KORG volca Keys – Analogue Loop Synthesize


keys nubass bass modular mix FM
Descriptor ANALOGUE POLYPHONIC SYNTHESIZER VACUUM TUBE OSCILLATOR ANALOGUE BASS SYNTHESISER ANALOGUE BASS MACHINE ANALOGUE MODULAR “WEST COAST” SYNTHESISER ANALOGUE 4 CHANNEL MIXER DIGITAL FM SYNTHESISER
Concept Powerful and flexible lead synthesis Next generation bass machine with Nutube valve oscillator and ladder filter Three VCO analogue Bass Affordable modular synthesiser in volca format, with 50 patching points Performance mixer ideal for volca and other table top synths 6 operator FM synthesiser, DX7 compatible
Sound engine Paraphonic analogue signal path Analogue synthesis engine Analogue synthesis engine Analogue synthesis engine n/a Digital synthesis engine
Sound effects Retro digital delay Drive and tone n/a “Spaced out” ambient effect Analogue isolator, dynamics, stereo spacializer Chorus


Weight: 454 g
Size: S
Dimensions: 20.32 x 12.7 x 5.08 cm; 453.59 Grams
Model: VOLCAKEYS
Batteries Included: 6 AA batteries required. (included)
Origin: China
Size: S

122 Responses

  1. Jay S says:

     Mexico

    Me encanta este instrumento musical, y es impresionante como puedes usarlo como caja de ritmos, o como una herramienta ms de composicin musical, como un sintetizador de teclado.

  2. MikelBourque says:

     United Kingdom

    The only comment I have is that there was some battery corrosion on one of the springs! How had this happened?

  3. Maureen1043 says:

     Japa

    Golden Review Award: 6 From Our UsersVolca1016168

    8MB130120BPM1265

    PC/MacUSB.wav16bit/31.25KHz
    FSK

    USB-MIDIDAWDAWUSB-Audio

  4. DarnellPelsaert says:

     Canada 🇨🇦

    Golden Review Award: 2 From Our UsersI really love this volca! I see a lot of hate for the snare on it but it has its own character and it sounds very retro, so in my opinion it’s exactly what I was wanting for an analog drum machine.. also that kick is boomin’ and sounds so big in the tracks I’ve used this for. Will get a lot of use out of this and even tho the extra features seem complicated, it’s super easy to learn and I felt I had a solid handle on 90% of functions after a couple hours of playing. Highly recommend if the sound is ur thing

  5. Thomas H. Lee says:

     United States

    Good for a beginner or doing some work that only needs a few voices. Has a vibe all its own.

  6. Food Dude says:

     United Kingdom

    I was bought the KORG Volca beats as a Christmas present from my wife, so I won’t appear as a verified purchaser. I’ve had quite a few months of use out of the Volca – plenty of time to understand it well and understand it’s limitations.

    Nevertheless, this is quite a difficult review to write. As much as I like, and want to like the Volca Beats, I find its limitations equally frustrating. I pretty much knew what I was getting into with it, having done considerable research, but I think what it does so well just makes what it doesn’t do more obvious.

    First off – the basics: the Beats is an analogue-voiced drum box with a few PCM (digital sample) sounds thrown in. There’s a basic 16 step sequencer (without chaining) with 8 slots of non-volatile memory that also features a ‘stutter’ function, and the ability to record changes to the speed of PCM sounds and the stutter into the sequence.

    That’s pretty much it. Although analogue voiced, many aspects of the basic drum sounds are digitally controlled, so although these can’t be recorded into a sequence, they do get saved when you save a sequence to one of the 8 memory slots.

    All the analogue sounds can be tuned and tweaked. As others have suggested, the kick sound is very good, with a good range of sounds – whilst the snare is fairly rotten (although mods are available). The rest of the analogue sounds (toms and hats) lie somewhere in the middle. The PCM sounds work best in extremes and are better at creating metallic clicks warbles and bubbles than they are at actually representing anything like an actual crash, agogo or clave. If you’ve always had a soft spot for cheesy handclaps (guilty I’m afraid) those are here too. I’d agree with others in that if it doesn’t sound exactly like an old 808, it certainly captures the spirit of those much desired (and consequently pricey) 80’s and 90’s machines.

    The sequencer if VERY basic. Really, I remember playing with an old DR-55 back in the day – that was supposed to have a basic sequencer too, but that had 32 steps, fills and a footswitch trigger, none of which are present here. Neither, of course, is any kind of expression/velocity on the hits.

    What is present, is the ‘stutter’ function. This is essentially a re-trigger with a variable speed and decay. It seems strange at first that the stutter controls are the two biggest knobs on the whole device panel, until you realise what the stutter gets you, and exactly how important it is for the Beats’ whole ethos.

    Stutter (which can be applied either globally, or to individual drum sounds) basically does three things: Firstly, with the speed up and the decay down – what you get is quite a cool, broken down, squishy techno beat effect that’s awesome and fun to play around with and sounds impressive. With the ‘function’ button held down, the re-trigger rate can be synchronised with the tempo and at lower setting, with a short decay time, this can give some good doubling or echo type effects that add spice to slower tempo stuff so you can emulate Dr. Avalanche a little. With a little less decay, and synced to various fractional beats, the Stutter reveals it’s true purpose – turning a basic flat four instantly into a funky off beat pattern that would make Jason Bonham sweat.

