Bad Gear - Korg Volca Drum

[@AudioPilz]

Audiopilz: *slaps roof of YT channel* Full Tracks, Extended Jams, Sample Packs: www.patreon.com/audiopilz

[@robertpennycook1936]

Dude you put so much work into these, seriously I am thankful. There is more editing in your videos than in videos 20 times longer and it adds to the chaotic comedy flow. The predator menu diving got me this week as well as the Backrooms montage. Clap clap.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@Taschenschieber]

I mean, a lot of the "videos 20 times longer" are deliberately slow-paced and if you watched a two-hour video essay edited in the AudioPilz Signature Style your eyeballs would start bleeding. That's not a criticism, I've been watching Bad Gear since it started, but different formats work in different ways.

[@smellymala3103]

@@AudioPilz The fact that you went an extra layer and grabbed the pottery clip from The Naked Gun… respect once again

[@underduckbro]

The grooves you make while demonstrating each of its parameters are all song worthy.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@L_AMEGAME]

This one is in stereo ?

[@fffrage]

One of my favourite features in Volca Drum, not mentioned in this vid - is that you can set per-step probability in sequencer.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for the clarification!

[@smicha1466]

That probability mode is great for helping to compensate for the four-bar limitation. I use that feature combined with slice on my hi-hat type sounds and it makes the beats seem far less repetitive.

[@williamtell1477]

Thats cool :)

[@kenfusion]

Drumologue !! Yes , please 🙏

[@wireheadinstruments]

agree it is a great feature. I often used it with two hi-hat channels in a choke-group, each panned left/right so the probability randomises the panning. make one track's sequence a different length and there's a "never"-repeating stereo hi-hat track!

[@Katmat87]

Every track or jam I’ve recorded with the drum stands a mile apart from the ones with usual Roland sounds. It sounds unlike anything else. I think it’s amazing. And the polyrhythm, random probability potential takes it to another level

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Unlike anything else is also how i would describe the Korg Minilogue. it's amazing how they actually pull this up by releasing actually affordable new gear that really sounds like nothing you hear elsewhere. I'm still tempted to get a few of the Volcas. Especially the Sample and newly released revision of the volca FM appeal to me.

[@AudioPilz]

Why not combine it with classic sounds?

[@bobbythompson4268]

@@KRAFTWERK2K6 these things are great. I got the beats like 2 years ago, didn’t mess with it much, then recently picked up the FM and bass, and keys, and I started diving in a bit. These things are great. Just got the drum on Amazon a few mins ago haha.

[@chevy4x466]

I bought my kids volcas for their Easter 🐣 present. They r both in piano and school band. I think these r great learning tools for kids on composing measures

[@MostlyPennyCat]

​@@chevy4x466 I have three nieces. The first, slightly older, two have been given strung acoustic instruments, various guitars. I'm very tempted to get the youngest a Drum for her '25 Christmas 😂

[@FormerlyOrca]

NOOO MY GEAR IS ON BAD GEAR!!! The drum is my first drum machine and while I do like it, the headphone out and the small knobs really do break my heart. But it's still fun to play and learn how to make some funky drums. Great episode Florian!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@zanderxymox]

That "Backrooms" video montage is fantastic on every level

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! That's quite a rabbit hole to go down!

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

@@AudioPilz you mean... to no-clip into ;)

[@somnyad]

I agree!! It was crazy cool.

[@sTeVe-vl3nh]

Awesome 👍

[@johngalvin6352]

It's impressive how you remember the workflow of all the different bits of gear. Great show.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!!

[@huntergalloway3944]

Not my secret weapon for making drum layers and samples!? I love the V Drum also as an all in one IDM groove box. Such a useful synth.

[@AudioPilz]

Great for all kinds of IDM!

[@Producer4Realz]

I'm a 61 year's old musician and a big fan of your deep analyzing and speedy flow of honest creative criticism. Love your videos - Very helpful 🤗

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@RCAvhstape]

That Liminal Spaces Backrooms jam was awesome, and the video editing on it was totally on point. Smile on my face the whole time. That last jam is something I anticipate with every one of your videos.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

As far as I am concerned one of your most beautiful videos!

