Developer/Publisher: XSEED
Price: $29.99
Genre: Music Creation Software
Acquired: Review Copy Provided
Verdict: An excellent beginner tool set for curious musicians.
Pros: Deep track customization, and an increased number of available patterns if used on a DSi.
Cons: Lack of any export feature or tutorial make it an ultimately flawed final product.
As the resident game audio ‘expert’ at Games Are Evil, I was rather excited when the enhanced sequel to 2008’s Korg DS-10 Synthesizer software for the Nintendo DS was handed off to me for review. I’ll make this clear from the outset, Korg DS-10 and the new enhanced version Korg DS-10+ are not, I repeat not, video games. Taking their names from the brand synonymous with quality synthesizers, an exceptional musical experience is in store for anyone that cares to dive into the deep customization that the software enables a user to explore.
Although spartan in it’s presentation, Korg DS-10+ makes up for it by being one of the first DS software titles to take advantage of the increased RAM that the DSi offers. The extra RAM effectively doubles the number of tracks, which enables more expansive compositions then were possible with the original. For gamers that have little knowledge of the intricacies of synthesizers, Korg DS-10+ allows a user to program in synthesized patterns (up to 16 patterns per song and 32 patterns when utilized with the DSi’s increased RAM) for two keyboard tracks and one 4-channel drum track.
The DS-10 software is based on the Korg MS-10/MS-20 but manages to downsize this large setup for the more pocket friendly DS.
There is a number of things that I could complain about, namely the lack of any significant extra features besides tweaking individual track controls, and the addition of the dual song mode with the DSi, but Korg DS-10+ it makes it clear that it isn’t a game and thusly can’t be judged like one. As far as Korg DS-10+ is defined within the context of a software toolset there are definite highpoints with a few glaring omissions that ultimately end up hurting the final package.
It is honestly pretty easy to create something that sounds kind of cool, but trying to make something that actually sounds good takes a significant amount of practice (Especially for gamers or musicians not familiar with the absurd number of options at your beck and call). I’ve been a DJ for years now but still find myself using trial and error to get the sounds I want out of the patching system since I’ve never had the need to learn the difference between a triangle and noise waveform. Creating interesting drum patterns and playing around with the Kaoss pad (sort of a touch pad midi controller) is a definite highlight as you can almost see the lights pulsing with droves of drug-addled youths throwing themselves across the dance floor. I should have probably mentioned this earlier, but to get the most out of DS-10 it is imperative to use a set of really nice headphones or to input to a stereo system – iPod headphones just won’t do the synthesizer justice.
The synth patch is just how it looks…Confusing.
Despite the product’s apparent comprehensive nature, there are a few nagging problems that could ruin the experience for some musicians. The fact that this has been an iterated product, coming around a year after the first and adding little to the software besides the aforementioned features, it feels like XSEED is asking a bit too much from the users who purchased the original. The omission of a way to export songs and tracks to the DSi’s built in SD card slot is kind of a bummer because in order to record I had to whip out my preamp (something that not many gamers will have access to) to connect the game to my computer. Even with the available video tutorials on the official website, it would have been nice to have something within the game to reference, even if it was simply some sort of pop up glossary.
Korg DS-10+ is a fantastic package when the price of admission is a measly 30 bones, but I would even consider it a darn good deal if you factor in the 170 dollars for the DSi as well. It seems that Korg would like this software to act as somewhat of a gateway by deliberately not including certain features that would drastically undercut many of their other products – If some sort of sampling capacity were added via the SD card I would definitely use this on a regular basis, and would probably upgrade to a DSi XL simply for the increased screen size. If you are at all curious and want to explore the world of synthesizers and own a DS, there is probably no better or cheaper experience then the DS-10+ software; And who knows, you may end up as Korg intends you to, with a new hobby that you grow to love.
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