Hard to beat: KORG volca drum - review & jam

A surprising new volca with a possibly record-breaking number of features per volume. But not only the feature density, also the sound of the implemented drum synthesizer is amazing. In fact, this little box not only competes with established plugins, it also challenges hardware instruments that live in a completely different price range. After the review, starting at 7:55, you'll find an explorative jam, where I tried to demonstrate most of the sound shaping possibilities while playing one of the factory patterns. The volca drum sound you hear is pure, no external EQ, compression or FX, and also no limiter. So you may need to dial the volume knob to your preferences. And if you like what you hear and see, don't forget to subscribe!

[@mart6571]

Thank you for learning the instrument and producing a highly musical demo, unlike some other reviewers who play aimlessly with the controls and expect us to endure a cacaphony of screeches and howling noises.

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks for the great feedback! 😊

[@teatime2595]

Yeah I hate that shit gives me a head ache practically not sure why they even have that option like who the fk can listen to that?

[@neonblack211]

@@teatime2595 nice way of saying you dont understand how synthesis works

[@neonblack211]

@@teatime2595 what "option" or options are you talking about exactly?

[@mpmi7588]

Dude that end jam was crazy

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks!

[@cuttygrass]

I got a Volca Drum two weeks ago as my first hardware synth after many years of audio engineering mainly in the box. I love it!! It has a lot of potential as a sound design tool as well. Additionally, I really appreciate your thoughtful and direct analysis. Looking forward to enjoying more of your content.

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@mobiusvoid347]

Finally a demo of this unit that actually utilizes the synth aspect adequately. Think you just convinced me to pick one up. Thanks.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the nice feedback! 😊

[@Ssspaceform]

Best review and demo of this unit I have seen. Thanks for being concise and no-nonsense. Oh I just subscribed.

[@PeteMidi]

Great that you like it, thank you so much!

[@keepitshortnsweet]

Being able to actually accomplish an informative concise review is most often a sign of having in-depth knowledge of the subject. I appreciate these types of reviews as much as in-depth ones; sometimes more.

[@MrAliensix]

Quite possibly the best and most exciting review of the Volca Drum. Loved the jam. Thank you, Pete! 😊

[@PeteMidi]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@davidlloyd9598]

Great work Korg. You managed to fit NIN, Prodigy and Aphex Twin inside a tiny box!

[@SIl_Ae]

Omg these were exactly my thoughts lol. They KILLED it with the drum, from what I'm seeing.

[@Pamberjack_]

I got one on the strength of this review. I wasn’t disappointed. AWESOME box. Highly recommended.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@heathbrady8510]

Killer demo. Had no idea these could sound so good. Now I’m a subscriber

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@TenisDimants]

Amazing, great review and the jam at the end makes me want to get one.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot!

[@MisAnnThorpe]

Came here just after watching your Electron Model: Cycles video and in both cases it is most apparent that it is always really about the man/woman behind the machine(s). Good work Pete.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@petercane6376]

My word...You really know what you are talking about and put it all over so exactly how it is. I have just bought one. You are totally convincing and you have the gift to make people listen to you even out of your own mother tongue. And.....it's all technical jargon too. You are extremely clever. I have subscribed so as to learn from you. Thank you! BTW..Volcaniced here on you tube also goes for the Volcas before any other synth!!!

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks for the great feedback, very encouraging! 😊

[@sergey8339]

Thanks a lot for excellent review and impressive demo !

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the great feedback! 😊

[@jonathanlindo9885]

That Jam was so cool! Now Im glad I had just ordered one

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@HotStrange]

This is a very great and informative review. Subscribed and hope to see more great content from you :)

[@PeteMidi]

Thank you so much!

[@AveMcree]

My dude.... This was amazing!

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! 😊

[@meanguitar]

This is really exciting because it s a new way of producing drum sounds. Everything else either uses analog , samples or virtual analog but they are all trying to recreate the sounds of the past, this is really making use of new power in modern micro-controller processors to try a new way of making drum sounds.

