the ULTIMATE volca sample tips n tricks tutorial (slicing, timestretch, melodies, etc...)

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I’d consider myself a volca sample, well maybe not an expert, but definitely an aficionado.
so naturally, I decided to make a neat little video of all the tricks I learnt in these past 8 years, and I promise you, some of these will blow your mind and expand your conception of what is actually possible on this powerful, tiny machine.
please note: all of these tricks DO NOT require additional third party software (like Pajen). you can achieve these with JUST the standard korg software both on the MKI and the MKII!
00:00 intro
01:34 motion sequence, and step-based motion sequence
03:27 melodies
04:02 off-grid beats and 8ths swings
05:26 make your volca sound incredible with this :)
05:45 slicing samples (timestretch too!)
07:39 faux delay
08:41 faux sidechain (with a caveat)
10:05 squeeze some more sampling time (with a caveat)
11:08 stereo samples (with a caveat)
11:52 reverb dry/wet (with a caveat)

[@glenesis]

Hi! Ok you say you have Pajen fw installed on your mk1 AND your *mk2*?!? I thought Pajen fw cant run on Sample2. Ive looked everyplace for it and found nothing. Please do enlighten me. Thank you - Glenn

[@BIGUMAMI]

hi Glenn! so... It took me a bit of digging to answer this and the quick response is... I misspoke! Basically what happened is I installed pajen on the mkI and reverted it back to the original firmware after a while (I was trying to figure something out) only to then RE-INSTALL pajen on the mkI again. in my brain I got it all scrambled and thought I installed pajen on the MK2. pinning this so that others can see it!

[@sqwook]

Pajen himself has said on reddit that he is not going to do the sample2 software as the core code is written entirely differntly and it would require starting the whole project from scratch

[@ZooM18241]

If you want to set a note for a step, you don’t need to hold the step all the time. After you press func, you can release the step and use your left hand to adjust “speed” while holding func.

[@BIGUMAMI]

damn king you dropped this 👑 thanks! that's so useful to know!

[@reid.7680]

Would you know if there's a step jump that's in non "slip mode" ? where instead of returning to where it was supposed to be when you let go of the step, it instead resumes where you pressed it?

[@user82938]

@@reid.7680 That's a difference between the mk1 and mk2 of the Volca Sample. One of them does it one way and the other one does it the other way.

[@LowwkeyyC]

@@reid.7680pretty sure there’s 2 different step jump modes in the global settings, I just switched mine.

[@draviswubs]

Gotta love the volcas! I be taking them on stages. They are good performance pieces!

[@ruethemaker5069]

Bro, I appreciate this video, I was trying to figure out how to essentially "nudge" elements to make a more natural/Dilla vibe, which you have clearly displayed.

[@Drobvio]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ildafons]

Wow so cool tips! Thanks for the video!!!!

[@grooveshackrecords]

Great video!

[@DP-hw9uq]

The slicing samples trick is basically what the TE PO 33 KO! does as one of its main features! So cool!🤙

[@azrombazsaid1911]

Wow! Thank you very much for all these tips

[@BIGUMAMI]

glad it was helpful!

[@TheBranchan]

Thanks for another awesome video! It's worth noting for the sidechain trick you don't need to individually program the attack, since each new triggering of the sound will have the sample's set attack and you can adjust them all at once with one knob. Super hyped about the wet-dry mix because I've wanted fat 80s snares but the inbuilt reverb kills the transient.

[@BIGUMAMI]

dude! you're right! I must've been high when I made it lol. glad to be of service with the dry/wet trick!

[@nviouzcs]

Thanks for sharing man - went to Portsmouth to get a mk1 and I'm sure this video is gonna help

[@SonicVibe]

love when you do vids on the volca sample ty

[@BIGUMAMI]

love you too buddy ❤

[@matekudasai.proyect]

wooooooooooow thank you very much, i had a MK1 and now i think i'm in love of it, suscribed!!

[@BIGUMAMI]

Thanks for the sub!

