Volca Modular: Walkthrough

[@percussionboy4357]

As others already said - this is such a fine tutorial. Finally got a VM myself, and it’s an underappreciated little synth. Very much a unique musical instrument with its own character. Thanks for your help…

[@rubymars_xyz]

This is such a nice video. I really like the way you talk about and explain things and you have a very calming vibe.

[@undulations]

Ruby Thank you🙏🏼! Thanks for checking it out and for the feedback👍🏻

[@jhipi205]

Why you don't have more subscribers continues to remain a complete mystery - keep up the good work.

[@undulations]

J Hipi Thanks a lot for your support! I will (new video in progress right now)!

[@OCEANSINSPACE]

I know this was an amazing tutorial for getting the drones going well!

[@alaster134]

This was an amazing intro to the Modular. I've seen a great many since buying mine, and this is hands down the best way to get started. Thank you

[@undulations]

I really appreciate the feedback🙏🏼! Thanks a lot for checking out the video!

[@grosun]

Wow, thanks! That's the best video I've seen on the Volca Modular. Very clearly explained, and I really enjoyed hearing the sounds you coaxed out of this little box

[@undulations]

grosun Thanks! I really appreciate your feedback! Planning to follow up with more sometime next week👍🏻

[@johnstride3809]

Watching these a few times , slowly spoken, step by step exploration of wire poking & knob twiddling, I'm sold ! I have a volca sample & bass , this has now got to be next, bypassing the volca keys & fm , they can wait in line ,,oh dear I think I need a bigger mixer !! Yamaha mg10 added to the ever growing list,, lol

[@undulations]

I still really feel like the Volca Modular has so much to offer. The two most recent videos on this channel (featuring Kastle Drum) each have parts with the VM - really some of my favorite things to come out of the whole exploration of the Kastle Drum. I attribute it to the two different "engines" of the VM - a modular symthesizer, so hands on and tweakable, and then a powerful sequencer with a lot of features - amd these two sides of the VM mesh together nicely. Anyway, just thinking out loud about it🤔 - thanks much for checking out thr video!

[@2.7petabytes]

I really appreciate your thoughts on the volca modular! I just bought one and am really excited and a bit overwhelmed at the same time. I own a KORG ms-20 but I haven’t used it in a few years now. For as small as this thing is, it appears to have a lot packed into it! I really like your walkthrough

[@undulations]

700 Megabytes Thank you! Yes, it does have a ton of features. One thing to consider is that you could use the cv+gate output from your ms-20 to be able to play the volca modular from your ms-20 keyboard (as well as other ways the two could interact). fyi i answered a comment about how to set this up (i can’t recall which VM video comment thread it was, but it should be findable). good luck with it all!

[@0228christian]

Really excellent video! You've highlighted some functions and possibilities I hadn't seen yet in other videos. I look forward to the next one!

[@undulations]

Christian Reeb Thanks a lot! Hoping to get the next one up within a week👍🏻

[@sierragold]

Great intro! And I agree with the other commenter..it's a mystery why you don't have more subscribers. Your tutorials are far better than anything else I've come across--

[@undulations]

Thank you very much!

[@brokenscart7989]

This is very good, its making it click. Laid out in a logical manner. Thanks

[@undulations]

You're welcome! Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@jakefeen9643]

thanks so much for doing these walk throughs! i’ve learned more from your volca modular videos than any others

[@undulations]

jakefeen Absolutely! Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching👍🏻!

[@lundsweden]

I've had mine for a while now, even though I find it hard to use, its so compact and sonically versatile I can't sell it! It can sound really good, but it takes a lot of work!

[@MichaelBrown-ov8sh]

Great videos! Thanks to you, I have a much better understanding of the Volca Modular!

[@undulations]

Thanks very much🙏🏼! Really glad to hear that!

