Developer Geert Bevin (Moog, Roger Linn Design, UWYN) let us know that he’s introduced the Knobotron, a new line of colored knob rings for modding the Korg Volca line and several other synths.
Knobotrons feature a tactile pointer that indicates the current position of the knob, making it easy to see and tweak controls. The knobs are also fluorescent and UV reactive, so they glow under black light.
Knobotron sets are now available for each of these Volcas:
- Korg Volca Bass
- Korg Volca Beats
- Korg Volca Drum
- Korg Volca FM
- Korg Volca Keys
- Korg Volca Kick
- Korg Volca Mix
- Korg Volca Modular
- Korg Volca Nubass
- Korg Volca Sample
In addition to the Volca line, Knobotron sets are available for the Monotribe, SQ-1 and several other synths.
Pricing and Availability
Knobotron sets are available now, starting at $5 and priced based on the number of controls on the device.
Need this on every synth, life is just better under blacklight
It seems most Korg products need knobs. The Electribe sampler and the Korg Minilogue XD have terrible knobs. Black on black with no indicator to where the knob is pointing. Very hard to see in the dark and not very effective if position recognition is necessary. The person responsible for knobs at Korg should be fired.
Absolutely and this is so annoying. I painted lines on all my Volcas, my XD and my SQ-1. It should’ve been done during production.
Korg makes questionable decisions throughout the entire process. Didn’t one of the engineers admit to Cuckoo at a convention that the engineering teams are very small and must go from project to project very quickly? I remember it sort of blew Cuckoo away and was very revealing.
Also, the volca sample 2 leds are so bright that I thought they may have the ability to harm vision, so I covered them with spots of tape. You will know what I’m talking about it you have one. Product lifecycles are becoming so short that refinement and common sense is getting left in the dirt.
have you seen those LED patchcables
I got these for my Korg SQ-1 and they really improve visibility of the knobs’ indicators. I haven’t had a chance to bust out the blacklight yet but the green and orange do look hot in regular light.
You can see they used a blacklight in the photo to highlight the text on the volca. If the photo was honest it would look like random lit knobs where their function is not visible – rendering the “mod” almost useless (unless you can remember each knobs function).
Is it possible the text on the volca is made visible due to the light relected from the knob caps’ fluorescence and not image manipulation?
There are all genuine pictures taken with an iPhone while shining one UV flashlight on the Volcas.
Definitely justifies mounting a small UV flashlight over the equipped pieces, just as part of your stage aroma. Smart idea for a modest price.
More evidence that Geert is smarter than you average bear. Great idea at a great price. Hope knobs for the monologues are on the road map.
Its ironic…. Black lights are harmful to your eyes,,,
These look awesome. Just bought sets for all six of my Volcas.