Here’s the last in Sonic State’s series of reviews of the Korg Volca series of analog synths.
In this video, Nick Batt takes a look at the Korg Volca Keys – a 3 voice analogue synth capable of 3-voice poly operation:
Features:
- Polyphonic synthesizer
- Three note true analogue synthesis
- Voicing function lets anyone create sounds easily
- Delay effect for even more sonic possibilities
- Simple loop sequencer
- Loop sequencer lets you record phases just as you play them
- Motion Sequencer records knob edits in real time
- Active Step function and Flux function to add dynamic change to your sequences
- Convenient functions for ease of use
- Self-tuning function for constant, stable pitch
- Sync In and Out allows clock sync of multiple instruments from the volca Series as well as Korg’s Monotribe
- Compact size, battery-powered operation, and built-in speaker for enjoyment anywhere
The Korg Volca Keys has a street price of about $150. See the Korg site for more info.
via sonicstate
I really dig the ‘motion record’ thing – that’s pretty nifty. But that filter doesn’t sound so impressive. “A little bit” of stepping is an understatement.
I don’t understand how an analogue synth would have filter stepping. I thought it was an artifact of digital discrete mathematics.
The stepping is normal for a synth like this… even “great vintage” synths like the Prophet 5 had filters that did not sweep smoothly. Filter sweep range divided by 128 steps in midi minus any slew equals audible stepping on any digitally controlled analog?
maybe a future OS feature could turn off motion record, and stop the stepping. If not, the Volca Bass is smooth as silk. So no big deal really. Only so many features can be crammed into a chipmunk sized analog synth. : )
Check out a video on youtube by “tinysymphony” called “Korg Volca Keys Sound Check”. I think it sound pretty good.
What are the oscillators? I can’t find any real info on them. Dco s I assume?
Either way, I dig the dusty sound of this noisy little synth. It’s the most interesting of the volcas imo. The bass filter sounds 1999x better, tho.
I sure hope this isn’t as noisy as a montron. Has me worried now…