The Korg Volca series includes a range of small, affordable, inviting, and effective synths and drum machines. This series has grown steadily in recent years to include a variety of different models, each of which covers a classic synth or beat-making style. The Volcas are ideal entry points into the realm of electronic music production, with plenty of sophisticated features and tools packed in on top to keep even the most experienced of synthesists engaged.
Maybe you've heard that Volcas are great starting points for burgeoning producers and synthesis. Maybe you've seen listings for the various models but aren't really sure which one does what (What exactly is the difference between the Volca Beats and Volca Drum anyway?). On this page, we'll offer a brief overview of the key selling point of each model side-by-side. Click on the links below to see more details and what's currently available right here on Reverb.
The Volca Keys presents a classic subtractive synth layout in the spirit of an old Roland, Korg, or Moog. If you're interested in learning the ropes of the most common type of analog synth, the Volca Keys is your starting point. You can play this like a tiny keyboard or string together sets of notes on repeat via the onboard loop sequencer.
The Korg Volca Beats is the right option for you if you want to learn how to use a drum machine. This rhythm box puts out clicky, trap-primed drum sounds in the spirit of an 808, with a part-by-part sequencing layout that's common to most drum machines. The sounds are a bit limited but there's still plenty to work with at a fantastic price.
The Volca Bass is a great choice if you're newer to analog synthesizers and looking for an affordable, all-analog synth with a lot of low-end muscle. It features three powerful oscillators and an interface that's exceedingly easy to use, all packed into a compact, 8x5-inch chassis. A great choice for musicians interested in dubstep, house, and grime.
If you're really interested in sampling, Korg's Volca Sample 2 is perfect for you. (An earlier version is also available, though V2 is a big upgrade.) The Sample 2 give users space for up to 200 samples (and comes included with 150 custom sounds, including basses, kicks, and synths). A micro USB port makes it easy to load your own sounds, so you can really make this sampler your own. Pitch, reverse, or otherwise manipulate your samples. Then, use the 16-step sequencer to program patterns and songs.
Korg Volca FM is an ultra-compact digital synth that recreates the sound of the legendary DX7 from the 1980s, even going so far as to support original DX7 patch data. This tiny workhorse gives you three polyphonic voices and six FM operators to reproduce a wealth of iconic bass sounds, buzzing leads, electric pianos, and more while being significantly easier to program than the original. The onboard sequencer and arpeggiator let you bring liquid motion to your tracks, while the built-in chorus effect instantly gives you the sound of the '80s.
The Korg Volca Kick is the perfect tool for adding extra deep and totally analog low-end punch to your Volca rig. Players can shape their sounds with the classic MS-20 resonant filter—a powerful circuit with an aggressive tone—and the Kick also features an intuitive step-sequencer, automation functions, swing, and easy syncing to other Korg gear, which all makes for an excellent addition to both studio and live rigs.
The Korg Volca Modular is a micro modular synth that brings together eight bite-sized "modules" and 50 familiarly configured patch points in an affordable and super approachable format that will delight both existing modular fans and those who are absolutely brand-new to it. A world of bleeps, bloops, and soundscapes is literally at your fingertips, thanks to pre-wired sections like a random voltage generator and stereo reverb. As you learn more, wire up the Volca Modular yourself for even more sonic experimentation.
Building on the popularity of its predecessor with a brand new, six-part DSP engine that lets you layer sounds into an armada of both real and imagined drum sounds, the Korg Volca Drum is one of the most powerful entry-level drum machines on the market. Sculpt and shape new sounds by tailoring one of five oscillator waveforms to your liking, then add touches like bit reduction and overdrive to produce studio-grade sounds from a box the size of a paperback book, all for a price that won't strain your wallet.
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