Comparing The Teenage Engineering PO-33 KO! And Korg Volca Sample 2

[@SimpleHold]

Thanks for making this video! I’m not as familiar with the po-33 (I just have the original volca sample) so it’s nice to hear more about it in this comparison. I like the idea of sampling but I have yet to find the one that just “clicks” for me. It seems like the features I’d like to have aren’t found together in one device. The quest continues.

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Glad you like it! The quest for the perfect device is an eternal journey.

[@LikelyLoops]

What features are you after?

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

@@LikelyLoopsThere are devices out there with the features I want, but unfortunately, they're never at the price I want, haha. I think that for me, the device that comes closest is the Deluge or the SP-404.

[@LikelyLoops]

@@JoshIsMakingMusic The Deluge is a very interesting piece of kit indeed. I have had my eye on it for sometime now. Love the portability. More buttons and less screen is right with me.

[@SimpleHold]

Likely Loops I thought this might come up so I made a list. :-D To be honest I think it is an unrealistic expectation, and I’m happy with using the volca sample, but this is my “dream features” list: Direct sampling (line-in & mic) Patterns up to 64 steps Customizable time signature Pattern chain or song mode One-button-press to change patterns Standard 5-pin MIDI in/out Chromatic sample play Ability to chop samples Ability to change sample speed & pitch Ability to reverse samples Quick front panel access to features Under $300

[@tux4205]

You should have mentioned that the PO output is mono just like all other POs. It takes a stereo minijack but one channel is only for sending the sync. The Volca Sample 2 has a stereo output and this is very relevant to me as I like very much spatial sounds that move between left, centre and right...

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you for pointing out something that I missed! I agree, that can be very important.

[@karsinokuuni3208]

Nice to see you have your Bionicles just chilling on the table. Took me back.

[@denimjosh]

My Volca Sample (v1) just came in so this video is pretty well timed. I've had the had my KO since last year and you hit the nail on the head. It has such an immediate feel to it which is satisfying, but the more I used it, the more I felt it was missing something.

[@wewerefalling5861]

I know this is a trick that's mentioned on a regular basis, but I get around the polyphony limitation by stacking drums together on a singular pad/channel. Sure, it requires some extra prep work, and it isn't ideal that the kick+snare combo is choking the open hat or the ride cymbal etc. My layout looks like this atm: [Kick] - [Kick+c.hat] - [C.hat] - [O.hat] [Snare] - [Kick+Snare] - [Snare+c.hat] - [Bongo] And I have another kit on the other 8 buttons, with another Bongo hit. The Bongo is replaceable with whatever-the-eff, but I just couldn't see myself getting much use out of a ride cymbal when it's so easily choked.

[@rookmaster7502]

What's cool about the PO-33 (and all Pocket Operators) is that I can take it just about anywhere and use it to work on ideas whenever I feel inspired to do so. Although the Volca Sample is very portable, it is less likely I will want to carry it on me wherever I go.

[@generationallyadjacent4283]

The volca seems nice for the studio and the PO looks like a cool piece of kit to toss in your bag and pull it out on the move. Both seem pretty capable for a beginner like me thanks for the video :)

[@iZno85]

Thanks, that's very helpful as I'm a beginner considering these two models. PO33 sounds like a lot of fun. Love your beats btw.

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@pablowentscobar]

On the PO knobs, they probably have gunk build up in them. You could use a little contact cleaner in them. It's very common in potentiometers and switches to get corrosion and gunk built up inside of the working area. A little blast of contact cleaner will dissolve all that mess.

[@Niven42]

You can transfer samples to and from the PO-33 and a computer. You're not limited to the mic or line in. But that's not the case with the Volca - it does no sampling on its own, and new sounds need to be transferred to it.

[@whataniSoar]

Dammit... you made me want to dig out my Volcas! I have this channel and one called Volca-Vaniac. I just cook stuff up and record on that other channel. I've been getting interested in the PO stuff lately, but I also want to keep exclusively collecting Volcas for the time being. I find them really neat and a great option that doesn't break the bank. Idk what I want to do next. PO seems like it would be nice and something a bit different to have fun with. Thanks for the content and comparison! Keep it up! 💯!

[@Two-Eyed_Boy]

Great topic right here! Thanks for doing this!

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Glad you liked it!

[@the_washington_monument_am9714]

Thanks so much for this comprehensive breakdown. No doubt in my mind that the sample 3 is the right tool for me right now.

[@LikelyLoops]

Very nice comparison! Expecting a PO-133 in the mail today. :) Looking forward to tinkering with it this weekend. Cool outro beat too!

