VOLCA synchronisation problems

sedayne · Post by **sedayne** » Sun Jul 27, 2014 10:38 am

I'm running all three Volcas with a Monotribe - everything's been fine for the last 6 months but now the sync is all messing up something rotten.

I've checked leads (stereo) in all configurations & the only thing I can think of is the power supplies - it's VERY hot over here right now; soon as the heatwave hits the problems start - I've got a USB fan trained on the PSUs to little effect because they don't get that hot anyway (hey, have sympathy, I'm a desperate man). I'm going to try running them on batteries to see if that works.

Meanwhile - has anyone else experienced random difficulties in this respect? Advice? Solutions?

Yours in hope - Sedayne.

Re-Member · Post by **Re-Member** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 4:31 pm

Last Summer I was having problems with my Monotribe. I seem to remember being able to power it on, but after a few minutes the tempo would go berserk and then the sequencer would freeze up. The only way I could get it to work was by sampling the Sync Out signal and then creating a click track to feed back into it.

I'm sure it was due to humidity rather than heat though since I have all my gear in a basement which only hits about 70 degrees tops. Since getting the Volcas, I actually haven't had any problems with all four chained together. I have them synced like this: Beats > Keys > Bass > Monotribe

sedayne · Post by **sedayne** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:35 pm

It's the KEYS that's on the fritz - it works fine on its own but soon as I put the sync leads in everything goes to pot. Obviously a faulty unit, which is a bummer because I've a lot of faith in these things & it's been used a lot since getting it back in December & no complaints other than the delay seems a bit naff compared to that on the Monotron Delay (I like to put the Keys through the Monotron for nice lo-fi dub improv : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uob3q5smk9g)

Whilst I'm awaiting the replacement, the Monotribe is getting priority - no problems there apart from tuning (another story!) and bit of a crackle on the VCF Cutoff pot. Running it with the V Beats & Bass is a joy, but it occurred to me today how much more fun the 'Tribe would be with a separate out for the drums. To modify or not to modify - that is the FAQ!

CorpusCallosum · Post by **CorpusCallosum** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 3:27 pm

Hey Sedayne, are you sure it's not a cabling issue? The Volcas are VERY picky about cabling, everything connected to them (both sync and audio out) has to be stereo, and they don't like adapters. I would switch out all the crappy sync cables Korg supplies (these go on the fritz all the time with use), as well as the audio cable coming out of the Keys.

I had this issue when I first got my Volcas, and it drove me nuts. I switched out all the cables and the sync problem immediately went away.

Hope this helps!

sedayne · Post by **sedayne** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 6:56 pm

It's the unit itself - I've returned it via PMT to Korg who are at present 'looking into it' so fingers crossed! I use moderately high spec (i.e. better than those that come with it) stereo leads to sync with and like I say everything's ticking along quite nicely since December.

Funny not having the Keys just now, you really look a lot harder at what the Bass can do...

CorpusCallosum · Post by **CorpusCallosum** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 7:27 pm

Necessity is the mother of invention. I find the quirks and limitations of the Volcas in general really force and inspire creativity