5 Volca Sample - How to make samples with a phone

*NOTE*
Many people have commented that the Caustic Editor app is no longer supported, so I'm afraid the workflow shown in this video is outdated. I'm leaving this video up because it still might be helpful to some, but just know that the Volca Sample 2 has a different official KORG transfer app and connects via USB. The Volca Sample 1 is still compatible with Vosyr, which is my recommended sample management program.
Step by step, how to record sounds with your phone's microphone, then load those sounds onto the Volca Sample.
0:55 Using AudioLab to record sounds
1:51 The ideal settings for a recording intended for the Volca Sample (mono, 32 kHz, WAV format)
3:10 Trimming your recording (removing silence)
6:54 Using CausticEditor to transfer your recordings onto the Volca Sample
9:46 Dealing with errors during transfers
14:07 If you can't hear your sample, check these things...
15:34 to end - Harmonica Sample Jam!
Software used:
Recording:
AudioLab (Android only): play.google.com/store/apps/de...
iOS: there are many apps that will work, but try the built-in voice memo app first. You can also use BandLab for recording.
BandLab:
Android: play.google.com/store/apps/de...
iOS: apps.apple.com/us/app/bandlab...
AI assistants, such as Google Assistant and Siri, may conflict with this recording method, so I recommend temporarily disabling them during the recording. Here's how:
How to disable Google Assistant on Android: www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/...
How to disable Siri on iOS: www.howtogeek.com/667895/how-...
Caustic Editor for Volca Sample (to transfer sounds from your phone to your Volca Sample)
Android: play.google.com/store/apps/de...
iOS: apps.apple.com/us/app/caustic...
Note that there is a different app named just 'Caustic' which is also great (it is a DAW similar to BandLab), but not what you want for this particular process. You want 'Caustic Editor for Volca Sample'.
For anyone having trouble loading samples, this website has some great troubleshooting tips:
filipe-teixeira.com/electronic...
A thread discussing this process with Volca Sample 2 and Android 11:
www.reddit.com/r/volcas/comme...

[@glenesis]

Manufacturers who see this: Portable samplers all need the holy trinity of built-in speakers, built-in microphone, and batteries ir they aren't truly portable. End of rant. Dude, nice video!

[@manmaas]

Impressive textural mix from just four samples.

[@kennybakken]

thanks, I really enjoy my Volca sample now, recording sounds of kicking trash and ringing bells

[@claudeattou4595]

Bravo ,enfin quelqu’un qui nous montre comment utiliser autrement cet appareil…👍

[@manohargurungg]

Your instructions are very important and helps us

[@dangeraardvark]

were you able to download the caustic app? I can't find one on any android app store.

[@marceloaleatorio9661]

Really great job. I have the volca drum and the volca bass, and also a harmonica. Make music with personal and creative sounds is amazing. My mind took a lot of great ideas. Thank you very much.

[@RetroPlus]

Really cool, looks like a blast

[@EvLoutonian]

Very nice lullaby kinda song piece!

[@michaelmorris5755]

Thank you! Excellent demonstration

[@iosmusicman]

Great tutorial and lovely jam too :) Thanks.

[@reginod2249]

Helpful video . . . . . . many thanks!

[@MichaelHoma999]

Good stuff mate!

[@stonedapesociety5628]

Hi! This is really helpful to me you know simple and clear. Big thanks

[@minimal.camera]

Awesome, so glad to hear that!

[@lauriestevenson4183]

Perfect, this is just what I've been looking for thanks

[@PhilNourse92]

Great piece of kit. Just bought mine :) 😎 😁

[@nwhelan1743]

Thanks for this

[@cesarvalerio4292]

Great video thanks

[@lovemaurice]

That is a very impressive little piece of equipment. Just wish it had expandable storage but for the price,.it's not bad at all. Sweet!

[@minimal.camera]

Agreed! microSD card slot would go a long way....

[@heleneblondel1937]

thank you !

[@jorgmuller3110]

Thanx man!

