The Korg Volca Series: Korg Volca Keys- Sounds Part 2

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

[@dpriola]

Quick thing for those using the Keys: When I first started recording a sequence, I cleared Korg's demo sequence in M1 by pressing FUNC+ALL. I tried to record a few notes, and noticed my sound was wonky, and it didn't match my sculpted sound. The reason that happened was because I hadn't cleared the motion sequence data as well, by pressing FUNC+CLEAR. At least on my model, you have to do both to fully clear the factory sequence.

[@dazeja]

the most underrated synth out. I have a friend who hates on the whole Volca series. so I told him "name a polyphonic, all analog, synth with delay and a sequencer. I then said,,,go ahead I'll wait. He started listing 1000 to 3000 dollar synths. I didn't have to say anything else.

[@futureshocked]

Totally! I realized I was being kind of a jerk about the series because...ehhhh let's be real, aesthetically they look like toys. I can't believe how powerful these are.

[@stuartdavid8493]

@@futureshocked What’s wrong with the aesthetic of toys? We PLAY music. Visually, the Volca’s are design classics.

[@setphaser]

Haha thank you for explaining the envelope, I know it's boring for you, but since these are really entry level devices I'm sure a lot of viewers won't know about ADSR. Personally I still get confused as to how an envelope can influence a filter so this was really useful for me too, thank you! And you're right it does sound great, us vintagey people will be making all kinds of music with this beyond the "dance" market! Four more days for me!! Then a week of just PLAY!!

[@rapunkzelrockonbaby]

Such enthusiasm is contagious, great vid! It was hard for me to figure out anything about it untill I saw this, thanks!

[@automaticgainsay]

Rapunkzel Rock On! I'm glad I could help!

[@PureAmbientDrone]

I love this series, learning new stuff with this underrated synth. Thanks for doing this series.

[@broderalias]

Best Volca demo ive seen and ive seen alot

[@damiensimper]

That is awesome!!! No seriously thanks for the series. It's helping me appreciate this little beast that much more.

[@bclikesyou]

Just watched both videos. Insanely helpful. You getting excited about sounds and modulation gets me stoked :P

[@AndrakarVideo]

Your getting better and better. You´re the review King!

[@Athlor1]

Wow, just wow, great to hear someone as excited as me about the Keys and articulate it really well. One, if not the best descriptive demo of the Keys. Glad I ordered one.

[@Ayo.Ajisafe]

amazing tutorial! great job. You made some great sounds and lovely chords.

[@v1o]

Best video on the Volca keys thus far

[@vondradavid]

My only and best place to learn how to play my Volcas! Wov! Thank you Mark

[@nickynocknoo]

Love these vids, so helpful to navigate my awesome new volca.

[@sclr]

You can learn a lot about analog subtractive synthesis just watching this. Thanks!

[@danpreston564]

I played all 3 volcas with a korg guy today. The sounds are extraordinary. Especially the audio range of the LFO. Amazing. Some of the bass noises were, just, wow.

[@101binary101]

Thanks for making these videos... Currently waiting for mine to arrive in the mail!

[@dissonantmind]

Liked the video for the sound examples, loved it for the multiple "WOW" This guy is awesome.

[@automaticgainsay]

Thank you!

[@seniorbeatbox]

great series, thanks!

[@automaticgainsay]

SeniorBeatBox Thank you!

[@paulieandkaty]

KORG loves YOU! Very inspiring. Thanks. :-)

[@elliotthampton5160]

WOW!!! Now running 2 micro korgs,kaosilator pro,kaos pad micro sampler, and now the volkas!!! All midi all connected ins to outs. OUTRAGEOUS!!!proud to be a KUNKY (korg junky) thanks again xoxoxoxox

[@thalisnicolaou4910]

Very nice videos!! The best online!

[@automaticgainsay]

+Thalis Nicolaou Thank you!

[@Dogboy73]

Really like some of the sounds from this thing. It does sound very vintage & some of the sounds have the nice vintage string synth quality about them, which I love - I sold my beloved Roland RS-09 before moving to Australia & I miss it. I'm thinking the Volca Keys could give me back some that lovin :D

[@nickpelkey]

awesome.

[@JacobCarmonaOfficial]

Your videos are excellent! thanks!!! i love your videos with Moog! you got me so into synthesizers! THanks! i now have a major appreciation for True Analog Synths!

[@automaticgainsay]

Jacob Carmona I'm glad I could help, Jacob! Thanks!

[@jjysoserious]

Me too! Mine shipped 3 days ago...i want it now

[@pete2219]

Thanks so much for your help :)

[@Systemist]

Should get my first two end of the month. I'm mental over these things!

[@halcyondaystunes]

Finally got round to getting this thing, had it for a day and loving it, I've always used soft synths or before that Analogue Modelling so this is my first analogue synth, after playing around and watching your videos i think i may be saving the pennies for something more substantial at a later date. for now though this little box is just fine. Thanks for the great videos Marc. and found out about this channel via Sonicstate :)

[@junglajuan]

Korg Minilogue is, THE best real synth to get hardware back at work

[@dazeja]

I also just found out that with one of my IPAD apps, I can play two Volca Keys on different MIDI channels and get a six note polyphonic synth or a paraphonic/six note duophonic,,,,,,lol. I don't know. I can play six different notes at a time with 2 LFO's 2 Envelopes and 2 filters.

