Volca Nubass - review/tutorial

People have been asking me about my Korg Volca Nubass. Here is a detailed review/tutorial on it, and why I like so much.
0:00 Introduction
2:37 NuTubes
3:35 Oscillator
6:55 Filter
11:34 LFO
13:23 Transpose/tuning
14:45 Sequencer
16:17 Example
21:59 Swing
22:55 Active step
24:10 Active step jam
25:46 Finally

[@SoundOfVinyl]

The drive circuit is not part of the vac tube, it's vac tube is only there for the oscilator and saturation... drive circuit is a different circuit outside the tube...

[@SoundOfVinyl]

from the korg nubass website : nubass is equipped with overdrive that uses an analog circuit reminiscent of a classic stompbox. Turning the knob toward the right compresses the volume while causing mild distortion, adding thickness to your bass sounds. The tone knob also lets you adjust the crispness of the high-frequency range. all info here : www.korg.com/uk/products/dj/volca_nubass/

[@gwEmbassy]

Thanks for the information, I will pin your post!

[@awesomefruitslayer8812]

This is an amazing deep dive into how to handle the korg volca nubass, Thankyou.

[@gwEmbassy]

pleased you like it!

[@colehawking9504]

This tutorial and walkthrough is fantastic! I learned so much more about my nubass. Thank you for diving in deeper with functions and examples

[@gwEmbassy]

I’m happy you learnt something! It’s a well thought out unit and I like it a lot

[@Grumskiz]

The 18dB filter of the TB-303 seems to unfortunately be pervasive misinformation. The filter is 24dB, however a peculiar one. Tim Stinchcombe made an in-depth analysis of it (and many other similar, yet different filters). He found that the specific circuitry of the filter in the 303 actually produces two resonant peaks with one of them being at an extremely low frequency (like 8Hz). He suggests that this might be a big contribution to the overall 303 sound.

[@gwEmbassy]

Thanks for this information! Super interesting :)

[@gavinpeters9531]

Great video! I just got a NuBass and your detailed explanation was really helpful.

[@gwEmbassy]

Cheers Gavin, thanks for watching! Happy to help :)

[@nordloef]

Great video! Always been interested in the nubass since it seems so forgotten among the rest of the volcas. Keep up the great work Gwem!

[@gwEmbassy]

Thanks Nordloef! I’m really into the Nubass, it’s my favourite of the Volcas I’ve tried

[@bilkoprince4222]

Great tutorial, just subscribed. Just pulled the trigger on a nubass too. Can't wait to give it a go

[@gwEmbassy]

I hope you love it!

[@markbooth140]

Good video. I didn’t think I’d use the active step as other demos made it look a bit crap but yours was musical and interesting. I’m going to revisit some of my lines now ✌️

[@gwEmbassy]

it’s a neat little feature I think

[@skyepope5821]

Thanks for making this :) I don’t have one of these but I have the og volca bass and this seems very easy to follow even without a unit in front of you

[@gwEmbassy]

And thanks to you for the comment and watching :) I like this little thing!

[@jindrichpruza4651]

Thx for that act. step out of sync tip I suggested that it would not be good But you showed me its actually great Thanks

[@gwEmbassy]

True! It’s not something I use a lot, but it is cool :) :)

[@nothingmemorable486]

Nu Bass Now joins my FM as the two Volcas I cant do without

[@gwEmbassy]

It’s so well thought out!

[@TheBroDotTV]

Does sound tasty with the 707 so glad I got one. Definitely agree about it being the best drum machine lol.

[@gwEmbassy]

:-D

[@ASH-ou4cg]

Wow, that really does sound good and extremely usable! Makes me wonder if I should have got this, instead of ordering my TD-3.

[@gwEmbassy]

It’s a difficult one! In many ways they are similar machines. I’m sure you will enjoy the TD-3.

[@gwEmbassy]

I guess you are trading the more authentic sound and original sequencer on the TD with small size and some ease of use features on the Volca. You could say they are somehow equal :)

[@olivierrenoir9282]

I had two of them, but recently I sold the TD-3 ;)

[@trevormalcolm4328]

Many thanks for your video! I know the Nubass isn’t the newest “303” copy but I’m planing to go for this over the Roland T-8

[@gwEmbassy]

they are both good, but different. I think you’ll be pleased :)

[@trevormalcolm4328]

@@gwEmbassy A mate of mine has a T-8 and it’s ok but I didn’t need the drums (I’ve got a Tr8s) and I feel like there’s too many shift button presses to get to certain features!

[@gwEmbassy]

makes sense Trevor. I think the sequencer in the NuBass is a little bit better too

[@SouthShoreSonics]

Could you tell me the maximum attack time and decay time? I am interested in using for non-sequencer, midi controlled synth sounds. So slow attacks and decays work better! Thanks

[@gwEmbassy]

I’ve never actually timed it, but you do have plenty of range on those controls

[@koldimond1100]

Luv the review..apart from the best drum kit ever bit!!! hahaha

[@gwEmbassy]

Ha :)

[@SouthShoreSonics]

Does the Volca Nubass have any release. If I let go off a MIDI key or the membrane key does it immediately go quiet, or do you get a natural release?

[@gwEmbassy]

There is no release.

[@SouthShoreSonics]

@@gwEmbassy Thanks, you saved me from buying a synth I can't use. I will look at the Volca Bass instead. IIRC that has a proper ASR envelope.

[@gwEmbassy]

@@SouthShoreSonics you're welcome!

