We’ve already seen the Nintendo DS used as a wireless WiFi MIDI controller. But if you’re longing for some good, old-fashioned, hard MIDI connections to your DS, too, you’re now in luck.
Natrium42, the creator of homebrew-launcher classic PassMe, has built a multi-purpose serial device for the DS called DSerial. Via his schematics, you can support both MIDI input and MIDI output via standard 5-pin DIN cords.
That’s cool enough, but of course you need something with which to use all that MIDI goodness. Tobias Weyand has updated his DS MIDI application so it now supports both wifi MIDI connections (to a computer) and hardware, cabled MIDI connections (to MIDI-compatible synths, keyboards, controllers, effects, guitar controllers, etc., etc.) That makes your DS into an all-purpose MIDI controller for everything you own. Since the previous name, DSMIDIWiFi, doesn’t cover the full range, Tobias has redubbed the application DSMI. (Sounds like some evil branch of the US Defense Department creating killer, mutant dolphin cyborgs. Actually stands for DS Music Interface.)
And this should soon get even better: Tobias is working on keyboard support via DSerial and DSMI for his DS tracker, NitroTracker, which would make the DS into an all-in-one mini music studio.
Grab your soldering iron and your DS and read up on the details.
The hardware hack (DSerial + MIDI) for adding input and output jacks:
MIDI In/Out Hardware for DS [Natrium42 blog]
Schematics and instructions for MIDI on the DSerial wiki
The software side, for wifi support and/or communications via DSerial + MIDI:
DSMIDIWiFi gets DSerial support and becomes DSMI [0xtob’s DS coding blog]
I'm thinking about selling my PSP to purchase a DS Lite. (It's more fun.)
From a musical/homebrewish perspective, is this a good choice? The Kaoss pad app looks amazing!
Ha! Nintendo fans everywhere just smiled.
Strictly speaking, the *best* system from a homebrew perspective is probably the original Game Boy — unique sound, classic development. (Or an open platform like the GP2X from a homebrew developer platform.)
But I do think the DS is a great choice, and I'm really happy with it — definitely my current system of choice. To me, having the unique form factor, tablet input/interface, and wifi, plus this particular selection of apps (and still backwards compatibility with GBA carts and GB homebrew) makes it a favorite. Oh, yeah, and there are the games …
Other opinions, arguments?
Thanks for the input! Yeah, I have a Game Boy, GBC, GBA, GBA SP, and a Micro. (I love gameboys!) I really hope Nanoloop 2.x comes back in stock soon!
[…] Det finns diverse midiprojekt till Nintendo DS men de flesta verkar vara bundna enbart till konsolen, eller använda sig av wifi. Det här är riktigt hardcore för musikskaparnördar, sÃ¥ brorsan blev lite till sig… Läs mer hos de som kan det här! […]
Found a site with a sweet list of Nintendo Music.
http://www.wiipals.net/index.php?categoryid=13
Awesome little forum too if youre into the wii or online gaming.
[…] Hacked MIDI Support for Nintendo DS: DSerial [Create Digital Music] […]
[…] If the lack of a stylus Mario Kart hurts, though, see also this: Hacked MIDI Support for Nintendo DS: DSerial […]
[…] Ready to put together a Nintendo DS music studio? Here’s some help: Hacked MIDI Support for Nintendo DS: DSerial (that’s hardware MIDI) DSMIDIWiFi Free Download: Turn Your Nintendo DS into a Wireless Synth and Controller Mobile Music: Tracker for Nintendo DS, DS Homebrew Music Roundup […]