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I've already got the keys , beats and sample which are all brilliant - what does the bass bring to the table that the keys doesn't (Is the sound that different?) I can already do step recording on the keys by using the active steps and it allows me to set the motion recording for each which makes it very flexible.

carreg_cennen wrote:I've already got the keys , beats and sample which are all brilliant - what does the bass bring to the table that the keys doesn't (Is the sound that different?) I can already do step recording on the keys by using the active steps and it allows me to set the motion recording for each which makes it very flexible.

You tell me your methods for step recording on the keys and I'll tell you what the bass does that the keys doesn't.

It's not exact step sequencing but its a good method.
Activate just one step then program it -record a note and pot movements- then move onto next step(activate next step/deactivate first).
Monotribe is good for this and helps with flux mode too.

Frenzies wrote:

carreg_cennen wrote:I've already got the keys , beats and sample which are all brilliant - what does the bass bring to the table that the keys doesn't (Is the sound that different?) I can already do step recording on the keys by using the active steps and it allows me to set the motion recording for each which makes it very flexible.

You tell me your methods for step recording on the keys and I'll tell you what the bass does that the keys doesn't.

I made a quick video demonstrating the method https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZekKVNoWxE not sure if the forum allows links to be posted? Basically as the other reply from Spheric El says

very creative and useful!

Spheric El wrote:It's not exact step sequencing but its a good method.
Activate just one step then program it -record a note and pot movements- then move onto next step(activate next step/deactivate first).
Monotribe is good for this and helps with flux mode too.

What's sad is that I've owned this plus the Monotribe since they were released and for whatever reasons, programming it this way never occurred to me. In fact, that would even make programming the Volca Bass much easier.

So to go back to my original question what does the bass bring to the party? Is it worth completing the set? Theyre going for about £80 an less now on eBay

carreg_cennen wrote:So to go back to my original question what does the bass bring to the party? Is it worth completing the set? Theyre going for about £80 an less now on eBay

For me, yes it's well worth getting. The sound is a bit generic but it's really easy to program, you can run 3 melody lines at once, the live manipulation of the patterns is really easy and can be really creative, the part slide is always a joy. The filter can get nasty with the resonance, probably not as nasty as the keys, but it's pretty good. It's my go to machine for getting a start, getting inspiration because you can wander away so easily from where you start. Being able to invert the steps on a pattern is a great way to come up with things by accident. As long as you don't expect to get a 303 you won't be disappointed.

carreg_cennen wrote:

Frenzies wrote:

carreg_cennen wrote:I've already got the keys , beats and sample which are all brilliant - what does the bass bring to the table that the keys doesn't (Is the sound that different?) I can already do step recording on the keys by using the active steps and it allows me to set the motion recording for each which makes it very flexible.

You tell me your methods for step recording on the keys and I'll tell you what the bass does that the keys doesn't.

I made a quick video demonstrating the method https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZekKVNoWxE not sure if the forum allows links to be posted? Basically as the other reply from Spheric El says

Nice vid, like that method, I'm going to go and try it on both the bass and the keys.

of course i forgot the bass has no motion sequencing, so this method is no use, you may as well use the step record, but its great on the keys!

I had both, and despite really wanting to like both (they were so cheap!), I never enjoyed working with the Bass. Even though it had three oscillators with detune, the sound seemed less full than other synths with only two. Plus, I have other monosynths I liked better. It felt geared toward sequencing rather than playing live, and I simply could not wrap my head around the silly inverse keyboard! Finally, I really prefer the paraphonic playing on the Keys. So I sold the bass.
It sounds like you are used to sequencing, so a lot of my complaints probably don't apply to you. Again, it's cheap, so you can always buy and then sell for minimal loss!

Thanks for the helpful replies - I think I might wait and see if one comes around cheap (under the £70 mark) otherwise Ill stick with the three I have - The sample is giving me lots of ideas although I need to get some new samples into it to take it beyond being an additional drum machine . Who knows what Korg will come up with next? I have yet to try using the mini KP2 effects with these guys, and I'm currently waiting for a mixer to avoid the sync issues which seem to crop up if the audio outs from the volcas go to a common point.

Your method is very helpful - thanks for sharing.

I just tested it also on my Monotribe:
works very well on "Note" but also on "Gate length" !!!
(with this method you can store different gate lengths for each step)

taken the plunge and ordered the Bass today (birthday cash and a special offer ) - looking forward to playing with it .

Congrats .How much did you spend (if you don't mind me asking)?