Korg Volca Modular | Westcoast Synthesis on a budget? | Thomann

Today we're having a look at a potential budget option for westcoast synthesis. Did Korg create a poor man's music easel?
Gear used:
Korg Volca Modular: www.thomann.de/de/korg_volca_...
Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Intro
1:06 Sound Comparisson: Buchla Easel Command vs. Korg Volca Modular
8:51 Patching The Volca Modular
16:04 Conclusion
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[@thescapegoatcarnivale]

Regarding the reverb, here’s a tip. Set it to about 10 o’clock and you get a nice stereo spread without a reverb tail. It’s like a stereo chorus. Really brings the sound to life.

[@CatFish107]

I will try that. Thanks! I've always loved everything about the volca modular except the reverb (my least favorite reverb I've yet heard.)

[@danielprietog]

14:47, a lovely bug enters the frame, enjoys, then leaves.

[@rayderrich]

The production quality of the Thomann videos is superb, thank you for all the good work.

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Thanks for the great feedback ❤️🙏

[@LondraCalibro9]

yup, really some of the best on youtube. super progressive and inspirational.

[@Alex-cw7xf]

I love this thing. I purchased on of these a while back because I wanted an affordable and accessible way to get some hands-on learning with modular synthesis and decided on the volca modular because I already own the keys and FM. I second the comment on using a small breadboard as a mini patchbay due to the onboard patching limitations... it works like a dream and I also highly suggest looking at adding one or both of the bastl kastl series as additional "modules" considering they also accept the dupont mini pin connections. Combine with the bastl dude as a mini-sub mixer and hey... you have a mini modular setup!! Also, keep in mind that if you decide to use CV in and patch the CV outputs to the main osc /envelope inputs on the volca modular that the keyboard input is bypassed and therefore you can no longer use the onboard sequencer, but in my case I have an arturia keystep which I can use to play notes and run sequences. Minor note, but important if you want to use an external keyboard to control it. I hope this helps anyone out there who is considering picking one up. Cheers!

[@AnomieDomine]

Wow this comment is gold and blew my mind, is there a specific breadboard setup or just whatever I can get easily? Why the Dude instead of the Volca Mix or another mixer? Seems expensive but I don't understand what it does beyond a commodity mixer

[@Alex-cw7xf]

@@AnomieDomine Hi there, how's it going? I'm glad you find that helpful! To answer your questions, whatever breadboard or hobby electronics kit you can find online will do just fine. A lot of kits will have 1 or 2 breadboards, mini jumper cables, buttons, LED lights (helpful for visualizing signals like LFO's, gates, sample & hold), potentiometers (knobs), switches, buttons, and other fun stuff you probably find a use for. As far as using a Volca Mix vs Dude, I suppose it doesn't matter all that much, but the Dude (or now Buddy) has up to 5 mono channels and is battery powered, whereas the Volca Mix is 3 channels and requires an AC adapter. I guess the Bastl version is another ~$40 more expensive than the Volca Mix, but for some reason I preferred the smaller form-factor, needed the extra inputs, and I think the Dude was on sale at the time (bastl often has discounts and sales and are all around a cool company). Anyway anyway like I said it all depends on what your use-case is. I have several volcas already but decided I wanted to treat the "modular" system as a separate entity. Considering the Bastl Kastl has the possibility of outputting 2 voices, the Bastl Drum has 1, the Volca Modular is another, so that's already 4 inputs and the Dude was the logical choice for me. I was using the 5th channel as a "send" using a monotron delay, but that's now occupied by the Bastl Microgranny sampler. Did I mention I also like Bastl instruments? lol they aren't paying me anything for this, but yeah volcas are also cool if you are on a budget IMO. :) Sorry for the long reply, I hope that helps! Cheers

[@CatFish107]

​@Alex-cw7xf Hey that's an awesome setup you're posting about. Thanks for the thoughts. Another feature of the Bastl mixers is the massive pile of gain / distortion available, if you're the kind of person that enjoys some dirt and grime on your sounds (I grew up a metal head, and have a sweet tooth for distortion). My own little rig has a couple kastles and 2x volca modulars. TRS breakout adapters for the kastle io, and I mult one of the channels together along with the volca cv ins. That way they're all on a common ground, and I can freely patch with jumper wires between any of the machines!