[@AudioPilz]

❤️❤️❤️

[@cassiomendes13]

The videoclip of the finale jam is one of the coolest of all times. Really great!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@lucasgibson2980]

I was literally searching your youtube channel to see if you had uploaded a bad gear on the korg volca drum just earlier today. I must've magically summoned this video somehow.

[@AudioPilz]

It's magic!!!

[@stephenkyburz6529]

That's the only Volca I own. Got it just to mess around with the CC on the Digitakt and there is so many things you can do with it. Pure delight. Great video as usual

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@DoodMangYT]

The volca drum is so good when you make things at a slower tempo. You can really bring out some trippy sounds.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!

[@markffff8155]

Couldn't agree more that this synth voice in a more back-up capable, fleshed out interface a la Drumlogue would be awesome. The Volca drum actually sounds amazing, and the physical modeling section is niiiice

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, I would have loved to have this engine in the drumlogue

[@tubeMonger]

More versatile than I thought. Enjoyed the review. Thanks for sharing! You really have something here on your KZbin channel. The videos are top notch (full of useful info, verdict, and continuous popular culture references, cool sounding music) and there is no GAS-inducing affiliate marketing with cautions against GAS. Perfect!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@jdrukman]

I’ve got one of these and I love it. Your review is pretty accurate as far as all the pros and cons. My main use for it is to make “weird glitchy bloody unpredictable sequence layers”. I just record them all into Logic and save them as loops. I’ve got a pretty big library now. Great to just sneak them in wherever to fill out a track. For the price, you really can’t beat it.

[@RegebroRepairs]

Sheeeeit, this is a lot better than I thought. And 16 steps is all you need. No backup? No problem, I'd just make beats and then sample them.

[@AudioPilz]

Word!

[@foxholeartist]

Volca Drum is amazing. Not often you get drum synth capable of huge noise sounds and industrial like textures. For real. Not beafy enough? Maybe. But huge. I love mine and want bigger version of it

[@AudioPilz]

I like beef;)

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Drum + Kick just sounds too good to be true... 😮

[@ooktar]

I traded in my Volca Beats for the Drum and I'm pretty glad I did. The fact I can make a decent snare drum on it is enough to justify it. Still some inconveniences for a drum machine but overall there's a lot going for it.

[@AudioPilz]

The Beats is really limited

[@finonomastropiero4261]

@@AudioPilz unless modded?

[@rorz999]

@@finonomastropiero4261 no, it's still limited even after modding. I'm hoping for a Beats v2 with a better snare, swing, individual outs, 64 steps, etc

[@bonzaihb3432]

@@AudioPilz True, I had a Beats (modded myself) but it didn't click for me - like a 808 on tranquilizers or thereabouts. The Bass I liked kinda, but sold it anyway together with the Beats, no regrets... Eyeing the FM2 right now, just for kicks (lol) and giggles ;)

[@hicknopunk]

I still like my beats. I love the wet rag hitting a symbol sound, love turning the snare into another tom. The wood block can be really mangled into fun sounds. The only issue I have with the beats is the limited kick.

[@alexwestconsulting]

Volca Drum is one of the best low budget devices on the market. To me it is essential gear.

[@AudioPilz]

Very affordable given the feature set!

[@remychadwick2467]

The visuals on the last jam were really something else this week

[@Yuzuki1337]

When you're so early that KZbin says "1 view". :D I liked the Drum when I played with it, let's see how it goes. :)

[@AudioPilz]

No "last time I was so early" jokes please;)

[@hiding_my_name]

Lol mine still says 1 view yet there's 25 comments.

[@Yuzuki1337]

@@AudioPilz The last time I was this early, my parents... *explodes*

[@Yuzuki1337]

@@hiding_my_name You're right, guess KZbin is borked again. :D

[@Cadesworth]

I'm in a pretty bleh place in terms of mental health rn and binging this entire series is helping immensely lmao 🙌🏾 so glad I came back to these videos

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!! I feel you!!!

[@briaredpath9386]

Magnesium will help and Nac tablets,and the gospel of Thomas.

