Korg Volca Series
Anyone have these toys in their setups? I’m looking to get some hardware synths into my studio and these are pretty affordable. Anyone here have these? Any reviews?
I’ve got the Keys. You can get some interesting sounds out of it for sure but I’ve never really spent enough time with it to properly explore it to be honest. It’s fun but does feel a bit like a toy. Not bad for the price, though.
Yeah, I’ve realized how small they were but for the price I am very interested in at least the bass model. After toying with a few hardware machines I’ve really started to want one…
I’ve found it tricky to get a decent recording level out of it, but that’s probably just me being a fanny.
You mean it’s a quiet little guy?
Well, output is via a mini-jack but no matter what cables I use i always get a real low signal into Ableton. Now, it could be that mine has a fault, or it could just be the way it is set up but I’ve heard a couple of other people saying the same thing. Like I said, though, I’ve never spent enough time on it to work out whether its a real problem or not. It has speakers built in as well but they’re pretty shit (but totally irrelevant for proper production work) although you could probably get some really fun lo-fi House stuff going on if you stuck a mike in front of them.
It’s less than 150 notes and you do get what you pay for. It’s fun but don’t expect too much out of it.
You may have talked me out of it now lol. Looking for some more input though, thanks for the info!
So you use it for live performances?
Picked up the Volca Bass. I haven’t had much time with it, but it does sound really really nice. The internal sequencer takes some getting used to, but kind of intuitive once you get the hang of it. I was planning on sequencing it from an external source like Ableton or Logic. Love the filter… it can get pretty squelchy
I’d say, for the price… it’s well worth it if you are into the analog bass sounds. It’s NOT a 303, but it does have a very nice character all it’s own.
Another positive… it’s battery operated too and extremely portable.
Positives:
- Small foot print and portable
- Great filter
- Nice analog bass sound
- Midi Control
- Cheap
Negatives:
- Get what you pay for build quality-wise. Built well, but knobs can be a little wobbly. But, can’t expect much for the price.
- Not a big fan of the touch strip, although it is usable
- Sequencer and memory storage is a little weird at first… but, take some getting used to.
I’d go try one out… because in the end, it’s about your preference. Techy or acid style sounds… but, can also find a place in House and other genres.
But, for the money, it’s a very nice piece of kit.
This is exactly what I was looking for.. Thank you!
Maybe I should do the same
I played around with a TR-8 at the store recently. That thing is some serious business! Loads of fun, certainly. Wish I had the cash to get one.
Glad I could help.
It’s definitely one of those things you would kick yourself for not buying should they discontinue it (mostly because it is so cheap and a lot of fun to tweak… LOVE what Korg has been doing lately).
Waiting to see if we get some improvements in midi clock/sync on the next version of Traktor or something along the lines of Maschine integration… because that little box may find it’s way out gigging with me for a little extra something 
TR-8 is said to be the real deal BTW… a lot of old school house producers have raved about it despite any flack for it not being analog
Wouldn’t mind having one of those either
If you’re looking at the bass synth I’d recommend saving a bit more and snagging a micro brute, so worth it
Looks cool, do you own it?
e/ Oh shit, a fellow Chicagoan
True, I may just do it.
Ha yup, fellow Chicagoan here. Yeah I’ve got one, the multi mode filter is great and it’s resonance paired with the over drive circuit and detailed oscillator section AND the built in sequencer make it a mean little acid synth. The sequencer is great and transposes to incoming midi so it pairs really nicely with something like ableton. Really dig it much more then the volca bass
Micro brute another good one. As is the bass station 2. Way too many nice affordable analog toys out there these days. The cool part is they all have their own unique character.
Unfortunately, my G.A.S. Has been put on hold :-/
Haha I think I may find a guitar Center with some toys and go trade in my EFX 1000