music

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

November 3, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

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. (more…)
Gear

Buy your musical instruments at Best Buy? What?

October 23, 2008 | Dale North | 5 Comments Share this

When I first started hearing rumors of being able to buy musical instruments at big box retailer Best Buy, I totally dismissed it. It would never be professional products there, I thought. It would probably be toys and pro-sumer junk.

I was wrong.

The new Musical Instruments selection at Best Buy.com has a good selection of quality stuff. There’s pro-synths, interfaces, recording gear, guitars and more. It’s not a full selection, but they do have Sonar 7 Producer. Or the Korg M3 61-key synthesizer. In fact, their keys selection scales all the way up to Roland’s flagship board, the Fantom G8. And it says “in store only” for that listing!

Speaking of, here’s the stores that carry music gear.

Call me crazy, but I just can’t see myself going into Best Buy, picking up a new DVD, video game, oh… and a new guitar and amp. I wonder what prompted them to start selling big name instruments. I’m sure they’re hoping poor musos come in and apply for their 20% interest credit card.
Gear

Roland’s Juno-Stage is a synth… for the stage

June 27, 2008 | Dale North | 2 Comments Share this

At the Summer NAMM, Roland surprise-launched this new synth, the Juno-Stage. It looks a lot like the currently availble Juno-G, which I always thought would make a great live board.

What makes this Juno-Stage better? The focus on features for the gigging musician. There’s a 76-key semi-weighted keyboard with elongated keys for your elongated solos. There’s also knobs that can tweak parameters live, like EQ and reverb. And this thing has plenty of ports to plug stuff into: USB sticks, MP3 players (1/8″ jack), and even a microphone port. You could plug everything you’d need as a one-man band in this board and perform!

The Music Player Network has a video straight from the NAMM floor showing off all the features.

I don’t play live much, but I kinda want one anyway!
Gear

Have you played a Roland Fantom G yet?

June 18, 2008 | Dale North | Comments Off on Have you played a Roland Fantom G yet? Share this Have you played a Roland Fantom G yet?

Luxury. Class. Style. Power. No, I’m not talking about the newest BMW. I’m lusting over a synthesizer here!

Not since the Yamaha launch of the Motif series have I been so hot for a synth. I’ve always admired Roland’s Fantom series, but there were never a must-have item until the G came out. I recently had a chance to tinker with one, and I’m totally sold on this $3,700 workstation (88 key version).

What won me over? Maybe it’s the lovely new “Ivory Feel” keys. Maybe it’s the new built-in audio and midi sequencer. Bah, who am I kidding? It’s that big-assed screen and the ability to plug in a USB mouse to control it!

For the first time on a synth, you can mouse click your way through soundbanks and parameters, which is much easier than fiddling with little knobs and buttons. A simple right click on the patch name brings up a list of like instruments. Brilliant!

Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that it sounds amazing. The new piano patches are a dream to play.

Hit the jump to see one lucky bastard’s unboxing. (more…)