Nintendo DS users: your opinions, please! :)

Hugo76 · Post by **Hugo76** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:10 pm

I was checking out some vids on youtube, featuring different apps for the Nintendo DS.
It seems totally awesome! I had initially written it off, and decided to go for a Sony PSP instead, but now I've reconsidered.
What are your favourite apps, and how well does it work as a music box (sound quality, ease of use, etc)?

Any input greatly appreciated.

crystalmsc · Post by **crystalmsc** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 7:34 am

I have a great time with the DS, which is mainly for the DS-10 and the Electro Plankton as a random noise stuff. The audio quality is imho reasonably good and comparable if not better with the QY70's or some standard laptop's outputs (I've listened to a Core Two Duo Vaio and an I-book), which is not bad for a gaming unit of it's size. I made a tune using just the DS-10, trying to push the thing to sound hard, with most of the effective sequencer features. I'm also using a PSP that seems to have a better audio, but the stylus make a lift in the ease of use, as well as the dual screen which is being used effectively on the DS-10. to me the DS-10 alone worth the admission cost, mainly If the MS/analog drumming style is your thing. But if for samples/loops making track, take a look at the upcoming "beaterator" for PSP.

Hugo76 · Post by **Hugo76** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 7:53 am

Hey, thanks for the input, crystalmsc.
I was considering the Nintendo for the DS-10 alone, but when I saw all the other software I was more or less convinced:
http://remaincalm.org/index.php/ds-music-apps

I think the Nitrotracker looks especially cool (I have always loved trackers), not to mention GlitchDS, Protein and that Kaoss Pad clone.
I was, however, a little concerned about polyphony and sample resolution in the Nitrotracker, can't seem to find much info there. Any experience with this one?

Regarding the Sony PSP, I'm rather put off by the fact that it needs to be modded in order to run homebrew apps.
And Beaterator seems a little too hip-hop e-jay for my likes

btw: I am still seriously considering the Sony, though. And that's mainly because of the app PSPseq, which looks totally cool. But first I'll go for the Nintendo.

crystalmsc · Post by **crystalmsc** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:18 am

yes, I saw those software, but the two mentioned are all I need for now. I still want a nanoloop, but don't think that the interface would work. there's a recent nice conversation about pocket stuff that you might like to chime in, that the psp seq maker also make some post there. I won't underestimate beaterator, since it will allow beat programming from scratch. if it allow to load user samples, it's going to be a very handy utility. I'm hoping for a decent bit reducing fx and other beat crushing stuff from the psp potential processor. The USB connection with PC is just snappy enough to load samples which could be up to 16 gb card size. As for the homebrew, seems like the fat psp is the best way to install 'em all, still looking for one in a good price. The newer PSP is coming shortly that hopefully will crush the fat price. If downgrading is a hassle, the DS is a way more musical box than the PSP.

Hugo76 · Post by **Hugo76** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:06 am

Yes, good points there about the PSP, Crystaline. The PSP's processor is way more powerful than the DS's, so the potential is definately there. And I agree the beaterator could indeed be useful if it allowed for user samples. However there is already an app that does seem to offer very nice multitrack sequencing, the PSP Rhythm:
http://www.psprhythm.com/index.shtml

nice track, btw!

crystalmsc · Post by **crystalmsc** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:07 am

Hugo76 wrote:http://www.psprhythm.com/index.shtml

sure, it's on the list along with the psp kick.

Hugo76 wrote:nice track, btw!

thank you. the DS-10 is just easy to use, even since the first time. really like anything about it, the way it sounds, the features and the lay out.

Hugo76 · Post by **Hugo76** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:34 pm

crystalmsc wrote:thank you. the DS-10 is just easy to use, even since the first time. really like anything about it, the way it sounds, the features and the lay out.

Yeah, it sure looks cool. And the sequencer also seems very intuitive and easy to operate.
btw: is there any way to downsample the sequences? It would be awesome to export sequences from the ds-10 to, let's say, Nitrotracker

crystalmsc · Post by **crystalmsc** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:14 am

Hugo76 wrote:btw: is there any way to downsample the sequences?

is it mean like lowering the sample rate or save the sequence as wav? it won't do both. but the engine is very capable of producing some dirty toyish synth/percussive sounds.

