On the Keys and Beats models, they're packed in like rush-hour commuters but remain just about pinchable, providing your fingers are slender, or you're 12. The majority of knobs used are the tiny plastic stalks that were so tastefully in proportion on the Monotrons. With a quick Func + Play, any beat, bass line or sequence can be broken down as far as a single repeating note if desired. Another is 'Active Step', a fun tool for interactively shortening patterns from the 16-step default. The MIDI channel is set and stored at power-up, again by holding the Memory button and touching a step key, one of many combinations that are common across the range. The Func key provides alternate options for the rubber buttons and the step keys for example, to write a pattern hold down Func + Memory then choose a destination. The clock generates pulses of 5V and one of a small list of global options allows this voltage to be inverted for use with S-trig sequencers such as Korg's own SQ10.Īll models have eight pattern memories and you can seamlessly switch between them during playback using a nifty key combination. It's flexible and ridiculously easy, as is sync'ing to analogue sequencers or LFOs. Each model has Sync In and Out sockets and a cable is supplied for plugging in to the next in series. Their sequencers automatically sync to incoming MIDI clock, but analogue sync isn't neglected either. In a welcome move for connectivity, you can play each Volca directly via MIDI. Each has a flashing tempo control and a small internal speaker that is disconnected when you plug a jack into the 3.5mm headphone socket, which is the single, monaural route to our ears. The long battery life is great though and you get a rough idea of the amount remaining from the number of LEDs that light up at power up.Ĭonstructed from shiny cases of see-through black plastic, the Volcas eagerly showcase their internal LED action. Judging by the many black lumps on my floor, Korg clearly delight in designing every variation on the theme. Maybe this is an opportunity for Korg to supply a single unit to feed them all.
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However, if you're going to treat them like conventional studio gear, the purchase of external 9V adapters will be essential. By default, each Volca turns itself off automatically after four hours unused, which seems quite a long time. Six alkaline AA batteries are supplied and their life is quoted at approximately 10 hours. They're the same size and weight, which is 193 x 115 x 46 mm and 377g (without batteries). Spread across my musty carpet, the Volcas are similar but different. The Volca Beats, like its siblings, measures just 193 x 115 x 46 mm. Therefore, after a communal unboxing and LED-gawping, I'll go through them one by one before pondering the inevitable question: can you say 'no' to a Volca? Common Ground There's some feature overlap but generally each has its own niche. Korg's Volcas are as follows: Beats (an analogue/digital drum machine), Bass (a three-VCO bass line synth) and Keys (another three-VCO synth, but with alternate voicing options, including pseudo-polyphony). This time it's almost like we're watching history repeat itself as MIDI inputs have been added across the board, but if you were hoping for full-sized hardware and regular quarter-inch jacks, I'm afraid Korg are still working to the 'small is beautiful' brief.Īnyone who managed to avoid the frenzied online speculation might be wondering what on Earth I'm talking about.
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Not only that but each was priced well below Korg's previous exercise in analogue affordability, the Monotribe. Viewed initially as an Internet hoax spawned by wishful thinking, it soon transpired that Korg's Volca range really existed.
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Korg's single-handed analogue revival continues unabated with the release of the Volca range of super-affordable grooveboxes.