Korg - volca Drum - Digital Percussion Synthesizer

The media could not be loaded. I've got the Volca bug. I love them. Within 4 weeks during the lockdown, I had purchased 6 of them, including a stand, effects and a mixer. I have the Modular, Sample, Keys, FM, NuBass and Bass. The FM is my favourite but it does something quite different from the Volca bass which is great in its own right. I use the Volca Bass (thus far) to provide the buzzy undertones and breaks to upbeat dance music. It works awesomely as backing to the FM on top of a simple beat.The prominent feature is this is has 3 oscillators which can be utilized independently (with their own melody), or two together and one single, or all together for a rich, deep sound. When the oscillators are grouped it makes a richer sound and you have the ability to detune each too. This helps to create a little bit more depth and effect.Controls are fairly simple and even if you don't know much about synths, you'll understand what each feature does just by ear. It's important that you remember that the Function + Keys turn features on and off though. For detailed learning I would recommend Tony Horgans ebook.Another unique feature of the bass is the 'Slide' function which allows you to specify which notes slid into each other. Imagine a slide on a guitar. It also sounds a bit like a record scratching in some situations.Each one of the VCOs (oscillators) have Saw and Square waves to choose form and the LFO (low frequency oscillator) has a triangle and square wave option. These can be changed via function button and the corresponding keys. There's also a Sustain feature which holds the notes for a fraction longer.In my video which I posted, I'm only using 3 patterns (with slide effects) which I programmed and saved. I 'dance' between them using the memory button (and corresponding key). The FM is providing the lead, the sample the beat and the Keys the later pulse.If you're looking for the first Volca to buy, I think this one is definitely a candidate! It doesn't only produce low 'bass' sounds but high pitched sounds too, It's very versatile. I would however insist that it's paired with the FM or Sample - or ideally both! Careful though. These things are addictive!Thoroughly Recommended!

I have this paired with the volca nubass.The volca beats sounds amazing through a decent system or p.a.Headphones don't really do it justice..although dont sound bad.Just love the analog sounds.Great bit of kit for the price!

I’m a complete newbie when it comes to synthesizers and especially FM synthesis but this beautiful little box is simply amazing! Within minutes (admittedly after a bit of research online/YouTube) I was producing some amazing sounds and loops. The sheer amount of tweaking you can do on the fly means you can produce long sequences and tunes even within the confines of the 16 step memory. I am amazed just how good this thing sounds.I had read that FM synthesis was complex and difficult and some have noted that working through the various parameters on the box itself is difficult. However I must say that I have found it to be incredibly intuitive and is an absolute joy to dial up different parameters and just play with them and discover the infinite possibilities that come out of it. In addition, I’m looking forward to getting a MIDI cable so that I can upload even more sounds via the PatchBase app on my iPad - opening up a vast array of DX7 sounds.I’m now getting started on hooking it up to GarageBand on my iPad so I can save my loops and sequence them. Just wish my budget could stretch to some of the other Volcas to add beats/ samples but looks like I can do this using my iPad and other apps till then!

There are better cheaper mixers out there with more features, but if you are using any of the Volca series this fits into your rack system lovely and syncs three volcas together and powers all three.

What a fantastic machine. Having a built in speaker and being able to run off batteries (that last ages) is a beautiful touch. Its such a great sketchpad for ideas and being able to grab and go. I think its absolutely unrivalled for that purpose.Its a very unruly machine, the tuning is all over the place and quite amusingly so; but so were the original 303s so this is to be expected. It drifts constantly and requires checking every few mins so make sure you have a decent tuner as you'll need it in the signal path, and don't expect your patches to play at the exact same pitch next time you turn it on....This is just the nature of the beast though. I'm sure its a lot of fun to play live with other volcas (not tried this but i will at some point) but its a great tool for musicians in general. At this price, can you afford not to have one?