[@flannsixtyseven7489]

That really makes sense, i just ordered one. Owned some old stuff in the 1990s and recently lusted in starting again, when the Make Noise O Ctrl came out i thought ok thats it now i start, then made lists of whats my minimum setup and ended at least 2000 Euros. And then i thought i dont want so spend that much money just to play with noise. Rather meditate in silence. ;-) But taking a second look at the Volca Modular made me think i start from there, so many possibilities, that stochastic mode of the sequencer, you can even modulate the clock, awesome, will entertain me for some time. Next should be the SQ1 mod clock with some thelonious monk solo piano loops. thanks for the ideas.

[@undulations]

Flann sixtyseven You're welcome, thanks for watching🙏🏼 You're right - I really feel like Korg put a ton of thought into designing the synth and sequencer parts of this Volca. I also feel like pairing it with the Volca Drum has been one of my favorite combos in a long time, so there is also that potential for expansion down the road (depending on the sort of things you want to do with it). Enjoy yours! ps I feel like Chris Lody has developed a lot of really nice patches for the Volca Modular (see his KZbin channel or his Instagram for details and very clear diagrams).

[@flannsixtyseven7489]

@@undulations After playing for a few days i love it, i think it is what i hoped the Kastle would be. Still i think its rather a toy or educational thing with those breadboard style patch wires but thats just what i wanted at this moment. The possibilities of the sequencer are awesome. Wish someone would do sth. like this in the 3 to 600 price range and or course with real patch jacks. Like a Behringer Neutron but focused on those experimental possibilites. Of Course i could get a 0 ctrl, Sq1, Neutron, maybe K2 because i still regret selling my original MS20 but thats already some money and a table full of stuff.And Eurorack would definitely get too expensive, would not know where to start with a sequencer to to what the volcas can do. Looks like i tasted blood. Or a version of this about four times as big, mixed with "east coast" stuff, like lfos, filters, a step sequencer like the sq1, more multiples, more patch points, that would be awesome too.

[@undulations]

Flann sixtyseven Out of what you've listed, I feel like the SQ-1 is probably the best thing to add to the Kastle: with a Y-cable (stereo 3.5mm to dual-mono 3.5mm) you can do 16 steps of one CV or 8 steps of two CV, right out of the box. Then there's control over max voltage, duty cycle, slides, step jump (very playable), and many sequencer modes (including random). I did a whole video on the SQ-1 if that's of interest. As for the cables? I think some people make (sell?) their own patch bays to upgrade to stackable banana plugs (also one conductor, and the stacking allows just one jack per actual patch point, so a 4x4 array of jacks is possible [or just a scaled up deck mirroring the Kastle itself]). Anyway, glad it showed, have fun with it👍🏻!

[@CommunityGuidelines]

Thank you for the step-by-step explanation of the basic Volca Modular functions. It helps elucidate the mysterious methods of west-coast synthesis.

[@undulations]

Community Guidelines Absolutely! Happy to do it. Thanks a lot for letting me know👍🏻.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Recently picked up one of these my self and loving it. Great little primer tutorial video for the Modular this. Funnily enough Korg Ds10 was the first place I patched cables too, I still keep a DS handy just for that.

[@sovanima]

Great intro, I learn a lot from your series despite they are for a bit more advanced users. Modular is versatile and the amount of control is huge. Nice t-shirt though I love blender as well ;)

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking out the channel! I have taken your comment to heart, thinking some about making some videos for folks that have just started their synth journey!

[@sovanima]

@@undulations Thank you for your time and efforts dedicated to share with people. I will be happy to see and learn more from you :) My current setup is volca drum + modular, combined with the korg mixer and will keep it that simple adding just another volca not sure yet which one. I am mainly into ambient and experimental techno... Creativity that comes out using those small intuitive synthesisers is beyond what I expected myself to come up with... Even me being just a hobbyist 😊

[@lesvolga1355]

hypnotised with the voice tembre! =) good job!

[@undulations]

Les Volga Thanks for checking it out!