[@paulbmorgan]

This is by far my favourite Volca, produces the weird and wacky sounds that can make a recording so much more interesting. I usually have mine hooked up to a Korg Kaoss Pad Quad to provide added oddness, and the Wave Guide (the 3 knob flux capacitor) should be standard on all Volca's... wait standard on every electronic musical device, everywhere for everyone :-) very nice episode.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Certainly goes well with a Kaoss Pad!

[@knob_agency]

Wave Guide is my favorite effect too. Do know you know something similar in other pedals/FX/VST?

[@paulbmorgan]

@@knob_agency I am not clued up on VSTs as I have a dawless set-up. IMHO the Korg Kaoss Pad is a really great addition to any set up as it is tactile, easy to integrate and produces wacky results with ease.

[@ZaGaElectronic]

Man, you keep pumping these videos out, with great quality too, and I seem to keep watching them :-)

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@Johnsys359]

This is my favorite volca, combined with the kick, it's a powerhouse.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!

[@happylittlesynth]

Just ordered mine yesterday...stoked!

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!!!

[@Rgdonaire_07]

finally a piece of gear that I own showcased in this channel... sounds very punchy but sometimes a bit sterile, I found that treating it with some plugs on the way in does wonders (saturation, filter)... the sequencer is very creative and flexible. I think it's a great unit.

[@AudioPilz]

Additional processing really does wonders!

[@timbrechopper]

At 6:24, I emphatically yelled "YES!" out loud. And if this hasn't already been answered: You have to set the Volca Drum to multi-channel mode to play a single sound chromatically.

[@AudioPilz]

Interesting, I managed to play them in one channel but not tonally with a midi keyboard. Thanks!

[@timbrechopper]

@@AudioPilz Yeah Korg put a sneaky option in there to use it either as a single channel drum machine or a multi-timbral synth. I friggin' love the Volca Drum so much. You're dead on about it needing a MIDI Dump. I hadn't even considered it until you mentioned it.

[@eighteenfiftynine]

@@timbrechopper eh? That doesn't work, does it?!

[@timbrechopper]

@@eighteenfiftynine It does, indeed. cdn.korg.com/us/support/download/files/aa0a404eb2b0fa59873677d825cc272e.pdf?response-content-disposition=inline%3Bfilename%2A%3DUTF-8%27%27volca_drum_split_ch_MIDI_Chart_E1.pdf&response-content-type=application%2Fpdf%3B

[@user82938]

The school desk drum machine, hell yes. Need that pen cap for the sharp snare.

[@AudioPilz]

...and that nice vocal samples when you hit one of the other students;)

[@Dudderlyful]

The Everything Everywhere All at Once clip made almost made me spit out my cider! Interesting little box and credit where it's due for Korg making something different! HAPPY FRIDAY ALL! Great as ever Mr Pilz

[@Dudderlyful]

Somebody please make the Volca bagpipe real

[@AudioPilz]

😀

[@aeravan]

finally, all my synth are now covered by your show ❤️

[@AudioPilz]

Congrats!!!

[@gru_day]

Its more like Volca Quirk... i love it! Now waiting for the parcel😮

[@ChrisSmout]

6:18 totally agree - it's a lot of drum power in a small box, some clear compromising here. I like mine for synthesising kicks and snares - for some reason I can always dial in something I like quite quickly rather than in a DAW.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, I'd love to have an ER-1 plugin in Live

[@Jason75913]

Kicks and snares is all I like out of the Drum most of the time. I always felt that I couldn't do much with it and the sounds that can be had are too often not my cup of tea. Or I just never learned to get along with it, I don't know. I sold it after over a year with it.

[@geminidefect]

ok, Florian. I said you inspired me today, and this is the Bad Gear I went with. Volca Drum, Volca Kick, with a Behringer Crave. Modulation by Zig Zag, the coolest Chorus/vibrato pedal I've ever owned. Canadian made. Your inspiration is exactly what I needed today!

[@frankgibson8960]

You nailed it. It’s good for making samples and I love recording mine through the DAW to edit and beef up the sounds but the interface is not as fun as the electribe. I am also hoping they throw the synth engine in the drumlogue cause it sounds great. I prefer using oscillatorsink's free Synthmata tool to program the kits quickly.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! I'd love to see that engine in the Drumlogue!