[@macognia82]

Your throughout review was quite inspirational. Thank you! 😊

[@MD_is_me]

This is a great comparison of the two synths and a wonderful primer on the Volca. The opening and closing pieces of music are amazing; so well done. It would have been interesting to hear a fully realized long form version.

[@aeonoea]

First video that really made me understand how that thing works. Thanks so much!

[@LockStoppageSandwich]

Nicely done. Here’s a request………..can you do a video showing how you make music like used in the opening/closing of this video ?? Without using Dekards Dream as most people don’t have it.

[@TheInart]

Yes I am also interested about it

[@Tini.F.]

Try a huge amount of reverb and use only the wet signal

[@js-hl5hv]

@@Tini.F. Surprisingly, with just the right amount of on board reverb, you can get a really wet sound. The trick is not to use too much.

[@js-hl5hv]

I've got several synths, but the VM is probably the most interesting. It can be frustrating, but when you get it right, it can make the most amazing sounds. On a sound per dollar (tm :) ) basis, it really can't be touched. I agree that the complex source module is by far the standout of the VM. The fact that everything on the device is controllable, with the exception of an independent filter cutoff, means that every part of the sound in controllable. It punches way above its weight, the little VM. Nice video.

[@creatingspacesproducer]

Excellent video again!

[@neuzethmusic131]

Oh man! I had the VM for like half a year, really enjoyed the sounds and timbres (I love Buchla) I got out of it. Finally sold it, cos the lack of a proper Midi In port was a major let down for me, I couldn't integrate it properly in my workflow. Guess what... next on my buy list is...: the Volca Modular.... can't get it out of my head, even tough I have much more expansive semi modulars in my studio 😂

[@peladoclaus]

Nice demo. Can definitely hear a lot of potential there for sure

[@dimensionstomorrow]

I recently got a Vermona Retroverb Lancet. Looking forward to running the Korg Modular into it!

[@hughman8597]

Bisher habe ich mich noch nicht getraut an den Volca Modular, mein erster war der SampleV1, da ich nicht viele Geld habe, aber auch musizieren möchte sind die Volcas wirklich eine sehr gute Lösung, mittlerwile besitze ich außer dem Sample noch den Keys und den FM. Nach diesem Video bin ich mir ziemlich sicher, dass wenn ich einen günstig schnappen kann, ich das auch tun werde! Vielen Dank für den tollen "Rundgang" am Gerät! Beste Grüße

[@EscapeLimitations]

Been curious about modular synthesis for awhile. This has made it affordable.

[@namenaim1560]

Excellent video and demonstration .many thanks

[@martenijzerman7106]

Shoutout to the chill ant at 14:50

[@ThinkerThunker]

I understand the Volca modular AND the Buchla better now, we'll done. Thanks!

[@antfactor]

Great overview! Thanks. JUST purchased a used one online with some additional external pots/mods 😊. 👌🏼 🐜

[@danlejos3849]

Muy buena maestro! Videazo!

[@Jacuzziiiiii]

[14:48] you got crowd there ;)

[@takeecstasywithmee]

Sounds surprisingly good! Are the chords in the jam at the end of the video from the Deckard's Dream?

[@PointlessExistence]

I love it!

[@ZackYouTube]

bought one for my little brothers birthday..then got one for myself !!

[@stefanhansen5882]

Cool overview. The last comment about buying 24 Volca Modulars was quite interesting. How about making a video with 6 or 12 Volca modulars, a reverb unit and a couple of other components with a total price of one Easel, and then seeing what you could get out of that!

