The Korg Volca Series: Korg Volca Keys Sound Part 1

Here is a demonstration of the sound and functionality of the Korg Volca Keys.

[@PhantomSpaceman5]

I've gotta say, I've had my Volca keys for a few weeks now and it's a real studio workhorse. The filter doesn't step when you control it via the EG or LFO, but I like the stepping since you can tune the filter to pitch. Plugged in an external keyboard and was psyched to discover that it is velocity sensitive. It sounds way bigger than it looks, and you can even get some sweet kick & synth tom sounds out of it. The ability to automate it via MIDI is absolutely incredible. My only real complaints are the way the EG retriggers in poly mode and the fact that you can only access a single square wave oscillator through Poly Ring mode, but that's something you can get around through clever recording techniques. It's really an amazing little box.

[@KeyDyer]

Useful in 2021! Thank you for these videos

[@TedFreemann]

best little Analog synthesizer loop sequencer ever , my Best regards !

[@Athlor1]

Great demo, I never thought detune could affect poly mode, just excellent.

[@worldgeektube]

As a new owner of the volca keys trying to learn about analogue synths this is the best tutorial I've seen. Hugely helpful, thanks.

[@automaticgainsay]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!

[@TheChilledHamster]

Hi sorry for a stupid question, can the volka keys be pluged into a sound card/computer for power or is it only powered by batteries? Im considering getting either the keys or bass.

[@HotStrange]

liam swart it's spelled 'Volca' but you can purchase a 9v adapter for it or use batteries.

[@HotStrange]

Optimisation Welcome to the world of analogue synthesis. It's a deep dark hole. But it'll all be worth it.

[@zoned7609]

im starting to get more comfortable with the 'sour' knobs now, understanding they are only sour in the context of the settings of the other knobs the relationships between everything is what i'm still struggling with. none of this nomenclature was made by non-engineers so it's naturally obtuse

[@likerowe]

just got one. just watched twice. thanks bro. great vid.

[@setphaser]

How cool is that stepping! It isn't really fashionable to like it, but I love it, it's such a great sound and texture to play with!

[@bobborries]

As always great video, at first I wanted the Volca Keys, but now I think the Bass may sound better. I'll keep watching to decide which one to get.

[@museric2007]

I am glad I watched this, I was feeling frustrated with this thing. After this go-through I have a better grasp on it, and love it!

[@automaticgainsay]

I'm glad!

[@BeatDropYT]

Great job on these videos Marc!!!

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

Technically it's paraphonic since all the oscillators share the same filter and envelope, but yeah... Volca Keys is an amazing synth, especially for lo-fi ambient sounds. I've played mine almost every day for a year and a half and I'm still discovering new sounds it can create.

[@automaticgainsay]

Definitely paraphonic!

[@automaticgainsay]

Also, if you're responding to me saying that it is "polyphonic," "paraphonic" is a term to describe a certain configuration of articulation for polyphonic synths. "Polyphonic" is a term to describe note count. As a result, paraphonic synths are also polyphonic synths.

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

@@automaticgainsay So it's a paraphonic polyphonic synth? There's got to be a less confusing way to describe what a synth does. Maybe call the Minilogue a four-voice poly, and the Volca Keys a single-voice poly? ...but then I don't know what you'd call the Microfreak since it's halfway between paraphonic and full on polyphony...

[@automaticgainsay]

Well, as it happens, if you look back in my videos a few months ago, I introduced a word to describe synthesizers that had articulation possibilities that existed between multiphonic (limited polyphony, but each note of polyphony has full articulation) and paraphonic (full polyphony, but all notes have one source of articulation). The word is "variophonic," and it indicates that a synthesizer's articulation isn't full articulation in both timbre and amplitude, but may feature full articulation in one or the other. As for a "less confusing way to describe what a synth does," synthesizers are complex devices with varying lists of extensive functionality. In some ways, we're doing synths a disservice by having one-size-fits-all adjectives or descriptors. But essentially, there are three types of note counts: monophonic, duophonic, and polyphonic. There are (now) three types of articulation structures: paraphonic, variophonic, and multiphonic. (some synths like the MonoPoly, Pro 2, and MatrixBrute have the ability to individually articulate aspects of the oscillator per note, but I think at this point, there are too few synths to introduce an "types of oscillator articulation" category). The confusing part is that these terms all end with "phonic." That shouldn't have happened... for the sake of clarity... but it did. We could abandon these long-used terms, but there is so much history associated with them that it would be sad to do so. If you've got two hours to spare, I have a documentary on this channel that describes the history of polyphony and its terminology. In it, there are charts that lay out the distinguishing factors between all of these terms.

