Synthesisers

Notes: The Korg Volca Keys is an ideal introductory synthesizer, with a simple, yet powerful polyphonic analog sound engine and loop sequencer.

The Volca Keys is a long awaited synthesizer that adds a new chapter to the long and storied history of Korg's analog synthesizers. This 27 key analog lead synth delivers unbelievably powerful sound in a compact body. Starting with a filter section that uses the circuitry of the legendary miniKORG700S (1974), it delivers astonishing sound that takes full advantage of Korg's half-century of know-how in circuit design.

With a simple structure that includes delay effect and a sequencer, it's also an ideal choice for a first analog synth. It offers the richly expressive sounds that are distinctive of analog, providing the enjoyment of simple yet deep sound-creation. The possibilities are endless; you can use the three oscillators to play chords, use them in unison with detune to produce solid lead lines, or apply ring modulation to create far-out metallic sounds.

The Voicing function makes it easy to specify how the three oscillators will be combined. Choose between poly, unison, octave, fifth, unison ring or poly ring simply by turning a dial. Easy for those taking thier first steps into synthesisers, the Volca's simple design makes it easy to obtain a wide variety of sounds.

Record phrases as you play them with the Volca Keys using the loop sequencer. With up to 16 steps, it's easy to create phrases as they come to mind. Use the overdub recording function to produce complex loops, with up to 8 sequence patterns able to be stored in internal memory. Craft your loops with the motion seqence function, apply time varying changes to your sound to enhance loops and add originality to your life performances.

Skip a step during sequence playback with active step, a function that creates effects similar to a short loop or unexpectedly irregular rhythms. This allows you to create a dynamic performance just as though you were performing the sequence itself. Flux function lets you play back the phrase without quantizing the steps, producing a loop with a distinctive sense of groove.

A useful self-tuning function constantly tunes the oscillators, so you never need to tune during a performance or wait for the pitch to stabilise after turning the power on.

Connect the Volca Keys with the rest of the Volca Series or a Monotribe using the sync jack. A MIDI in connector lets you synchronise with other devices, play the Volca from any MIDI keyboard and send note messages from your DAW.

The Volca Keys analogue loop synth has a compact size and a built-in speaker, easily playable anytime, anywhere. The ideal starter-synth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7rbcYJ326EI

Notes: Buchla-inspired modular business in Korg's small and affordable Volca range. Amazingly creative and experimental synth power in a tiny little box. Highly recommended.

Supplier's notes:
A semi-modular analogue synthesizer that makes modular synthesis more accessible and understandable than ever before.
Creating new sounds that don't exist in the outside world is an unending dream which has continued since the birth of electronic musical instruments. This dream has evolved and expanded throughout the development of new and unique music production devices.

The popularity of modular synthesizers around the world has generated new excitement and interest in the so-called "West Coast style" of synthesis that deviates from traditional synthesis norms.
The compact body of this volca synth features eight modules and 50 patch points. While learning the basics of a modular synth, you can use popular features of the volca synthesizer line to control a unique and different flavour of analogue sounds.

Eight modules:
The volca modular is a semi-modular synthesizer consisting of independent analogue synth modules, digital effects, and a sequencer. Each of the modules has been carefully selected for its stand-alone completeness. The modules are internally connected so that sound can be produced even before connecting the included pin cables, and the routing is shown by white lines on the panel. Module connections via a pin cable take priority over the internal connections, bypassing them.

A fusion of West Coast style in a volca format:
Analog synthesizers in which a simple oscillator such as a saw wave or square wave is modified by a filter are referred to as "East Coast style" because of their origin from well-known American manufacturers. Synths of this style, as exemplified by the MS-20, have continued to evolve toward a goal of being used in many mainstream musical genres, thus being equipped with a keyboard for performance. Their sounds are notable for sharp filters and rich presence, and can be heard in many well-known songs.

Patching allows infinite possibilities:
volca modular's modules are connected via the included pin cables, allowing a diverse range of combinations. The unit's compact chassis provides 50 patch points. Inputs and outputs are color-coded for recognition at a glance, and the signals are also marked by symbols to indicate audio, control, gate or trigger. Normally, each signal is connected according to its use, but on the volca modular, signal levels are universally compatible between modules, allowing hidden possibilities to arise from patching that defies common sense. Twenty pin cables are included, and also included is a reference sheet explaining each patch point and providing basic examples of patching.

Sixteen-step sequencer that can automate parameters:
While the volca modular is a semi-modular synth, it is equipped with a full-fledged 16-step sequencer providing a wide range of functions, letting you enjoy automatic performance even when used stand-alone.

Using the 16 buttons familiar from the volca series, you can perform step input or use the buttons as a keyboard for realtime recording. The pattern chaining function plays back multiple sequence patterns in succession, allowing you to connect up to 16 sequences with up to 32, 64, or even 256 steps to create large-scale development.

Randomize function that can generate accidental ideas:
The sequencer of the volca modular lets you specify randomization for notes, active steps, and micro tuning. Irregular phrases, rhythms, and scaling that would be unlikely to come to mind can be generated by applying randomness, letting the volca be a source of unknown ideas.

Two new modes added for sequence playback:
Two new sequence modes have been added: bounce sequence mode which makes a round trip through the steps, and stochastic sequence mode which gradually proceeds while randomly moving forward and backward. Playing back a recorded sequence in a different form can add dramatic changes to your song or performance.

Musically advanced scales, keys, and micro tuning:
Although the volca modular is a West Coast style synthesizer, it also provides flexible support for music as a contemporary instrument. You can choose from 14 types of scale including equal temperament. Since you can also specify the tonic key from which these scales start, you can play these scales in any key.

Connectors that allow synchronized performance and external control:
With a sync jack that allows easy connection to a Korg groove machine, you can connect the volca modular to another volca series unit, a minilogue, monologue, or prologue, an electribe, or the SQ-1, and enjoy sessions with the sequencer synchronized to the playback.