[@PJH1968]

Subscribed! - Great Video, excellent pace and explanations were spot on (you have a good teaching voice!) I just bought the modular and I am really enjoying playing with it - looking forward to your next video, I need all the help I can get!

[@undulations]

Peter Hull That is great to hear! I’m working on the next video in the coming days - enjoy your Volca Modular!

[@WxkR]

Volca modular: a synth and an ouija box. What I love about it is that almost each video I’ve seen of it shows it making different sounds.

[@undulations]

(WxkR) That is great to hear! I have been avoiding other VM content to kind of keep my take more personal, but I look forward to checking other people’s stuff out soon. Thanks for watching😀!

[@WxkR]

Undulations yes; particularly in some of the the most recent videos, people seem to be reaching different sonic territories. ... My pleasure! I really appreciate your exploring the less obvious aspects of your devices. Your video on granular synthesis is especially interesting and informative!

[@glenesis]

Ha I had the Korg DS10 running in my pocket for years! Glad you mentioned it. Nice to meet you 😊

[@undulations]

glenesis Yes, the DS10 was (is) so great! I will try to throw in some old tracks from it at some point. Thanks for checking out the channel👍🏻!

[@glenesis]

@@undulations I'd love to hear them! The recent version has more virtual MS10's in it. I'm not sure which DS will run it, but I've been thinking about getting that

[@undulations]

glenesis I think that’s DS20 for 3DS. We have that but for some reason I keep using the original. It may just be that I still really like my old DS-XL the most?

[@glenesis]

@@undulations Could be, thanks for the info. There's a DS2 at Walmart that doesn't fold, for $79. I only ever had that original black DS. Spent 99 per cent of it's time between Korg DS10 and Mark Kart LOL. I just looked up the "new" DS software. It is called "Korg DSN-12"and it has TWELVE MS-10 monosynth modules onboard!! more FX including a compressor; 64-step chainable sequences; programmable channel mutes; runs on 2DS, 3DS, and 3DS XL. It has "the world's first 3D oscilloscope" onboard! I may end up just popping a new battery into my old DS; Navigating 12 monosynths on a tiny screen sounds life-consuming lol. Still, maybe...

[@glenesis]

@@undulations OMG They make an M1 model for 3DS as well. Ok, off to GameStop I go, with wallet in my hand...

[@MrCarlosfong]

Looking forward to more exploration of the Volca modular.

[@undulations]

Carlos Fong Hey, thanks for watching! I am hoping to get the next video up soon👍🏻

[@AmbientoftheFel]

Great job on the video. Will sub. keep them coming.

[@undulations]

Thank you🙏🏼 Will do👍🏻!

[@robbalbrecht]

This is great info. I'm waiting for my Volca Mod to arrive.

[@undulations]

Robb Albrecht That’s exciting👍🏻 Thanks for checking out the video!

[@robbalbrecht]

@@undulations I'm sure I'll be referring back to it.

[@ShinobiTCG]

@@robbalbrecht right they are backordered for another week! ordered mine mid April can't wait

[@jimmy_jamesjams_a_lot4171]

I wonder how much more price wise would the Volca modular have cost, if they made it a mini modular with patch cables instead of the duponts? You’re not just keen on the Volca, you’re pretty darned savvy with it. I just got mine yesterday so I’m scouring the web for ideas. I’m really impressed by the ideas you’ve covered here. LittleBits are more modular than modular. I have two synth kit pros, and I can’t seem to find enough of the mounting blocks. Thanks for sharing and imparting your knowledge. I’m really all smiles now that I’ve had a sort of comprehensive lesson and tour on your channel. Thanks again!

[@undulations]

You are very welcome! Glad you are getting something out of this VM series👍🏻 I also really recommend Chris Lody's channel for many great VM patches (he also posts patch diagrams on his IG page). Thanks a lot for watching and have fun with your new Volca!

