How-to: Sync Volcas and Pocket Operators | Sync Modes & Scenarios

[@michaelkohlhaas4427]

*Awesome! Teenage Engineering should pay you for that video!*

[@Imetalman2000]

Wow! This is the best PO sync tutorial on KZbin.

[@coolstef4767]

Man, this is the greatest tuto I've ever seen, thanks a lot !

[@littleBIGsynths]

Thank you very much! 😁 Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Solidahmed]

This is the best sync tutorial indeed. Beautiful music too. Thank you for uploading and sharing.

[@mickypoo4622]

An excellent and highly comprehensive introduction to the various ways of using the PO sync modes. I have the TE PO-20 Arcade & PO-33 KO and Korg Volca Keys, Volca Sample & Electribe 2 Sampler so this is really useful and very clearly explained. Many thanks and please keep up the good work.

[@kenzooznek8022]

Thanx bro i hv po 20 and 3 volcas... Kick, bass and sampler... and now i know how i need to plug my babys with my PO 20 Thanx a lot.... U are the man!!!

[@kennygoldschlager2933]

Genius, epic, simple, soothing

[@exteriorgarrett]

Super informative and LOVE THE MULTIPLE SCENARIOS. Thanks a bunch!

[@gurtana]

I love the groove that you used with what seems from PO Arcade across most of the systems you demoed.

[@metalduru316]

this is really super helpful, i'm especially glad you explained what was happening with your volca and PO audio outputs. what do you prefer- volca as master or PO?

[@BalterBlack]

I know i’m 3 years late, but if anyone has the same question, then i’d answer that having the PO as master is the better solution since it shows the bpm on the screen

[@darkraft1020]

​@@BalterBlack Do you know if there is a way to trigger the PO to play externally?

[@Dea_Decay]

Thank you! I just got my first PO (the 33) and have a Volca Sample looking forward to syncing these two up and seeing what I can make! This video really helped break down how!

[@dillipphunbar7924]

Very informative, instructional, and easy to follow. Many thanks and gr8 tunes espesh considering no external fx were used!

[@hoyerd]

Exactly what I needed to see! Thank you for all of your jams and videos, but especially this one. I had some routes working but this opens up more possibilities

[@bernii4515]

hi... thank you!!! that is a TUTORIAL... short and really easy to understand.

[@littleBIGsynths]

Awesome! Glad to hear that it was easy to understand. I am glad you enjoyed it. 😀👍🏻

[@kimgaugemusic]

thank you for your excellent tutorial. It really is amazing what you can do these days with tech gear!

[@littleBIGsynths]

Thank you for watching! I am glad you enjoyed it. 😁 Yeah, it is an amazing time for electronic music devices. 👍

[@blocktockblock6329]

super helpful, and I love the jams! It's helpful to see how you get the sound!

[@littleBIGsynths]

Thank you and thank you! Glad you enjoy my videos. I will definitely try to continue making them for you guys. 🙂

[@snaggdadon]

Exactly what I needed thank you!

[@AlfaAddict]

Really nice video! Looks like TE produced it, is so well done! Shame you don't show the mixer that you used, because my biggest problem is adding the sound from both.... Ideally I'd like a portable set up.

[@ricardomartinez4821]

Same problem, have you found a solution?

[@littleBIGsynths]

I use a Behringer XENYX 802 mixer.... but you should check out the Bastl Dude mixer, which is battery powered and much more portable. 👍bastl-instruments.com/instruments/dude

[@zomboktobaby5434]

Bastl dude, 5 channel mixer that fits in your pocket.

[@skoubidou00]

Thanks a lot ! This is a really good tutorial !

[@littleBIGsynths]

Thank you! 🙂

[@titaniumshell]

Great video. I thought I was the only only using the belkin splitter. I much prefer it to chaining the pocket operators together. It also allows syncing of multiple of the same pocket operators. I never could sync my two arcades until I tried using the belkin star splitter.

[@thesiper6740]

Absolutely brilliant video! Liked & Subbed 🤘🏻👍🏻

[@ludwigkopp8130]

One can clearly see the efforts you put into this quality tuto. 👍🤖🖐 like!