[@KnoWareMan03]

I had Caustic Editor because I had Caustic for years. I recently purchased one @ the local SA music store in the original box all items included for $119. I traded my recently purchased Akai XR20 bought @ $160 on Reverb. The tradeoff resulted in me paying an additional $62 for the KVS, and receiving $75 store credit. This long story ends soon, but I got the XR20 for loading samples...whoops! Nope. I also got an Akai MX8 @ $80, thinking it would let me truncate...whoops! Nope. Shoulda got the Akai MX16 from the start. It does not sequence however, like the MX8🤬 The KVS with the AMX8 was the ultimate choice. Use it with the SmartRig @$75 on the go, and you are a band💯

[@SanplerVarondaro]

excelente

[@LeeCrampton]

Just picked one of these up 2nd hand today. Really looking forward to playing with it after this video. Great stuff. Thanks. The only bummer is the mini Jack output. I’ll need to get a converter to USB. I’ve not yet worked out the point of MIDI in but I’ll have a proper look at it tomorrow. Cheers. Lee

[@minimal.camera]

If you want to record into a computer, you'll need a USB Audio Interface, not just a USB converter cable (you need something to convert an analog signal into a digital signal). MIDI is a data control system in which you can send commands to or from a device, such as 'play at this tempo' or 'play these notes in this order'. Bit more of an advanced thing, but I find it super fun and useful. For the Volca Sample specifically, check out Pajen's custom firmware to open up a whole world of MIDI possibilities. Hope you have a blast!

[@LeeCrampton]

@@minimal.camera Thanks for the reply - yes I was referring to mini-jack to USB so that I can use my existing audio interface or to record iPad/iPhone into the volca - a mini jack to usb C (iPad) or lightning (iPhone). My point about midi in was that I don't know why they didn't provide midi out - the midi in seems less useful (?) My earlier devices (originally the Atari ST (yikes!) had midi in, midi out and midi through) and my keyboards have midi in and out. Anyway I'll get playing with it again soon as I've been swamped with other software toys (way too many). Cheers.

[@minimal.camera]

Gotcha, makes sense. The Volcas can be modded to have MIDI OUT (it exists on the board, you just have to add a jack). However, the usefulness is questionable... Mostly the Volcas just use MIDI for tempo sync and input from a keyboard or other MIDI controller. I think the vSample does fine without it, though for others like the vKeys, vBass, and vFM I find MIDI to be critical. Also, I'm surprised your existing interface takes USB input? I use a 1/8" TRS to dual 1/4" TS to output from any Volca to my mixer/interface.

[@ghost_in_the_robot]

@@LeeCrampton Did you ever get this working, bro? I have an older iPad Air 2 with a headphone audio port and a Audiobox96 USB interface, so I know there's gotta be a way to accomplish this. I want to get it working my Arturia Keystep which I have synced with my Pocket Operators. I'm using AUM for my DAW workstation to control channels/effects and AudioShare on my iPad with Ableton Link over wireless to keep everything in tempo.

[@iosmusicman]

@@ghost_in_the_robot wow, you’re in advanced mode! To be honest I have gathered lots of gear (5 volcas and a volca mix) but I have been very busy these last few months and played with them only briefly. That said, I will have plenty of time on my hands at the end of this year as my long term contract comes to an end. I’ll be back on the case then. Cheers

[@edgeof60]

Wow, thanks, I was not aware there was a Volca sample app available for Android. Good tutorial and nice jam too! Can any of these apps do sample time-stretching/shrinking? This is the neat trick for loading longer samples in the Volca.

[@minimal.camera]

Thanks, glad it was helpful! AudioLab has a 'speed changer' function, but I haven't messed with it. Not sure if it shrinks the file size or not.

[@bwah7]

Hi - very useful video. Have you tried recording as MP3 on AudioLab? wouldn't that create smaller files thus more samples to load? (I dont have a volca sample atm, just watching vids like this to help decide)

[@minimal.camera]

Thanks, glad it was helpful! I don't think the Volca Sample can accept MP3s, only WAV.

[@hubertmuller6157]

This is great ! Somewhat sad that most phones don't have headphone jacks anymore

[@minimal.camera]

I know, right? Such a versatile jack.

[@teatime2595]

What? Really wtf why? How fkn dumb!!! I didn't know that!

