The KORG DS-10 Synthesizer is an advanced piece of music creation software exclusively for the Nintendo DS that turns your handheld into a fully-functional synthesizer, drum machine, and sequencer. While a quick glance at the technology-ridden screen shots may frighten non-musicians, the video embedded below shows how even a complete music newbie can have fun creating melodies with DS-10.

The software comes to the DS courtesy of the Japanese company KORG, one of the world's leading manufacturers of electronic music equipment. DS-10 contains two patchable analog synthesizer simulators and a four-part drum machine for music creation. The program also uses a six track / 16-step sequencer that supports two analog synthesizers and four drum machines for maximum flexibility while arranging.

The touch-screen interface and sound samples have both been replicated directly from KORG’s 1978 MS-10 Synthesizer on which the software is based. The result is an amazing amount of real-time control over your created music as well as crystal-clear lossless sound samples.

The touch screen functionality allows users to freely control the production aspects of their music. This includes adjusting knobs on a mixing board to apply sound effects such as delay and reverb, as well as moving sound control sliders for on-board equalization of the different tracks in the arrangement.

The software has been designed so that novices and pros alike will be able to create satisfying music with minimal effort. To this effect, there are several note-entry methods available. Musicians will likely opt to use the on-screen keyboard layout which displays a virtual piano keyboard from which you can select the exact notes for your desired melody (see screen shot above).

However, those without formal music training can simply use the touch control screen option. By dragging the stylus in different patterns about the screen, the software will automatically map your movements along a musical scale and create a melody line for use in arranging. All that’s left is to loop or arpeggiate the new melody track, add-in some funky back beats, and you’ll be busting a move to your own retro-gaming sounding tunes in no time! See the video below for a demonstration of said music creating method.

KORG DS-10 makes full use of the DS Wi-Fi capabilities and will allow users to exchange sound patches and homemade songs with each other. There is no word yet on expanding the built-in patches with additional downloadable sounds and effects, though that may certainly be a possibility in the future. Multiple Nintendo DS units can also be set to play music simultaneously through a system link, so you and your friends can each score a section of music and create a virtual orchestra performance with several DS systems playing together.

In the end, KORG DS-10 Synthesizer appears to be the first fully-fledged music production tool of its kind available on a videogame system (handheld or otherwise). From the looks of it, the DS-10 will appeal to both musicians and non-musicians alike, due to the balance between fun, stylus-driven input for novices and advanced sequencing and arranging possibilities for actual musicians.

As is so often the case with awesome new titles, this software is currently only slated to be released in Japan. This would make a huge splash in the West, so here’s hoping we’ll see a localized version on our shores in the near future. The product is set to go on sale this July in Japan and retails for ¥4800.

For more information about the KORG DS-10 Synthesizer, or to listen to some sample songs created using the software, hit the link below to be taken to the official site.

[KORG DS-10 Synthesizer Official Site]

(Photos and video courtesy of Famitsu and KORG)