[@cheapnoise9014]

I feel that overall, the Ko has more modern workflow. I love Korg but I'm on team Ko here.

[@m4nuz]

i go with you. if you come from ko, volca workflow is a pain..

[@thesolajets9799]

good video ,thank you ,I've just got my hands on the korg sample and I'm having fun with it ,I play drums and just needed a new thing to inspire .My impression of the two wobbly eq knobs is that they are pretty good! really like the expression they easily provide .. they offer a different tactile feel to the other knobs an buttons and things .which helps give a rather nice eq its place in the box

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thanks so much! And yeah, it's neat having isolators as opposed to a filter, but it sounds really excellent. That's probably one of the sample's strongest features, at least for me.

[@jevogroni4829]

PO-33 effects are fun, too, but one thing I find very useful compared to the volca is that you can jack up the resonance on the filter.

[@Hakucho64]

Wow, I just made this exact purchasing decision (in favour of the Volca) after my PO-33 died an early death. The MIDI interface largely sealed the deal for me.

[@Hakucho64]

Also the Volca seems to have less "menu diving"; those encoders on the PO-33 are used for a LOT of different functions, as you pointed out. The Volca seems to be a fair bit closer to knob-per-function (although obviously some way from reaching that ideal).

[@alexjasso5235]

Very helpful comparison. Thanks

[@erinzimmerman7953]

"Like and subscribe" on the PO-33. The long-time listeners will recognize that!

[@Ajiponferret]

I currently own PO33. I used to play around for while but 4 polyphony really hit the toll for me. The sample recording time is much shorter too, making it almost limited to have 1 project only. The melodic channel is not really chromatic, but locked in natural minor. Besides that, battery life is amazing and it definitely is more portable than Volca. I personally think built quality is bad. It's bare bone. There really isn't much a case to really cover whole thing (even official one exposes back) Can easily breaks if slightly wet. Not really made to take it outside.

[@tinsandwichwithhobomunchie648]

Hey dude rad video for the most part but you failed to mention the most important piece of gear on your table the swiss army knife I have 3 of them but the info on the samplers was rad thanks man

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Looks like I gotta try making music with the Swiss army knife.

[@tinsandwichwithhobomunchie648]

@@JoshIsMakingMusic lol you can do it

[@faltadeenaro8231]

The exact video I needed, thanks dude!

[@ildafons]

If you have troubles with USB software just use old way for loading samples that was in Ver.1 - use synch in input and Iphone app - some say it still works that way...

[@ildafons]

Very nice comparison...

[@veek2767]

Nice. I ordered a Drums but its backordered. I think if I like the drums the next is the Sample 2. The others would just be extra.

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thanks, and nice! I've not used the drums but it seems cool.

[@AndrewPRoberts]

I currently own the drums and I LOVE it. Now I'm thinking about getting the sample next.

[@PAAmsterdam]

I know your comment is one year old but I’m curious… did you really stop at 2 volcas? 😂 these things are addictive

[@veek2767]

@@PAAmsterdam I got a drums and have not even used it yet. I am moving so that is why. I might get more in the future but kind of pointless to get gear that I cant set up for 6 months.

[@CryptoWhaleRider]

Great Video! Can the Volca receive a Clock from a MIDi signal via the MIDI IN port or does it have to be via the SYNC IN port?

[@myheart2joy588]

probably excess lube dripping down on the encoder causing your issue. had the same problem with my electribe, just had to open it up to clean up a bit and the issue went away. funny because i suffered with it for almost a year before i figured out how simple a fix it was.

[@mallewora5557]

dose mac has wine to emulate windows machine, where you can use volca soft?

[@fireandwater345]

Nice review! Thanks

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@PAAmsterdam]

I got the sample 2 yesterday and the Korg librarian software upload worked from a mac but it did take a lot of troubleshooting. I had to use the micro usb cable from my PS4 (one that transmits data) and it still did not work with the Apple usb adapter so I tried an old Samsung usb-c to USB adapter (looks like a tiny usb stick) and only then it could detect the volca sample. To me the Volca is way superior in functionalities but the P.O’s effects are more fun and it is way faster to sample something on the go. That’s why I have both and keep them😅

[@fredolin22]

Hey! Thanks for the tutorial!! Could you explain how to connect the Volca Sample to the Focusritte? I want to use the Volca Sample on my DAW and don't know how to do it! Thanks :)

[@ILLGREEN1]

I have both. I like the quick hands-on flow of the PO-33 KO and sampling feature. It gets the job done when making a beat with complex changes. The Volca Sample, though it takes time to fill it with samples, but once you do, it becomes a fun and dirty little MPC. If it could sample like the PO-33 KO, then it would be king hands-down.