[@mirage69]

I love the video at the end

[@undulations]

Mirage Thank you very much🙏🏼 ps I've got another "volcas & water" video that you might want to check out if you get a chance👍🏻. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGrdaI2KnbKsr7M

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

I have lots of modular, then I bought a Volca Drum to add beats, like it so much, now I want other Volcas. The small, battery capable, package with a sophisticated sequencer built in, is very attractive to me. A couple of Volcas and an AU-401 four channel mixer/headphone amp, and I am in jam heaven on a park bench :-) This one has a lot of the best (and most expensive/hard to get) modular elements in it, for just $200.

[@undulations]

Agreed! The Volca Modular and the Volca Drum are two of my own favorites. Always amazed at the sequencers on them! Thanks for checking out the video👍🏻

[@kostantinosmag2986]

Hi interesting modular... Thanks for the video

[@undulations]

Thanks for watching🙏🏼

[@niteshsaxena3793]

It was a fun lesson, thank you!

[@undulations]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching🙏🏼!

[@alwinvanderlinde5913]

Very good, paced and clear explanations. Subscribed. I like the volca modular although I wish it produced deeper more bass type sounds. Any way to get this thing sound lower changing internal settings?

[@undulations]

Alwin Van der Linde I know what you mean. The best lows probably come from patching the modulation oscillator itself directly out (through an LPG or into the space). with the Ratio all the way down this is quite low. Also the octave down setting with Func+key (can’t recall the key # right off hand). I hope this helps👍🏻

[@alwinvanderlinde5913]

@@undulations Yes, it does. However I guess it's just a little limited on the bass subject. Thanks!!

[@alexcargill1498]

Great video Undulations, very helpful. I bought one of these recently and (my bad) I didn't realise that it lacked MIDI connections. I already owned 3 other Volcas and so I assumed (again, my bad) that the Modular would have MIDI too. I also own a Korg MS20 Mini which I note has a CV OUT. Is it possible for me to control my Modular via the MS20 Mini at all? Any advice would be MASSIVELY appreciated. Many thanks sir. Alex, London UK.

[@undulations]

Alex Cargill Hey, I think there is absolutely a way! For typical usage you need both cv and gate signals from the Mini (both mono jacks), and you want this to plug into the cv-in jack on your Volca (which is a stereo jack) - so you need a dual mono to stereo Y-cable (3.5mm). This connection should ground things properly and send the Mini cv and gate signals to the deck of your Volca. You will want cv signal to go to the BOTTOM socket beside the Volca cv-in jack, gate signal to the TOP (you may have to swap the mono cables around to send things this way). Then you use a pin cable to send cv data to the volca pitch input (far left of the Volca) and another pin cable to send gate data to the middle socket of LPG1. LMK if this is unclear. This should also let your Mini relay midi to your Volca Modular. ALSO: don’t forget that this is the standard usage, but you can use other stuff, like the Mini LFO signal, into the Volca, and onto a pin cable. Lots of options!

[@christdolphin69]

www.tindie.com/products/sensai7/volca-modular-midi-in-mod/ i did this. very easy with little soldering experience

[@alexcargill1498]

@@undulations Thank you so kindly sir, up and running now. Your help is MASSIVELY appreciated. Not sure why KZbin has only just notified me of your comment! Thank goodness for people such as yourself. Love your videos sir, keep up the good work. 😊

[@alexcargill1498]

@@christdolphin69 Thank you Christ, sorry for the delay in replying. I had also seen this product online recently and it was gonna be my last resort. Fortunately though I'm now up and running via CV. Much appreciated though sir, cheers.😉

[@togax5]

Thanks for this video!

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@comicKkrakK]

Great video. I just picked this up earlier in the week. It’s been fun so far but always good to get a run through by someone like yourself. Thanks. On to the second video!

[@undulations]

comicKkrakK Cool! Thank you for the feedback👍🏻!

[@marcusai210]

Just ordered mine, great vid! Subbed!

[@永死葬men]

👍Amazing!👍

[@undulations]

Thanks for watching🙏🏼!