[@__cal29]

Has there been any new info on the drumlogue?

[@Foxxorz]

The snare meme with the blinded cat hits home so hard.

[@AudioPilz]

❤️❤️❤️

[@name8631]

Love my volca drum. No clue what I'm doing with it and I can't make it sound like drums but god is it fun

[@AudioPilz]

Way to go!!!

[@GCCork]

sounds like how I'd be 😂 can't decide whether to take the chance ! How are you finding it now ?

[@russcontact]

Went looking for volca drum demos, this was the 3rd algo result. Absolutely not what I was looking for yet I immediately clicked. That’s how dope your stuff is ✌️

[@crunchyfrog555]

Damn, you often give me something to think about. I've been tentatively looking for some easy and quick way of getting some weirder queaky percussive bits to add to my current drum machines and synths. Being lazy I hadn't found anything suitable, but I'd completely overlooked this. I think it may just be what I'm looking for.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Time stretching acoustic sounds helps a lot too;)

[@crunchyfrog555]

@@AudioPilz Yeah I like that too. I use an Elektron Samples for a lot of the work on that one. Seems an easy way to use them on the fly.

[@jonpatchmodular]

Definitely give it a try! You can always get rid of it out into the used market if you don't like it. But it is a tool for eccentric drums. And it syncs over MIDI or clock sync so it's great for modular too, with its whacky sounds and per-step trigger chance.

[@jonpatchmodular]

As a proud Volca Drum owner, as a live instrument it's best used as a secondary device, to add more sounds and ambiance as a MIDI slave. With practice you can learn its fiddling better, and pop out beats in little time. Its strength is in using the randomizing, the waveguide and the parameter automation to variate and generate ideas on the fly mid-performance (you can also use the annoying menu encoder as a more tame randomizer). Its potentially experimental sound and swinging sync out make it a great part of a Eurorack system, too. Another tip I'd give is, if you have it plugged into an analog desk, chances are that a generous boost on the lows will give it some of the analog juice it lacks. It works amazing in my Soundcraft Signature's EQ. And of course as with any Volca don't be afraid to add effects. Even though it has its own, an external rhythmic delay can be great. Bonus tip, get knob caps for sensitive parameters, especially pitch and waveguide pitch/time. With that all said, I have to agree: We need a more confortable version of the same sound engine, so simple yet powerful and unique-sounding. This thing has some very cool Elektron Model vibes. Another one I think would benefit immensely from a grown-up makeover is the Volca Modular. I love it, but it's tiny and the patching is somewhat propietary, so you need two to really get proper "modular" with it. In fewer words, the Volca Drum is a supercharged Volca but it's better used as just that, a Volca. It is a very good generative instrument when you get the hang of it. And it has many tricks that set it apart from a normal drum machine or groove device.

[@AudioPilz]

I think it was just a design study for the Drumlogue

[@jonpatchmodular]

@@AudioPilz then you can count me in for the list of people waiting for the Drumlogue.

[@kevinvotaw2916]

the volca drum is the only volca I still use to this day. it's so easy to morph sounds between surprisingly good kicks snares hats toms etc -- and all on the fly. the delay is sick. FAT kicks. And the step jump mode is perhaps one of the best live performance features on a drum machine I've ever seen, and can't fathom why it's not utilized on more machines. You simply press any steps you want and they are played in time with the sequencer, which meanwhile keeps its place in the sequence. This can work with steps which aren't active steps, or are rolls, etc. So much possibility in this thing. Best volca hands down.

[@AudioPilz]

I'd love to have the extra sequencer features in the Sample

[@Daffy-Deck]

Pillzaddict here, great appraisal, totally spot on, I learned a lot as I don't own one, but as a LXR owner I love drum synths of which seem inherently digital.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@chandlerholloway7876]

Great vid, huge fan! Next to the FM 2, the Drum is the best volca to use as a sound module tethered to an editor or more capable sequencer. Editors are especially helpful for overcoming that limitation on saving patterns and kits. As long as you do all of your sound design and editing within the editor (or you're willing to go back and manually program all the parameters of a kit or a pattern into the editor), you can keep things backed up well enough. I think pajen figured out a way to dump the patterns and kits over sysex if you've done the MIDI out mod, but I've not tried it. The drum isn't able to cover all the bases (as you said, beefy kicks and aggressive snares are a weak point) so I usually reserve it for glitchy and retro sounding hat and ride/crash sounds, and then pitched percussive boops like cheesy toms, cowbell and woodblock esque stuff. Hard panning and using a Y splitter lets me process my cymbals and my boops through entirely different signal chains - a great feature that I believe is unique to the sample and the drum.