[@Sadiquecat]

Nice video :D Super helpful and exactly what I was looking for !

[@littleBIGsynths]

Thank you! 🙂 Glad you found it helpful.

[@cuttlefishpie3731]

Thanks, I can never remember the settings so took some screen shots!

[@HerwardHoyer]

Just as my PO 35 arrived! Thank you! True value!

[@talhawynne]

so helpful! thank you fotr taking time out to make this video!

[@opusunum]

Great video! Can you tell me how to erase a live recording of my lead (so I can replay it better) without erasing the bass and drums in the sequence on po-33

[@seanspartan2023]

That's actually very useful! Thank you

[@pabloplato]

oh my god, i could not figure out how to do this, and was growing frustrated and worried that i wasted my money on the POs. i could not figure out why they did not sync with the volcas. how did i miss the instructions for syncing them?? thanks so much dude, you're a life saver! any idea if there is a way to trigger them all to start playing at the same time (PO --> PO and/or Volca --> PO)

[@littleBIGsynths]

Awesome! Glad this video helped you out. 😁👍 I believe you can have them all start at the same time if you have the Volca as the master and then all the POs in line after that. Press play on the POs first and they should all be armed for playback... and then once you press play on the Volca, they should all start. In theory, anyways lol I would have to test it out myself. Anyways, thanks for watching. 😉

[@AcardusTallasi]

Absolutely awesome video (and music).

[@littleBIGsynths]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

[@transition6559]

Excellent demonstration! Thanxalot!

[@gedoumazoutsuki]

hey man, i have a question about the recording, how to you set up you tascam to record you line in? (lvl etc settings)

[@Somewhere_sometime_somehow]

Great video dude

[@gordoguz]

Thanks, man. This was really useful for me.

[@briancsoglordington6022]

This is so damn helpful, thank you so much!

[@littleBIGsynths]

Glad to hear! 🙂 I am always glad to help. Thank you for watching! 👍

[@jorgerezg4068]

could connect a midi keyboard to volca? the three devices can work together?

[@BTB88]

Really helpful dude! Thanks.

[@littleBIGsynths]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful. 😉👍 Thanks for watching.

[@nachotronics]

Great video! On the PO Master - Volca Slave scenario, did you try feeding the volca's audio back into the po? that way you might get one single audio output, no need for a mixer ;)

[@danielbuchelliph]

great video, I have a question, at minute 7:36 Same scenario but adding 2 volcas in sync to the left, I should use the same sync mode on the POs (Sy3 Sy4) ? 👉🏼(Volca Sample + volca Bass + volca Keys + Op 20 + Op 133)

[@djformalin]

Clever done and very useful ....thx a lot 🎼

[@littleBIGsynths]

Thanks! Glad you found it useful. 🙂

[@bjamiork]

I have the scenario at 7:30 with a Volca FM with a patch cable from sync out to the left side of a Pocket Operator. Then I have a patch cable leading from the right of that Pocket Operator to the left of another Pocket Operator. No matter how I adjust the sync mode for both Pocket Operators, I can't seem to get any sound outta the middle device (the 1st Pocket Operator). Do I really need some sort of cable leading from the right side of the last device (2nd Pocket Operator) to the headphone jack of the Volca FM? I don't have any sort of splitters or hubs, just regular patch cables and 3.5mm aux cables. Edit: I'm an idiot. I was using patch cables instead of 3.5mm aux cables 😑

[@littleBIGsynths]

Great! I'm glad you figured it out! 🙌 Yes. These devices use 3.5mm TRS (stereo) cables for sync. Thanks for watching! 😁

[@twoboxtoofurious]

The same thing is happening to me but i'm pretty sure i'm using 3.5mm aux cables :(

[@bjwzwart]

Awesome thanks bro sounds great

[@Solname]

Great Tutorial

[@littleBIGsynths]

Thank you! 🙂

[@elkmancometh5986]

great video i am wondering where the audio out goes on all the devices how do u get one signal?