[@meanguitar]

The po32 is still basically virtual analog in a tiny form factor.

[@PeteMidi]

Yes, exactly that's also my opinion, volca drum as a nice device for fresh sounds.

[@NS-pj8dr]

agreed, although elektron machindrum did this about 20 years ago, it has analog modeling, fm, physical modeling, and a few other kinds of synthesis if i recall. i see volca drum as an affordable machinedrum-lite

[@meanguitar]

@@NS-pj8dr Yeah physical modeling has been around for a while I think the thing here is how cheap and tweakable it is, its always been a feature only on very high end machines, like the korg oasys had it but it cost as much as a honda civic. Although my psychoflute series of android apps has had free physical modeling since 2007. So yeah its not new here just cheap enough to be do-able for those of us on a low budget.

[@PeteMidi]

Yeah, also for me the machinedrum was too expensive and I did not like the user interface ...

[@FfWHR-MovingPictures]

Great review, and the only person to notice the huge step forward into stereo. So important, probably the feature which sold it to me finally. Thanks.

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks for the nice feedback!

[@lupus2252]

Great jam, thanks for the video!

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@dietervoser4425]

Eine ausgezeichnete Demonstration dieser Zauberkiste ! :-) Macht spass zuzuhören/sehen. !

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks - vielen Dank!

[@tonipepperoni3424]

You are my favorite reviewer, I just got one of these and it's as much fun to use as i thought it would be 😀

[@PeteMidi]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@acamerontx]

Some of the best demo beats I've heard. Have a subscription!

[@PeteMidi]

Thank you so much!

[@jenniferw8963]

Would be nice if say you are using primarily a Behringer RD-8, to have one or more channels set to trigger sounds from the Korg Drum via midi.. just turn down the volume for internal sound mapped to that channel and have it send hte midi note that corresponse to the sound in the Korg. That way I could use just once sequencer.

[@QuimFont]

Excellent demonstration and explanation, thank you

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@notwasnot]

Hi! Pete ! i like your style , i don't normally like content creators that show their face , but you put on a good show thank you and your jams have a feel that i like a lot . i'm sold to the volca series, when linked the volca are made to go together . i got most and the drum is next . i will watch your up coming none the less and keep up the good work .

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot for the great feedback!

[@jibberer]

Great demo... convinced me to get one! It really is instant fun. Can't believe how good it is for the money!

[@PeteMidi]

Yes, absolutely - many thanks for the feedback!

[@colmmadden8526]

Best review and best jam on the bestest volca yet. Thanks, keep up the good work.

[@PeteMidi]

Thank you so much for this great feedback!

[@iosmusicman]

Refreshing approach for the review and jam. Thanks. Lee

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@alchimerical2613]

Best demo I've seen so far! 💥

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks!!

[@spartaco162]

they should include this video in the package. Great Job!

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@thomasmitchell3920]

Nobody else has made this thing sound so hard!!! Good session!

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot!

[@wunderwuzziroboter7551]

Crazy beats, oh my dear! Just ordered one after THIS Demojam :-D

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! ☺️

[@electroshox]

This seems to be one (if not the only one) of the reviews, that really shows the deeper possibilities of that tiny juwel.

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! 😊

[@boriscat1999]

Looks like Korg fixed at least one complaint sometime after this video was made. Korg's system update (2019.09.10) release notes: "Fixed single channel MIDI handling of note events."

[@RogerioCRibeiro]

AMAZING JAM! Love your stuff!

[@PeteMidi]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@iamisandisnt]

when you defied the mainstream and then I listened to you jam is when I decided to get this piece. Thanks for the honest thoughts :)

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@KevinThomsonPlus]

Best review and demo of the volca drum I've heard 🙂

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@chamatsprayart2283]

These volca machines are just banging...

[@The5thVolt]

Awesome, I just bought this amazing little device because of your video! I love the jam at the end.

