Ringo posted on Aug 24 2005 at 04:47 PM said:
It's pretty cool... but exept for the coolness factor is there really any point at using the GP32 as an instrument?
It doesn't contain a synth-chip like say the gameboy and the C64... Since it can only use software-synths, i guess it really won't have any unique sound.... or something that couldn't also be done on PC.
This is purely a comment about the Gp32's use as an instrument or "sound" - it's not a critique of the tracker-project...
I do see the purpurse of having a tracker on the "go"
You are totally right about the non-specific sound of the GP32's interface although you might argue that each program develops its own 'sound' part of the way it's been programmed. For me, the main attraction in developing the piggy are:
+ Complementary to the gameboy: By synching those two little buggers, you end up in a very complementary setup.. you get the 'tone' of the gameboy but are able to add loops and crazy sampled shit on top
+ Tracker on the go: As you said, there is a huge potential there that, as far as I know, has never been tapped into. I write most of my music in the bus, in the streets, on the loo (rofl) .. and the ability to fast boot and write music anywhere is something I value immensly.
+ Small footprint live setup: Once you've done a lightweight setup with gameboys and a few effects, you really value the ability to do live without having a car full of shit and certainly not freakin laptop. The Piggy is definetly is going there..
+ LSDj-style midi sequencer: As *|| mentioned earlier, LSDj is one of the most amazing tracking/sequencing interface ever made. Both to write tracks and to do live improv. It seriously beats the shit of any competition. Having a way of sequencing external gears using a small portable sequencer running the best interface ever is a little dream of mine
Of course, nothing I've said necessairely implies the GP32, and I am in fact planning on porting it to other handhelds like DS,PSP and future GP incarnations. But, as I guess u'll agree, the dev. community over here is fantastic, the machine itself is very handy; for a whole lot of other tasks too.
That's it.. you got all my reasons
Cheers,