When Nintendo launched the novel yet ultimately ill-fated Labo sets for the Nintendo Switch, it opened our minds as to what other concepts might be invented for the little hybrid console that could.
Now, thanks to Sydney-based design company Alquemy, we've been given a unique glimpse into a concept that completely changes the Switch from a gaming console to a DJ platform. Essentially, by taking the design elements from the Akai Pro MPC line-up, Alquemy has designed detachable modules that would slide onto the Switch console - much like the Joy-Con controllers we know and love (??) - complete with everything you would need to control music playback. You've got loads of buttons, knobs, switches, a couple of speakers, and of course the touch screen provided by the Switch itself. Quality of life additions include backlit keys and a range of ports for connecting guitars, headphones, and more.
It's one of the most unique concepts we've seen, but it's also one that doesn't stray too far into the realms of absurdity; we could definitely envision something like this coming to fruition one day if it gets the kind of backing required. We're no music experts here at Nintendo Life, but we'd be eager to try one of these out and crank out some tunes!
Thanks to Alquemy for letting us use their images for this piece. You can find more of its work over on the official website or on the Alquemy Instagram page.
What do you think of Alquemy's concept for the Switch Akai Pro? Would you like to see something like this get produced for real? Tell us in the comments!
[source alquemy.design, via yankodesign.com]
Comments 22
Really cool concept.
I've dabbled a bit with music editing on PC with a mixboard, making my own fan mixes of music I was into at that time.
It was a fun hobby and I often thought of picking it up again.
Modules like this for the Nintendo Switch, combined with proper software, would be very hard for me to resist.
@Tremblucay there are literally dozens of us
I'm sure I've posted on here before about dedicated hardware controls in lieu of the joycons.
The only issue I can see is that it would be very expensive for what it is. Also enough devices like this already exist for DJing, and are dedicated, so less potential for crashes.
Having said that, I've had a few keyboards and controllers over the years for gigging, and a DAW on the switch with a setup like this would be quite fun!
On another note, as this is a Nintendo site, I expect everyone has heard of and listened to this guy:
https://youtu.be/j1EpOqe-Ym0
@Rambler Like the Wii U gamepad?
I could be wrong here, but pretty sure the Akai MPC series of hardware controllers are for Music Sequencing/DAW and not for DJ'ing.
That being said, this does look rather lovely.
@VanishStampede
No - like the control surfaces in the article above
Dedicated <> perm attached
As a musician with a small home studio: I would absolutely love this. But, from a practical business viewpoint, I cannot envision enough switch users buying this hardware.
@BobLong-RickTangle
they are for both.
For Nintendo even adding a d-pad is too hard. So many possibilities so little effort from Nintendo.
the problem with this concept is the number of pads.
mpcs have 16 pads, for slicing up a measure into 16th notes, or slicing a phrase into 16 beats, or laying out 2 octaves of notes in rows (like a keyboard kind of.)
unless you have a really strange musical approach, 3x3 is not a very musically relevant grid. there is almost never 9 of something in music, and there is no "3/3" time signature that im aware of.
anyway cool looking thing, badly executed in my opinion!
@-wc-
You wouldn't have inputs as well, I would think. That would have too much latency over bluetooth, never mind pre-amps, etc.
wow. i want it. i use korg gadget on my switch to play sounds in my band
Would definitely give this a go if it ever gets released! 👍🎛🎸
@Moistnado I didn't buy the Switch the first year because I was upset about the D-Pad. Boy was I dumb. I didn't realize how great the button pad is for certain games. Specifically Tetris and Hatsune Miko. You DO NOT want to play those game with a traditional D-Pad. The button D-pad is just fine for all 2D games outside of fighting games. But then against I think they all prefer arcade sticks for fighting games. (I will say that Sony's D-Pad is probably close to perfection though.)
@thinkhector
you like the button pad for run and guns, platformers and shmups? interesting.
i will agree with you, that for some reason the b-pad (thats what we call it now) is perfect for tetris 99. i didnt want to believe it, but its true.
Switch Hero confirmed?
... Wun can only hope.
@-wc- I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I prefer the control stick for shoot 'em ups. Mostly because I find D-pads tiring for those games.
I actually like using the control stick a lot for D-Pad games. I will use D-Pad for tricky platformers and virtual console games though.
If I was going to complain about anything on the Joy-Cons, it would actually be the LEFT-RIGHT shoulder buttons. They sometimes don't register if you don't push them in at the sweet spot.
@thinkhector I modified a joycon to include a D-Pad. It is a massive omission from the company that invented the D-Pad. So far they have failed to use analogue triggers, meaning Mario Sunshine is...weird, and no D-Pad makes all 2.D games weird. With such low effort, I doubt we are getting alternative joycon. I can hope, but I don't believe it is gonna happen.
@Moistnado I would have agreed you probably just last year, but I admit I was wrong about both things: the button pad and the digital triggers. The digital triggers are more useful in more games than analog triggers. I have Mario Sunshine, and an original GameCube controller. I went right back to 5th JoyCon layout, which surprised me.
I own Trials Rising by Ubisoft which allows you to race using the GameCube analog triggers. I went back to the JoyCon. Racing by using the analog sticks is actually better than analog triggers. (And no, analog triggers don't make racing games more realistic, because that's not how cars are controlled AT ALL.)
The button D-pad has also been eye opening. Two games in particular highlight this: Tetris and Hatsune Miko. Both games don't play well with traditional D-pads. And I have never had any problem with D-Pads using them with 2D games.
Now people do point out that the button pad is not good for fighting games. And that's true. But what do people leave out? The fighting games community also says that the Pro-Controller D-pad isn't good for fighting games! Look at the type of controllers they actually prefer! (Only the stock Sony controller seems to get a passable grade when it comes to fighting games.)
So while people hate change usually,( that's usually the first reaction, and it's natural.) In reality, I couldn't find any issues with the JoyCon layout in day-to-day gaming sessions. I would love to come on here and bash it, because I wanted to hate it, but it's actually been just fine.
I would buy this.
@Rambler I believe they tried that with the touch screen for the New3ds, but the screen was too small to do much in the way of things. It did have the software to modify music though! Not sure whom downloaded it, but it was there.
@VanishStampede I had the Korg synth on the DS, and it was usable - but any fine controls was out of the question!
Having said that, using Caustic on my phone is okay, but obviously not as good as a tablet!
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