[@littleBIGsynths]

Thank you! 🙂 The audio output of each device is connected to a mixer; then all of the audio is combined into a single stereo output. From the mixer, you can then send the audio to some speakers, an audio interface, a recording device, etc. 👍

[@RaskolnikovR]

Very useful thanks !

[@shatteredsquare]

If you recorded that sync click and got it looping on a sampler track, could you just play it into OP-1 with any audio player and have it sync?

[@julius_claudius]

Have you tried using the splitter to get both the sync and audio outputs of the Volca into a PO?

[@littleBIGsynths]

🙂 I have not! That sounds interesting though. have you tried this? 🤔

[@julius_claudius]

I just tried it and it does work with a stereo to L/R mono splitter, with the sync on the left and the audio on the right. However, it does not work with a stereo to dual stereo splitter.

[@lu4enp]

I’ve noticed the PO runs at one tempo and the volca at half or quarter speed being the master and when the PO is the master both devices runs at the same tempo, why is that?

[@delmeteor717]

New to this setup . I see black cable plugged into sync in of Volca. Where does red splitter feed go.

[@oldskoolhead0]

excellent, just the info id been looking for subbed ;-)

[@oriorrobotum2516]

Thanks man, i follow you on IG. My PO12 is my only drum machine right now, and i use it all the time. i was practically convinced i knew all of its features, but ive only synched 2 operators at a time. Always wanted volca... I use my po12 as the master, and the po14 and stylophone gen x as my slave(s)

[@littleBIGsynths]

Hey! Thanks for the support! 🙂 I really appreciate it! Yeah, the Pocket Operators and Volcas are excellent jam partners and the ability to easily sync tempo is super awesome. You would definitely enjoy throwing a Volca into the chain/mix. 👍

[@NeonFuxAlot]

Great video

[@Hartekist2France]

Yep, really great tuto and sounds ! Cheers

[@tinoskateboarding95]

Thank you this video is very exhaustive and useful! But how can I connect both my pos and my volca to just one speaker? Is it possible? I tried to do it and the volca was playing through the speaker, while the po was playing through its inside speaker...

[@littleBIGsynths]

Awesome! Thank you! 😊 In order to play both devices through a single speaker... you will need a audio mixer. There are a ton of options out there. Of course some are more expensive than others, but there is definitely a handful of budget friendly options as well! Check out the Bastl Dude or the Rakit RakiMix. Both very affordable options with plenty of channels to get you started... and the best part, is that they are small and portable. 👍

[@tinoskateboarding95]

@@littleBIGsynths thank you very much!

[@xX_Stunttailija_Xx]

littleBIGsynths is guitar pedal okay if there is couple inputs aun headphone output

[@LikeCarpenter]

Nice, id like info on pocket as master, then adding 2 or 3 more volcas too the mix - & the changing

[@ChiefExecutiveOrbiter]

Dude, making the volca and PO sound like old school AFX

[@roseryderkirsten]

Awesome!!! Thank you very much

[@angelosindaco5937]

Hey man ,better than AFX!

[@littleBIGsynths]

Haha Thank you! 😁

[@SciPhi]

Came for the tutorial, stayed for the music.

[@AlfieDeverell]

where can I buy some of those tiny connectors??

[@littleBIGsynths]

I purchased them on amazon. You can find the link in the video description. 🙂👍

[@AlfieDeverell]

Great, thank you :)

[@coen8531]

Question of a newbie; Where is the headphone out jack cable for which you pluged in your volca if there is a pocket operator which is the one which gets all signal? Im a bit confused

[@justinrodriguez1900]

With the PO, Volca, PO set up, did you run the audio of breakout cable into mixer an separate channels for Volca an final device (2nd PO) ? Can’t see where some cables line up on some scenarios. Tried few combos but can’t figure it out. Sorry Says A Noob ;)

[@TheGreatPanicker]

I have the volca mix with the kick and bass connected to it. I want to add my po-12 rhythm to that, how can I do that? Thanks.

[@craigjohnrichardson7499]

SOOOOOO useful!!!!! thanx

[@littleBIGsynths]

Thank you! 🙂 Glad you found it useful! 👍

[@DJbace1]

so i need a left right cable to connect my PO32 to my Behringer TD3?