[@RLreedyProductions]

Mine arrives tomorrow! Thanks for you vIdeos!

[@PocketUnv]

Nobody does demos like you, please don't stop making them!

[@aikighost]

Sounds great already without the sequencer or any delay dialed in. Some of the 5ths tones you were making reminded me of early DEVO, a very good thing in my book.

[@F-Andre]

@supergain an info the stepping in the filter is a feature cause you can count the steps to get the filter "in tune" with your songs

[@virgobro2025]

so well done

[@mknyman]

The filter is analog, but it is digitally controlled. That enables one to use an external keyborard or other device to control the filter through MIDI.

[@nickpelkey]

Fantastic video. I was a little distracted as I was trying to figure out where Gunnar Hansen would be appearing in my area as we are fast approaching Halloween. Analog synths and Leatherface. What a mix.

[@Goth108]

awesome demo! just came to my mind that with all the automation stuff one could create a drumkit with bassline on the volca keys alone, a really great synth for the money! :)

[@kindreadproject]

great demo my friend! volca rulez! ciao a tutti!!!!!

[@F-Andre]

@anis yes you have 8 memory parts to load/ save. @talli all volcas are great to start or to have... Its analog fun! Great value

[@Systemist]

Woah I did not think of that! You coud active step enable only the steps of one type of hit, such as kick, record knob automation in the right spots, then do the same for bass etc. Like a cut-down analog 4 workflow kinda. Mad idea!

[@gusman2x]

Amazing videos! Thanks! Just a quick one please, how would I go about getting a cleaner polyphonic sound out of mine. I’ve messed with it loads, and don’t understand synthesis enough to “reset” everything. Thanks!

[@BoxDoom]

Just ordered this. To compliment my Sub Phatty (that your review helped convince me to buy.)

[@jorgerezg4068]

Excellent!!! i have a volca keys a month ago,is possible play a melody in keyboard and play a recorded sequence at the same time? thanks in advance.Regards from Argentina!

[@shlamhabor]

Thanks for this too!

[@avatai]

The VCO's only do saw, but with a bit of simple modding you can get other waveforms. The knobs are just like what's on the monotron, which if you don't know do have a little line on them, they're just sort of harder to see.

[@mathipable]

Hey I think you got to send your VCO in the EG, then the portamento works like you thought it would

[@Gravemind158]

I wanted to buy a Korg Volca recently so bad, but now I got to wait till next year until the new wave of korg volcas arrive to the stores.. because everywhere I look they are sold out!

[@AndrewLeSynt]

nice vids here, thank you

[@automaticgainsay]

+Andy Dnetz Thank you!

[@tnicol]

I see a MIDI In and then in and out for other Volcas. Why no MIDI Out? I was hoping to use it to drive other devices at times.

[@spidergoalie33]

On the VCO, is it only a sawtooth or can it also do a square? Do those little knobs have a centre line on them so you can see at a glance where they are set?

[@SpencerBrennt]

Hey Marc, slightly off topic question, I've noticed that the sound quality in your videos is really quite good. What audio interface are you using currently? great demos by the way, I love watching these. very thorough demonstration of how these synths sound.

[@Letryk]

wonderful video. the only thing that i find weird on it is the placement of the midi cable-socket. on a synth this size i want the interface to be completely accesible. even by people with fat fingers...

[@elliottbarletta5220]

I'm also new to this and I'm having an issue running them through a mixer to a powered speaker. I can't seem to get the wiring right. Can anyone help with this. I got 3.5 to split 1/4" cables and put them to my mixer and am running my mixer main outs to my speaker but I still don't have any sound. Can anyone help?

[@abrokenframe82]

Can these be poly chained? I hope so!

[@mrolliepoper]

So can I make a composition on the volca, save it to the hardware, then transfer it to a daw to later add on to the beat? I want to use this device as a sort of note pad. The portability allows me to have it wherever I go. My ideal setup would be some type of korg volca and a maschine mini mk2, with a record player to sample old school vinyls. What do you think?

