This is not a review of the Korg Volca Keys

[Idk Probly]

Or maybe it is, kinda. I got discouraged with it, shortly after i bought it. But that was my own shortcoming, not the Volca. No, i like it. I'm going to buy the other two as well, just like i did with the Monotrons. Maybe this is really just kind of a thank you note to Korg for what they've done over the past couple of years, making analog synthesis available to people of limited means, like myself.
Some people seem frustrated with the fact that affordable, analog monos are so everywhere. And i can't quite understand their complaints, maybe because i'm new to this.

Polyphony: even a newbie can understand that a real analog poly would probably be pretty expensive. The Volca does paraphonic (sorta like the Gaia stacking "tones") but not really poly. So? There are plenty of other options out there, soft synths and digital synths etc. Let a mono be a mono.

MIDI IN, but no MIDI OUT: (Volca keys). i've heard there is a way to mod the Volca so that it has both. But i don't see the point. i can see why you would use the MIDI in, so that you can have real keys to play the Volca. Maybe i'm way off base, but a MIDI OUT seems redundant. Isn't a true analog synth path, by definition, NOT digital? Not made to send and receive CCs? i see why the 'Brutes can function as MIDI controllers as well as analog monos. But in that mode, is the onboard synth engine even used?

with the Volca keys, i just plugged the headphone out into the line in on my MV8k, with an adapter. i can sample it as audio performance data, resample with effects if i want...
MIDI is great, and i don't know what i'd do without it. It keeps all the parts together and it quantizes out any of my clams or bad timing. But trying to quantize a performance on one of these Volcas, asking analog to act digital, just feels wrong. Like strapping an alarm clock to a unicorn and still expecting it to be magical.

[Walter Ego]

I'd want MIDI out for the sequencer. That's about it. But that would be really useful to me.

[ColorForm2113]

I'd want MIDI out for the sequencer. That's about it. But that would be really useful to me.

If they put out a volca sequencer that would blow the world apart

[calaverasgrande]

I think I may buy a second Volca keys just to mod. These things cry out to have actual CV/gate outputs or at least midi out. But then they are just too cute to NOT keep a complete set un-modded.

[sourwookie]

I just wish the keys had a step sequencer like the Beats and the Bass. I realized too late to return it but I'll end up buying the Bass at some point anyway. And despite it's lack of polyphony or portamento, the Bass may actually make a better lead synth than the Keys.

[Automatic Gainsay]

The Volca Keys is poly. It's as poly as poly is. If you want articulated poly, you want articulated poly. But if you want articulated analog poly, be ready to pay for it. For the stupidly low price that that the Volca Keys is, you should be thrilled to death about the Volca Keys.

[sourwookie]

You may have misunderstood me. I was saying despite the Bass's lack of polyphony and portamento, I may find it a more useful synth than the Keys. No doubt though, the Keys is an amazing value.

Edit: I see now you were probably replying to the original poster. Carry on.

[Aaron2]

You may have misunderstood me. I was saying despite the Bass's lack of polyphony and portamento, I may find it a more useful synth than the Keys. No doubt though, the Keys is an amazing value.

Edit: I see now you were probably replying to the original poster. Carry on.

The Volca Bass does have portamento (it's called "slide" on the machine).

Anyway, I own and love all three Volca machines and think they sound terrific for what they are. They're an unbeatable value.

[Aaron2]

I just wish the keys had a step sequencer like the Beats and the Bass. I realized too late to return it but I'll end up buying the Bass at some point anyway. And despite it's lack of polyphony or portamento, the Bass may actually make a better lead synth than the Keys.

Once you get the hang of recording sequences "live" on the Keys, you won't miss the step sequencer. In fact, you'll find that it spurs some additional creativity.

[sourwookie]

The Volca Bass does have portamento (it's called "slide" on the machine).

Good to know. Does it just work on the step sequencer though, or can it be active while playing it (w/ external midi'd keyboard)?

Once you get the hang of recording sequences "live" on the Keys, you won't miss the step sequencer. In fact, you'll find that it spurs some additional creativity.

I have had some fun with it, but it also highlights my embarrassing inaccuracies. :/

[Aaron2]

The Volca Bass does have portamento (it's called "slide" on the machine).

Good to know. Does it just work on the step sequencer though, or can it be active while playing it (w/ external midi'd keyboard)?

Both, really. You can set the steps on which you want slide to occur when using the step sequencer. Plus, this synth always seems to have a little portamento going when you play it via a MIDI keyboard. I think you can turn that off, but I haven't figured out how (or maybe I turned it on unknowingly; not sure).

Once you get the hang of recording sequences "live" on the Keys, you won't miss the step sequencer. In fact, you'll find that it spurs some additional creativity.

I have had some fun with it, but it also highlights my embarrassing inaccuracies. :/

Me too. But sometimes, hitting the "wrong" note yields some interesting results.

Anyway, here's a trick for you: while the recorder is running, keep playing your sequence over and over again until you get it right. Once you get it right, stop. By continuing to play, you're recording over your previous mistake(s). Plus, as you're playing, you develop the muscle memory to play it correctly, and you'll eventually get it right. Works every time for me. Also, you can record a note at a time, by playing the correct note, in the correct time, and just waiting for the sequence to loop back around. You don't have to play the entire sequence in one take. Sure, it's slow, but if accuracy is your goal, this will do it.

If nothing else fails, you can just hit "clear all," and start again. Doesn't cost you a thing. Happy recording!

[calaverasgrande]

whole lotta 'clear all' going on over here.

[mute]

whole lotta 'clear all' going on over here.

I've had that problem on all my volcas. As I get better within exploiting the restrictions of the sequencers, the previous set of 8 that I thought were keepers..keep losing appeal. Gotta love the beat divide/time sig on the keys sequencer.. wish that was on all of them.

[calaverasgrande]

Gotta love the beat divide/time sig on the keys sequencer.. wish that was on all of them.

That is the best gimmick of any. I at first wasn't too fond of the 'keys'. But that little option kicks A.