[@littleBIGsynths]

Only if you plan on using the PO as the Master clock source. 👍

[@MrChrisplaysguitar]

At 7:40 I’m doing this! And I still hear the clock? Any suggestions?

[@kinkdaka1]

Thx this helped me a lot

[@Wijnfles]

also very well done video!

[@ForamIam]

thanks!!!

[@catmastertrash369]

Wow - I can't get my POs to stay synced to each other, does that happen less with a volca as the master?

[@Purrrelll]

Thank you.

[@theloveterrroist]

Can the op-z sync up to the volcas?

[@littleBIGsynths]

Should be able to. 👍If it can sync the Operators… it should be able to sync the Volcas. But I’m honestly Not 100% sure as I don’t own or have no experience with the OP-Z.

[@jean-marcdemay4789]

Can't find an answer for this anywhere. Trying to use my PO12 as a master. Signal split: One channel controlling at PO24 and the other channel audio going to effects and a mixer. When I set the PO12 to SYN1 I only get a 'click track' from the PO12 and nothing else... Anyone have an answer for this?

[@solidstereo]

A lot of things here: If your PO-12 is on Sync 1 - it sounds like your mixer is only getting the left channel of your PO-12's output. That could be because of a whole range of things, but my first guess it's an issue with the type of splitter you're using. If you plug a mono-TRS splitter into the PO the white channel is usually the clicktrack and the red is the mono audio track.

[@jean-marcdemay4789]

@@solidstereo Thanks so much for the response Alex, I think the splitter I'm using is stereo female splitter, so no red and black sides, I'm going to try that asap and see how that goes, because it appears I'm the only one with this dish, thanks again!

[@swampdweller5]

Cool video. I couldn't get it to sync tho

[@littleBIGsynths]

Thanks! What is the setup? Which devices? Let me know

[@guiom77]

Thanks

[@ronketterer5851]

Question: would the KO or Rhythm be a better option for pairing with volca keys? I'm thinking from a primarily rhythm function for the pocket operator, but knowing the KO would have more features... Thanks! (very informative video)

[@sean.coleman]

I’m having an issue syncing my po-33 with a volca FM. I can connect them and the po is receiving the signal and the clocks are connected. However it’s like there’s latency in the clock because the po-33 is slightly slower, like a half beat off. Has anybody had this problem?

[@gb6100]

Danke 👍👍👍

[@xavierlauthelin274]

quel raccord entre la sortie casque du vocal et la sortie out du pocket ?

[@MrFox.1995]

Hello everyone, sorry this may sound a little bit foolish, but How can I plug the pocket operator 12 to my mixer, I was thinking on buying a 1/8 trs stereo cable to double 1/4 mono trs, would it work ???

[@Hakucho64]

If you mean double 1/4 mono ts (not trs), then yes, that should work.

[@exi8550]

I'm trying to do something similar to your final scenario where the PO will be the slave controlling tempo for a Behringer Td3, but it doesnt play anything out of the synth. Anyone have any suggestions?

[@thevanishingsaxon663]

Mine will not sync for some reason, I get a click track on every single channel.

[@jean-marcdemay4789]

Same, any idea wtf is going on?

[@thevanishingsaxon663]

@@jean-marcdemay4789 It's definitely the pocket operators and not the volcas. They act glitchy sometimes. Often removing the batteries and putting them back in helps the problem most of the time.

[@NeoLudditevisons]

Wonder if theres anyway to send midi to the POs.....?

[@bboymac84]

Yessss bro!!!

[@pizzazombie]

God damn so cool

[@littleBIGsynths]

Thank you! 😁👍🏻

[@arkansaspromise]

Do you have a bastl kastle?

[@littleBIGsynths]

No. I don't. I have checked it out a couple of times... but I'm not quite sure if it's for me. It is an interesting little synth though. Do you have one? Do they play well with volcas and PO's? Would you reccomend one? 🙂

[@arkansaspromise]

It’s a cool synth stand alone and for experimenting with sound and modular synthesis. I’ve tried multiple times to sync it with a P.O. but the volume is way too overpowering because it has no volume control. You can control volume on a mixer but it’s a little touchy. It works best with volca I’ve noticed I recommend it if you’re more into modular.

