Korg - volca Keys - Analogue Loop Synthesizer

Product Information

Without complicating the Volca's simple design, this feature makes it easy to obtain a wide variety of sounds. The Volca Keys includes a metronome, which is a real boon given that the sequencer isn’t a step sequencer and only records in real time. Starting from analog, and freely taking in all elements including FM and PCM, the volca series has also focused on this trend. The Volca keys is, in fact, a very good lead synth with up to 3 part polyphony, unison mode, ring modulator mode, and more. All images, audio, downloadable media, logos and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

It's easy to create phrases that come to mind, and you can also use overdub recording to produce complex loops that could not be played individually. With minimum effort you can start building awesome synth lines and really shake things up with the delay effect! Essentially, this is a Subtractive Hybrid unit; an analogue sound engine with digital control so dial tweaks and note info can be recorded into the sequencer/accessed over MIDI. The left channel can input a ±5V signal and the right channel can input a signal of 1V/oct (0–+6V) signal which is internally converted to pitch CV within the volca modular.This world-wide movement toward embracing interesting sounds has received renewed attention, spurring a new look at the sounds of this style. You can also use the "SyncKontrol" iPhone app to wirelessly control tap tempo, swing settings, and synchronized playback with iOS music apps via WIST. Cutoff controls the cutoff point of the filter, which is also able to be controlled by the envelope generator by the EG Int control. While learning the basics of a modular synth, you can use popular features of the volca synthesizer line to control a unique and different flavor of analog sounds. With so much band for so little buck, the Keys should be a serious contender looking for an authentic analog synth experience in a modern package.

The LFO rate goes well into the audio range, allowing interesting frequency/filter modulation effects that can add useful distortion to sounds. The oscillators are self-tuning: if the tuning drifts, ceasing to play for at least 10 seconds will allow the auto-tuning function to correct the pitches.

The Volca Keys was announced in April 2013 at MusikMesse along with its siblings, the Volca Beats and Volca Bass, and proved a success for Korg. Each is also equipped with sequencing/recording capabilities for intuitively generating performances. I currently own quite a few Synthesizers from several manufacturers, Behringer, Roland, ASM, Elektron, Modal, Teenage Engineering and Korg, to name a few. It can create effects similar to a short loop or unexpectedly irregular rhythms, allowing dynamic performances just as though you were performing the sequence itself.

The ideal introductory synthesizer, with a simple – yet powerful – polyphonic analog sound engine and loop sequencer. A semi-modular analog synthesizer that makes modular synthesis more accessible and understandable than ever before.

It offers the richly expressive sounds that are distinctive of an analogue synth, providing the enjoyment of simple yet deep sound-creation. Whether used together or by themselves, the volca series is poised to inject true analog power into any performance or studio setup! All new products are sold with a 2-year manufacturer warranty which is upgraded to 3 years when bought direct from Korg UK. There are knobs to set the filter cut-off frequency and the amount of resonance and, unlike these controls on the Volca Bass, the knobs are rather small. I set up a kick drum on repeat, synced (yes, you can sync to MIDI, too) and started programming along.