[@AudioPilz]

Interesting to hear about the Pajen hack!!!

[@panacea.palace]

Damn I never thought of that panning trick, that's genius!

[@morbidtales13]

As a beginner, this and the NTS-1 are my go-to combo for quick jams. Thank you for your content.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching!

[@cheapmusicgear]

Is this entire series based on every synthesizer that I own and love? Yes, apparently it is 😂

[@claudesilverio677]

I just began to work with Synths, but I really like the possibilities of these small Box.

[@wardrich]

I love the volcas for their simplicity - but like you said, I really wish they had a way to backup/restore.

[@AudioPilz]

That'd be great;)

[@s3nsec0rruptr80]

There's someone who made solderless midi out kits for a couple of volcas, maybe there's one for this?

[@s3nsec0rruptr80]

It's USB tribe, they have it for multiple other volcas but not the drum 😥

[@jonpatchmodular]

I have to say, this episode's videoclip sections looked so amazing!! And the jams, great work! (even with that randomized burst haha) And I know you spent two days getting the iconic melody to play out of the Drum ;) Great work! Now I want the Volca Kick.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@uly1981]

This looks surprisingly fun for a device i dismissed purely because of the volca branding

[@AudioPilz]

Yes, this one is fun!

[@hiding_my_name]

Same.

[@raysubject]

had no idea this volca is so much feature packed, it's easily most powerful volca from all ... wow ! Thanks for review !

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching!

[@x10dc90]

I really liked Jam 2, very groovy rhythm.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@0xABADCAFE]

That second jam is helping me power through some egregiously bad software debugging at this very instant!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@4957842]

Sonically, its closest comparison is probably Korg’s classic Electribes, but feel like a new instrument in its own right

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!

[@NoST86]

I think the Volca Drum is suppossed to be an Elektron Machinedrum hommage. Which is crazy, because I always wanted one as a kid, but years later I bought the Volca Drum as my first Volca unaware of that. Still somehow I was instantly drawn to it as the most interesting Volca to me. And it has not disappointed. One interessting feature is actually the combination of Slice and Choke Groups, which allows you to have for example a simple 4 on the floor beat on one step of the sequencer and other variations with triples or other polyrhythmic stuff from the Slice Menu on other steps. This will effectively extend the sequencer to 16 bars, but reduces your options to more simple beats. You just need to reduce the tempo drasticaly to make it work. :D But with a clock divider this might be a good way to get some more variation from its 16 step sequencer.

[@commanderdnb919]

This jam slapped. Good job bro!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@ericvernooij2917]

I quite like these tiny instruments, both the Volcas and the Boutiques (though I must admit Roland lost me with the last few Boutiques). Honestly, a drum machine of this size, at this price that is this versatile is just magic.

[@mkteku]

Hope you are putting out an album full of all the JAMz soon!

[@AudioPilz]

I hope so too;)

[@TheSciHi]

This could be the best Volca if it wasn't put in Volca format. Also - its sound, while being something quite original, wears off rather quickly. Florian, you nailed this box in 110%. Yes, it's somewhat lost tribe of Electribe and yes, it totally sucks in live jam situations. Other than that - a stand out for some, a curio for the other.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Waiting for the Drumlogue;)

[@TheSciHi]

@@AudioPilz Korg's already late to the party, all courtesy of Syntakt. But I still hope that the Drumlogue will see the light od the day...one day ;)

[@jonpatchmodular]

@@TheSciHi i mean the syntakt is 900 bucks, it's sort of the reason I don't have one and maybe never will. But it's the Elektron box for the lovers of the Cycles, and I am a lover of the Cycles T-T

[@TheSciHi]

@@jonpatchmodular Yeah, but it's what the Drumlogue will compete with now, if it will be released that is

[@s3nsec0rruptr80]

First video that made this thing appealing to me...like it would never be a main drum machine for me, but it could do some cool stuff for accents and adding some interesting sounds to a track

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Great secondary drum machine!