[@wimwijn1]

thank you, realy like your channel, great that you marked the knobs, thanks again

[@undulations]

Thanks for the feedback! Wow, I wondered if anybody would notice the knobs? I used black and white Sugru for that, but I'm sure a ton of other things would work!

[@gru_day]

Thank you for great video. I wuld like you to show us how to connect V MODULAR to breadbord and some components. I have started to collect setup for this kind of modulation but without proper electronical knowlege it is not easy to set the parameters of the circuit. That kind of tutorial with circuit bending n components with detailed specification will be very helpfull.

[@undulations]

This is a great idea; will put it on list of videos to make! Thank you🙏🏼

[@gru_day]

@@undulations that wuld be great🙌

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

A Behringer Neutron is also a fun modular for $300 ($250 used). But it is more "East Coast" sounding. and not as portable.

[@TenisDimants]

Awesome! Thank you.

[@undulations]

Tenis Dimants you are welcome! thanks for watching!

[@grandmasterjo1]

Sorry to bother you but can one select a scale on all Volca synth series Tried to find out but unsuccessful except for the modular where you press function and 1 Is this applicable on all volcas Thanks in advance 🙏🙏

[@undulations]

Hey, sorry it took so long to reply. To the best of my knowledge this feature is unique to the Volca Modular. I think it is meant, in this case, to sort of go along with the modular synthesis concepts of microtonal tunings and a wide selection of quantized scales. That said, some of the other Volcas do allow fine-tuning of pitches using a pitch parameter. On something like the Volca Sample you could basically do a 10 note scale of adjustable pitches. Then, on the Volca Drum you can turn off quantization and enter fine-adjusted pitch values into the sequencer. But none of them are as flexible as the Modular - which has CV in, but not MIDI in, so it kind of fits the overall design. I hope this helps, and again, sorry it took so long.

[@grandmasterjo1]

@@undulations thank you as always. Very kind of you. The song mode on the Takts of Elektron is very exciting 👌 Very curious why Elektron did not include the arp in the Digitakt. Have you made any video on the Microcosm? Cheers 🙏 again

[@MASHSHANERGAL]

Kittys yeay, but nevertheless great video Sir; it offered me some new ways of using that lovely tiny box. danke schön :)

[@undulations]

MASHSHANERGAL Awesome! I am glad to hear that😀!

[@Leandrob13]

Have you tried patching the volca modular with the moog werkstatt? I have a werkstatt and I am considering buying a modular, it would be awesome if we could control the werkstatt with the modular. Thanks for the video, full of creativity as always!

[@undulations]

Hey, I am pretty positive that would work (but a friend has my Werkstatt at the moment so I can't try). The first issue is co-grounding - it would be easy with the Werkstatt cv expander but that would sort of defeat the purpose. ideally would be co-grounding via the audio grounds, sometimes this just happens naturally when two devices get plugged into the same mixer. also probably away to do it from the device frames. BUT, watch out for the voltage of signals from the Werkstatt TO the VM, possibly too high in some cases. But, as you suggest, it seems like the VM could sequence and modulate the Werkstatt very nicely. I feel like the VM is underrated as a CV sequencer - it can do long sequences and the motion-sequencing can give another "control sequence" in parallel with the main sequence. (i showed this in one of the Kastle Drum videos earlier this year). Anyway, let me know if you get one and thanks a lot for checking this video out🙏🏼!

[@Leandrob13]

@@undulations yes, that is what I thought. I think that can be achieved with the 1/4 inch cv input of the volca connected to the chasis of the werkstatt. This means ripping a patch cable or using some alligator cables. Thanks for the reply and keep up the great work.

[@weepwow]

Another great video on the Volca Modular. Just ordered a Tangible Waves AE Modular system, (alternative affordable modular to eurorack) might be something you would be interested in checking out. Thanks.

[@undulations]

I will take a look at that. I may have seen it on Instagram, but there are so many things on there I kind of have to skim. I'm alway on the lookout for modular alternatives.