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

True! A Volca Sample with sampling would be a game changer. I've heard that can be modded into it, but I'm not yet brave enough to try.

[@ILLGREEN1]

@@JoshIsMakingMusic yeah, I saw one mod but was still glitchy. The guy managed to get it sampling with a max of 3 or 4 seconds per slot. However, it would get wonky and severe glitches. I hope one day Korg will make a more convenient VS with sampling, larger pads and OLED screen.

[@2players183]

Recently Korg has updated its web page, including Librarian troubleshooting for windows and mac. It seems that the Korg driver can not handle the connection with your computer if the Volca's registered midi device number is higher than 10. Don't know how this will be helpful for you considering you use IOS though.

[@littlehopeleft]

It's PO for me. I do not have space at home to have a worktable permanently set up. Plus even if I did i tend to fiddle with music here and there and never while sitting down at the computer or so. PO, though limited, i can take wherever. Altough Koala sampler for my phone is amazing and does lots things better, it still on my phone and I inevitably get distracted. Hopefully TE wont stay high on the design line of OP field and TX-6 for too long and does something barebones for normal people again.

[@richardjames9976]

Yooo that's a sick Bionicle.

[@JosePereira-sv8mg]

Great job man! Very usefull

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you!

[@benjaminwells619]

Great explainer 👍🏻

[@gru_day]

POKO! is a fun little sampler - workflow is a dream and it is cheap, but... 4 voice polyphony and low sound quality (low tones are crunchy af) have been a serious obstacle. Have had POKO! and sold it. So i have bought Volca Sample (less than 100$, used is close to PO price range) just for Pajen firmware and, i must say that now, it is serious instrument. Together with Novation LaunchKey it is killer combo, with keys on one MIDI chanel and pads on them all. One thing i do not like - it is not a sampler, only sample player. But with free VOSYR packs all over and CAUSTIC editing abilities i can forget about it. Teenage Engineering, in my opinion, should made a second generation of PO - with high quality sound, more polyphony and a sturdy case. This device wuld be twice of actual price but i think it wuld be worth it.

[@Ullish1989]

As a total n00b, what's the easiest way to record a voice clip from a movie for use as a sample, eg old industrial bands like Skinny Puppy and MInistry? For instance I just wanna be able to watch a movie on my phone or tablet, record a bit of dialogue and then load it as a sample

[@eardrum42]

I have the PO33 and a couple of other POs. I was thinking of getting the Volca Sample as an upgrade, but after watching this vid, it doesn't seem like it would be much of an upgrade. I think I'd rather spend a little bit more money for something better. Any recommendations?

[@Hakucho64]

I own both the PO-33 and the VS2, and neither was very satisfying, because of the cons Josh describes in this video. I ended up biting the financial bullet and buying the Elektron Digitakt, which is much more capable and enjoyable.

[@googlepigs7027]

Great comparison kid !

[@user-gq6sf4si6j]

I want to get a sample 2 but I read that the samples are downsized to 16 bit on import :( so you will never have same sound quality as beats you can make on a daw.

[@steezymac4782]

sick bionicles

[@91sakjr]

po-33

[@dutstinroach]

Bought 3 pocket operators 2 gave up the ghost and quit working. Still have 3 working volcas.

[@Lunios]

nice bionicles and good video lmao

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you! 😁

[@henrikpersson4698]

the PO was incredibly hard to use IMO, as a beginner. volca was easier, and it works like the other volcas so if you have one, you sort of know them all.

[@freezerman5871]

The PO has only 4 voice poly which is definitely a bummer. The Volca goes to 10. Much better :)

[@imaginableAudio]

Hey Josh! I am not sure how to connect my sample 2 with my PO. What wire do I need?

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

You'd use a 3.5mm audio cable going from the Volca's sync out to the Pocket Operator's audio input. I think you also have to change the pocket operator sync mode, and there's info for that on the Teenage Engineering website! :)

[@jevogroni4829]

I wish korg would make an improved sample. Why not have inputs, an effects loop? A PO-33 style of chaining patterns? A way to export and back up the device? PO-33 is smaller and is far more useful because you can back up and restore, and melodic playing and chaining are wayyyyy better. I like my sample 1 but it is more like an instrument to play live, because it lacks these features.

[@ogpechie]

there is sample 2

[@sofnaji]

I remember those lego bionicles lol

[@SuperDadsBaby]

As a noob im lost