[@teatime2595]

Maybe because blue tooth 5 g shitt? So much faster and better people are dumb!

[@minimal.camera]

Bluetooth yes, 5G no, that's a totally different thing. I think it really comes down to cost and the desire to make phones as thin as possible. Fewer ports means fewer things to break and go wrong with the phone. Also, a headphone jack isn't just a jack, it requires that the phone contains a digital to analog converter chip. I really wish headphones jacks were sticking around because there's so many interesting things you can do with an analog signal (beyond just music), but I think that ship has sailed...

[@GearHedd]

Cool stuff. Makes me think I might need a modern era cellphone at some point. Seems they can do all kinds of stuff nowadays music wise...

[@minimal.camera]

Indeed, I'm pretty impressed with the amount of audio processing that a smartphone can handle. I do miss my physical keyboard though...

[@GearHedd]

@@minimal.camera Yea I keep seein stuff where a cell phone does all kinds of stuff. From being a sampler to a synth to an fx unit and etc... Seems like they keep spittin out more and more music type stuff for them as time goes on...

[@ohmthepoet8428]

@@minimal.camera if you really want it they do have Bluetooth hardware keyboards with little lag, or wired ones that are good but that may be harder depending what kinda phone you have

[@minimal.camera]

@@ohmthepoet8428 I have hooked my Keystep up to my phone (via USB) to play soft synths that way. It's not bad! Still prefer hardware synths though.

[@totorocapo]

Nice nice

[@JOYaL3ooo]

Can sombody help me why my wolca sampler just poer died on both power batteries and cord 9v can not open volca sample 1...help please

[@dawgboybinley6128]

this is a great video - Thanks! I have one question though, Can you save sequences you make on the volca back up to the computer/phone? i just got a volca yesterday and can't seem to find how to do that?

[@minimal.camera]

Yes, with the software Vosyr. Use it, it is excellent!

[@dawgboybinley6128]

@@minimal.camera I downloaded it, but it seems you can only put sounds on the volca, but can't upload to the computer the sequences you make on the volca

[@minimal.camera]

@@dawgboybinley6128 ah, guess you are right, sorry about that. It looks like you can mod the Volca Sample to add a MIDI OUT port and backup sequences that way, but probably not worth it.

[@footmarshian8295]

What cables do you need to sync 2 volcas and what cable does it use to get samples into it as I just bought version 2 and it does not even come with power or USB cable

[@minimal.camera]

I have a gen1, so I'm not 100% sure. But I think the gen2 uses a microUSB cable to load samples (I'm surprised to hear it didn't come with one). With the gen1, you use a standard stereo audio cable, 1/8" TRS on both ends. Sync can use either a mono or stereo audio cable, 1/8" TS or TRS on both ends. You can also use MIDI for sync, a standard 5-pin DIN cable.

[@manohargurungg]

I have not done any app for sample yet I have to figure out too

[@StupidEarthlings]

9:17~ Odd. I wanted it to transfer the empty slots too... (now where'd I put that blank stare emoji?).. 😐 close enough.. 😉

[@tzodearf2596]

Please do a tutorial about AudioLab.

[@footmarshian8295]

You can use AudioPocket for iPhone or iPad also

[@robnatter2529]

I'm late asf but nah, I'm sure you found out and two years later still nothing. Did you find an alternative?

[@robnatter2529]

Oh I'm dumb asf I thought you meant android n sum else, my ass over here tryna find an alternative app for my moto

[@stephenreed106]

Do you remember when synthesizers / computers saved to. (Cassette) tape? The audio was very similar to "modem noise". Does the Volca use this same technology? If so, when transferring samples from the phone, can that output be saved as audio (WAV file). Later, can that WAV file be loaded into the Volca without using the app?

[@soundlabsounddesign9392]

That should work. A full dump. I dd that last month for a Korg EX8000. That way we could share full kits

[@minimal.camera]

Yes, absolutely! That's what the 'syro stream' is, encoding to audio directly, similar to a 56k modem. So yes, you can import/export/save to WAV. That's how Vosyr and Caustic Editor work. The Volca Sample is always listening on the 'sync in' port for a specific message that tells it 'hey, get ready to receive these samples'.

