KORGvolca Drum - Digital Percussion Synthesizer

Interesting

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!

Used in a basic setup . Have the Volca Keys and Bass together with a Behringer Model D and Arturia Keystep. Scratches the itch until I can afford the nicer toys (or as the missus says - until I actually have even a little musical ability). YouTube is your friend for learning how to use these.

The volca FM is great and a fantastic sound to it,, but when I received the item there was no plastic film around the box which I usually get with Korg products, and the box had definitely been opened and the batteries that always come with Korg volcas were missing,, I paid full price for this item but it felt like I bought it 2nd half which was very disappointing

This Volca Bass is great fun. The three oscillators can be sequenced separately so you can create complex interweaving melodies or moving three notes chords whilst adjusting the various settings. I pair it with a Volca Drum and together they sound excellent. Highly recommended.

If you like analogue electronic music and you can't afford a "big" synth, then this is for you. I bought this one to complete my set of three Volcas, which also include the Volca Keys and Beats. These are extremely smartly designed instruments which will appeal to a wide audience. I like my 1980 electronic music and it only took minutes to get some superb pads, arpeggios and other wonderful sounds from these synths. Always been a real Korg fan, but never though I would be able to own three new Korgs for less than £350!What stands out for me on the Volca Bass is the ease by which you can make some great basslines in a matter of minutes. The 3 VCO setup is extremely clever. If you use the built in sequencer you can either create monophonic sequences using all three VCOs in unison (and detune them separately up to one octave up or down), or you can use two in unison and one as a separate voice or indeed programme 3 tone polyphonic sequences using each VCO for a separate part. By using the mute function you can then quickly switch parts on or off creating a lot of effect with just the one sequence in your performance. I also really like the way how you can set the destination of both the envelope generator and LFOs to control volume, filter cutoff and in case of the LFO also the pitch (of all three VCOs). The LED readout is extremely handy when you need to tune your VCOs, set the tempo or octave.Only thing you need to keep in mind, you do need to know a bit about synthesizers before you can really get the best out of these Volca's but it should not take a beginner long to understand how everything works. The instructions are limited, but there is plenty of information and videos on the internet to get you going.

Potentially very good for the money as it claims that it can sync with a librarian on a Mac so you can load your own samples. I have spent all morning installing software and trying different usb cables (not supplied) but it just won't connect, so for me it's practically useless because many of the factory samples lean towards a certain style music, which I'm not interested in.

All those classic DX7 sounds from the 80's that were on everything but went out of fashion have come round again to be actually very nice and usable.I have other synths but certain sounds from the FM2 are so clean and crystal sounding, I put them thru an nts-1 with Sinevibes Hollow reverb 👌I love that the FM2 is 6 voice poly, lots of sounds are to be found on the web and are easily transferred to this with the free Dexed app.