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks for the feedback! 😊

[@guiom77]

hello pete midi ! i hope you re alright and hope to see you soon on youtube for another great video !!

[@draconianrhythms]

Ah that jam at the end was so nice .. I can only hope to one day unlock the magic in the box

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the feedback! 😊

[@XanderMorgan]

Awesome review. Such a good quality. I wish you more subscribers.

[@PeteMidi]

Thank you so much!

[@XanderMorgan]

@@PeteMidi Subscribed!

[@stefan3112]

great performance bro, volca masterclass

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@TheWorld_2099]

‘I had a dream’ - haha, man, you’re hilarious! But I appreciate your great technical skills, thank you for all you share.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks! 😊

[@Flying_Karsten]

Was Du aus den Dingern rausholst ist echt heftig, sucht wirklich seinesgleichen und ich kenne viele Genre´s und hab schon viel gehört! Bei einer Jam finde ich, sieht man erst wer die Geräte beherrscht und wer nicht. Solange Einspielen in einer DAW kann eigentlich jeder, man macht einfach bis es passt. Aber Live ist echt ne andere Nummer! Wieder einmal krasser Shit am Ende!

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! Live vs. DAW: tolles Statement, sehe ich genauso.

[@apislapis]

Great demo. I bought an Arturia Drumbrute Impact a few weeks ago, and while it makes a change from using 909 / 808 sounds (or my poor man's 808 the 606) it's not quite as 'left-field' as the volca drum which I hoped to purchase and use it in tandem with the drumbrute impact. Demos like yours - not to mention being a G.A.S. sufferer - mean I will be making that investment. Thank you for your excellent work consider yourself liked and subbed.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! Drumbrute & volca drum: excellent combination!

[@anythingbox]

You did a fantastic job... It does remind me of the Toniq but with more... girth? The best drum machine.

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks!

[@delscoville]

Thanks, you helped my decision. Just ordered one.

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@mickolos]

I'd love see you do a video on the LXR Drum synth.

[@PeteMidi]

It's on my (long) to-do list 😉

[@gregorio_luque]

Great review as always Mr Midi!

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot!

[@spaaarky21]

Great introduction. My takeaway from owning this is that endless synth percussion experimentation really is what this Volca is for. But despite being called Volca Drum, I struggled to build a kit with more conventional, less synth-y drum sounds. If you just want to program some drums, get the Volca Beats instead. :)

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the nice feedback! Yes, the volca beats provides a more direct way to conventional drums.

[@miroslavradulovic6129]

18k views and I guess, 18k sold Volcas for Korg...great review & even better jam!!! BRAVO

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@wromans3730]

Thanks Pete, really informative demo, helps me a lot to make a decision on purchase. Came for that, and will likely come back again to learn some technique.

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks for the nice feedback!

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Great review of en excellent little unit !

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot!

[@thetownwaites118]

I too have been using Microtonic for years, and after going back to hardware was waiting for a hardware version. Was stoked at the PO-32, but have been relectant to buy it for the reasons you have stated. Im hoping Modal will come up with a a drum machine based on their CRAFT rhythm, much like their much anticipated Craft 2 has done for wavetable synthesis.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the feedback! I also came across the CRAFT rhythm, as a potential replacement of my volca sample. But then decided for the Model:Samples ... Yes, a nicer design (like Craft 2) would make the rhythm way more attractive.

[@foxholeartist]

Nice and informative. I like how you really know what you're doing

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks for the nice feedback!

[@petrpazyna]

wow! best review of volca drum that i saw. thank you!

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks for the great feedback!

[@peglapegla]

Just discovered your channel. Like your styles of reviews and jams. Cheers.

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks!

[@tupatutupatu]

Insane jam!!! Awesome review.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Love your channel so far, and really love my Volca Drum, even if it is twitchy, and finicky in the para pots.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot!

[@andp3058]

Excellent review. Subscribed!