[@stephenreed106]

@@soundlabsounddesign9392 yes! I had a Poly 800 years back. :)

[@wangvincent7502]

It doesn’t work on my android phone and iPhone 5 (3.5mm) and iPhone 12 (lightening). It’s strange. Only environmental sound is recorded. In this case, is there any audio interface hardware for iPhone that you would recommend please? Thanks!

[@minimal.camera]

Hmm, yeah it sounds like it is just recording with the phone mic instead of the MIC IN port. Sorry about that! I don't have an iPhone so I'm afraid I don't have a recommendation for you.

[@noewacreativemusic6794]

this app does not work with Volca Sample 2 - any recommendation what to use instead, folks? Librarian does not work either, have issue with driver installatkion on Win10...please HELP!!! thanks folks. pitty if nothing works out, will sell the device then...

[@minimal.camera]

You are likely running into this issue with the KORG driver on Win10: thedigitallifestyle.com/w/2022/10/fixing-korg-usb-midi-driver-issues-in-windows-10-windows-11-in-2022/ As far as I know, KORG Librarian is the only option for the Volca Sample 2

[@velocidadcrucero]

my volca doesn't do anithing when i do the process, the phone says the tranfer is done, but its not.. what could be wrong?

[@minimal.camera]

Others have commented here that Caustic doesn't work anymore, sorry... Vosyr is still good though: www.frederikson-labs.com/

[@majormovetvnetwork]

It records 65 seconds per sample? And can you input small mp3 sounds

[@minimal.camera]

Total storage memory is 65 seconds, so all your samples combined can't be more than 65 secs. No MP3 support, has to be WAV.

[@karl.weaver]

Really enjoyed your presentation and tuition. You lost me at the introduction of the staccato arp. Every other part of the sequence was 1st class.

[@dr.papadopolis7171]

I heard about someone using the caustic app actually ruined his volca, honestly just curious using Android phones to use as samplers..

[@filipp.tche1]

Author, did you know there is clear all button on volca sample to clear all your start point, length and etc in one press?

[@akselsdresmanis7917]

i just bought this sampler and i thought it wasnt working. It is showing 5.--- in my samples :/ and i cant find the audio lab on my appstore. I really dont know what to do now.

[@minimal.camera]

Sounds like there aren't samples loaded onto it? When you spin the Sample Select knob, you should see a 2 digit number associated with each filled sample slot. If nothing happens when you spin that knob, then there's no samples loaded up.

[@akselsdresmanis7917]

@@minimal.camera Thanks man. I got it. Cheers from Latvia ;)

[@EliasDorneles]

Can you use this same software with a volca sample 2?

[@minimal.camera]

I'm not sure, sorry, I made this video before the Sample V2 was released.

[@dee66daniel72]

Cool ... think you can use also a Digital-Recorder ... Tascam -etc. .. for a better Record - and Sound-Quality

[@minimal.camera]

Absolutely! It is just a lot more expensive, and the workflow isn't as immediate. For the Volca Sample specifically you may not notice much of a difference in sound quality as it only supports lower quality files in the first place. But if you get into sampling in a bigger way, a dedicated field recorder is definitely worthwhile.

[@ekummel]

I was talking to a professional photographer and someone in the group asked him "what was the best camera". He replied, "whichever one you happen to have on you at the time you need to take the picture". Meaning that if you have skill, even the cheapest piece of junk will get you quality if you have skill, whereas, if you aren't skilled, even the most expensive will not make it any better...so yeah...use what you got and learn that before you start to spend money.

[@davidreidy5750]

Good idea!

[@patrickhall7884]

Does it just replace those few samples with the ones you've uploaded? I'm reading comments on other videos that it wipes out ALL the other samples, so you're only left with the few that you uploaded. Is that correct?

[@minimal.camera]

You can choose to wipe all and replace, or just transfer certain samples and leave the rest untouched. In my experience, I've had the most success with a full wipe. It can be tricky to copy only certain samples, because you also have to respect the total storage capacity (4 MB or about 65 secs).

[@dna33]

@@minimal.camera thanks for the info. do you suggest any other piece of similar hardware with larger storage capacity?