[@koskey06]

I feel like they could have made this sooooo much better! Yes, full size jacks would be nice but not a must.....i just feel like there needed to be a little more functionality or at least double what it has now.

[@malcolmparson9465]

How are you getting the oscillator to play without pushing the sequencer? Totally confused

[@undulations]

Malcolm Parson So, do you mean without pushing play to start a sequence or do you mean without pushing a key on the keyboard? I guess the answer is sort of the same regardless: you can think of the input to the Space FX module sort of as the “true” output (Space can be left all the way down, no matter) for the Volca Modular. Whatever you patch directly to that bypasses both of the lowpass gates - so no keypresses or sequences are required to get sound (but the volume does need to be up!). Hope this helps, lmk if it doesn’t!

[@malcolmparson9465]

@@undulations thanks! i was usuling the wrong outputs lol

[@Somnambule]

Thanx for your nice tutorial!🖖😊

[@undulations]

Somnambule You are welcome!

[@repeat_defender]

Great video but of course, I love your kitties. Those lil buns on that no-tail kitty... so cuuuuuuute! Seriously this really helped me though, I am super confused about this stuff. Mostly I think because I haven't figured out all the lingo. Envelope and Gate, I don't quite get what those mean...

[@undulations]

Thank you🙏🏼! Let's try something that I should have included in the video, how to make a "probe". first, turn your volume down pretty low and turn your ratio setting down pretty low too. then patch the 2nd oscillator (4th socket from the left, little wave symbol) all the way over to the 3rd socket from the right (this is the input to the Space Out). You should hear a sound that you can pitch up or down with the ratio knob or by playing the note. this bypasses most of the synth which is useful in this case. next, put a patch cable in the leftmost socket. this is the pitch socket. now, the other end of that cable is your PROBE (consider marking it with a pen or a piece of tape). whatever voltage the probe detects will cause the pitch to change. positive voltages will make the pitch go up, negative will make it go down (this is why it pays to keep the ratio above the minimum, a little at least, so the pitch can actually go down if you probe a negative voltage). now, put the probe places: 1) put it in a+b*c and turn the utility knob, pitch will change. 2) put the probe in the Function 1 "+" socket (closest socket to the "r" in Volca Modular printed on the faceplate), hit a key, hear the pitch change - THAT is the Function 1 envelope. Visualize rhe shape for different attack and release settings, hear how it stays up until you let go. The envelope is a graph of Voltage vs Time. 3) Plug the probe into the GATE (it is the socket second feom the right in the cluster of sockets above Function 1, its symbol is like an upside-down box). Then press a key, hear how the pitch only changes when the key is pressed. The gate actually IS a type of envelope, just very simple - no attack, no release. The gate actually tells the Function envelope when to start its attack and when to start its release. I hope this helps. It can be frustrating, but this probe patch lets us use out ears as a tool to study the synth itself. Our ears are great pitch detectors, and this patch turns them into voltage detectors. And voltage in this case is just the signal that the Volca uses to communicate between its different parts. Have fun with it and ask other questions as they come up. ps Pip (the manx) is lounging on my foot rn. he is willful but very sweet.

[@repeat_defender]

@@undulations how did i miss this?? I'm gonna try this out! give Pip a pat and a scritch for me.

[@ImplosiveCatt]

The only reason I don't want to buy it is no midi connectivity.

[@undulations]

I totally get that. I don't know if you have a Korg SQ-1, but that at least gives a way to route DAW midi out (usb) through the SQ-1 and out as CV. Thanks for checking out the video🙏🏼

[@ImplosiveCatt]

@@undulations I don't have Korg SQ-1 and none of my devices support CV, unfortunately. You're making useful videos. Keep up with good work.

[@undulations]

Thanks👍🏻!

[@myreviewdotcom]

Thanks for the video!

[@undulations]

You bet! Thanks for checking it out!