Volca Drum: Episode 5 (Noise and More)

[@prcr]

I bought a Volca Drum a few days ago, and being relatively new to sound synthesis I'm totally mind blown by the way you push the little machine in this video. It's like I'm watching someone who has achieved synthesizer Nirvana or who is able to communicate with alien civilizations by turning knobs. 🤓 Amazing content, instant subscribe.

[@undulations]

@@prcr I really appreciate the feedback! Thanks much for subscribing🙏🏼!

[@dithernet_music]

Awesome tute! For anyone else wondering; your Volca Drum on purchase will have tempo locked to a max of 240. To up the max value to reproduce ideas from this tute you need to change a global setting. I.e. hold FUNC down when you start the volca. hit step 5 to enable full tempo range, then hit REC to save.

[@undulations]

Thanks for pointing that out🙏🏼!

[@dithernet_music]

@@undulations Thanks for making the tutes, they are very informative and inspiring!

[@brendanmcgonigleband]

Love undulations and Doc Nim's breakdowns . High tec info.......... low tec delivery , most entertaining gear tutorials out there !

[@mocenigo6594]

you're by far the most interesting person on the web talking about music's new directions in a certain way together with the guy from Soma Labs, C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S Mr Undulations!

[@undulations]

Super high praise, and I really appreciate it. A video like this can feel a little abstract, but I'm fascinated by the sounds and hope others are too. Thanks again!

[@xresonancex]

I don't think the Engineers at Korg had any intentions of the Volca drum being used the way you have it set up starting around the 22 minute mark. The sounds you are able to tweak out of a device that was meant to be a drum machine are amazing! It makes me want to go and turn knobs on all my gear! Thanks. After continuing with the video.....the sounds starting the 27 min mark are equally amazing!

[@undulations]

Resonance That’s the highest of praises! Many thanks🙏🏼!

[@smacksalad]

If they were fully aware of what they were creating, Korg have certainly been fairly quiet on that front. They should promote these videos :D

[@undulations]

@@smacksalad Well, I do tag them a lot on Instagram. Speaking of, the post that I did on Instagram for "Jamuary" 1/10/20 was with the Drum. It's just a 1 minute clip, but it included some stuff that I never did in these KZbin videos. (or it can also be seen in the "Jamuary Redux" video on this channel, should be listed in the timeline).

[@smacksalad]

@@undulations I find these kind of devices lose me quite quickly as i cant get my head round the tech/workflow/jargon, or they bore me with how surface level they are. Drum seems to have all these issues resolved for me, and is such simple implementation and so easy to follow, with such powerful sound design, that I think they must have known what they were doing designing this thing :) Again, great tutorials and easy to follow. Very much appreciated.

[@undulations]

@@smacksalad Absolutely, thanks for watching!

[@OregonDARRYL]

What you make clear is to turn the knobs with purpose and slowly, because there is so much variety there to explore. Thank you for diving deep for us and showing the way...

[@undulations]

Thanks very much🙏🏼! (sorry it took ages to reply)

[@MonsieurMosca]

This sort of boundary-breaking, experimental tweaking is why I subscribed to this channel

[@undulations]

Thank you!

[@AdamJayTechnoElectro]

This is a fantastic video. Thanks for taking the time to put it all together. I love when people exploit the intersection of capabilities + limitations in a tool, and discover sonics that are entirely unique due to the path taken. Well done.

[@undulations]

It means a lot to read this (that's a really accurate description of the process). It did take a while to develop the content for this video, partly because of the holidays, but also because I started to realize that there was a lot more to it. Each thing seemed to lead to more new things. It was a good experience, and I'm glad to be able to share the results.

[@noisetv1863]

I just got my volca drum the other day (loving it) and I appreciate the creative/experimental ways you are using it in these detailed tutorials and I am learning a lot about how it works, so thanks!

[@undulations]

Hey, thanks much for the feedback🙏🏼!