[@sanakassara]

Well, you can make the sound to quite vintage electric dance music sound in unison with the feeback and detune when tweaked with the EG. White Ferrari Testarossa pulled over on our front lawn when I found the sound.

[@dinogoldie9716]

Thanks for these videos. Whereas I was using the KV Beats straight out the box and only needed to watch a few vids to understand the KV Bass, I'm struggling with the KV Keys. Currently watching/rewatching all your vids to get myself back on a learning curve. Not sure why this one is so difficult.

[@RenaissanceMan929]

I really thought I wanted the Volca Keys..............now I KNOW I want the Volca Keys!

[@porcorosso81]

On the other hand, if you set the LFO to saw with a very slow setting (0.5-1 sec), you can use it as a second envelope generator for the filter. With that, your sounds will be fatter than using the combined EG for VCA & VCF.

[@jorgesaid7389]

thanks for your videos, really helped me out. What would you recommend in how to synchronize my drum machine roland tr 8, volca keys and the ms 20 korg?

[@kaitlynmika4418]

Thank you so much for your videos Got all three of these this week and after watching the vids I have a real understanding.... Great stuff.... Have you noticed on the keys that maybe one downside is how easy it is to retrigger unless played perfectly? Korg does love me...but i didnt know how much until going through this videos thanks!!!

[@rg7120]

Separate envelopes for the filter and amp wouldn't make it sound fatter, it just gives you more control than one envelope.

[@wesesheskhnemtuhit]

I've had two of these previously and I swear the next one I grab is a keeper. Regretted both times when I sold it lol...

[@KWHCoaster]

Sweetwater in the U.S. is now filling pre-orders. So, I'm hoping Korg Canada will have them in next week or so.

[@daviddekeuckelaere2740]

i love your Wauww! U remind me of eddy wally!!!! wauw, geweldig! Good video, ill watch ur other volca reviews

[@kittyspit628]

its almost as if the LFO in audio range becomes a subOSC. im loving this! mine volca bass & keys will be here on monday, cant freakin wait any longer!! quick question, the sync out & in ports, are they cv pulses? or only to sync other mini korg gear??

[@porcorosso81]

Of course it sounds fatter, because having a dedicated envelope for the filter alone allows to use the full range of the envelope on the filter cutoff alone without muting the output level of the oscillator at the same time. This is why single envelope synths like the Polysix or Juno 60 can turn off the envelope and route the gate signal to the amp. Since the Volca Keys lack this simple feature, you can sort of recreate it with the "LFO as filter envelope" trick.

[@anonymusum]

I hope you will review the Waldorf Pulse 2 when it will be available.

[@toshonetime]

Thanks so much for this series Marc! It is so much better than anything else i have found :) Love the MS-20 series as well! My life is on hold right now while i wait for these incredible pieces of hardware.... Question: It seams to me the Beats is the least useful of the Volcas, but i really want something analog in the drum section to work for me within a pricerange i can affoard. I think MFB boxes look promising, but still too expensive... is it hard to make value analog drums perhaps? Tips?

[@elliotthampton5160]

forgot my monotribes andelectribe theyre hooked in too! A ratsnest of wires and adaptors what fun!

[@stack0413]

I hear ya about the overlap and all but i would suggest buying the bass cause also cause you get 3 more oscillators which really beefs up the mix

[@danielemelchiori2091]

Interessanti considerazioni al 4:15 sull'uso dell'LFO (LFO - Audio range modulation)

[@dinogoldie9716]

What are the settings/steps necessary to replicate that squelchy funk bass sound you achieve around the time you raise the keys/bass comparison? How do I link the filter to the EG? Is the Detune knob automatable when using the unison ringmod? Thanks.

[@jdustan]

what connection do you use from the headphone jack to the PA/Mixer input?

[@llRoBoBinHoll]

Could you do a round-up video, comparing the units, etc.

[@sacredgeometrymusic3290]

Hey guys, do you think it has a meaning to buy both the Korg Volca KEys and the Korg minilogue? I mean, has the Korg VOlca Keys some unique features which makes it worth to have it, or if I buy the minilogue I already find in it all the features that I find in the Volca Keys? Thank You!!

[@nicolesproducerpack]

"But wow...woAAoooww!"

[@artg7909]

Miau lol

[@AVincent2]

Marc your reviews or - actually really in depth overviews are great! I tried to send you a message but not sure if it went through. I was curious to know if you are interested at all in the Bass Station II and are planning to do some videos on it? If so I would be so thankful!

[@Longuncattr]

The sync ports accept and emit plain old voltage pulses.

[@rg7120]

8:10 I can't tell, but it looks like the decay/release knob is all the way up? Is that really the longest decay it has?

[@Arkthejr]

How does it sound with the ring mod and the LFO pitch int cranked up?

[@wangus]

that is a tasty resonance...

