i’ve put together a list of homebrew ds music apps. pretty sure i’ve gotten most of the main ones but if i’ve left anything off let me know via the comments and i’ll update it.
edit: added heaps more, thanks for the submissions!
Tag: r4ds
dsmcu (ds wireless mix controller) video clip
here is a short video of dsmcu in use
dsmcu is a wireless mix controller for reaper (and possibly other applications if they tolerate my abuse of the particular midi control spec i’m using).
(song download link HERE)
note: i haven’t had much of a chance to work on this lately and my ds is a bit sad, i’m only really posting this in the hope someone will donate a pink ds with a properly working touchscreen (black is also fine)
dsmcu – nds mix controller [preview!]
dsmcu is a nintendo-ds based emulator of the MCU control surface protocol. it talks to your audio workstation over wifi via dsmi.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD (beta software, please exercise care, no warranties expressed or implied, and you’ll need the readme file to get it working)
requirements: a homebrew-capable ds (which can connect to your computer over wifi), compatible audio workstation software (like ‘reaper‘) and dsmi correctly set up on your computer. more details in the download link.
tested on: reaper; (primary testing platform, works great), samplitude V8 SE (works but no VU display).
does not work with pro tools or logic yet, but support is planned
the following subset of the mcu protocol is supported:
- fader send, receive
- vu display
- track select, mute, arm and solo (w/ feedback)
- bank up/down
- scrub
- more coming soon…
possible applications include: a wireless rec/arm remote or end-user monitor mix interface for tracking, touch-sensitive automation recorder during mixdown, multi-user mixing, ‘left-hand’ level control while tweaking VSTs…
lots more planned, more info soon.
some user interface elements have been taken from Reaper – BIG THANKS to White Tie and the Reaper posse for granting permission for use of this and helping out with design/layout. cheers again to tobw for the dsmi library. also uses palib and devkitpro/libnds, yay.
dsmcu – setup instructions
HOW TO CONNECT DSMCU TO REAPER ON A PC
Note: in theory this stuff all works on Linux and OSX but you’re on your own, let me know if you get it working!
(click through for more info…)
HOW TO CONNECT DSMCU TO REAPER ON A PC
Note: in theory this stuff all works on Linux and OSX but you’re on your own, let me know if you get it working!
Maybe print this out before you start.
- Obtain a Nintendo DS and a cartridge that will let you run homebrew (I use an R4DS – http://www.r4ds.com – works great). If you get stuck here, hit up Google.
- You need a wireless router or something else that will let you connect your DS to the network your computer is on. Make sure that you can connect to the Nintendo WFC online services. If you get stuck here, hit up Google.
- Go to http://www.midiox.com/myoke.htm#Download and download MIDI Yoke NT 1.75 (163K 09-23-07) (NOT the manual install). Run it. You might need to reboot.
- Go to http://dsmi.tobw.net/index.php?cat_id=1 and download the DSMIDIWiFi Server for Windows. Extract and run it.
- Set input to “IN FROM MIDI YOKE PORT 1”
- Set output to “OUT TO MIDI YOKE PORT 2”
- Download the dsmcu.nds file and get it onto your DS flash card (i.e. R4DS, whatever). You don’t need to patch this file or do anything weird with it, just put it on there.
- Boot your DS and run the dsmcu.nds file. If it locks up with a faint “MIDI: ?” message on the bottom screen, that means it can’t connect to your network. If you can play DS Tetris on the internet and this still doesn’t work, contact me.
- If dsmcu can connect to the internet, the screen will fill with faders. This is good.
- Download and run Reaper. Go to options/preferences and select the Control Surfaces section (near the bottom). Click Add to add a new control surface.
- Set: Control surface mode: Mackie Control Universal,
- MIDI Input: IN FROM MIDI YOKE 2
- MIDI Output: OUT TO MIDI YOKE 1,
- Leave everything else at default settings.
- When you click OK, everything should work.
If it’s doesn’t work, try setting the DSMI output to Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth and seeing if noise is made when you click on the transport buttons on dsmcu.
bliptracker video clip
here’s a short clip of bliptracker in-use.
note that this doesn’t show the dsmi MIDI integration, only uses one of the default sample sets, doesn’t show any of the randomization functions, and there’s no theremin. i’ll post a better quality clip with some more fun stuff when i get a bit of spare time.
bliptracker – nds drum machine
[audio:http://remaincalm.org/nds/bliptracker%20-%20example.mp3]
click here to download BLIPTRACKER v1.0c
bliptracker is my free (and open-source) nintendo ds-based drum machine, synth and sequencer, intended for live performance.
bliptracker is stable, runs happily on most nintendo ds flash cards (tested working on R4DS and supercard), and supports custom sounds (up to four sets of six samples per ‘sample-set’).
as with any homebrew please backup your flash card before installation or use.
installation
- unzip to flash card. make sure the bliptracker folder unzips to the root of the card, so you have a folder called \bliptracker\samples – bliptracker.nds can go anywhere, though.
- DLDI PATCH the BLIPTRACKER.NDS file – go HERE and look for “dldi win32 right click”
- default sounds are provided, but can be replace by 16 bit 11kHz-32kHz mono wave files named bd.wav, sn.wav, hh.wav, xx.wav, yy.wav, zz.wav. keep samples small for best performance.
- operating instructions are on top screen. basic instructions: select and start are stop/start, use the bottom screen to fire beats manually and directional pad and buttons to control sequencer.
made with devkitpro.org and palib.info developer tools. Source code (GPL) – requires devkitpro r20, libdsmi, most recent palib + some minor tweaks to get it to compile against r20 (check the palib formums or mail me).
known issues: tempo doesn’t stay synced – need to disconnect audio from video refresh | tap tempo is a bit weird | max. 15 files in file dialogs | bad wav files can crash bliptracker