[@claytonchipper3874]

On another level ! ❤

[@undulations]

I had a lot of fun making this series. I still feel like the Volca Drum is an amazing piece of gear for the price! Thank you for watching it🙏🏼!

[@jimmakin8367]

I really appreciate the amount of effort and attention to detail you put in to this series of tutorials, thank you very much 🙂

[@undulations]

You're welcome! Thanks for the feedback about it, means a lot🙏🏼

[@RogerioCRibeiro]

Thanks for exploring man!

[@undulations]

Thanks very much for checking it out!

[@mikemeengs5720]

Cool video! I like doing the same type of stuff with drum. Adding fast slices to each step sends it off into FM land. One of the best music toys I've ever owned.

[@undulations]

Yes, have been really surprised at the Drum's overall power! Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@fernandomercado2711]

I've been a fan for a while and WOW! This video is amazing. I'm currently going through your model samples (couldn't resist the price decrease!) videos again and together with the ideas in this video I think a have a lot of good stuff to digest and implement slowly. I'm starting to read more scholarly articles around music production, access to music education, etc. thanks to you.

[@undulations]

Fernando Mercado This is really heartwarming to read! Thank you very much and enjoy that Model:Samples🎛!

[@fernandomercado2711]

@@undulations I will!! Btw, any good articles/books you'd suggest? I'm going to get more into generative/pure data kind of stuff, but I'm open to anything.

[@undulations]

Fernando Mercado Well, if you are interested in the granular stuff I did on Model:Samples there is a book called Microsound by Curtis Roads - it’s quite extensive. I recently got the book Pedal Crush by Kim Bjorn, all about pedal fx, who also did a book on modular synthesis - that might have a part on hardware-based generative patches (that probably work equally well in some of the modular software apps). Do you use Ableton Live? If so, I really enjoyed Interactive Composition by Manzo and Kuhn. It covers making music within various genres, some examples just in Live, some examples also use Max For Live (so full version). BUT, Max For Live is a derivative of Pure Data, so that could be of interest. As for Pure Data itself, I feel like the tutorial series on YT by Cheetoh Misquito (sp?) is really great! Lastly, if you have access to some sort of college music library - even if just to visit, not borrow - that can be eye opening! I hope this helps some👍🏻.

[@lbstrtelephone]

Incredible exploration

[@undulations]

Thanks very much for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@Landeville]

I had no idea my volca could do this 😂. Now I'm off to abuse it like this, see ya!

[@undulations]

Lol, enjoy😀!

[@pineboxstudio9635]

Oh come on, now you’re just showing off... Can’t get enough of these volca drum videos. You are a wizard. Please keep them coming!

[@undulations]

Pine Box Studio Hah, thanks😂! For one more trick, do make sure to check out my Jamuary compilation video on here (uploaded early Feb) - there’s a Drum clip from Instagram in it that shows a different method (using step jump for chord progressions) - should be in the description/timeline. Thanks for watching🙏🏼!

[@pk3776]

Yet another very thoughtful and interesting video. Thank you so much for your efforts 👍🎶🇬🇧

[@undulations]

pk3776 You are welcome! It’s a pretty amazing piece of gear :)

[@mairinger80]

I came across this videos by accident, this is how i learned about the volca drums... already ordered one! Great videos and I very much enjoy the relaxed vibe of your presentations... moving on to the field kit now 😎

[@undulations]

Excellent! I recently ended up doing a series of Model:Cycles videos, but I'm planning to do more modular soon - Field Kit included. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@motkoloko]

Extremely useful and interestin serie! Big thanks to you for producing the videos!

[@undulations]

Absolutely! Thanks a lot for watching👍🏻!

[@adrikidd5409]

Amazing tutorial!

[@undulations]

Thanks very much🙏🏼!

[@johnmcelroy2410]

I have the Volca Drum and your series of videos really helped me get to grips with it. Many thanks Undulations.