    Whilst the settings and features make the Volca Beats absolutely brilliant to play around with, and it’s better than a metronome or click track – as a guitarist myself it’s hard to think of a more serious use case than with the sequencer as it stands. Sure, I could hook it up with some Midi to a DAW – but I hate using DAW’s and really, what’s the point? The fact you can pick it up, clear it, program a fresh rhythm, turn a few dials and get an instant cool sounding 90’s electro beat in under a minute is kind of cool though, and useful for getting some inspiration if you’re into that kind of vibe. But it’s not going to replace a drummer, certainly not for live performances, without an external sequencer or someone coming up with a workaround for the lack of a chain function. I’ve wracked my brains, but I can’t think of anything.

    This is all addressing the Volca Beats as someone who is probably not the intended user. I guess the ideal Beats user probably just wants something to put down a basic throb under some layered synth stuff.. most likely in concert with some of the other devices in the Volca line. But unless you’re totally smitten with the idea of analogue sounds, as a musician wanting a backing device for playing rock/pop music there are undoubtedly better options.

    I don’t want to end on a total downer. I do kind of love the beats for what it is – a quirky, characterful little beat-box that’s super fun and super quick to get going and can be a great source of inspiration for electro/ambient/dance music.

  7. ReginaldHayner says:

     Italy

    Ottimo strumento, manca solo la possibilit di creare song combinando sequenze di patte

  8. Ealing Gazette says:

     France

    Que dire, j’adore Korg et je suis pas du, je m’amuse comme un petit fou avec cet instrument, le son est gnial, je suis qu’un amateur, donc mon avis n’est pas forcment objectif, mais on peux faire de chouette sons avec ce synth

  9. Pat93Jstiklb says:

     United States

    This is truly an unbelievable experience in a tiny, extremely affordable box! It’s one of the most musical, inspiring synths I’ve played (and I have much more expensive, vintage analog synths!) I’ll definitely buy another one.

  10. BillyHansen says:

     United States 🇺🇸

    Learned a lot using this unit, love my korgs, great for adding to tracks and expanding woth some compkexity. Fun little travek deck as well.

  11. Anonymous says:

     United States

    Thanks for all the engineers and musicians behind the creation of such a analog feel synth in a portable way. Jamming with this one and vintage organ has been awesome. Thanks

  12. Anonymous says:

     United States

    The Korg Volca is an amazing little synth with great sound and surprising versatility. I have an SQ1 sequencer controlling mine and those two form a truly deeply impressive pair.

  13. Anonymous says:

     France 🇫🇷

    Bien emball dans une solide bote en carton…
    Celui que j’avais avant semblait en panne et finalement refonctionne ;du coup j’en ai deux 🙂 Mais vu l’tranget des sons,j’ai programm des choses diffrentes sur chacun.

    Pour complter mes set Live

  14. Anonymous says:

     Spai

    Decido sumar un Korg Volca ms a mi coleccin y al da siguiente, sbado, recibo una unidad nueva del modelo KICK. Para mi asombro, esta unidad presenta desde el minuto uno un defecto clarsimo en su placa base, que no se manifiesta ni mucho menos en mis otras unidades, todas compradas en Amazon. Ese defecto indica que la unidad es inoperativa y procedo a devolverla y adquirir una nueva unidad. Esta unidad de reemplazo llega a mi domicilio enseguida, el domingo y funciona a la perfeccin. Sobre la mquina solo decir que complementa perfectamente otras de la serie, y que su portabilidad es un escndalo…Gracias de nuevo Amazon por la comprensin y las facilidades.

  15. WinonaHeck says:

     Germany 🇩🇪

    The Volca keys is a serious instrument despite its small size and low price.
    It’s actually very playable with that small touch keyboard.
    This is my first analog synth and I’m very impressed with i

  16. Anonymous says:

     United Kingdom

    It’s not the most versatile of the Volcas but what it does it does beautifully. I haven’t found a better kick drum generator regardless of the price. The analogue overdrive sounds great. It also excells at sub bass lines and can do some great sci-fi effects.

  17. Anonymous says:

     Canada

    Golden Review Award: 2 From Our UsersThis is a very fun little tool. It’s surprisingly intuitive and highly programmable. Can really get them 80-90’s dance type sounds. Early drum machine type stuff.

    It’s not at all modern. If you’re looking for a stand-alone drum machine that will cover many styles, I would look elsewhere. If you’re looking to start a Depeche mode cover band, you might be okay.

  18. DVento says:

     Germany 🇩🇪

    Super teil bin voll zufrieden, leider zu wenig Zeit zum jame

  19. AnastasiaBernst says:

     United Kingdom

    This is the 5th Korg Volca I have purchased. I had been using the Volca Sample as a drum machine. The Volca Beats is really simple to use and I was knocking up some good patterns in next to no time, really like the stutter feature, I didn’t need to look at the instruction manual at all. My only gripe is that the output volume is lower than the other Volcas.

  20. Anonymous says:

     United Kingdom

    The Volca range are very easy to use. Once you get the hang of one, you will be able to operate all of the range with ease. The Volca Keys is one of my favourites as it’s very versatile and produces a wide range of sounds from deep bass to ambient tones.

  21. Anonymous says:

     United Kingdom

    Firstly – and lastly – it sounds amazing! Either plugged straight in to your DAW/desk or through an amp it’s just fantastic.
    I use it with a 32 key midi keyboard so you get the playability AND the analogue delights. If you have a creative mind you will LOVE this synth. And you won’t have to remortgage your house.

  22. Anonymous says:

     United Kingdom

    Two LEDs were broken – one just didn’t work at all. The other, gave off ~20% light it should. In a pitch-black room, this was okay – but for 99% of conditions, it was not enough to indicate whether the mode/setting was on (Trigger Sync LED). The LED that did not work whatsoever was the Peak dial on the VCF. Besides this, fantastic machine. 4* because it was brand new, probably would be 5* if it was from the marketplace, as LEDs being broken is relatively minor.