The KORG DS-10, if you haven't heard about this baby already, is essentially the famous Korg MS-10 synth packed into your DS. And if you don't know what a synth is, it's a music making electronic tool which generates and combines signals of different frequencies to make new sounds. In short, think terrible 80's music, except here it doesn't have to be terrible. This is definitely one title you're going to want to hook your speakers up to your DS for.

Anyhow, the Guardian got ahold of the localized version and gave it a little review (the full thing is through the source). It's due out in Europe October 10 and North America October 14, if Wikipedia is to be believed.

I can confirm after mucking about with it for a week, that this is a truly fascinating, if dauntingly comprehensive, piece of software. What you get is two analogue synths and a four-track drum machine to experiment with, all accessible through a simple touchscreen interface. The set-up takes the form of a flow chart, beginning with keyboard option, so you can tap out a basic tune, and ending with an FX panel so you can add trippy feedback and wet/dry effects to your noise. Along the way there's an edit screen to tweak elements like peak, delay and sustain and a 'synth patch' where virtual cables can be patched across from different ports to modify the synth tone. No, I'm not sure what I'm talking about, but it's fun messing about with it.

Those who can't afford a full-size Korg synth, or don't have a PC to try out one of the many synth sims available, will get a real feel for music construction on this thing. And when you're ready, there's an eight-player Wi-Fi jamming mode. Believe me, I'm not ready. But give me time.

(Oh and watch the trailer [below] to see someone who clearly does know what he's doing...)

chautemoc via guardian.co.uk »