[@minimal.camera]

@@dna33 Yes, I'm a big fan of the Elektron Model:Samples.

[@dna33]

@@minimal.camera ok.. im going on the right track, I found model:samples intriguing. Thanks again!

[@goacidia303]

Strange....if I try to load in caustic editor for VS I cant see my recordings. I did record them in mono, 32 and wav file...am I doing something wrong ?

[@minimal.camera]

They should be 16-bit 33.0kHz mono samples, and WAV file is correct. You wrote 32, did you use 32 kHz perhaps? Or maybe the wrong bit size? Some more details here: filipe-teixeira.com/electronic-music/volca-resources/volca-sample-tutorial-6-loading-samples/

[@goacidia303]

@@minimal.camera I did exactly the same like you showed on the vid.....mono, 32 khz, wav ....then when I try to load in Caustic no samples to see ☹️

[@ThunderRoadTV]

I made samples with audio lab but when I press load on the volca app I’ve nothing to choose from how do I get the audio lab recordings to show on the load screen?

[@minimal.camera]

AudioLab saves recordings in its own folder on your phone, so you have to navigate to that folder in the volca app, then you should see them all there. You can also just browse all audio files on your phone, but that might be messy.

[@ThunderRoadTV]

@@minimal.camera thank u

[@ironmedsvr]

What about a cd player, can i connect a cd player or another phone to the headphone jack of the phone and record into bandlad?

[@minimal.camera]

Pretty sure you can! It should take any audio source.

[@ironmedsvr]

@@minimal.camera i tried but it didnt work, i bought one of them splitters with a mic and head phone connection but no goal. So idk i might be doing it wrong.

[@minimal.camera]

@@ironmedsvr Hmm, that's odd. What type of cable did you use between the CD player and headphone adapter? The adapter only accepts a mono source, whereas the CD player is spitting out stereo. So maybe unplugging the Right channel on the CD player would help, if that's an option.

[@Ullish1989]

Can you use that amp to take samples from things you're watching on your phone? Say I wanna take a voice clip from a movie or interview for an Industrial style thing??

[@minimal.camera]

I'm not sure, I've never tried.

[@Ullish1989]

@@minimal.camera it seems to be impossible to find an app that will just record whatever audio your phone is playing :'(

[@Ullish1989]

@@minimal.camera great video nonetheless

[@lorrenaelliott161]

@@Ullish1989 screen record then rip the audio

[@suzanneserich9852]

Is it easier on the Sample2 with the USB port?

[@minimal.camera]

I've heard it is, but I've never used one.

[@Fractalite]

Does this work the same with the Korg Volca sample v2?

[@minimal.camera]

Sorry, I'm not sure, I only have the V1. Hopefully someone else who has the V2 can try it and comment?

[@voyager272]

@@minimal.camera I just got the V2 but the app won't even let me save the sample to my phone in the first place. lol

[@minimal.camera]

@@voyager272 sounds like this only works for V1, thanks for commenting!

[@INDACO83]

how can i fix error dcod? I tried them all, please help me

[@minimal.camera]

dcod means 'decode', basically that error is saying that the Volca Sample is detecting an input signal, but it doesn't understand it. Probably your signal is too loud or too quiet, or being distorted or 'enhanced' by something. This video shows the basic troubleshooting process: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZOuqXabe82LmKc

[@danmantyla3315]

Is this the first version of the Volca Sample, or the Sample 2 ?

[@minimal.camera]

1st gen

[@pmc5532]

Tried getting the Caustic editor and got mcafee malware/virus instead ,pain to get rid of.

[@minimal.camera]

Sorry to hear that! This is the official app, don't download it from anywhere else: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.singlecellsoftware.kvsampler&hl=en_US&gl=US

[@aju1923]

Hey :) Can u connect a volca keys to a daw on a phone? The goal is not to use a pc :)

[@minimal.camera]

Yes, but you will need a USB audio interface between them.

[@MultiDooder]

why the weird sample rate? i thought they were redbook, or is this an android thing?

[@minimal.camera]

That's the Volca Sample's default sample rate

[@kinematics4999]

Nice Tutorial Thinks, Can do the same with " korg volca fm " ?