[@phelper4554]

The ultimate minimal techno drum machine

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!

[@jaywires]

this is my favorite volca. gonna have to make an all-volca techno record soon.

[@AudioPilz]

Great for that!!!

[@gammaphonic]

I’ve wanted one of these since they came out. It’s not so much a drum machine as it is a drum synth, and those aren’t so common.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!

[@hiding_my_name]

Lol such a good use of the predator clip for "menu diving"!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! You're in the know!

[@jukpulfer]

the editing is getting out of hand man, you either have stronger ADHD than me or just way too much time on your hands lol keep em coming, easily the most underrated music channel on youtube right now!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much! The answer is: YES!

[@DaveDaves]

my favorite yet rendition of the Bad Gear theme music! (the version toward the end)

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@adamlooping]

Love mine but a more detailed control interface would certainly make it better!

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!

[@lundsweden]

I had one of these, don't know why I sold it! Its a really weird little box of experimental joy, and I mean that in the best possible way!

[@welcomethrillhouse]

Finale track is a jam. Any chance of a longer version?

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Full tracks on Patreon (end of plug;)

[@h2o1969]

Agree, agree, and agree. This, the kick, and the og bass are my top 3 volcas.

[@AudioPilz]

Works great together with the kick

[@DomParaan]

you can make some nasty 808 sub-bass drums with this bad boy lol

[@AudioPilz]

True that!

[@smicha1466]

I'm kind of inexperienced with synths and drum machines so as a beginner I am really enjoying what this has to offer. The amount of variety and control is impressive to me and the four-bar limitation bothers me much less than I thought it would. One thing I have found I enjoy quite a bit is bringing the bpm down to 10 and using it more as a background pulse than a beat. Great for ambient stuff and the time-based paramaters (slice especially!) gives you a tremendous amount of versatility at that slow speed.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice technique!!!

[@MrOuija-rr8kq]

Man. This machine had so much potential. For the price it’s crazy how much you’re getting. But the sounds just aren’t my favorite. I know the sounds are customizable but after listening to pretty much all KZbin videos featuring it , I came to the conclusion I’m not a fan of the sound.

[@AudioPilz]

Even the ER-1 is more or less a love/hate thing

[@alexwestconsulting]

It's not a do everything machine. What it does it does very well. For me, that's evolving hats and the like. Nothing beats it frankly, save for something like a machinedrum. That's how I think of it, a mini machinedrum.

[@Francisco12G]

It helps if you start to think about it as a sound generator rather than a drum machine. Don't be fooled by what you see on KZbin. It's like trying to find videos about guitar pedals processing other signals besides electric guitars or other string instruments. Sometimes you have to try it yourself, if possible. Reading the manual helps to understand what its capabilities are and trying to recreate it with what you have. But of course it has to have appeal to you. Know what you need. Have fun ;) Cheers

[@alexwestconsulting]

@@Francisco12G yup. Like I was trying to find someone, anyone, demonstrating the moog moogerfooger murf pedal on synths, barely found anything, but once I got one in my hands to get it to do what I though it could do for me, eureka!!! Most people by far are demoing the Volca Drum are trying to use it as a standalone drum machine, which it CAN do, but it's a sound design machine really, meant to be used with other gear. When the Volca Drum is freed up to concentrate on what it does well, rather than covering all the drum parts, it shines in a mix. Even pairing it with a Volca Sample adds sonics that the Volca Sample simply can't do. I've got a ton of high-end gear, but the little Volca Drum sees a lot of use.

[@tomfenn7149]

I don't think you can make a decision on an instrument just by watching KZbin videos. Too many people on YT just go for the obvious sounds and presets. To find an instrument's potential you really must own it and explore its full potential.

[@EnochDark]

It's my favorite Volca and what inspired me to get a Cycles.

