 | Album Title: KORG DSN-12 Super Users Official Compilation |
| Record Label: Detune | |
| Catalog No.: DTSN-0015 | |
| Release Date: October 26, 2014 | |
| Purchase: Buy at Sweep Record |
Overview
With the recent release of DETUNE’s KORG DSN-12 software for the Nintendo 3DS comes the latest release from Nobuyoshi Sano’s DETUNE label. Titled KORG DSN-12 Super Users Official Compilation, it showcases a variety of compositions from plenty of users similar to the CD release dedicated to DETUNE’s M01D software for the Nintendo 3DS. Including works from Nobuyoshi Sano, Keishi Yonao, and even someone from KORG, how does this compilation turn out?
Body
Unlike the KORG M01D Super Users Official Compilation, this album is largely electronic in nature. The album opens up with “Oscillodriver (Play the KORG DSN-12)” by PAINTVOX. The tune itself starts with a mellow atmosphere and, as it progresses, becomes much more energetic in nature while incorporating various synth effects with a drum ‘n’ bass accompaniment. MSM’s “Hello Mr. Time Traveller!!” provides a great dance beat with a bit of heaviness that really manages to impress, considering the software used to make it. There isn’t much in terms of melody, but it is an enjoyable listen nonetheless. “Rust 1,” by kazunocobit, continues with the dance beat, a steady techno rhythm with a slight industrial flavor. There is definitely no focus on melody here; it provides a good old-fashioned rave tune.
Keishi Yonao’s “MUST!!” manages to bring in a heavier tone with his dubstep-influenced tune. It’s a short track, but one that really impresses. The combination of wobbles with a softer accompanying melody line creates a very pleasing soundscape. “DiS2PiA,” by UsK., is a nice combination of light synth, drumstep, and vocoder. The melody, when present, helps to elevate the tune into something with a bit of a retro video game flair. Ron Ishiyama’s “Timescape” also has a very retro video game aspect to it, mixed with a dance vibe. The best way I can describe it is like some of Streets of Rage’s more serious tunes.
Both “Sadness of the loser,” by y azshe, and “Drone,” by karenevil, are very ambient pieces. However, of the two, the former is definitely more enjoyable thanks to the accompanying beat. The latter, on the other hand, is aptly named as it really doesn’t develop very much over the course of the track. The last two tracks on the album are by Nobuyoshi Sano and Tomoaki Kanamori, an employee at KORG who most likely helped with the software’s creation. Sano’s “TorqueL” is a very mellow tune, but I feel that it would fit very well in a Ridge Racer, as one of the slower tempo tunes in the game. The melody is also quite nice and fits the accompaniments quite well. The last track, “DISCO,” reminds me, in some ways, of Ryo Watanabe’s Nanosweep works, although with much more of a disco focus. It’s funky, stays modern by bringing in electronic elements into the mix, and it’s a great way to close the album.
Summary
On the whole, I think that the KORG DSN-12 Super Users Official Compilation is a solid album. While not every piece is satisfying, it does show a nice dynamic range of what is possible with the software. Although it is only being sold at M3 at the time of this review, it should be available at various online retailers in December. If purchasing from Supersweep, this album will be available shortly after M3.