[@BionicVapourBoy808]

mrolliepoper You can either record the composition to the DAW and add beats on like that, or hook the Volca up through MIDI and program your composition in the DAW and add beats to that.

[@Longuncattr]

It is. Nick Batt demonstrates the velocity response in the Sonicstate review.

[@mixmaker8]

Is their a keyboard that’s like the Yamaha refrace dx but cost around 150$

[@IMaiden89]

Hey Marc 2 things can the waveform be changed and how good is battery life?

[@Longuncattr]

The filter cutoff is under MIDI control and the firmware is not interpolating between the 7-bit values.

[@SuburbanBehemoth]

Did I hear some Salt n Pepa "Push it " in there somewhere?

[@TALLI2]

I do not own a synth and dont relay know much more than i think that they sound fucking awesome. so my question is. Is this a good beginner/starter synth?

[@networkingtheory]

yes

[@charliecowan9973]

For 150 dollars you can't really go wrong.

[@usra795]

I just got one of these used the other day. Can someone explain the Motion Sequencer to me? I'm having a hard time figuring it out. Another problem im having is trying to figure out how to delete the sequences that were recorded on prior to me buying it

[@Russ_Hell-Russell_Stevens]

Hold the function button and press clear all on the lower right corner, that will delete the default sequencer track.

[@F-Andre]

I wanted all three, but there was no beats and bass and i had to start with the keys. ;) good decision. Btw my volcas doesnt make any noise....heard they were so noisy?;) love these toys

[@branull7989]

I have a important question: how you record the sound in the pc? Thanks!

[@kassie2k4]

Branull you'll need an audio interface or you can use your sound card's line input or mic input

[@cresshead]

it has Cc controls via the filter knob so has 128 steps...the filter is analog the filter controller is midi capable

[@wacbzzable]

What do you have the headphone output connected to? Is there a volume difference using batteries as opposed to using the korg power cord? I am running the headphone connection directly to a KRK Rockit5 and the volume is really low...

[@michaelhawthorne5516]

Don't do that. You'll blow your monitor out. Always make sure you're running audio through a limiter of some sort before going to your speaker, whether that's a physical one or in a DAW. A headphone output typically has a much lower voltage level (amplitude) than a 1/4" cable would normally carry. This is because 1/4" cables tend to connect two powered devices together, while a headphone jack must also power the headphones. If high levels were used, your batteries would run out very quickly. You should run the audio output of your volcakeys to a pre-amp of some sort if you want to use it with speakers. Most audio interfaces have pre-amps built in to the audio inputs.

[@jasoncorganbrown]

If we support these products I'm sure korg will release a more fully featured analog polysynth

[@ericksking4945]

I would love to record the things I play into a DAW (specifically ardour) but I have no idea how. I noticed there's a jack coming out of your headphone port on your keys, is that to a usb or is it just plugged into the headphone port on your computer? Does anyone know any good tutorials on how to record directly into a DAW? I don't know anything about MIDI.

[@chainsrad6354]

Ericks King research and learn like the rest of us

[@ericksking4945]

I have since posting this. I ended up buying a scarlett2i2 and using and adapter to record; now I have the problem of my keys and beats not syncing up at all. The respective volca will not play or sync with anything in the input in jack. If you know anything about this I'd love some help. I've read what people have to say about it but it mostly just has to do the volcas falling out of sync. I haven't read anything about them not getting into sync. Like I said, if you know anything about it I could use the help.

[@edemisz]

Hi there, I also purchased on of these volca keys the other day but mine sounds completely different from the one in the video. I reset the factory settings, but nothing changed. Any idea? thanks

[@usra795]

How did you reset the factory settings?

[@edemisz]

VestigialNoise I sent it back and got a new one...It was broken.

[@the8-bitnerd712]

how is the on-board keyboard, i'm thinking of getting one of these and a midi to have better range but i still would like to know how the portable keyboard is

[@stack0413]

portable keyboard is the closest thing to hell in a box, def. use a midi keyboard. I have my beatstep going into my keylab and going out to the volca, that way I can play a sequence and use the keylab to control it or I can just use the keylab to play it normally. I can play them both at the same time in poly which comes up with some crazy shit.

