Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM - Episode 1.5: The Edit Menu

[@sweepstakes]

I appreciate that you're setting the stage for those less comfortable with the volca FM's editing system, but I'm looking forward to seeing where deeper dives take you :)

[@OscillatorSink]

+sweepstakes no problem. I was just very conscious that menu diving without explaining the menu first could be pretty confusing.

[@davidjacobik5451]

By this second video I can tell this is gonna be a very helpful series. I ordered a Volca FM over a week ago, and they're saying it's back-ordered at my music shop now so I may be waiting a month or two. I've done some of my best sound design work with Sytrus FM (FL Studio Native). But there's always more to learn with FM synthesis, and I imagine different engines play with the algorithms a bit differently. All in all, I am very excited to get my hands on my Volca FM, just to sit in the woods or in my living room designing sounds and sequences I can use in my music, but be able to find my inspiration while away from the computer :) The computer desk has really become an inspiration drain lately :(

[@pixelatedbeatz]

Once again, thanks you veeeeery much. Just experimenting for the very first time with a K V FM and thanks to your videos I can see the huge potential inside this little device.

[@OscillatorSink]

You're very welcome - enjoy!

[@labarone8910]

I had virtually decided that this synth was going to be too complex for me but I saw your video and gave it another shot. Very clear & concise information thank you and it has rekindled my interest. I look forward to the next in the series...

[@OscillatorSink]

+La Barone that's great to hear! FM is different, but it's not difficult, and the things you can do with a 6 operator synth are so exciting! I hope you enjoy the series (and pick up a Volca!)

[@longfade]

This is great, and WOW does it hint at the immense power that this little thing has.

[@OscillatorSink]

Cheers, thanks for watching!

[@dinogoldie9716]

I'm glad I've found you/your videos. I've just got a Volca FM and edit mode is scary as fook. I look forward to beginning to understand how it works. I love the preset patches BUT 3 note polyphony is seriously frustrating. The original DXs and TX7 module had loads more (16 I believe). My only prior knowledge of FM synths was my Yamaha PSS480 (2 operators and 1 algorithm) but I did get some cool sounds out of that so I'm hoping to get even better results with the KVfm. .

[@OscillatorSink]

+Dino Goldie welcome to the series. The menu can be intimidating at first, but when we start thinking about it more in terms of the effect the settings have on the actual sounds, things get a lot clearer (and a lot more fun!). Thanks for watching.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Good inteoduction to the series and clearly explained . Although ive had experience with a dx7 and sy77. This was and will be intresting to watch to see wether or not i need to add the volca fm to my arsenal.

[@OscillatorSink]

+Adamski Ajull thanks for checking it out. Should be a new episode over the weekend!

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Oscillator Sink Always a pleasure checking out your vids regardless of my experience with synths, well worth a watch and listen.

[@OscillatorSink]

+Adamski Ajull thank you! That's very kind of you to say so.

[@marcianonunez264]

Muchas gracias!!!

[@purpletoad4599]

Just bought Volca FM. But it doesn't have init preset. How do you get to that?

[@OscillatorSink]

If you have a midi interface: synthmata.com/volca-fm/ Otherwise you make one yourself I'm afraid.

[@purpletoad4599]

@@OscillatorSink wow you actually replied. Thanks a lot! Haven’t bought it yet but was planning to. I might as well look for one now.

[@_pilly]

How did you get the init patch?

[@OscillatorSink]

I made it for myself, but you can also get it via my free editor, details here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6StkKiurcqjd7s

[@_pilly]

@@OscillatorSink thanks, this is a really helpful tool. Quality content

[@petercane6376]

Thank you OS. Just got my VFM. How on earth did you manage to get init on the screen? Please?

[@OscillatorSink]

In this case I made my own Init patch, but you can use synthmata to get the same patch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6StkKiurcqjd7s

[@petercane6376]

@@OscillatorSink Thank you so much OS. I have searched and searched again with the VFM and thought I was going mad for not finding it. The main reason I bought the fm was I saw a you tube of @volcaniced doing a jam with the HARP patch. I just loved it. Alas on my brand new Volca FM 2 there is no harp patch.

[@OscillatorSink]

@@petercane6376 you should ask them where the patch came from. You can load DX7 patches onto it.

[@tubeDude48]

How do you download the patches? I'm guessing it's from a file to the Volca FM via USB. So is there a certain Patch Cable for this? Or am I really off?

[@OscillatorSink]

That's basically it. You need a midi interface for your computer - it's not anything specific to the Volca. They are often built into audio interfaces (for example I have on on my Focusrite Scarlett) or you can get USB-Midi cables for about 30 dollars - although be careful as some of the very cheapest ones don't pass MIDI Sysex data correctly (which is what the patches are based on).

[@tubeDude48]

Thank you, yes I have a MIDI IN/OUT Cable to USB. I downloaded a number of .MOD files and do a great job of sending the song to my Korg PS60.

[@tubeDude48]

I bought a USB to MIDI IN/OUT on Ebay for about $7.00

[@Pchemj]

Henlo.

[@OscillatorSink]

+Paul J henlo.

[@belmontevito]

boring

[@OscillatorSink]

@@belmontevito are you OK? You seem sad.

[@sevenrecordsproduction5354]

Too much talk

[@OscillatorSink]

@@sevenrecordsproduction5354 not terribly Christian of you.