[@undulations]

You're welcome! Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@MYGAS21]

πρρλλΧΧΧΧΧααααωωωΩΩΩ! (The sound of my mind blown in greek) I have the volca drum for some time now and become familiar enough with it, to fully appreciate a true master at work. Hello my friend, I am the guy that lives on a north Aegean Island. As a total begginer If you remember I had shared with you the parameters of a sea wave sound hitting the beach ( I got it hitting the random layer button of course). I hope you are well. I just want to express some gratitude for what you do....and ( how do I put this?) ah..... I can't explain why BUT, .....I feel joy seeing how someone with knowledge of the fundamentals of sound and synths take an instrument like the VOLCA and do things with it, that seem like magic! There! I said it! ... You must have done some serious academic studies.

[@undulations]

I am seeing pi's rho's lambda's chi's alpha's omega's in that sound - i am trying to do it, sounds like an explosion to me! Yes, I did study physics in college and grad school (I used the Greek alphabet a LOT for that). My field wasn't really sound-related - but it still was a lot about waves, pulses, sequences, etc. Anyway, thanks so much for your kind words. It makes me very happy to hear that the videos have helped in some way. I always just try to talk about the things I've learned and have found interesting, and a big motivator for me is to think about the things I share as a _starting point_ for somebody watching (not just a sort of end point or demo). Always great to hear back from you. Keep me posted and drop a comment if any specific questions come up👍🏻!

[@dillipphunbar7924]

always enjoy your chilled vibe and interesting explorations...plus your cats are very cute

[@undulations]

Dillip Phunbar Thank you🙏🏼!

[@weepwow]

Awesome-Part 5. You do an excellent job of walking thru each facet of the Volca. You are showing the capabilities beyond just Drum 'beats and rhythms' and I see comparisons to other great analog systems like Buchla 200. I just sold Analog Rytm MK2, wasn't getting or needing the full use out of all its functions; ( I do own an original Machinedrum MK2, so..) I bought the Volca drum (first Volca of 4 I will have now) not saying that Volca drum is in any way comparable at $1500 to Rytm, but have been thinking what one could do with 2,3,4 V-Drums....in sync. or add in a Volca Sample or 2 (Still a fraction of the cost of the Rytm). Thanks for doing these.

[@undulations]

Hey, you're welcome! Thanks a lot for checking out these Drum videos. I think it's really a nice device (agreed it's not a high-end Elektron, but still), and the thought of having a couple in sync sounds very powerful!

[@herbertdruschke503]

thanks a lot for the deeeeeep insight tutorials of this awesome volca. excellent work and very inspiring.

[@undulations]

herbert druschke Thank you very much🙏🏼!

[@OCEANSINSPACE]

Man alive, I am so glad that your as popular as you deserve. I think you totally found your nook, and a lot of peeps need this kind of tutorial. Hails!

[@undulations]

Thank you very much! - sorry it took me forever to reply...

[@OCEANSINSPACE]

@@undulationsHey, no worry. I can't believe you even do reply, as your my favorite! I am so bad at reply myself. Take care from MN

[@halilyesil5696]

the prophet we need.

[@AgustinDavidF]

So amazing!!!

[@undulations]

Thanks very much for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@lunarlight1]

thanks for this drum series .. seems its an even madder machine than i thought :)

[@undulations]

LUNAR LIGHT You are welcome😀!

[@alwinvanderlinde5913]

Amazing how you explore the limits of what gear can do. It makes me stop from buying more and explore what I have.. In contrast to some people in the comment section that want traditional sounds, I am thrilled you are exploring different possibilities in sound design. There are not many in KZbin exploring this road. So please keep it up! If one day you can do to the Digitakt what you are doing with the Volca I will erect a little Undulations altar in my studio :)

[@undulations]

Thanks so much for this feedback! I really enjoy this sort of sound design (my second video was focused on doing a similar thing with the Kick). I'm glad to hear that there is an interest and hope that people can incorporate some of it, even if just a tiny part of it, into their own creative process. Thanks again! ps I have a (unordered) list of videos that I want to make, and two Digitakt videos are on it (fundamentals, granular synthesis).

