SynthesizersKorg Volca Beats

Manufacturer’s Description

The volca beats is a rhythm sequencer with an analog sound source at the core. It achieves the classic tone essential to dance music with a thick sound that´s distinctive of analog hardware. By further incorporating four lo-fi PCMs to control the playback speed, it can express the coarse graininess that transcends its intrinsic digital concept. The sequencer is constructed so that it emphasizes the spontaneity of adding and removing parts as well as pattern editing. In addition, it opens up possibilities for live performance with pattern effects, such as stutter

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Volca Beats Features

KICK (kick drum)

• CLICK knob: This knob sets the attack. The knob will light up with the timing of the sound from the kick drum.
• PITCH knob: This knob sets the pitch of the drum head sound. DECAY knob: This knob sets the length of the drum head sound.

SNARE (snare drum)

• SNAPPY knob: This knob sets the volume of the snare drum wires. The knob will light up with the timing of the sound from the snare drum.
• PITCH knob: This knob sets the pitch of the snare drum. DECAY knob: This knob sets the length of the drum head sound.

TOM (high tom and low tom)

• HI PITCH knob: This knob sets the pitch of the high tom. The knob will light up with the timing of the sound from the high tom.
• LO PITCH knob: This knob sets the pitch of the low tom. The knob will light up with the timing of the sound from the low tom.
• DECAY knob: This knob sets the length of the sound from the high tom and low tom. Display This displays the values selected by using the knobs and buttons.

HAT (hi-hat)

• CLOSED DECAY knob: This knob sets the length of the sound from a closed hi-hat. The knob will light up with the timing of the sound from the closed hi-hat.
• OPEN DECAY knob: This knob sets the length of the sound from an open hi-hat. The knob will light up with the timing of the sound from the open hi-hat.
• GRAIN knob: This knob sets the coarseness of the noise generating the metallic sound of the hi-hat. Reducing the value will produce a scratchy, coarse tone.

PCM

The volca beats has 4 PCM sounds (crash, clap, claves and agogo) built in. PCM SPEED knob: This knob sets the playback speed for the selected PCM sound. This knob has no effect on the analog sound sources. PART buttons Press these buttons to select the part to be edited. In addition, these buttons can be used to move to other sequencer steps.

STUTTER

This is a function that repeatedly hits the trigger for a selected part. The trigger will be hit according to the settings on the TIME and DEPTH knobs.

• TIME knob: This knob sets the hit timing interval. Reducing the value will create an effect like a drum roll, and increasing the value will create a delay-like effect.
• DEPTH knob: This knob sets the volume decay for each hit.

Adjusting the Global Settings

Volca Beats: MIDI Implementation

The MIDI jack can connect an external MIDI device to control the sound generator of the volca FM.

Setting the MIDI channel

1. While holding down the MEMORY button, turn on the volca bass.
2. Step buttons 1 to 16 correspond to the MIDI channels 1 to 16. Press the button that corresponds to the desired channel, and the LED below the step button will light up

Volca Beats Resources

Tips and Tutorial Videos

 

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