Turn Your DSi Into a Virtual Instrument With the 'Music On' Series

Hopefully this will be better than that stupid keyboard pheriphal.

@ SoulSilver IV

Yeah like 5x better. ^^

Pretty sure DSi doesn't have multi-touch, right? If not, I can't see getting much use out of this. And even if so, it'd be quite difficult to play unless on an XL maybe.

I just might love this.

:/ I doubt most DSiWare users will even understand what all those terms mean (I certainly don't). And @Adam makes a good point. To play a piano/keyboard you need to be able to press down more than one key at a time or you'll only be able to play simple children's songs or so.

Hey, I wonder if they can make a special autotune app for DSiWare...
(Well, my cousin thought it up, not me.)

I guess "chord recognition" means you can play entire chords by simply holding down one button, which means it should work decently even without multitouch. At least for simpler accompaniment. If it's cheap I might get this. If it works together with the other planned instruments via WiFi I will get it for sure. Imagine an entire band of DS players.

@Adam & @Kimiko
Since it features an integrated sequencer, users will be able to 'sequence' their own verses and choruses etc. - allowing you to tinker and tweak your compositions, although these applications almost always features real time play as well. It's not designed to be 'played' with fingers, but more of a way to build compositions bit by bit, layer by layer using the stylus.

"Up to 8 user definable chords"

I'd assume that would be the solution to the chord problem. Define a chord and just play the root note or something (maybe). Might not be so great on the fly, but it's just for fun anyway.

Just realised WiFi wouldn't really be necessary. You could simply plug all your DS'es into the same mixer or simply attach speakers to each of them. A download mode so those who don't have a DSi could use the program temporary would be neat however.

@Imerion
I agree, it wouldn't be necessary but I'd imagine some people would like the ability to share their creations with each other.

Really, I can not imagine how to play music on the DS touchscreen. Layer by layer? With the one-finger search system? This makes only sense if you have nothing else to do for the rest of your life. I think this is pretty useless unless you can connect a MIDI keyboard to the DSi. But even then; why should anybody do that? There is much better sequencer software for the PC.

Check out the Korg DS-10 Synth for the DS, if you haven't, Omega. It's a very good, user-friendly utility, and I wouldn't call it clunky at all. I'd imagine this is going to take a similar approach. You can get great music out of it if you put in the effort...and you'll be pleased to know that it doesn't take "the rest of your life" to get to that point.

If I want to make music, I'd prefer bigger sized keyboards. Even if it's only a hobby. But if you get some fun out of these virtual miniature music tools, maybe it's not so bad. It is certainly cheaper than a real musical instrument. And if you only want to try some funny sounds. Yes, why not?