[@littleBIGsynths]

I pulled the trigger an purchased one... it should arrive today or tomorrow! 😁Thanks for the feedback and suggestion! 👍

[@arkansaspromise]

Haha I saw it on your insta! Best of luck And have fun

[@zackdone8759]

Fucking awesome man! I'm having some issues hooking up my po33 to my volca beats though? Could be cause the batteries are low but I'm not sure

[@dariomojicaluthier1376]

Super

[@ZenMountain]

Does not work for me using Volcano Samples and PO33 with stereo or mono cables.

[@littleBIGsynths]

Volca as MASTER. Volca Sample SYNC OUT -> PO-33 KO INPUT using a 3.5mm trs cable should work. Set the PO to SYN 2. Press play on the Pocket Operator. If the PO tempo changes as you change the tempo on the vSample... you are insync! Hope you figure it out. 🙂

[@Wijnfles]

tnx mate!

[@jan-k7x1c]

I made a cable to adapt to the pocket operator way of syncing (one mono audio channel and one sync channel) It sums the stereo signal of the volca and puts it on the left pin and the sync signal is on the right pin of the output jack. It looks similar to the audio splitter cable but is actually the other way around and sums the stereo signal to mono. If anyone is interested I'll let you know if this works as desired (aka behaving like another pocket operator)

[@calebwest6527]

Hi! I’m wanting to build a custom case that houses a volca and two pocket operators, that allows all 3 to sit inside the case and be synced. How could I do this in a way so that there is minimal cords exposed? While also being able to easily remove the volca or PO’s if I want. Is it even possible?

[@jaronclark4087]

In scenario H & I where does the the red cord go

[@catface101]

Fuck yeah!!!

[@artemstamina515]

Please say. What a song in 9:40. I'l made same track. Say please :(

[@artemstamina515]

oh god, please

[@littleBIGsynths]

Sorry for the late reply. The song at 9:40 was just something I put together for demonstration purposes. Does it sound familiar or similiar to something you have heard?

[@artemstamina515]

@@littleBIGsynths Many thanks for the answer! This melody is just amazing and I have a song that I created with very similar sound (notes). However, I noticed that your video was published in 2018. Can I use the melody that was played at 9.40 for my own purposes? Will you sue me for copyright infringement? :) P.S. I'm in an incredible delight from your work. Thanks in advance for your response!

[@artemstamina515]

I am from Ukraine, and it is possible that I did not quite clearly write to you. In this case, I will ask briefly - can I use this melody for my own purposes? :)

[@Imjorsh]

why is mine not working

[@Imjorsh]

sorry just really frustrated

[@littleBIGsynths]

No worries. What is happening? I would love to help if I could. 👍

[@Imjorsh]

@@littleBIGsynths well, I have the volca fm and the PO KO, and I been trying to connect them and putting them on different sync modes but they make no sound

[@littleBIGsynths]

Cool. Are you using the internal speakers? Make sure you are using a 3.5mm trs (stereo) cable to sync them. Take that cable and connect it from the sync OUT of the vFM; then connect to the input of the PO-33; then set the PO-33 to SYNC 2. You should be good to go after that. Let me know

[@Imjorsh]

@@littleBIGsynths I think it is working now, thank you so much:)

[@twoboxtoofurious]

I swear it's not working! Volca Mix -> PO KO (SY 3)-> PO Arcade (SY 4) -> Got sync but no audio output!!

[@theugene]

I stopped using them Bec syncing was such a Bitch to redo it every time? Fuck that

[@littleBIGsynths]

Yeah, they were a pain at first for me too... especially when connecting several pieces of gear together. But after playing with them for awhile, it is much easier now.

[@justinrodriguez1900]

When syncing 2 Po/s an Volca you can't see the cables, like which ones are going into which ones @12:59. Can you tell us which went where?