[@alwinvanderlinde5913]

@@undulations You are special!

[@undulations]

Alwin Van der Linde 🙏🏼

[@smacksalad]

Oh yes. Field Kit. Yes please. I have one but have barely used it. I also have Koma's RH301 Rhythm Workstation, which is currently half price. Its an awesome device, well worth looking into.

[@undulations]

Hey, wow, I will have to check out the RH301, not familiar with it at all. I've kind of been pushing the Field Kit / Field Kit FX videos back a little bit for a couple of reasons: 1) To be more timely with a couple of new things [NTS-1 and Model:Cycles], but also 2) To learn and experiment more with it (I've actually had the FKFX for like a year longer than the original FK). I guess it's also kind of daunting because it seems like such an intersection point between modular stuff that I have, acoustic stuff that I have, and electronics/maker stuff that I have. BUT, I'm still planning on doing it - making videos really tends to help me focus and learn, organize my understanding of the concepts.

[@smacksalad]

@@undulations Sounds like we are in similar boats here, I have both FK and FKFX and have found them both slightly daunting, putting them to one side while I learn other kit and get the rest of a live set up together. I'll check out your NTS-1 and Cycles videos as they were potentially on my shopping list (trying to keep things minimal atm). The RH301 is a real obvious and great way to connect modular, midi, clock divisions, synced lfo, and envelope. AND HAS A PROXIMITY SENSOR! Theremin a go go! :D I get the feeling they wont be making more once it goes out of stock.

[@undulations]

Smacksalad Productions Man, the RH301 sounds nice. Will investigate further.

[@smacksalad]

@@undulations I was looking into a number of other MIDI/USB/CV mix and match devices. The Retrokits latest looks like the most obvious choice tbh, but its just a blank box and kinda needs PC/phone to use, which is fine, but that not my ideal... (I want that midi file playback feature tho :) ). RH 301 doesnt have USB, but its big, chunky, and really obvious to my tiny brain, just what I need to understand whats happening :) I'll still be getting the retrokits USB device, but I think I might be in danger of too many brains/modulation/clock sources, and not enough noise makers! :D

[@undulations]

Smacksalad Productions Understood. I have quite a bit of clock and sequence stuff but I always feel like I’m trying hard to easily bridge MIDI and CV. So definitely gonna think about RH 301.

[@guiom77]

super, tres clair , interressant, merci beaucoup!!!

[@carlovago5500]

Dr. Nim, thank you very much for those wonderful lessons, please let me how I can get that magic set up.

[@undulations]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@peterjessop1878]

I’m relatively new to synths (I’m a guitarist) but you have provided me with fantastic insights in to nearly all the synths I have bought. (Craft synth 2, volca Drum) I’ve also recently acquired the Behringer Neutron and Korg Minilogue XD so any help on sound design on these would be greatly appreciated. The Minilogue particularly is spectacular in its range of capability; I think it would be really up your street. Subscribed by the way.

[@undulations]

Peter Jessop Thanks for the feedback (and for subscribing)! I have been intrigued with the Neutron - really like the look of it, as well as their overall approach to gear - definite possibility🤔!

[@trevormalcolm4328]

Had to dust off the Volca Drum after watching this video, who would have thunk it! Using a drum machine for non-percussive sounds!

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼! I feel like the Drum has got a pretty versatile FM engine, so there is plenty to explore. If you do Instagram, take a look at some Drum posts that I did on there (dr_nim2014). One on 1/10/20 that uses a few tracks for chords, a few for percussion, and all controlled in Step Jump mode - makes a pretty complete little tune, tbh. Then in January 2021 I did a couple of posts that try to overcome the main midi control issue (that notes aren't seen as notes by the Drum, just hits). One of those turned out pretty nice too. Have fun!

