Korg Volca Keys + Beats: Gabriel & Dresden Arcadia live

A live version of Gabriel & Dresden's Arcadia played on the Korg Volca Keys and Volca Beats. The Keys is passed through a Zoom 1201 effects unit and an Alesis NanoCompressor. Apologies in advance for the elbow close-ups :o)

[@TonyHorgan]

Hello! You can try my Korg Volca Expert Guides for free, on Android and PC from Google Play play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Tony+Horgan and Mac and iOS from iBooks itunes.apple.com/gb/author/tony-horgan/id1239877457?mt=11

[@theSuperVil]

I recently bought a korg volca key. I assume your books are worth the few dollars? :D

[@MelVinMaSsaCrE]

Nearly four years later and this still one of the best Volca videos ever. I will forever owe my infatuation with the Volcas to this video.

[@TonyHorgan]

MelVinMaSsaCrE :-) it still sounds pretty good doesn't it? A bit squeaky but not bad for just one synth and one drum machine.

[@jacobzurawski]

Make that 10 years now... still applicable!

[@aberonis]

2023 and still the best!!!!!!!❤

[@bobz1736]

6 years later and still awesome ... 😎

[@TonyHorgan]

You might notice on this demo that I'm not always triggering the loops on the Volca Keys at precisely the first beat of the bar (because I'm busy with the other controls). However, the loops on the Keys still play in time because when I'm late triggering a new loop, it just plays the existing loop again. When I do trigger a new loop, the Keys picks it up at the next note in the sequence, rather than starting the new loop from the first note. It also works if I trigger a new loop too early; in that case it will pick up the new loop from the end, playing the last note or two, and then looping back again. This is a very useful feature for playing live.

[@pauwels_francois_djset]

I saw this youtube link some time ago and I come back to it today with the same feeling. great piece and an expert driving these two machines .....

[@TonyHorgan]

To answer the question about the notes for this piece... First, I programmed this in a different key to the original, because when I programmed it I just entered the notes from memory without referencing the original, and it sounded fine in the key of C Major, so I stuck with that. In this video the Volca Keys is sent through a delay effect (a Zoom 1201 rack module which you can just see in the bottom right corner). This adds extra "notes" and the swing effect on the Keys, so if you want to recreate this, you don't necessarily need to program as many notes as you hear on this video. I shall now attempt to describe the notes as well as I can, bearing in mind my complete lack of musical education! Play around with the notes and you should get the idea anyway :-) Bassline: F, -, F, -, C, F, -, -, A, -, A, -, E, A, -, - The bassline is made of two similar patterns, the second a few notes higher up than the first. Next bit (2:58) A and G. This is really the first part of the main riff but on a loop. Main riff in full (from 3:42), without and timings or rests: A, G, F, E, F, E, D, C Think of this as a cascade down from A, which lifts up to F halfway through before continuing down. The "next bit" (4:11). Jump up an octave for this bit: C, D, F, E Finally, (4:23) go up to A for the last twiddly bit A, A, A.... Well, I hope that makes some sense to someone!

[@DJJSerpico]

+Tony Horgan BRILLIANT! You made my day!

[@TonyHorgan]

+John Lisa Happy to be of service! I just listened back to this today for the first time in ages and was pleasantly surprised at how good it sounded :-)

[@armandostabile9385]

Great job! Definitely better than the original. A question: did you use the flux mode to add the higher notes to the bassline?

[@jacobzurawski]

Still love it. Looking at the dates on these comments, can't believe how time flies.

[@m4xyer]

this is the best demonstration of volca keys. Thanx!

[@jacobzurawski]

You may very well be the youtuber who convinced me to buy my first Volca a couple years ago. I now have 4 Volca and a Minilogue. This cover of yours is still my favorite Volca jam to this day!

[@am5790]

got into volca back when they came out because of your demos etc....one of the best. Thank you Tony.

[@hardsync7873]

I can't believe that! It's so easy and so great! You make the best Volca sound!

[@MoebiusSound]

One of the best volca key jams on youtube, thanks!

[@gorbulus]

Nice video! Def top 5 volca jams online. Great work man keep it up!

[@G-Hutch]

Absolutely love this, totally brightened up a very rainy day!

[@MelVinMaSsaCrE]

I can't get over how awesome this video is.

[@jacobzurawski]

Dude same!

