Korg M10D and DSN-12 are ~50% off until Dec 1 (US eShop)

Hey if you're interested in the upcoming Petit Computer for 3DS (already released in Japan as Smile Basic), know that it is compatible with the Korg M01D for music creation.

I have the Korg M01D, it's essentially a MIDI creator, or like a keyboard you might buy from the store. Lots of preset instruments. Very good if you just want to play around with music and build a song.

The DSN-12 is a full-on synthesizer, requires more intimate knowledge of how to manipulate audio. It's great too but in a different way. A lot more tweaking knobs, messing with attack and decay, that sort of thing.

Just wanted to make sure people know the difference.
 
Wow!

Here I was thinking I had ordered too much Eshop credit from Best Buy when I got a physical copy of Hyrule Warriors and then this happens.

I'll pick it up tomorrow and get both. I have DS-10 plus. Though I suck at music I hope to get better.
 
Khaz said:
I've always wondered how practical it was on a tiny screen with so few buttons?
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The thing has a touchscreen, you know. Don't really need so many buttons. The size of the screens is indeed a bit of a problem, you need to switch between lots of control screens. But it's manageable.
 
Khaz said:
I've always wondered how practical it was on a tiny screen with so few buttons?
Click to expand...

In my experience the stylus feels more precise (versus a capacitive touchscreen). The interface is well-designed around the size of the 3DS too so it doesn't feel shoe-horned in any way. The 3DS buttons are used for navigation shortcuts but most of the time you'll be using the stylus for entering notes in the sequencer, triggering pattern-pads and knob-tweaking.
 
Zeyphersan said:
You can export your songs off your SD card, right?
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Yes for the M01D, it exports as MIDI, but I believe only the note data, you'd have to reassign the instruments. You can't export from the DSN-12, but remember that for both of them you can hook up the 3DS headphone jack with a standard cable to a computer as a mic and record it yourself.

M01D feature list:

8 part multi-timbral synthesizer with 342 sounds (max 24 voices), includes all of the original sounds from the KORG M1, selected sounds from the KORG 01/w and some all new sounds developed for the M01

8 track/max 64 step sequencer for 1 scene/ up to 99 scenes

Master effects: Reverb and Delay

Sound browser, Mixer, Keyboard

Easy input “KAOSS” mode for notes, chords and drums using the touch screen

Exchange song data via the Internet

The song data and MIDI data can be saved to an SD card (Number of song data depends on the quantity of SD card)

3D viewing of M01D on the 3D Screen
Click to expand...

DSN-12 feature list:

Contains 12 virtual analog monophonic synthesizers

Up to 64 sequence steps

Freely place sequences in up to 64 patterns

Pattern Program mode lets you chain patterns in up to 99 scenes; muting can also be programmed for each track

Three effects are provided; choose from delay, chorus, flanger, compressor, kick, and reverb

Local communication allows users to exchange song data and sound data

The world's first* 3D display oscilloscope screen; Wave and Lissajous modes are provided
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the heads up! So basically, you can create full-fledged/aceptable synth songs with this tools ??? I've always wanted to try this out but my god they are expensive...

Edit: I just saw some videos from people creating music with this apps, plus the super awesome Smash Bros theme in the OP and yup, you can literally freaking create Pet Shop Boys quality albums with this OMFG (if you know how to use it of course). Will buyy ahhh.
 
Zeyphersan said:
So is there a tutorial for the M01D anywhere? It's my first time messing with a synth, and the manual wasn't SUPER helpful
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Really you just gotta play with it and try out all the buttons, explore the interface.

AdanVC said:
Thanks for the heads up! So basically, you can create full-fledged/aceptable synth songs with this tools ??? I've always wanted to try this out but my god they are expensive...

Edit: I just saw some videos from people creating music with this apps, plus the super awesome Smash Bros theme in the OP and yup, you can literally freaking create Pet Shop Boys quality albums with this OMFG (if you know how to use it of course). Will buyy ahhh.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's not just "acceptable," it is literally a powerful instrument as good as a professional would use. And professionals do use it!
 