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@BrettRiverBoat1]

Interested to see if you are gonna pick up the new cycles

[@PeteMidi]

😉

[@matthewtunnicliffe201]

I'm not really looking for this sort of thing, and possibly don't need it either, but bloody hell I want one now!

[@PeteMidi]

😄👍

[@KaosEngineering]

Gonna buy two of these instead of the Drumbrute Impact ! Then add a Model:Sample ! Nice work, keep it up !

[@PeteMidi]

😊Thanks a lot!

[@alanflores4289]

That last jam convinced me to order it

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@chiptunasoundworkshop8257]

Wow... great jam! Very Carpenter movie style! I can see Snake running from the cannibals 😎

[@PeteMidi]

😄

[@MicroBanshee]

Interesting review and great jam, subbed.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot!

[@Nicolas_Carras]

How did they manage to have so many percussionists in such a small box?

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@joanrue5169]

Well Done letonchosier said it before me! No Nonsense - and a helpful Review!!!

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot!

[@ahteha8010]

Great demo

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks!

[@0601989m]

Yours is easily the best review so far of this amazing little instrument, thank you! I was actually ready to splash out on the nord drum two weeks ago when this little guy suddenly came into view. I am blown away by what it can do in the short time I´ve been experimenting with it. I´m still very tempted by the nord drum as I´m more of an old-school type of musician than a beatmaker and I´m in love with the Nord´s tone and expressiveness from the videos I´ve seen. Care to share any further thoughts on how the two compare?

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! The Nord is great for its velocity control of the sound. This is completely missing with the volca which comes to life through the sequencer. Therefore, I think the main difference is , how you would exploit the full potential of these two machines: expressive live playing vs. elaborate sequencing.

[@LukezyM]

@Hedonicus Have you seen the Nord drum video from Red Means Recording? To me, it sounds way nicer and it’s got pads to play, for some of that unquantized mojo, but it doesn’t have sequencer, so it pairs well with one(Beatstep, Digitakt..). But for the money, the Volca Drum is not that bad either. They’re just different leagues I suppose. Here’s that Nord Drum video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoK2f2yQiadjpMU

[@Howdy606]

Great vid. When you save a kit, can you name it on the LCD?

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks, no names for drum kits...

[@cyborgmetropolis7652]

Thanks for the great review. I noticed that Korg released a firmware update on 9/2019, after this video was released. I'm curious what, if any, faults have been addressed in the update. It appears that individual notes can now be triggered (allowing the machine to be used to play bass notes). I'm curious how well this works. Release notes for firmware Version 1.14 - Support for external clock synced delay. - Added a new edit parameter to enable pitch quantization. - Fixed single channel MIDI handling of note events. - Fixed MIDI Song Position Pointer.

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! Yes the delay sync and pitch quantization work, very useful!

[@synth4ever]

Hi Pete, great review! Now that LXR-02 has been released, any thoughts on Volca Drum vs LXR-02? Which has more features/sound designs possibilities? LXR-02 kit morphing seems pretty cool but I don't think it has a resonator. Do you still think LXR-02 has a much steeper learning curve? Appreciate your insights!

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks for the feedback! The lxr-2 has a simplified user interface, in particular the sequencer is more straight forward now. Sound possibilities are still superior to volca. Because of the different engines learning the lxr is still more complicated but morphing is great!

[@DetroitMicroSound]

By the way I heard some really gorgeous sounds in your jam. Very very nice

[@PeteMidi]

@DetroitMicroSound Thank you so much! And I fully agree on what you say about the knobs/pots ;)

[@RadagastTheBrwn]

include photos of mentioned gear - great vid as always

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks for the feedback!

[@lee3144]

hey pete can you show us how to get a decent hi hat closed hat sound your the only one that i know can do this

[@wolfrobots118]

This was by far the best review of this i have seen. Excellent!

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@nivrothvalachus7969]

i dont even have any instruments but i still subscribed !!