[@dubcousteau]

this video was the reason why i bought all volcas, nice work and awesome song.

[@TheSphinxNL]

This was excellent, the Korg Volca is way more powerful than I thought. Thanks for the upload!

[@marsmediapro]

This is a very good video to show actual live use of these instruments. Thanks for posting.

[@MelVinMaSsaCrE]

Absolutely beautiful!! Looks like I'm getting Volca Keys as my first synth! Thanks man, great job on the video!!

[@marthaschmiedt2170]

really nice work! love the volcas & love your track.

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

Aaaaahhhhh very cool! Can't wait for some Volca action!keep uploading mate you're brilliant

[@Trainspotterusa]

That's pretty inspiring work. It makes me want to go out and buy the kit and have a go myself.

[@kikkirow]

Well done. This is very enjoyable to listen to.

[@StefanoPapaleo-TS]

Absolutely brilliant. Well done!

[@EarmonkeyMusic]

Just got the Keys for Christmas. This vid gives me ideas on how to use it better. Thanks for the great tunes!

[@MicroBanshee]

Nicely done, great sequences

[@skoslosk]

Wow, nice to see how far you can push these with some real musical talent. Thanks for sharing.

[@AntonyNorthcutt]

This is amazing!

[@johnhopkins6731]

Tony, this is really impressive work.

[@FR4NKTR4X]

Really nice man !! Thanks for sharing.

[@tonydonnelly2395]

you're the man with the volcas!!!

[@MrCowfood]

Amazing.. Much respect.

[@marsupialmicron]

Really great performance!!

[@DJDiskmachine]

Beautiful! a modern classic, thanks a lot! ^^ Getting my Keys in roundabout 2 weeks, all sold out in my country! ^o^'

[@m.c.k.504]

your videos definitely keep me going. cant wait to be that good... :D

[@jacobzurawski]

My dude, tho I've never heard the original, I very much enjoy your rendition.

[@GB3770]

Really nice track...goosebumps!

[@kindreadproject]

yeah man, awesom performance! great sound here. the "volca world" is incredible...I get the volca beats, and now after watching your video i think will get v. keys, i need it in my set up....respect from italy ciao

[@justink3646]

Great demo! thank you!

[@Kapellerec]

Great Great Great! This Vid was the reason for buyin this Synth!!!

[@TonyHorgan]

Kapellerec happy to help!

[@MusTopSteel]

ВОСХИТИТЕЛЬНО!!!Скоро преобрету всю линейку,аналоговый синт в маленькой коробке что надо больше?! "Забываем" про огромные шкафы)))))))Звук чумавой!Прям то что надо!

[@djamorpheus]

I love this melody, so nostalgic! Reminds me of ATB...

[@benweichiba]

This is great Tony! Keep up the great work...

[@stephenwall9036]

Just ordered these very two beasts off ebay yesterday. Very inspiring demo mate! Impressed what you can do with only these 2 units. Can't wait to get my hands on mine...

[@TonyHorgan]

Thanks, you can do a lot with very little if you really focus!

[@MauwaOfficial]

Wow. For a while I thought the keys was crap but I'm glad you posted this. It really shows that it is good if you use it right :) Definitely considering all 3 volcas now.

[@TonyHorgan]

Yes, initially I thought the Keys would be the weaker of the three Volcas, and I still thought that after using it for a few days. Then I figured it out and on some days it's my favourite. In time I hope to amass a few of each for some more advanced live performances.

[@lethaldisq]

I'm going to buy all of korg

[@alterntech]

Awesome... pure talent!

[@dnoelproductions1339]

I just purchased the Volca kick and I am SO scared that I wont' be able to master it as you have. LoL. Great work!

[@Airplants100]

So Nice!!

[@haggisboyjock]

just lovely indeed

[@giannisgiannis792]

You are insipiration dude! Thank you!

[@tomknobloch8597]

WOOW BEAUTIFUL

[@paweldun]

it sounds better than the original XD congrats

[@lara834]

Perfect!

[@maikweindel4586]

Great Performance !

[@electro808kat]

Excellent!

[@kurza_music]

Sooooo nice💪

[@hernandonevesfilho]

Amazing!