[@the8-bitnerd712]

thanks:)

[@jupitermarx]

Can u use VOLCA series with and thru the KORG KING KORG?

[@HotStrange]

Mark Eubanks What? Re-word and explain better.

[@noiseandechoes]

what's your favorite of the volca series?

[@Untouchables1234]

I have a really hard time getting my keys to sounds like it does in this video :-(

[@zoned7609]

there are certain knobs you probably tried early with bad effects. revisit those knobs after changing some of the others.

[@Dogboy73]

Awesome. I take it it would be a mild understatement to say you're more than a little impressed with all 3 Volca synths? ........ making a decision on which one to buy all the more difficult. I want them all!!! I also want a Sub Phatty. Erm. To much gear, too little time :-/

[@FredericPaulussen]

It's not velocity-sensitive right?

[@blacklava4978]

Hi, sorry for dumb question, Im very new to synths. Can someone please explain how you switch between waves? I followed the instructions on holding the function button and then selecting different waves from the keyboard but there is no difference between them.. any ideas?

[@blueworm99]

You can't switch waves on the Volca Keys. In Poly mode the oscillators are all sawtooth waves while in Poly Ring mode they are square waves. The waves on the keyboard only change the LFO shape.

[@blacklava4978]

Thanks for explaining that and for getting back to me so quickly, its very much appreciated!

[@Glenfiddich101]

I just can't get any of the sounds to sound anything like what the tutor has his sounds like ?? I've tried tuning and twisting all the knobs both in unison and in other directions too and still I can't get close to the sounds which our tutor has shown :-( on his very first hit of his pads at 1:00 on the film you hear good clean notes and yet when I try and copy this it sounds warbled and unclean rubbish :-( and it's easy to see where he has his two black knobs at but why does nobody ever tell where to turn the VCO, VCF, LFO and EG switches to ?????? I have tried just about every possible combinations of positioning these knobs but to no avail :-( :-( :-( and then there is the same question about the TIME, (what does that mean) ?? how do you successfully use the FEEDBACK button ?? and also when I press the FUNC button and then press any of the other black rectangles I cannot get any of them to cooperate at all ??? I would like to add that although the Volca range are new to me and I've only had them about a week, the KEYS is the hardest one to operate and I have other synthesizers and am NOT a total noobie, so where am I going wrong please ?? please reply with help :-) best regards . Glen :-(

[@HotStrange]

Glenfiddich101 You don't press the black keys to use the function button and the parameters are gonna be different with every sound. Read the online manual on Korgs website and some articles about subtractive synthesis.

[@tubeDude48]

I bought all 6 Volca's after seeing them on KZbin. Hoping someone will show us how to use them! Suggestion: Place the camera on the back side so we can see what your adjusting.

[@dreamyofthisreality874]

Brother how can I save my own Patterns in the volca keys? I want erase default Patterns and know how can i sincronize tempo with a kaoss pad?

[@HotStrange]

Carlos Peña there are no default patterns and also no way to save patches you've made. Sorry.

[@supergaijinultragamer9278]

According to SonicState: "It should also be noted that the filter does step when swept - this is probably due to the fact that you can MIDI control the Cutoff frequency so we've got 128 steps." I'd much rather have no midi and no stepping, but it is what it is. :(

[@MicaelAzevedo]

We survived 2020 guys.

[@mixmaker8]

Is this battery powerd

[@automaticgainsay]

Yes

[@mixmaker8]

AutomaticGainsay thx you

[@markaprill]

You dont want to play chords in the the 32' range..........or maybe you do. Maybe thats your thing.

[@sc7597]

I am satisfied with my Volca Keys except a few things. One of them being dumb tempo knob, you never know what bpm you are at. Those timbres rock though!

[@jesperbuhl6310]

Use the Korg SyncKontrol app :)

[@eyeball226]

Favourite Douchebag Why would you need to know the tempo? If it feels too fast, slow it down. If it feels too slow, speed it up.

[@sc7597]

eyeball226 Sometimes I listen to a loop for 20 minutes straight when I'm coming up with new ideas, and it's pretty annoying to adjust the tempo knob 5 times during that to get it in sync.

[@eyeball226]

Favourite Douchebag That's how you synchronise your gear, by matching the tempo and pressing play on them all at once? Why not just use MIDI clock?