[@minimal.camera]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! If you are looking for a Volca FM tutorial, check out Cuckoo's, it is pretty exhaustive!

[@kinematics4999]

@@minimal.camera Indeed Cuckoo's is Great, so far you are the only one who used a Cell ...very original

[@minimal.camera]

@@kinematics4999 Thanks! The Volca FM can't sample, so I'm not sure what the phone integration would be there. Maybe a DX7 patch manager or Dexed?

[@henryzimmermann2323]

Thank you! Sadly, caustic hasn't been updated, so…

[@minimal.camera]

I know, sad times :(

[@dangeraardvark]

​@@minimal.camerais there a work around?

[@minimal.camera]

@@dangeraardvark Vosyr is the best option to my knowledge. I don't know of a phone app workaround, unfortunately.

[@samsidique8662]

How did you get this app in English

[@minimal.camera]

Google Play store

[@aa13foxtrot1p8]

this stopped working for me after i turned on airplane mode

[@minimal.camera]

Hmm, that's odd. It should still work fine while not in airplane mode, you will just have issues if you get any notifications in while recording or transferring samples. So muting all notifications would do the same thing.

[@Rymasterduo]

What app are people using in 2023 to download samples to volca sample?

[@minimal.camera]

Unfortunately I don't think it's possible to do it directly from a phone as shown in this video anymore, assuming the phone is running modern Android or iOS. To my knowledge the only option is to use Vosyr on a laptop (for the Volca Sample v1)

[@eyaldror1526]

So volca sampler is not sampler at all,just sample player. Its shame they not put mic on board. I prefer the po 33

[@minimal.camera]

Yep, true, though I think a LINE IN would be better than a MIC. PO-33 is very cool!

[@StupidEarthlings]

I can't, for the life of me, understand why it is soo "difficult" to load(or capture) a sound sample. It should have an input (like a 1/8") for ANYTHING as well as a built in Microphone (for on the fly /quick n dirty) samples. Like the old $29 Casio, thats now selling for over $100 used.

[@minimal.camera]

I think the reason is cost. That would require an analog to digital converter and probably a bit more processing power. Then again the PO-33 does this, so... I don't know!

[@inthefade]

I spent 2 hours trying to load some samples onto my friend's Volca Sample and gave up. It is such an annoying process.

[@leewightman8619]

Think all stick to the p.o KO if the volca could sample direct I'd definitely have one... maybe they will do it on the new one

[@Growguuu]

If ur has a usb port this won’t work he has a one

[@YAH_ONLY]

Reason why I’m not buying it Although it seems really cool, the fact that you can directly record into this device and manipulate it isn’t appealing to me.

[@JSmith-mu3fq]

Why don't you just use Audio pocket

[@minimal.camera]

Audio pocket is iOS only, doesn't work on Android.

[@tzodearf2596]

How you unplugged your gear was very aggressive.

[@googlepigs7027]

Really ??? What a pain in the ass !!!

[@tiouip]

the 1st Volca sample is a useless toy. Pain in da butt to load in samples. Caustic developper is dead. No update at all. Basically garbage.

[@minimal.camera]

While I agree that it is a pain to load samples, and its a shame caustic is no longer with us, Vosyr is still a very viable option, and the Pajen firmware still rules. So I can't agree that it is a useless toy, but certainly there are better options out there these days.

[@sethaguilar8330]

For drums it's fine beat looping original beat making

[@urwholefamilydied]

Does the Volca Keys really not have a mic input?? Sort of defeats a lot of the useability of a sampler. All samples have to be loaded from a computer or, in this case, a phone? Would probably be worth getting a burner phone just to store all your samples. Pretty cool setup!

[@minimal.camera]

I think you mean Volca Sample and not Volca Keys, but yes that's correct, none of the Volcas have a mic input. You have to use a computer to load samples. That's the difference between a Sample Player, like the Volca, and a Sampler, like an MPC. The software shown in this video (Caustic editor) is pretty old and may not work with a modern phone (Pixel 1st gen is used in this video). Vosyr on a laptop is a better approach these days.