[@JoshSparks7]

you're the goat for this

[@BIGUMAMI]

hardly, but thank you!!

[@ryanwaingo]

Dude, awesome video. I’ll definitely be using these tips in future Volca Sample jams! Thanks so much for the content!

[@BIGUMAMI]

thank you for watching!!

[@johnspann6269]

Great Tips!

[@BIGUMAMI]

glad it was helpful!

[@darkraft1020]

Great tips man! Automated loop delay!! Always wanted a built in delay. Thanks!

[@atom_jack]

I didn't think the Volca Sample would fit my needs but with all the tricks listed here plus the Pajen firmware, I seriously regret not one getting sooner. I think the Sample 1 is one of the best budget hardware instruments ever.

[@BIGUMAMI]

I keep telling people! it's pretty good, pound for pound!

[@lucky_796]

very helpful, thank you

[@BIGUMAMI]

glad it was helpful!

[@matekudasai.proyect]

heyyyy this is insane!! i had a MK1 for a while and now i'm gonna blow this thing out on some tracks, thanks to you!

[@BIGUMAMI]

glad to be of help!

[@abrammalone4456]

Hell yeah dude! You weren't kidding when you said you'd blow our minds. 👍

[@BIGUMAMI]

I tried to!

[@CC-fi3pp]

Awesome music can be made on an S950 which is a lot less advanced than this but I love it. So you can definitely get down with this.

[@user82938]

Wow, had the Volca for ages and never knew about the sample start delay control. Thanks.

[@BIGUMAMI]

it is a little box full of surprises!!

[@kernelpaniiic]

Thanks for the tips, I learned so much (with a caveat 🤪)

[@BIGUMAMI]

lolol!

[@Haymenameisbill]

Guru!

[@BIGUMAMI]

what is up greedy guts? I have a Discord server! come and chat about samplers, software, and leave some suggestions on what videos you want to see next: discord.gg/DMntZNBX

[@jorgmuller3110]

This is science! Cool

[@BIGUMAMI]

as Jesse Pinkman once said... SCIENCE, B!

[@glowinggrenade]

I never thought I'd see more hidden features on that thing.

[@dochness]

🔥🔥🔥

[@rexcellencemagee6729]

I don’t know why but I went on a sampler buying kick a year or so ago, and got version 2 and SPX mk 2 at the same time and just plain haven’t used it much! But I’m on quest right now to learn everything about everything I own! That includes the IPad and NI samplers! I also need to learn the Kronos and Nautilus samplers! I have plenty to play with, I just have to be healthy enough to get upstairs to my studio! Soon (bad legs) ! I appreciate the videos! Peace

[@BIGUMAMI]

thank you for the kind words and I really hope your legs get better my friend!

[@jeffryarchambeau5441]

You saved my Volca Sample from the "maybe I'll sell you" shelf.

[@BIGUMAMI]

I keep saying Korg should give me a percentage ahaha

[@jeffryarchambeau5441]

@@BIGUMAMI For sure, now I'm thinking of adding a Sample 2, especially as cheap as they are. Lasts longer than any other fun I can think of for barely over $100

[@sqwook]

Reverse swing? what about step rolls? or the global settings that control that and 10 other parameters? what about what the different startup button configurations do? (FUNC, REC & PLAY) can you explain any of these, you seem to have a great brain for working this stuff out. Thanks for the video

[@Taeodoestech]

Step-based motion sequencing sounds a lot like the parameter locking feature on Elektron devices

[@SXTransmission]

Thanks for showing us the sample trigger delay function that you used to add swing. I couldn't find it in the manual anywhere! Is it in there? My other tip for you is "reverse reverb": set the reverse of a sample on a part, program hits one step ahead of main part, then adjust level, pitch, start and attack to get it to "hit" at the same time as the forward beats. The part delay could help here too I think!

[@BIGUMAMI]

oh wow nice gotta try that!!

[@howardthomas8771]

@BIGUMAMI, I love your soundpack, any plans to add more soundpacks to your website?

