First Impressions Of The Korg Volca Sample 2

I've been playing around with the Volca Sample 2 for a few days and wanted to share my thoughts on it. Both background beats that you hear while I'm speaking were made on the Volca Sample. I forgot to mention this in the video, but Korg didn't sponsor me or anything. I paid for the Volca Sample myself and the opinions I share on it are my own. I hope you enjoy this video, and thank you so much for watching! If you'd like to check out some of my music, I released an album of electrronic music around a month ago: joshismakingmusic.bandcamp.co...
Thanks again!

[@tonipepperoni3424]

You really voiced the concern I think most of us who started producing on pc and software, dropping so much money on a groove box or sequencer feels overkill especially because having a pc is already pretty expensive so naturally at least for me, expanding from the pc slowly is best rather than buying expensive gear right out the gate

[@ACTNRPLY]

I used the Maschine mk3 to transition into hardware daw’s Then jumped straight into the standalone polyend tracker and it was a nice transition

[@lanedj801]

Nice simple review. One thing I like to see as a viewer is the basics of getting started and what sets it apart from other devices. I think you did well my friend. I’d like to see an in depth talk on the advanced features or perhaps a manual overview put into action as a simple demo showing what things it brings value to with your rig.

[@revbaxter3681]

This is great. You are hitting exactly what I need. Thanks for this.

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you, really glad to hear it!

[@biztosdotcom]

I like your drawings in the background. (Also the video was useful, thanks!)

[@realmchat6665]

Your content is awesome, I always learn something.

[@Werewolf64lol]

This is an excelent showcase

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

@@Werewolf64lol thank you!

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Just got mine recently too. Love it. Nice video, good production values, and info. Best wishes for your continued success.

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you! And congrats on getting one. Since making that video, I've still been using it a ton, I love it.

[@nathanreid2974]

how many keys and pads, i can't see so i need to be told

[@artg7909]

Thank you Sir. Very useful.

[@cwxdaf152]

You manage to tell me more in one short vid than most do in rambling multi-part series. Cheers bud.

[@cwxdaf152]

Especially about tuning notes. I had no idea it correlated to semi-tones.

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you so much! I'm really glad you were able to find this video helpful.

[@meneerjansen00]

The cheaper "non USB" version has a memory for only 10 patters, but it can save 6 songs (= chain of patterns). This means that you can play an A/B variant or sequence of more than 16 steps. So choose wisely between the old cheap Volca Sample and the new one. :-)

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

That's a really good thing to point out, thank you! I was not aware of that when I made my video.

[@validcore]

Are you saying the new one can't save song patterns?

[@meneerjansen00]

@@validcore I've now seen another video 'bout this new V. Sample revision. You can save a sequence of patterns. But they do not call it a "Song". I guess the difference is that a Song can have a sequence/chain of patterns like this: 1,2,2,2,4,2,2 (and repeat). And the V. Sample USB can only do: 1,2,4 (and repeat).

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

@@validcore That is correct, it can't save song patterns, or pattern chains. You make the pattern chains, on the fly, and when you turn off the V-Sample, the pattern chains are lost. Wish it could do both.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

@@rorz999 I agree, but it seems to be something, other people were asking for.

[@gransmarker]

good rundown. thanks!

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

And thank you, I'm glad you liked it!

[@Cranndaddy]

My opinion obvs means very little but excellent video Josh! Even though the plaudits may quite rightly be directed towards your video production/information I must also say you are very likeable as a host and very easy to listen to! I'm guilty of sometimes getting a little frustrated when someone has made the perfect video introducing some equipment I'm looking at but have abrasive mannerisms/speaking voice aha, Great job man liked&subscribed

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you so much, your comment really made me smile! I'm glad you enjoyed the video, and don't undersell your opinions!

[@erinzimmerman7953]

Very cool reaction video! Have you gotten much more use out of it since then? Love the outro song!

[@jammingpositivevibration]

Nice one , will try this on my next jamming 😀... Cool

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you!

[@namtran-pt8ul]

Very good and funny videos bring a great sense of entertainment!

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you!

[@emixbase]

Thanks man !