[@AudioPilz]

That's a classic synth addict career;)

[@wasson65]

First

[@rrtramel]

Beat me to it

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!!!

[@tomfenn7149]

Only because you didn't watch the whole thing... err... first? ;-) lol

[@Pheonix0114]

How can something be funny and vaguely horrifying at the same time? Good job with the video for the finale.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@MystiQ078]

Couldn't agree more! Especially when you want to change parameters you need to change it before you see on what level it is. If you want to play it chromatically you need to program all of the 6 slots with a different pitch note by copying the settings to them. But for the money it offers a lot more than competitors. We need a bigger version!

[@SlaserX]

I was busy trying to guess if it was another Roland release or a volca this week. Did not disappoint.

[@themaxwellstevens]

One of your best videos yet, excellent!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@hellcore]

Love your videos. So much work in it. The combination with movie scenes, memes and video editing are fantastic and outstanding!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@inwex8350]

Yeah it can be work to get the digital volcas to sound beefy without another slamming machine but the icy nature of these modules sound great in contrast with such. Excellent video and editing as usual!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@MostlyPennyCat]

It appears there's a no-drill midi-out mod for Volcas. It involves soldering a pair of 220ohm resistors from the unused MIDI out ports to the unused lines in the MIDI in port. The unused pins are held to ground, so you'll have to cut the ground plane connection with a razer. Then you just make or buy a Y-piece to connect to the volca MIDI port giving you both midi in and out simultaneously. Backup works.

[@d_vibe-swe]

I've not really heard this in action before. Thank you for your honest review. I think I want one :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching!

[@williamtell1477]

Omg this one was off the chain with the editing. Well done well done good sir! Gonna go put on my biosuit and dance with some strange creatures now. :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@aptudo]

Your final jam where you beef it up in the DAW may have convinced me to keep mine. Pros: Hefty sine wave sub-basses, natural-sounding wave guide resonance (like striking something in a room), parameter automation. Cons: "Dinky" upper mid-range and unnatural, not-very-pleasing, "wispy" high end (IMO).

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!

[@kristianTV1974]

Once again the meme at 8.24 makes this personal - amazingly accurate.

[@AudioPilz]

We all know that feeling!

[@CR-sj7xd]

Like all volcas, fits very well in mixes. I wanted this one for a while, now i want it again lol

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, very mix-friendly!!!

[@TechnoMetalDude]

I love my volca drum! One of my favorite things in my collection! I just love being able to synthesize my own drums

[@AudioPilz]

👍

[@abrasionequation4632]

Really liked that last jam. I found and had to pick up a pretty much brand new ES1 a few years ago for $150, have not really touched it yet but I will! another great video too.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@mycosys]

NGL every time i see one of the volca drum machines i think, thats pretty cool, but im so glad i have model:samples for that. I think your hands are about the size of mine, i admire your ability to tweak those tiny things lol

[@AudioPilz]

My hands are actually tiny;)

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Will, happy new year everybody, I just clicked the buy button a Wolca Drum. So I finally have two synths and a tape recorder. A Microbrute and aforesaid Wolca. Bass, lead and a tape recorder, now we're getting somewhere! 🤩

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Can somebody recommend me an FX box to hang off the FX loops in the recorder?

[@danpreston564]

I’ve always loved the idea of the Volca Drum. Looks great.

[@AudioPilz]

I'm still Team ER-1

[@danpreston564]

@@AudioPilz I was looking at an ER1 and an EA1 for sale earlier today. Spooky.

[@Owoshima_]

I absolutely love mine, and as you had said, it is fantastic for sample making, the random layer function is a very cool inspirational tool as well.

[@mikrokosmiko1]

Wow, that kick at the jam2 is sick

[@AudioPilz]

Kick is nice!!!

[@inthefade]

Drumlogue is such a great idea I can't believe I didn't think of it.

[@vinceriley]

Wow, thanks for the very technical review. Much needed.

[@AudioPilz]

❤️

[@bistrobmusic]

Well since all I own are Volcas and a Microfreak, you've covered my collection.

[@AudioPilz]

Nothing to be ashamed of;)

[@G1SUNPLANT]

Both Jams are awesome, especially 1. Great show! Way to go!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!