[@OregonDARRYL]

It would be cool if someone put an infrared camera to look inside and see if all this speed heats things up inside the unit.

[@undulations]

🔥🔥🔥👓

[@richardjowett7934]

I’ve loved your videos on the volca drum very informative. Thank you. Have you done any videos on the volca keys

[@undulations]

Richard Jowett Hey, you're welcome🙏🏼! As for the Keys? I featured it in a video about using the Organelle synth to control Volcas - but it's nothing close to a tutorial. I think a tutorial video about the Keys would be great to do at some point - it's such a nice instrument! Anyway, thanks a lot for checking out the Drum videos👍🏻

[@reasons4171]

Thanks a lot on the video man! Your videos are very helpful for me. Could u by any chance make tutorials on the minilogue xd?

[@undulations]

reasons You are welcome! I’m glad to hear that👍🏻 (I actually don’t have any of the bigger Korg synths - they look amazing!)

[@scowlsmcjowls2626]

Amazing sounds im gettinng one

[@undulations]

scowls Mcjowls Awesome! Go for it👍🏻!

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

🔝🔝🔝

[@dinogoldie9716]

Please do another sound design video but this time about realistic/normal drum sounds. Thanks.

[@undulations]

Dino Goldie That’s a great idea💡! I think taking a look at making different sorts of kicks, snares, toms, hats, tablas, taikos, etc. would be really cool. Maybe look at the details in Audacity or such. I will come back to it soon👍🏻!

[@geraldclark5812]

I agree. I am looking at other videos on drum sound design and finding it difficult to translate what they're doing on "traditional" synths to Volca Drum. These demos have displayed the versatility of this gadget but don't give practical advice on the nuances of percussive sound and how Drum can manage those. This has been a great series though, thanks!

[@undulations]

Gerald Clark These comments are very helpful. I guess I just assumed there were already many videos about drum-specific sound design for the Volca Drum (I don’t watch videos about gear that I’m planning on making a video about, which has its advantages and disadvantages). It’s certainly a topic that I’m interested in. Not exactly sure when, but I will plan on doing it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@dinogoldie9716]

+Gerald Clark Here's my general rule of thumb to sound design: KICK: layer 1 = sine, very low, with sharp attack/decay and clicky linear modulation. Layer 2 = lowpass noise to taste with modulation to taste. SNARE layer 1 = saw with audio-range sine/lfo-style modulation so you get a metallic/bell sound. Then make it as short as possible and pitch to taste. Layer 2= Hipass or notched noise with slight multi-trigger attack and decay to taste. HIHATS closed/open): Layer 1 = hipass noise A/D very sharp and pitch very high. Layer 2=hipass noise but with slightly slowed attack and decay to taste. CLAPS: Layers 1&2: Hipass and/or notched noise pitched differently with different amounts of multiple-trigger attack and short delay. This is what I've gleamed from other youtube Volca experts such as Oscillator Sink, Cuckoo and the like. I always try to think of a desired drum sound in terms of two parts: 1) The percussive pop 2) the timbral sizzle. I hope you find it useful.

[@undulations]

@@dinogoldie9716 Thank you very much for adding this to the discussion! I will definitely use this as a reference and I'm sure others will too.

[@SouthShoreSonics]

@Undulations Have you tried in your computer to remap note number to pitch cc on the Drum to see if you can get an external source to "play" the notes on the Drum? Very nice video!

[@undulations]

Mark Pigott Thank you! I’ve thought about doing that (I almost did for video 3, but decided to go unquantized). Code-wise I figure pretty much anything would work (Processing, Pure Data, Max 4 Live), but I feel like there is probably some sort of macro scheme in Live (or other daw) that would work. It would be something very nice to have👍🏻!