Zeyphersan said:
I'll definitely get the hang of this in a couple years
Click to expand...

It's easier than it looks! The piano-roll metaphor is used by a lot of other music apps and once you figure out how to relate the sound's pitch and/or tone to its place on the rhythmic grid you'll be laying down simple melodies and drum loops in due time.

Although, yes, it really depends on how much music theory you already know, or if you have an intuitive understanding of how music is put together. If you're coming into this fresh then you have to at least read up on the basics of pitch, tone, melody and harmony. After that the interface will start make a lot more sense.

The next step from that is making your own songs or covers. That part could take a while but at least you won't feel lost at that point since you'll be more or less fluent with the app interface and workflow.

I found this book helpful: Music Theory for Computer Musicians

TL;DR: It's the music theory part that's "hard", but the apps themselves are easy to use.
 
omg_mjd said:
It's easier than it looks! The piano-roll metaphor is used by a lot of other music apps and once you figure out how to relate the sound's pitch and/or tone to its place on the rhythmic grid you'll be laying down simple melodies and drum loops in due time.

Although, yes, it really depends on how much music theory you already know, or if you have an intuitive understanding of how music is put together. If you're coming into this fresh then you have to at least read up on the basics of pitch, tone, melody and harmony. After that the interface will start make a lot more sense.

The next step from that is making your own songs or covers. That part could take a while but at least you won't feel lost at that point since you'll be more or less fluent with the app interface and workflow.

I found this book helpful: Music Theory for Computer Musicians

TL;DR: It's the music theory part that's "hard", but the apps themselves are easy to use.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's definitely the music theory part, not the interface. I've only ever done basic guitar and bass work, so nothing major with theory. Thanks for the link!
 
To help people who just downloaded DSN-12, here's how to play the two included demos:

1. When you launch the software, tap the screen to move through the loading splash screens faster (it ignores the buttons).

2. Touch DEMO.

3. Touch either "Disco" or "Lissajou".

4. Touch "YES" to confirm you want to load the song.

5. Touch the "PTN" button at the very top of the touchscreen.

6. Touch the "PTNPRG" button (appears in the same place the "PTN" button was on the previous screen).

7. Touch the "PLAY" button (or press the X button on the 3DS).

8. When you are finished listening, touch "MAIN".

9. Touch "SAVE/EXIT" (bottom right corner of the touchscreen).

10. Touch "EXIT".

11. Touch "YES".

12. Go back up to step 2 above to play the other demo.
 
Bought the DSN-12. Since im working with oscilloscopes every weeks because of electrical engineering classes, and that i love music, i just could not resist. It seems to have a steep learning curve though :o
 
Thanks for this thread. Bought M01D and I'm loving it so far. Super easy to get the hang of.

I like writing music but I'm garbage at actual production type stuff, so having a workstation that lets you just make music with its tools that already sound good is perfect for me. Hours of Genesis (Mega Drive) worship tunes await!
 
I'm glad people are picking up these apps. Was a bit surprised that Korg put them on sale, considering that M01D has been out for over a year and this is the first time it's gotten a discount.

I owned DSN-12 already and bought M01D only because of the sale. I didn't think I'd use it much but after trying it out I think I might actually end up playing with it more.

The samples are great and the sequencer is simpler to use compared to DSN-12. Still nice to know I have the flexibility of the DSN-12 synth to go to when I need a specific sound but it's much quicker to sketch out song ideas in M01D.

Buggy Loop said:
Bought the DSN-12. Since im working with oscilloscopes every weeks because of electrical engineering classes, and that i love music, i just could not resist. It seems to have a steep learning curve though :o
Click to expand...

The synth controls are explained in the manual although an understanding of sonic waveforms and how tones are produced is probably necessary if you want to get far. Fortunately, synth parameters are more or less universal so any tutorial in YouTube explaining how to program an analog synth will have information that you can apply to DSN-12.