Hugo76 · Post by **Hugo76** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:05 am

crystalmsc wrote: is it mean like lowering the sample rate or save the sequence as wav? it won't do both. but the engine is very capable of producing some dirty toyish synth/percussive sounds.

Yeah, I meant like resampling/saving sequences as wav-files. I know Nitrotracker can do this, and probably some others apps as well. I would like to suggest this as an upgrade for the developers of the ds-10

Thefumigator · Post by **Thefumigator** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:57 am

I love DS 10, but I don't really like the sound quality of the nintendo DS, its a bit inferior to CD quality, but not too far, just a bit eh, can't define it. But to be honest, surround is still great and it works great even without headphones. Sound on Gameboy Advance was even worse, the SNES was way better, and I can tell that as an owner of both SNES and GBA. As you can see I'm a nintendo fan. But not getting the Wii, I'm not in consoles anymore, just DS for now, I'm very happy with it. I love the PSP too, who doesnt? I think keep both.
Just to mention something about the Korg DS10, I love having the touchpad, you can't beat that for composing.

Other thoughts:
Try Final Fantasy IV.
I never really played an RPG before, as I get bored with easy, but I got FFIV and it just sucked me in, i found it amazing, despite perhaps its kind of simplicity, but its all the beauty of it. Zelda in the other hand has way better graphics in my opinion, but its way less dramatic as a game.

Wifi mode is really great, I had the oportunity to set a home wireless with a borrowed router and I tried Mario Kart DS, In some seconds I played against 3 other guys and had lot of fun. Never had wifi/online experience before, not on a portable, and never so easily!

Remember Nintendo just launched the DSi, its ok, but you miss the GBA slot, its a great disadvantage, I still like GBA games.

Hugo76 · Post by **Hugo76** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:47 pm

Thanks for the input, Fumigator

When it comes to gaming, I haven't been into it for over 10 years, but I was actually thinking of picking up some not-to-complicated ones for the DS. So thanks for the Final Fantasy advice.

Have you recorded the output into your computer? How is the soundquality of the recordings?

Thefumigator · Post by **Thefumigator** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 7:10 am

No I haven't yet, but I can imagine the following way of recording...
Instead of recording the whole song to the PC/Mac or tape or whatever, why not recording each track line in a separate wav, and then mix them with a pro software on the computer (or whatever)
Lets say your tune is 4 minutes in lenght, and you have 2 separate tracks for each DS synth, and the drum line, you'll end up with 3 wav files that are 4 minutes each. Of course you'll need a ticking sound at the beginning and at the end so you mix all the 3 wavs in sync.

This way you could add more elements when you run out of synth instances. Or you could add external stuff, but overall, you will be able to mix at max quality.

About the gaming, well, I don't really think Final fantasy is easy, but its not complicated.
brain age series are really fun, and also love picross as brain/puzzle games.

There are quite good amount of info being discussed including Nintendo DS escential games at gbatemp.net
Laters

Hugo76 · Post by **Hugo76** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:47 am

Yeah, definately the way to go when it comes to recording & mixing.
Darnit, I just got a bill in the mail which means I must postpone the purchase til next month

Oh well, I'll keep playing my rs7000 until then

crystalmsc · Post by **crystalmsc** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 6:45 am

Hugo76 wrote:I'll keep playing my rs7000 until then

nice decision, if there's something like a portable RS7k (with sampling, more synth engine, etc) I'd forget about others and focusing on that. the QY70+SU10 combo is close, but I hope to see something on an iPhone form

Hugo76 · Post by **Hugo76** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 11:50 am

crystalmsc wrote:
Hugo76 wrote:I'll keep playing my rs7000 until then
nice decision, if there's something like a portable RS7k (with sampling, more synth engine, etc) I'd forget about others and focusing on that. the QY70+SU10 combo is close, but I hope to see something on an iPhone form

`
Oh yeah, that would be awesome. However, there's just something about being able to turn a few knobs when you need to do a little tweaking. If only Yamaha could follow up on the rs7000, I'd be in heaven. Imagine an rs7000 with a Motif ES engine, bigger display and slightly smaller overall. Ahhhhhhhhh....

Anyways, it would be very, very cool if the other big companies released their own software for the DS (and more stuff from Korg would be very welcome).

Nintendo DS users: your opinions, please! :)

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