[@iammusic1950]

Love that sweater 😎

[@user-nu7xx7pc1d]

very good video Mr.!

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@radek1cihak]

short, clear, good

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you!

[@hrrrmit9187]

Great vid!

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you!

[@losinsolitos4127]

Hi Man great video, How many synths does it includes from the fabric? And can I change the notes of those synths directly in the sampler or only octaves?

[@luluhono2266]

hi! i also have volca sample2 ~ but i cannot connect volca sample to volca librarian, and the info. reveals: volca do not connect! And I want to download USB MIDI driver from Korg website, but i can only find the driver support IOS 10.10-10.14, and I failed to install to my Mac ( my MAC ios: 10.15 )~ so can i ask how can i solve the problem?

[@adivalentinac.g6726]

Did you find a solution?

Hi Josh! I have a question about the Volca Sample 2. Does it have the same MIDI CHART as the Volca sample 1 ?? Or do the CCs of the various parameters change? For example, Sample Start CC 40 and so on. Please could you check it and answer it to me please? Thank you very much in advance! Greetings from Argentina

[@leftmono1016]

You could check the manual online. Although can’t see why Korg would change the CCs, no change to the sound engine.

[@WulfBoi]

That outro beat is funky af

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thanks! Lemme know if you wanna collab. ;)

[@WulfBoi]

@@JoshIsMakingMusic I'd absolutely be willing to drop some bars on that beat

[@cheapnoise9014]

Really nice video! Can you do a video on the 200 built-in samples? Can you refer me to a video hat shows the sampler mod?

[@hermask815]

Here’s a video with at least some demo.ed kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXbNgYCBncyUmtU

[@noahbenzing8370]

Would it possible (provided you had 3 or so amps). to get 3 Volca Sample 2's to play harmoniously with each other??

[@klarnamemeta6556]

Hey Folks, short question: Can I record my own samples with that "Sync-In"-Input&if yes, how long can I record a sample (130s ?). A interested rookie thanks a lot for your answers!

[@electroshox]

You can't record directly into it. You have to make a set of samples on your computer and transfer it by USB with its special software that converts your sounds into 16 bit mono on the fly. The device can hold up to 200 samples and its entire memory is 8 megabytes. That is a total of 100 seconds. It's made for one shot samples imo, cause if you put longer samples on it, you'll end up with a fully loaded device with only a few sounds. Sync in/out is only to sync it to other gear.

[@klarnamemeta6556]

@@electroshox Thanks a lot for your answer, mate!

[@timmyholiday]

nice!

[@JordanService]

I have had my sample for a year and didnt know that about 9/10 and also how to shift notes... that's pretty great tips. Do they work on the Sample V1? Or are they new to the v2?

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

I think that channels 9 and 10 silence one another on both versions, and the motion sequencing for changing parameters per step works on both versions.

[@JordanService]

@@JoshIsMakingMusic Nice-- yeah then 9/10 thing is for sure there... I noticed the effect didnt know what it was for I though tit was a polyphony limitation, like I had to many tracks going on that note. The shift note tip is a game changer... for me at least I usually my sample as a drum sampler only and this could be fun to bring in more harmonic lines.

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

This man knows WHO the best Batman was.

[@anthonyellis5517]

You say channel! On the step sequencer, dose that correspond with MIDI channel?

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Sort of! It doesn't have a midi out, but if you use a midi controller, each sample channel is assigned to an individual midi channel. So, the first sample is on midi channel 1, the second sample is on midi channel 2, and so on.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

@@JoshIsMakingMusic It does both send/receive MIDI over USB, but it does not have a dedicated 5 pin MIDI out jack. It has two modes of MIDI operation, Single channel, where different note numbers trigger the different samples/parts, and you can choose the MIDI ch. And Multichannel, which uses MIDI ch 1-10 to trigger sample/parts 1-10. This has the advantage of allowing a DAW to do separate motion control, for each sample/part, using cc messages sent on the separate MIDI channels.

[@losinsolitos4127]

Is it easy to add the external patterns to the sampler?