[@sc7597]

eyeball226 i use it as a sidedish for my main setup. would like to use it more often because of interesting percussion possibilities, but what good is it as percussion when it goes out of sync every 2 minutes. so i have to compromise.

[@fjfrancois]

I don't see any Fine Tune Knob, then these are DCO's not VCO's.

[@jdssurf]

I thought these were only like 3 or 4 years old lol.

[@rune1903]

It's so irritating that you don't have a base to start with, as a total beginner I was recommended this and without a start point I can't get anywhere near the same result and idk what dials are turned to on your synth since you start with them turned to a certain point to make that sound.

[@slap_my_hand]

How are you supposed to play this thing, if you want to take it with you? Touchpads aren't meant to replace keys.

[@automaticgainsay]

+StarTrek123456 You learn to play the touch surface.

[@vinylblack]

+StarTrek123456 get a midi keyboard.

[@MaghoxFr]

+StarTrek123456 Get a keyboard with a MIDI OUT port.

[@slap_my_hand]

MaghoxFr but then it isn't portable.

[@MaghoxFr]

StarTrek123456 You can't get more portable than a 25 key MIDI keyboard. If you don't want that, then stick to the ribbon keys.

[@jorge.iglesias]

Mmm... Sorry, I'm a n00b in this world, but where is the selection of the wave shape?

[@BionicVapourBoy808]

pianofortissimo Hold the "FUNC" button and press M4, M5, or M6 to choose between a sawtooth, triangle, or square waveforms.

[@HotStrange]

BionicVapourBoy808 That's for the LFO. I think the Oscillator is dedicated to a saw wave.

[@HotStrange]

pianofortissimo You can only choose waveshape for the LFO.

[@jorge.iglesias]

Haut Strange Thank you!

[@stephenp515]

The voice knob controls mostly saw wave, but Unison Ring and Poly Ring are square. From the Volca Keys Manual: VOICE knob: This knob sets the VCO operation mode. POLY: Up to three chords of the sawtooth wave can be played. UNISON: The sawtooth wave is produced at the same pitch by the three VCOs. OCTAVE: The sawtooth wave is produced at the fundamental tone by two VCOs and at a pitch one octave higher by one VCO. FIFTH: The sawtooth wave is produced at the fundamental tone by two VCOs and at a pitch a fi h higher by one VCO. UNISON RING: The three VCOs are used to produce sound with ring modulation applied to the square wave. POLY RING: Up to three chords are played with ring modulation applied to the square wave.

[@Subzearo]

Why would anyone evn want this when it doesn't even hav MIDI out?

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

Because it makes the kind of sound I enjoy?

[@Wouterferdinand]

I don't get how this sounds like a 'piano/keyboard' since the sound I get out of it is mostly trash..

[@eyeball226]

Who said it sounded like a piano?

[@Wouterferdinand]

eyeball226 i think the right word i meant is harmonic

[@eyeball226]

Wouter Ensink I'm not sure I follow, do you mean you can't achieve any sounds like the ones in this video? Maybe you have a faulty one, did you return it to the shop?

[@divertijoaco]

I have the same problem as you, until I started to replicate the positions of the knobs as you may see during the video, and it works, the sounds I get are almost the same as this guy. try that.

[@HotStrange]

Wouter Ensink It's a synthesizer. It's not supposed to sound like a piano or keyboard.

[@crazysandy6562]

I have a korg volca bass, korg volca sample, and i buy this STUPID machie, korg volca keys: This is the WORST thing i ever did!!!!! Now, i have a bug, and the machnie is out of order, more than one year after i bought it!!!!!! I HATE this machine!!!!! volca Bass is good, but not volca keys! and i'm not the only to say this!!!!

[@sylviafisher9615]

Sounds so bad

[@automaticgainsay]

How

[@PocketUnv]

Nobody does demos like you, please don't stop making them!

[@jorgerezg4068]

Excellent!!! i have a volca keys a month ago,is possible play a melody in keyboard and play a recorded sequence at the same time? thanks in advance.Regards from Argentina!

[@jorgerezg4068]

Excellent!!! i have a volca keys a month ago,is possible play a melody in keyboard and play a recorded sequence at the same time? thanks in advance.Regards from Argentina!