[@macaronafterparty]

That outro music tho...❤‍🔥

[@hipsterscout1]

I think if youre expecting a full on behringer clone that sounds identical with all the features in that format your gonna be disappointed. but as a portable modular that gives the timbre of west coast modular to people for sub 200 euro is amazing. put it into a nice reverb pedal like a strymon or the valhalla dsp plugins and its instant ambient music.

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Word

[@stuartdavid8493]

Strymon and Valhalla have destroyed electronic music. Truly the last refuge of the amateur.

[@hipsterscout1]

@@stuartdavid8493 crazy how some reverb patches can destroy all electronic music

[@hipsterscout1]

@@stuartdavid8493 What kind of a take even is this?

[@NoMusicTheory]

@@stuartdavid8493 what does a pro use for reverb? not being a dick just actually want to learn.

[@TheInart]

How can you make this amazing sound with this machine. I am talking about intro and outro. It is awesome. You did a wonderful job.

[@PiotrHryncyszyn]

Reverb.

[@edward2359]

What is most interesting is that gets very closed to the same textures on an advanced FM system like the sy77.

[@LFC303606ACID]

That was interesting.

[@keith303]

bug enters @14:47 bug stays @14:51 bug leaves @15:07

[@vinylarchaeologist]

I guess the bug wasn’t convinced by the Volca.

[@javest]

The KVM could be clocked from external trigger 1 PPS to move 1 step of the seq for each pulse received in clock in, without any regular sequence of pulse? I'd like to advance 1 step of the seq with one external "out of time" trig

[@jjrusy7438]

great demo. I agree. the osc section is killer. the rest is acceptable considering the price point. I would just use external delay+reverb, like from an NTS1, or pedal, usw. my issue would be the sync in my system. everything is clocked by MIDI. If someone told me to buy an easel and gave me the money, i would probably rather buy: 1 moog grandmother, one BARP2600, 4 volca modulars, one behr. xenix2442 4bus mixer (to use the sends for effects routing), a MIDI->CV converter like maybe a keystep pro, and a lot of beer with the remaining money.

[@MrScarabey]

all good except B Xenyx, better go with Mackie :) I know it's hypnotical, but still..

[@bendudding]

don't forget if you have another volca with midi (such as the volca beats) you can use the sync out from the volca beats to clock the volca modular (via the sync in) and then clock the volca beats to MIDI. It's works great on my system. : - )

[@Wrzlprnft]

It's really all about finding the sweet spots for each patch one comes up with. Sooooooo many sounds for that budget. Also... so many possiblities to make it sound... meh with my fat fingers fiddling with the knobs.

[@SouthShoreSonics]

Hmmm, CV OCD or Mutant Brain does a great job of MIDI to CV for me.

[@volkerchristianschleich6328]

Hut ab ,!! Top😁❤️

[@kiangaste1255]

How did you make the pad sound underneath the Volca Modular in your jam session Felix ?

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

It was done with the Deckards Dream -> Eventide Blackhole Reverb -> Cassette Tape played back at 50% Speed to effectively pitch it down 1 octave and thereby removing harmonics to make it sound more dark. Best, Felix

[@kiangaste1255]

@@ThomannSynthesizers Thanks! I was hoping to recreate it but I definitely do not own a Deckard's Dream :(

[@ivysdadd]

14:47 regarding the ant… how does that work?

[@ethosannihilator]

15:06 a bug walks on the table in the upper right corner. You're welcome.

[@walrtbstudios5430]

I’ve built both a respectable modular system AND a separate Buchla/TipTop system since I last turned on my VM. I’ve clearly been missing a lot…

[@telumatramenti7250]

It's an awesome idea as far as bringing down modular or semi modular down to most people's budget constraints. Unfortunately I have rather large hands, and working with something this tiny for making music is a bit frustrating, especially for someone who works a lot with electronics and soldering components and needs to distance himself from it to relax.

