Which combination of 2 Volcas would be most stanalone?

Edward · Post by **Edward** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 11:59 pm

I've already got Volca Sample. Which other Volca would make the combination most flexible / standalone? Volca Keys?

volcaPaul · Post by **volcaPaul** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 9:56 am

Personally I'd have the vbass over the vkeys - especially if you've got an external sequencer to play with.

Bass:
Selectable square/saw waveforms for each VCO
Selectable pitch for each VCO
Step sequencer with better real time performance options eg editable slide+step disable (vs the common step skip of active step mode)
Screen (really miss this on the keys)
Toggle for EG amplitude
Mutes and sequences for each VCO and the 2+1 mode

Keys:
VCO modes inc ring modulation with single detune knob
Portamento control
Play chords (vs programming chords via step sequencer on the bass)
Up to 4 times longer pattern recording via non-quantising flux mode
Delay - which can be tempo synced
EG Sustain knob vs just on/off on the bass
Separate lfo intensity controls over pitch and filter cutoff
LFO saw mode
LFO trigger sync

LouisJB · Post by **LouisJB** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:08 am

... (double post) (admins, please delete!)

LouisJB · Post by **LouisJB** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:09 am

Well, get all of them

I don't have a keys. I did get the beats and bass first. I think these are possibly the best two. Why, because while you could sample the drums, it's not the same, proper analog synth drums 808 style for the price is a great addition. I can see why you'd need the sampler if you're mobile and have no other equipment, and you do mention 'stand-alone'. However, for a little more would a second hand MPC composer be a good alternative (that's what I'm wondering). An alternative for the sampler if you've no laptop is also an iPad or even iPhone, with sampling or mini daw apps galore.

Actually I have mixed feelings about the bass. It's a lot of fun, but perhaps as I have other analog synths it seems a bit limited. Still can't complain. Massive fun for the price. Great to jam when out and about. Sounds great against the beats. Run through some effects for extra sound possibilities. 3 osc VCO with 3 part sequencer. Add the Midi out (I've just done this) and it also adds some options when using stand alone.

Just to add, on the bass you can _also_ control the gate time and slide times over midi CC, something you can not do via front panel.

My Midi controller templates are here if anyone is interested http://mididesigner.com/qa/3623/korg-volca-series

Just for bass and beats (all I have). I'm tempted by the others, if they come along cheap enough used. Although I'll use my DAW for most real sampling and my synths such as JD-990 or Juno for keys stuff.

roblabs · Post by **roblabs** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:37 pm

Yeah, I also think Bass + Beats is a great combo. There's something about the Bass that I like over the Keys - maybe its the thick chunky sound? I started with those two, then got the Keys super cheap. If I can get a deal on the Sample I'll probably get that, too.

volcaPaul · Post by **volcaPaul** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 5:16 pm

maybe its the thick chunky sound

I prefer the sounds out of the bass too - being able to tune the 3 oscillators independently and having the choice of waveform yields sounds that remind me of my old sh-101s.

roblabs · Post by **roblabs** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 6:09 pm

exactly! And think about it - a 3osc analog synth for dirt cheap! Yes its very limited, but even so, you can still coax lots of nice sounds out of it.

Also, I think its a testament to the greatness of the Volca line that you're seeing lots of youtube videos where people with high end gear are partnering them with the volcas. They can easily find a place in any existing setup, studio or live.

Tom 62 · Post by **Tom 62** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 6:58 pm

I would definitely prefer the Keys over the Bass. Because of motion sequencing, delay effect and the misc. tempo modes.

volcaPaul · Post by **volcaPaul** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 7:39 pm

As stand alone boxes, those are definitely advantages, but it's trivial to add an external sequencer (note+controller) and delay to the vBass - all can be done very cheaply on an ipad for example.

In that scenario it boils down to the sounds: you can't add (midi) tuneable oscillators and selectable waveforms to the vKeys, and you can't add ring mod and midi/motion control over portamento, cutoff, vco eg int, independent lfo vcf/pitch/cutoff int, polyphony, and sustain to the vBass.

The two really do compliment each other well!

volcaPaul · Post by **volcaPaul** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 10:49 pm

Just to add, I've been playing with the vKeys and an external sequencer (StepPolyArp) and when layered up across 3 octaves, with a bit of detune and cutoff modulation, it is putting out some really impressive bass sounds.

LouisJB · Post by **LouisJB** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:50 am

volcaPaul wrote:Just to add, I've been playing with the vKeys and an external sequencer (StepPolyArp) and when layered up across 3 octaves, with a bit of detune and cutoff modulation, it is putting out some really impressive bass sounds.

Nice, can you post up some snippets? You might tempt me to get one. I'm itching anyway because of the fun to explore modification potential...

What is the polyphony of the keys? I find the bass while mono is sort of usable as duo-phonic. Two part fat detuned base with a single part lead over it. Which makes fun live as you can bring in the parts individually. I don't use the 3 oscs separately much. Wish these things had a tiny song mode and 16 or 32 patch memory :s

volcaPaul · Post by **volcaPaul** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 11:07 am

Same as the vBass, it has 3 VCOs which can each sound different tones simultaneously - but you can play/record chords direct on the keyboard or via midi in the poly modes. The other modes use the 3 VOCs to fatten the sound of a single played note.

I'll try and record some example sounds - but I don't think I'm going to get chance today.

volcaPaul · Post by **volcaPaul** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 3:07 pm

I did a test of the vKeys bass sounds - covers the various modes. The basic beat is from the volca sample using preset sounds.

I used StepPolyArp to send the midi notes, then everything else is done live through the vkeys itself.

https://soundcloud.com/happydabbler/kor ... sound-test

Olivander12 · Post by **Olivander12** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 8:06 pm

He was talking about using Korg Volca stand alone, so why does everybody answer "use this app, use that app". Not really answering his question.

i think that Korg Volca Sample is the most versatile device, because you can sample anything. Additionally, a Korg Volca Bass is great for some nice acid/techno music.

volcaPaul · Post by **volcaPaul** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 8:25 pm

He was talking about using Korg Volca stand alone, so why does everybody answer "use this app, use that app". Not really answering his question. ...i think that Korg Volca Sample is the most versatile device, because you can sample anything.

not to be pedantic, but he said he already has a volca sample - and if you're sampling other things, you're not really stand-alone. Especially given you need an *app* to import the samples.

I can appreciate wanting something else to provide the melodic component though, given the difficulty of entering notes into the vSample - and the control parameters are very limited for editing bass/lead sounds.

At least with the vBbass/vKeys, you can get a huge range of tone variety out of the units for different tracks in a set without additional hardware - vs the 10 pre-imported parts in the vSample standalone.

Given how many people have ipads/iphones these days, and the relatively low cost of the apps - it seems remiss to not at least mention them where they plug a gap.