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@recycology5468]

Love my Volca Drum. I’d like to see a comparison with the Korg Electribe EM-1 and Volca Drum. Thank you for your demo!

[@PeteMidi]

Sold my EM-1 a long time ago...

[@recycology5468]

@@PeteMidi Oh ok I’ll do it then! =)

[@dkb219]

If you load up a bunch of percussion sounds on a Volca sample and synch it with one of these, you can get some pretty fun and interesting stuff going. It can also make you terribly late for work, but everything has its downside.

[@AndroLectric]

Thanks Pete :-) FINEST and informative review

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@dalejason]

Nice work Pete 👍

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! 😊

[@gru_day]

This one is unique. Sound like nothing i ever heard. Stereo out is a breeze - i can route parts to external fx. I wonder how it would work with model: Cycles as a sequencer🤔 i will find that out soon.

[@PeteMidi]

Great, many thanks! 😊

[@SyncdAlien]

I have a feeling that the dream of your implementation in hardware was at least partially realized... by Korg.. in the year 1999 with the Korg ER-1 Electribe.

[@PeteMidi]

There are many partial realizations, the ER-1 Electribe was not my favourite ...

[@SyncdAlien]

I really love my ER-1 Electribe. So fun to mess with gating the audio input. 👍👍

[@PeteMidi]

Yes, processing of the external audio ins is a great feature! Also like this on my TR-8.

[@SyncdAlien]

One of the features that interested me the most about the TR-8 was the per-part reverb setting, if I remember the correctly. Very powerful.

[@iawnlad]

I'm just about to buy one of these! Thanks from wales! :)

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the nice feedback!

[@Elkesar1]

Finaly some good demo!

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks!

[@tonycanderton1975]

great I thought the V drum would be boring how wrong I was great demo

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks!

[@humaninterface7153]

10:00 omg i´m buying it now thanks for the video Danke !

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot for the nice feedback! 😀

[@Emontop1]

Great tutorial and Crazy jam.👍👍👍👍👍🎹😃

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot!

[@lennartverhoeff]

My man. The Microtonic comparison is exactly why I want this machine so bad. Also, random patch generation is a godsend. ^^

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks - yes, for the volca drum the random patch generator really makes sense!

[@superikone]

This tool sounds like a newer version of my good old Electribe ER1. I like it.

[@PeteMidi]

👍

[@superikone]

@Alessio Di Summa I am using the ER1. In my opinion it is easier to use. :-)

[@stubrakon9683]

Great work! Thank you!!😀😃😄👍

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot for the nice feedback! 😊

[@trevormalcolm4328]

Hey! Pete are you still using your Volca Drum?

[@PeteMidi]

Yes, I really like the sound. But due to memory and user interface limitations I'm more and more turning to model cycles as an alternative...

[@gerardozaragoza4055]

imma be straight on this When I want an honest opinion on any electronic instrument, I only come here. Thnks for the reviews:)

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the great feedback! 😊

[@TheChannelofaDisappointedMan]

Your jam is better than anyone else's of this product. Sold. Were you applying any external fx?

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! No external fx, it's the direct signal from the vd stereo out.

[@biakhui5580]

Easy on alcohol mate ! 😀 Nice demo btw ! 👍

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks!

[@leoopokat8235]

Can you please elaborate the accent function can't get my head around it

[@PeteMidi]

@Leoo Pokat As far as I can see and hear the accent function just increases the volume/gain of a part on a particular step.

[@leoopokat8235]

@@PeteMidi thanks brother I appreciate your help and support

[@leoopokat8235]

There is a probablity function within the volca steps it hold +step and turn value dial Its adds flavor

[@jimmywheelo]

Wonder why it isn't mentioned in the manual

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

Does the sync work with behringer TD3 and RD6..? is it the same pulse/clock..?

[@PeteMidi]

I did not try, because I use midi clock sync, but from specification it should work.