[@MrTomb789]

Is the music in the intro all coming from the Volca Modular..?

[@lundsweden]

On Buchla it's called Random Voltage, On Volca Modular it's called Woggle, Lol! S&H for Sample & Hold would've made more sense to me!

[@someone-hr9ze]

15:10 fly rans on table

[@maartendebruijne3657]

15:09 there is a bug 😂 right side

[@earlsfield]

Whats the black machine on your desk? modular.

[@simonyricools]

The synth to the right looks like a Deckard's Dream, but that's not modular, though.

[@earlsfield]

@@simonyricools no its not dd. I know Jonas has DD so i thought the same thought but it looks like one of Roland Systems.

[@emilyschmanks]

@@earlsfield it is unmistakably a deckards dream. you can see it clearly at 19:00

[@earlsfield]

@@emilyschmanks am I crazy? DD is way slimmer, it doesn’t have patch points, its sliders are coloured and it has only two rows - this one has a big knob at the bottom right.

[@earlsfield]

@@emilyschmanks this is modular version of dd you are right, sorry forgot BC made modular version too. And it sounds like it, those pads.

[@skummelkatt]

No Easel. But it sounds really good.

[@victoria_martin]

14:48 llega la araña que te engaña

[@adamwieczorek7701]

VM ist super, muss aba nachgeruestet werden - mit Patchlupe und Bleistiftspitzer fuer die Finger 😢

[@be3ho7nm]

a bug on 14:48 )

[@umZedaesquina]

Man...I was going to sell mine until I saw this video...this video stopped me from making such a stupid mistake!!

[@filippobertetto1987]

ehm...I don't think it was a good idea to bring the real thing in at 6:06

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

How would you wanna do a comparison without doing a comparison? :D

[@henrikfisch]

I think it was a very good idea.

[@filippobertetto1987]

@@ThomannSynthesizers ahah well it makes sense, practically though it obscures the lil fella My point is that it is not like a Behringer that makes "wow, it is so close". Quite the opposite. just me perhaps

[@nataskunas]

​@@filippobertetto1987 bcause Behringer is a direct clone or ripoff (depending on whether the piece of gear is old or made today) and they base their circuits either very close or identical as possible. Volca Modular is not a budget Buchla Easel, its inspired by it.

[@filippobertetto1987]

@@nataskunas ah I see, thanks Natas

[@Projacked1]

no MIDI ?....that's a bit weird imho

[@LockStoppageSandwich]

@@ZackKZbin What type of adaptor??

[@sudbenzer6603]

It seems like Thomann pays pretty well for making their commercials :)

[@thibauttg5254]

Just listening to this on an iphone while cooking, so… No offense, but sounds quite like you are comparing a Dacia to an Audi, right 😂?

[@Algoritmarte]

probably ... but both will carry you to the same destination if you're a talented "musical driver" ;-)

[@krisrhodes5180]

00:05 BuT tHe VoLcA mOdUlAr IsN't MuSiCal

[@huskendriller5341]

Like watching a mouse assault a horse.

[@Marcus538]

I play bongos well , you get better sounds more music with a bit of wood and animal skin , things is it takes skill to play them unlike synthesisers

[@BuellStreetBlaster]

false

[@jonathanjones6657]

The realism of cleverness is closed-minded in its smugness.

[@ZenMountain]

No. It's not a Music Easel on anything. You just want to sell.

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

This is neither sponsored by Korg, nor did anyone ask me to feature this product to boost sales. It is exactly like I said in the intro and I stand by the verdict I give in the end. Korg obviously benefits from it economies of scale here which allows them to pack some stuff into a tiny formfactor that would cost a lot more were you to build it yourself from boutique eurorack modules. Of course it‘s no substitution for a real easel tho, which Is why I‘m gonna stick with my Buchla :D Best, Felix

[@JesusGarciaNailed]

Surprise! A company wants to sell. 😱