[@snaggdadon]

great video!! its sold out everywhere lol

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Thank you! And yeah, I lucked out, I ordered it right after it popped back in stock.

[@nickademuss42]

not in Japan, or Canada, just the US for some reason

[@MauricetePas]

Just wondering if the reverb got any better compared to the Sample 1

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

To my ears they sound pretty much the same.

[@AngMoKio8]

As I just recently bought the Volca Sample 2 I have a question: When you use the Volca with headphones do you also hear a constant "electric" sound or static noise as soon as you switch it on? It is not very loud, but when you concentrate on it, it can be annoying, as it also stays when I actually use the samples. Would help me lot to know if I only have "broken" model or if that is normal. Thanks a lot in advance Edit: one more detail: The sound changes whenever the display changes.

[@kareljanda3399]

Sample 1 has a noisy display, would be a shame if they didn't fix this issue Found out that some headphones are more prone to that, probable according to impedance

[@AngMoKio8]

@@kareljanda3399 thank you. I also found out it changes a lot with the impedance of headphones.

[@kareljanda3399]

@@AngMoKio8 Thanks for confirmation and bringing up the issues with the current model of Volca Sample. I was thinking of upgrading to Sample 2 but now I don't think it's worth it. I'll be considering higher end Samplers in future. Still love my Volca tho, it's an enjoyable and flexible unit.

[@djtrakakadrunkpoet8598]

Would u compare this to the illustrious sp 303 .

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

If I ever get my hands on a 303, I'll make that comparison vid! :)

[@Hakucho64]

Small correction: it uses 6 AA batteries, like the other Volcas, not AAA batteries.

[@TheChecklister]

So I can't take a handheld recorder I couldn't import my own sound samples?

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Unfortunately no, the samples have to be loaded in from your computer (there might also be a smartphone app, not sure).

[@TheChecklister]

So could I record, load onto computer, then upload into KVS 2?

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

@@TheChecklister yep, exactly. Korg's got a program for it. I don't know if it works on Mac yet though, last time I tried, no dice.

[@TheChecklister]

@@JoshIsMakingMusic I don't have a Mac thankfully. But thanks for the responses.

[@valerioveneri1301]

What are the main differences wrt to V1

[@hermask815]

Longer and more samples in v2 with usb transfer, worse pattern chaining.(1,2,4,)repeat V1 less and shorter samples with 3party transfer program, chromatic through unofficial software, better factory pattern chaining (1,2,1,2,2,4,1,2)repeat.

[@SkelaKing]

Get the Pajen firmware. It’s sort of a “hack” but it unlocks so much more potential

[@DopamineOverload]

Won't work with VS2 though, will it? I read that it doesn't.

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

I think the Pajen firmware doesn't work with the Sample 2 because the 2 has a different processor. Though maybe there'll be one coming in the future!

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

Midi over usb?

[@myreviewdotcom]

Yes

[@SonicVibe]

No direct sampling, a dealbreaker

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Totally fair. It's a bummer they didn't add that.

[@artg7909]

Can you save your work?

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

You can! The Sample 2 can save 16 samples, and I believe the original Sample could store 10 patterns and 6 song sequences.

[@urrrccckostan]

Just about to ask for a refund from the retailer. It’s been six weeks since I ordered mine and no word yet on when they’ll be shipped. Wtf??

[@wiz_dropbomb2134]

There’s a pandemic. Sorry. Truly

[@WalterGiroldi]

Que buen vídeo amigo aprendí mucho contigo y quiero demostrártelo aquí: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5XKaJyoa8-HpK8

[@MicroBanshee]

...and they've taken off song mode? not cool KORG.

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

True, having seen the song mode on the VS1, I'm bummed that we instead have the "pattern chaining" mode.

[@user-li6tp7kg7r]

Bunyi video tidak bagus

[@mackadresse6095]

I have a volca. I am not a big fan.... after a while got bored a of the fidling instead of making music. The sample handling is anoying and storing the samples is limiting the machine. I waisted my money.

[@corsegerspwnd]

You should clean up your desk a little bit next time

[@antoniocarbonaro1293]

I wish I could understand what you’re saying here 0:18