But if you want to get your feet wet I suggest just drawing a simple bass line in the sequencer, setting it to loop and then tweak the knobs to listen to how different settings affect the sound. There's also the demo songs to pick apart. You can select a specific track and check out how the synth is set up.
 
Grabbed M01D thanks to this topic. It was a little confusing at first, but a few minutes spent with the digital manual alleviated any problems. Now to make some music worthy of the software!
 
Jimmy Stav said:
Of course I bought DSN-12 before reading your post. I'm fucking baffled by this thing.
Click to expand...

The tutorial videos XSEED put together for the Korg DS-10+ apply to DSN-12 too, though the synth UI is slightly different. They do a decent job of demonstrating what all the knobby bits do; think of it as guided experimentation.

I've gotten further with DSN-12 than I ever did with DS-10+ because this time I decided to try and recreate a song that already exists, rather than try to compose a song AND come up with all the synth patches at the same time. Trying to figure out how to make a specific synth sound you can hear in a recorded track is a lot easier than coming up with one from scratch.
 
chrominance said:
The tutorial videos XSEED put together for the Korg DS-10+ apply to DSN-12 too, though the synth UI is slightly different. They do a decent job of demonstrating what all the knobby bits do; think of it as guided experimentation.

I've gotten further with DSN-12 than I ever did with DS-10+ because this time I decided to try and recreate a song that already exists, rather than try to compose a song AND come up with all the synth patches at the same time. Trying to figure out how to make a specific synth sound you can hear in a recorded track is a lot easier than coming up with one from scratch.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I figured DSN-12 might be a better learning tool, as I'm more curious as to how this technology works than writing my own songs. I figure the former might lead to the latter.

Let's hope I'm not in over my head.

Shit, I wish I could copy something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HysYkiX2rA
 
I just bought DSN-12 (I already had M01). I've never been able to do anything with M01, but I've never seen those tutorial videos, either. Thanks for the heads up about the sale, I didn't see this sale posted anywhere.
 
I highly recommend the DSN-12 as it is a great way to learn about synthesis, AND it basically comes with a programmable KAOSS pad using the 3DS touchscreen. It would be a great addition for a live set. Record in the KAOSS tab to automate knobs in a pattern and touch the bottom xy button to change parameters.
 
Sweet! I nabbed the M01D. It seems to be on sale through next week, at least in NA.


However, I made a song, and I have a problem: I exported a song to my SD card, and when I played it on my computer, all the instruments were piano now! I don't want everything to be piano. What do I do?
 
The Awesomest said:
Sweet! I nabbed the M01D. It seems to be on sale through next week, at least in NA.


However, I made a song, and I have a problem: I exported a song to my SD card, and when I played it on my computer, all the instruments were piano now! I don't want everything to be piano. What do I do?
Click to expand...

You need to reassign the MIDI instruments! Not sure how exactly, but that's the basic idea--M01D exports your sequences (the note patterns) but the instruments that are played back depend on how your computer software is set up for MIDI.
 
Thought these were high end headphones and got excited until I saw 3DS...

Still salty I missed the HD598 deal.
 
I saw my friend tinker around with this and it seems hella neat

Kieli said:
Thought these were high end headphones and got excited until I saw 3DS...

Still salty I missed the HD598 deal.
Click to expand...

Amazon listed those 598s like 5 times and I'm glad I was lucky enough to get in on the second wave
 
The Awesomest said:
Sweet! I nabbed the M01D. It seems to be on sale through next week, at least in NA.


However, I made a song, and I have a problem: I exported a song to my SD card, and when I played it on my computer, all the instruments were piano now! I don't want everything to be piano. What do I do?
Click to expand...

midi files are just pointers, that's why they're so small. they point at sound samples on whatever device they're played back on. like the other post said, you need a tool to assign instruments to each track as right now, as you've noticed, everything defaults to piano (because that's always the first option in the midi instrument list).

if you want to export the song as you made it in the software, hook your headphone jack up to a recording device (like your computer) and record it from the line-in.
 
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