[@BIGUMAMI]

I promise I'm gonna work on it and let you know when it's ready!

[@corzakkzakkcor3309]

There's no need to load a left and right of the same sample for stereo just use the same sample twice, one panned left the other right ,if you engage loop on both you can create a duel delay effect adjusting the decay and length ,hope that helps ,great tips thanks

[@BIGUMAMI]

yes, if you want to turn a mono sample into a stereo sample what you're saying is 100% correct. however, if you have a sample that is already in stereo (like the keys with auto-pan I used in the video) and you want to maintain that, you have to follow the same procedure as in the vid.

[@corzakkzakkcor3309]

@@BIGUMAMI ah I get it now , I should have paid more attention, thanks for the reply

[@BIGUMAMI]

hey no problem dude! again what you said is also correct - we just started from a different source

[@KurtLorenz]

❤❤❤

[@Sebodrums]

HI! It is not the subject BUT... as you introduced this video with it, how is it possible to install the Pajen firmware update on the Mk2? Did you make a video about it? Thanks

[@BIGUMAMI]

I'm pretty sure it's the same procedure as the MKI, but honestly it's been years! have you tried yet?

[@theoneandonly0911]

How did you manage to install Pajen on mkII, can't find any info on it anywhere

[@BIGUMAMI]

fair enough 😂

[@Repuls0r]

Is there a way to sample vinyl without using a computer?

[@l_ew_is]

There is a Pajen firmware for the Sample 2? Have you got a link because I can't see that anywhere!

[@BIGUMAMI]

same firmware! vosyr is also compatible with the mkii

[@BIGUMAMI]

Let me know if it works!

[@seangallagher271]

Could you elaborate ? Because ive read the pajen firmware doesnt work with the sample2

[@djofortunato5799]

Same same - I’d love to know more !

[@jeanvcharro]

@@BIGUMAMI have you done it? does it really work?

[@giosousa7066]

Hey could you drop the link for the korg volca chargeur?

[@BIGUMAMI]

look for the korg KA350! that's it

[@MegaSuperJaBaTo]

Hey there. I'd like to know how to connect an AKAI MPC Mini to the Volca Sample (1.Gen). Since the MPC mini has no Midi out there must be another way, right? I think I read something with an adapter to send signals from the MPC over USB but with a DAW in the middle?? I can't remember. Would be so nice to get some advice from you! I also love the stuff you make with the PO-33 that I also own. Thanks for your work

[@BIGUMAMI]

thank you! you mean an MPK mini? there might be a way but you'd need a computer and an audio/midi interface... sorry to say but it's probably not worth it, a better solution might be an arturia midi controller which is more suited for hardware stuff! I'm probably gonna get one myself.

[@MegaSuperJaBaTo]

​@@BIGUMAMISure, I meant the MPK mini. My mistake. I was hopeful because I already own the thing.

[@enzoromero8199]

What live theme do you use? Sorry i'm gonna have to use to 😅

[@BIGUMAMI]

I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you. it's secret knowledge 😲

[@piviezezez]

What is your renoise theme O.O ?

[@BIGUMAMI]

damn, I didn't intend to but I guess it kinda looks like it loll. it's from an online ableton live theme customiser, don't remember the URL!

[@keithprice1950]

I just can't justify this. I can do all of this in Ableton esily. Having a piece of hardware is appealing for making beats away from the laptop but then having to use Ableton, Audacity and then the Volca sample transfer software anyway just makes it convulated and not worth it.

[@BIGUMAMI]

I mean there is NOTHING any machine can do that a DAW doesn't... but if you put in some preparation while working on the samples, you can have a lot of fun with the volcas... But I see your point!

[@keithprice1950]

@@BIGUMAMI If the Volca sample allowed you to sample directly into it then I'd be sold.

[@blissstreetgallery]

@@keithprice1950you can use an iphone and the audiopocket app to do this

[@user-xv4he4mt4x]

Why key out your table and creating those ugly shadows?😢

[@myreviewdotcom]

Nice videos nobody makes!