[@PaulAup62]

Hey Gwem, i'm currently in the market for an acid box, do you know if the random slide and accent feature can affect incoming midi? Or does it only work with the internal sequencer? Thanks a lot!

[@gwEmbassy]

It’s only for the internal sequencer. I do think this is a very good acid box though.

[@wreignone]

Hell yeah, I have been using the Nubass for a few weeks, I love it. But, If I ever need an Acid line, I know I will reach for it. I paid 300AU for it, But. I love it

[@gwEmbassy]

I still think it’s a perfectly designed acid box :)

[@Synthesis1979]

You mentioned about having a MOD for midi out. Is possible to male a MIDI thru mod instead of an out?

[@gwEmbassy]

I’ve not seen one of those available, but actually a MIDI thru circuit is rather simple, so it would be possible to design one.

[@iamthetinkerman]

How does this compare to the Volca Bass? They seem very similar, but I'm just stuck on which one to purchase! Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@gwEmbassy]

They are more different that they may seem. The NuBass is an out and out acid box. The OG Bass has a more limited sequencer, but a more versatile synth.

[@bsmith8166]

Hey! Thanks for the video. This is awesome! Can you give me a run down of the equipment you're using to record the audio and video? I would love to make videos of myself jamming on my volcas with some pedals, but I don't know how to or where to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

[@gwEmbassy]

I started by using a webcam and a mobile phone. These days I use an old compact camera. The most important thing, in my opinion, is to have good sound as we are doing music videos. For editing I use DaVinci Resolve, a free program.

[@bsmith8166]

@@gwEmbassy but, what equipment are you using to get the sound into your phone?

[@gwEmbassy]

Just a cheap USB to audio cable

[@bsmith8166]

@gwEm’s gwEmbassy so, you take the headphone outs of the volca and run them into a mixer and then run the output of the mixer through an adapter into the camera?

[@gwEmbassy]

That’s exactly what I do!

[@ildarkinildarkin]

Well the bigger knobs - the better control of parameters. I can see that resonance knob could be bigger to provide a little more precise control on resonance...

[@gwEmbassy]

That would be handy yes

[@ivang2490]

I bought volca nubass and roland tb-03 at the same time. I sold tb-03 and keep the nubass. For me, its much better synth, much more versatile and powerful.

[@gwEmbassy]

Cool! I really like the NuBass!

[@Decoy303]

Love the fact the Nubass has a shift pattern function. And I know a trick to the sustain issue as well. Would love to connect the Korg ODS 1 to it for more vacuum drive.

[@gwEmbassy]

The shift function is very useful isn’t it? I use it more often than I thought. What’s your sustain trick?

[@albantaraire9686]

Why on earth would you say you have a trick then stay silent for 4 months?

[@SoFloCichlids]

seriously considering selling my td3. this seems much better for live performances as the sequencer is much easier to use.

[@gwEmbassy]

The sequencer is great on it, that’s for sure

[@mrgratis561]

I don't understand the recording on this machine. Doesn't record the first step I input then it plays the others in a random order. Can anyone enlighten? Thanks

[@gwEmbassy]

That doesn’t sound right :( hope you get it sorted

[@mrgratis561]

@@gwEmbassy Sorry if this sounds dumb but if I'm trying to create my own sequence, should I be using function step rec or step rec alone? I think it could be me rather than the machine lol

[@gwEmbassy]

It’s function step record if I remember rightly

[@mrgratis561]

@@gwEmbassy Thanks. Think I've got to grips with it now. Very useful video. Any chance you can do another video going deeper into the function side with the selections on the bottom of the sequencer? Looking at the manual it a very basic description. Just thought I'd ask as you seem very knowledgeable with synths.

[@gwEmbassy]

There is a chance, I will add it to my list of video ideas :)

[@angelportal5378]

Sounds good but the TD-3-MO (MODDED OUT VERSION ) from Behringer sounds way better

[@gwEmbassy]

That’s true in some respects, but depends on the sound you are looking for. And the sequencer on the Korg is way better 😉

[@angelportal5378]

@@gwEmbassy Yes the sequencer is good but you dont need a good sequencer on the TD-3-MO because it has incredible patch possibility kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4C5dJiupaaab6c

[@TheBroDotTV]

Like you say Gwem the square wave isn't distinctive. I think what's cool about this unit is the sub osc tho!!

[@gwEmbassy]

That sub osc does sound very good! Nice and thick.

[@TheBroDotTV]

@@gwEmbassy Yeah that would be my main pull for getting a Volca NuBass!!!

[@pbrninja19]

I wonder if that useless square wave part might be a good place to look at doing some effective mod to the unit. Some waveform that did make a big difference could be a big upgrade.

[@gwEmbassy]

PBR Ninja it certainly would!

[@williamramage9461]

Can you plug a guitar into it

[@gwEmbassy]

No ;)

[@gobblegobble831]

This tutorial is great but for some reason I can't stop thinking you're post-shave Sam Hyde doing a British character bit

[@gwEmbassy]

Hahaha ;) well, I am a tea drinking Brit!

[@gobblegobble831]

@@gwEmbassy but honestly thanks for the video dude!! I've had the nubass for months now and it's cool to see someone else dive into it and explore things I didn't quite understand

[@caythorgrimson]

bro if u cant dif betwen the to on a nubas migth it be that u are use to the old acid and are using " to be polite use what u know " to run this beast machine what u show is nada creativity but only made for a dif instryment and yeah i gave u a like

[@gwEmbassy]

Thanks… I think ;)