[@SouthShoreSonics]

@@undulations When I get my Drum I will write up some code for Midi Solutions Event Prcessor Plus. It allows up to 32 midi commands and should work. Thing is you convert note on/note number to pitch cc on the drum, but how would you tell the Drum to stop sounds on note off? I will find out when I get there I suppose.

[@SouthShoreSonics]

Works great! I remapped my midi notes from my Cyclone TT-78 to control all six parts of the Volca Drum!

[@undulations]

Mark Pigott That’s awesome! The Drum is really shaping up to be a versatile piece of gear!

[@SouthShoreSonics]

@@undulations I also notice that accented notes on the TT-78 sound a bit different on the Drum, even though according to the Midi Implementation Chart for Single Channel, it says no response to velocity. I am running the most recent firmware on my drum. This is a good thing!

[@SouthShoreSonics]

Does anyone know if you can create decent sounding Toms on the drum? I have an absolute beast of a TAMA TS-305, but it is large and heavy, and if the Volca Drum can create Toms, it would be its replacement. Thanks

[@SouthShoreSonics]

@Kevin Votaw thanks!

[@MichaMaschiene-jd8wd]

Iam absolutely in Heaven of Sound , what my V.Drum can do 🎉 , think i buy my second VDrum and synchron 4 Layers as IT best U can E.T. ... Soundscape my Drum Synthesizer Lover

[@abimocordemusicae]

interesting tutorial. I have a question. Does the program remain memorized even when the instrument is turned off? thank you

[@undulations]

DAGAZ 63 Absolutely! You can save, and later reload, up to 16 different programs and 16 different drum kits. A program hold the sequences, motion sequences, slices, etc. and a kit holds the 6 drum part/track settings as well as the kit’s effect settings. The storage persists, even unplugged and with batteries removed (but your work IS lost if you turn the device off without saving). Thanks for watching!

[@abimocordemusicae]

@@undulations Hi and thanks for the quick reply. I have news, however, that time and swing are not memorized. It's right?

[@undulations]

DAGAZ 63 That’s totally true! Time and swing are treated as essentially global parameters. I guess there is a logic to this, allowing smooth transitions between patterns (whereas i think something like an Elektron Digitakt allows you to choose global vs local tempo settings). Also, as per 1st episode, the choke group is store as part of the program but is not cleared by a clear all.

[@abimocordemusicae]

@@undulations it is very evident that you know very well what you are talking about. So I take advantage of your kindness. Have you found that there is a lot of noise in the audio output, especially when using the power supply?

[@undulations]

DAGAZ 63 Happy to discuss this stuff😀. Over the course of making this series I never noticed any particular noise issue, never had to do any filtering (I try hard to leave the signals intact for these videos, adjust levels as best as possible by hand). Anyway, just to be sure I turned it on, turned it way up and listened. It sounds quite clean to me, even with ac power. I wondered if the resonator could be noisy, but that seems clean too 🧐.

[@cloudrun654]

I see a Zafu. I wonder if you are ordained?

[@undulations]

Cloud Run I do my best at some mindfulness and meditation.

[@cloudrun654]

@@undulations I've sure you've heard it many times, "They call it "practice" for a reason." :^) Have a good day!

[@PhilanderingBastard]

All hail Lord Nim! Your best series by far. Happy New Year to you (and Lola).

[@undulations]

Happy New Year! Thanks for checking out the series! Lola appreciates the feedback😼 ps I feel another piece of my Volca Drum series is actually _here_ on Instagram instagram.com/p/B7JtXnqBjCl/?igshid=9bx77l0joqee pps Jamuary 2021 starts tomorrow, so posting daily on IG for 31 days👍🏻

[@PhilanderingBastard]

​@@undulations recently deleted my IG account but will take a look 🙂

[@undulations]

@@PhilanderingBastard Ah, well I think I also talked about in the channel video called "Jamuary Redux" or something like that👍🏻.