[@sokoleski]

so sweet....well done

[@ConenRuam]

Good performance! I really like the sound of these units, and they look fun. I make it a point to haul myself away from soft synths and computer screen from time to time. Much more rewarding

[@Willem59]

great sound Tony

[@sean6948]

Volcas in full effect, nice one mate

[@DrumSpotScuoladibatteriaOld]

beautiful

[@ryanb.3835]

this is great- ive watched several times.

[@ryanb.3835]

Hi Tony, I have just received my new volcas and had a couple questions for you- 1) is it correct that the LED for VCF peak knob is non-functioning on the keys which were produced? 2) do you find that the output of the keys is higher than the bass/beats? i am new to this all and ive purchased an Alto zmx122fx mixer to use in conjunction with the volcas. it seems i have to put gain all the way up on all 3 but none get close to clipping and the bass/beats levels are very low.... thanks!

[@ryanb.3835]

it seems i need to get the appropriate cables and adapters

[@MikeyG1977]

this is actually pretty cool!

[@louweedoficial148]

Wooooww!! Genial!

[@dbcooper9401]

Yea boy. You was in it.

[@TonyHorgan]

I'll add captions to the video to explain this. The Beats closed hihat pattern is programmed on every alternate step (1,3,5,7,9 etc), and I have used the Stutter control to add a delay which retriggers another hihat in the gaps, but slightly earlier than when the fixed steps would trigger. Stutter Time is set between 1-2o'clock and Depth at 12o'clock. Swing on the Keys is by passing it thru a Zoom1201 delay/reverb with the delay time set manually. This also adds extra notes to the Keys pattern.

[@TonyHorgan]

Thanks :-) Now that I have the Volcas I'm sure I'll be making a lot more music. They're brilliant for making music any time, anywhere.

[@hyperon4]

WOW! Love it! I can tell you know what you are doing.. =) would love to hear more from you .. =) Keep it up!

[@axi2704]

wow :) superb

[@jimshannononsounds]

Great, thanks

[@TomashGhzegovsky]

amazing :)

[@MercuryPJ]

really good! :)

[@Venca182]

little step for people, big jump for vlocanaut's ;) U are best, Tony ;) (y)

[@ShockHRz]

awesome!

[@TonyHorgan]

Yes, they're synced via the 3.5mm sync connection. The Keys can be set to 1 of 3 tempo modes: 1/1 (where 1 bar equals 1 bar on the Beats), 1/2 (where it runs at half speed, fitting 2 bars into every 1 bar the Beats plays), and 1/4 (which stretches it out to 4 bars per 1 bar on the Beats). You still only get 16 steps in each Keys sequence though, so I've used an external delay to add extra echoed notes to the Keys loops, otherwise you'd only hear 1 note each time you see the step light advance.

[@iamyourfuture808]

Well done tony ... You got a lot of mileage out of those two little boxes !

[@michaelalxndr1890]

Good stuff man.

[@robogod3000]

GREAT !

[@ourraworkdj]

Worthy!

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

love it

[@OscarCeballos2]

amazing

[@666chainsawkiller666]

BRAVO!

[@alexsavin2451]

Wery nice! NanoComp and reverb take so beutiful effect on "keys",

[@Rosso456MGT]

Cool work

[@msbeeb]

most exquisite

[@czukone]

brilliant

[@TonyHorgan]

Hi Gunther, yes, I programmed each pattern by hand directly on the Keys. I started with pattern 1 (which you hear first), and then copied and pasted that into the other slots, then added the additional melodies over the "bassline" that I copied from pattern 1. The trouble is, now I want to make a new track but I don't want to delete those patterns, and I have no way of exporting them as there is no MIDI Out on the Keys.

[@inbetweenmovements]

VERY NICE

[@Flocke8626]

Verry nice set up... like

[@0ldenn]

way better than the original!

[@JohnDoe-xc5kn]

Why doesn't this have more views?

[@ToasterShow]

Sounds pretty nice.

[@kennylangley1997]

sounds awesome. I'm going to work on getting the volcano series

[@TheGameCollector]

Unfortunately I sold my Volca Keys because I couldn´t understand how to use it. It is just amazing to hear what you can get out of this tiny beautiful thing. I regret my sale for sure...

[@liquidlimbs]

Great!!! How make "swing quantize" on the volca beat hihat and the keys synth line?

[@Goth108]

nice job!

[@jminfvzz]

Lol this is better than the original! Nice work!

[@yacinearichi5300]

jminfvzz so true !!!

[@darksession]

master sound