[@OregonDARRYL]

Is it normal for the LFO to not go to zero? Mine still oscillates very slowly and I want a perfect sustain no matter how long without the oscillation. Am I doing something wrong?

[@aksen303]

my beats and bass arrived yesterday, because i convinced myself i didn't want/need the keys. but damn it if you haven't convinced me otherwise marc...

[@TYRONEBIGGLES]

ProAudioStar still haves them on Sale on ebay. and there online site...

[@christhedemocrat]

Great video. What kind of speaker system you have that thing connected to?

[@automaticgainsay]

As I recall, I recorded direct!

[@Dullbedsitblogger]

Thank you for doing these videos. They have really helped me get more out of my Volcas. i am still having problems getting a nice clean basic sound from my keys would it be possible for you to do a video explaining what settings everything is at to get a good clean sound like some of the sounds you were getting in this video. So that i can have a base camp to start exploring from.

[@sushimandaddi]

to get really clean stuff you could use polyphonic mode and play one note so your only using one oscillator, filter pretty closed, little bit of pitch mod from the lfo if you want, delay off and low resonance

[@jamiebrown7380]

Turn all the knobs to the left, except decay/release, cut off and sustain (these should be as far to the right as possible) - this will give you a nice clean sound to start with

[@matchetto]

jamie brown Great tip

[@yxcv789]

Hey Marc, thanks for your awesome videos. I learnt a lot from you about synthesis. Of course I got the Volcas. What else is there to do after watching your presentation. Looking forward to more Gainsay-Vids, Ralf

[@automaticgainsay]

Ralf Schmitz Hey, thanks, Ralf!

[@girlinagale]

Snappy.

[@kevmac1230]

This and pt.1are so helpful.It is too bad the dials are clear without a colored mark so one could see the actual settings.

[@Utubesuxmycock]

So much fucking fun i want one ;)

[@MorwenWhyte]

Is it just me or it sounds like it’s being reviewed by Ryan Reynolds? Super helpful reviews on the volcas btw.

[@justindevine9255]

How are you achieving that bass sound at 2:08 in Poly mode? I've spent the better part of my day attempting to emulate that sound and can't quite get it right.

[@hysterique_dominus]

Unison mode.

[@mickypoo4622]

SO, from your comments, is there really any point in having a Volca Bass in preference to the Volca Keys? I think that the Keys can do just the same as the Bass and so much more besides. Is that your opinion as well?

[@MonsieurMosca]

I’m considering my next Volca purchase and I think that if you value the “slide” function, then choose the Bass. If you want to use the fractional tempo values go for the Keys.

[@carbonatedbrainsauce]

Yeah, Mort Garson!

[@WaltonV]

How do I record ALL my audio into the Computer? If I don't want these recorded Loops.

[@dcashley303]

Maybe get a USB audio interface or just record in to the computer via mic in (if it has one). You can use Audacity to get started (as it's free) before moving on to other software like Cubase.

[@BestHakase]

Luffy, use audio cable? On pc run some recording software

[@Honking_Goose]

You need a audio interface

[@TheLittleHoffman]

Is there a way to sync the LFO Rate to the Tempo???

[@olliehipkin8710]

+David Hoffman Hey did you ever find an answer to this? Just got one and trying to work it out

[@TheLittleHoffman]

Someone told me to turn the Rate knob while pressing the FUNC button. Trying to figure it out

[@sosickhcdrums]

David Hoffman - ughhhh. a tap tempo could have been really useful atleast. :|

[@5822thend]

I'm enjoying the videos, but could you say wow more?

[@automaticgainsay]

Ryley Meagher I think so!

[@5822thend]

*****​ I watched the series, and it's great. I'm still trying to get pleasant sounds from mine.

[@automaticgainsay]

+Carn Marth Well, I don't mean to exclude you from the fun, but I'm not saying those things to you guys. I'm saying them to me.

[@DeepDoseMusic]

+AutomaticGainsay tough crowd eh. How dare you show your genuine enjoyment so openly

[@automaticgainsay]

I know. It's an outrage. Wait, no. It's a HATECRIME for me to be having this much fun. Everyone deserves an apology.

[@theycallmejpj]

I just bought a keyboard in the end

[@peacenzmiddleast]

Unfortunately, because of the color of the knobs and this lightning, it’s nearly impossible to watch this and actually tell where you have the settings turned too :/

[@Longuncattr]

That's a pretty nice sound. I'm not your gosh-danged pal, buddy!

[@kittyspit628]

i preordered my volca keys months in advance, finally get the email that its arrived & ready for pick up. so come to find out, i pick it up, take it home & one of the keys doesnt even work on the key pad! im actually quite disappointed in Korgs quality. the demand is so high to where they're probably just pushing these machinesout the door with cutting corners. makes me think twice about Korg products. so now its gona take another month to get another one. im not a happy guy with Korg right now.

[@sushimandaddi]

I guess I don't need juno 6.....

[@christopherandersen3300]

I'm still confused. I don't play any instruments so of course that adds to my problems

[@WalterGiroldi]

Muy buen video, aquí un tutorial en español de funcionamiento básico: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inTXnmt_g6ull7M

[@Popart-xh2fd]

Aren't you overreacting?