The Keys is part of Korg's Volca line of compact hardware synthesizers and drum machines; like other models it features a 16- step sequencer and can be powered off of batteries. Sadly, there's only technically one waveform for the built-in oscillator, which is a saw tooth. But, when you start getting into the ring modes, the sound can get much more interesting. The LFO, however, does have Saw, Triangle, Square waveforms. "The Volca Keys looks and feels amazing. I had no idea that there were so many LEDs. When you first turn it on, it's like the fourth of July." The Volca Keys is a three oscillator analogue synthesizer. Whilst the synth has three note polyphony (the pitch of the oscillators can be individually controlled to play three notes simultaneously), it is paraphonic (the notes are not individually articulated, all three oscillators sharing a single filter and amplifier). The Volca Keys' oscillators are digitally controlled analogue oscillators that are either sawtooth or square waveforms depending on the mode (square in ring modes, sawtooth in all others). The section has 5 controls: for Mode, Pitch, Detune, Portamento and EG Int (Envelope Intensity). [10] It also uses the MiniKORG700s filter, which is a great filter. The LFO has 3 waveforms: sawtooth, square and triangle which make for some great modulation variety.

The Motion Sequence function lets you record knob movements, letting you apply time-varying changes to yourServices Guitar Workshop Electronic Repairs Workshop Music Store Events & Workshops Piano Showroom Music Lessons Recording Studio There's also a built-in delay, and a step sequencer. We'll talk about these a little more, later. For the meantime, let's talk about the sound. Here are some limitations that I found annoying. Some of these might be hard to guess before actually using the unit: loop or unexpectedly irregular rhythms, allowing dynamic performances just as though you were performing

chords, use them in unison with detune to produce solid lead lines, or apply ring modulation to create far-out The Volca Keys makes writing down and developing an idea easier than ever. The easy to use onboard Loop and Motion Sequencers pin down not only what you're playing in real time, but also your knob edits for even more precise control over texture. You have plenty to work with when creating patterns: the Active Step and Flux functions pepper the dynamics needed to make your signature sound. Built-In Arpeggiation, Effects, and More The single Detune knob changes the pitch of the oscillators relative to each other. In Poly and Unison modes, the maximum Detune setting puts the pitch of VCO2 a semitone lower and VCO3 a semitone higher, in Unison mode this will result in the sound of two adjacent minor seconds. At less extreme settings, a more subtle, classic detuned oscillators sound can be obtained. Control via a MIDI keyboard is really a must as the touchpad on the Keys is not terribly easy to use polyphonically, despite being larger than on the other two Volcas. With an external controller the Keys responds to pitchbend and modulation. Also, many of the controls respond to MIDI control change (CC) messages, so they can be sequenced.

An Incredible Price for a Powerful Analog Polysynth

Three true-analog synthesizers with built-in sequencers to generate the ultimate analog leads, basses, or rhythms The built-in keys actually work a lot better than you might imagine. They are sensitive in the exact way that they should be. Not too much, not too less. They are just right. I found it very easy to program some very nice sequences within the built-in step sequencer, which we'll talk more about in a minute. With a simple structure that includes delay effect and a sequencer, it's also an ideal choice for a first analog synth. It offers the richly expressive sounds that are distinctive of analog, providing the enjoyment of simple yet deep sound-creation. The possibilities are endless; you can use the three oscillators to play chords, use them in unison with detune to produce solid lead lines, or apply ring modulation to create far-out metallic sounds. Here's what Korg say about the Volca Range The MIDI IN connector lets you synchronise with other devices, as well as play the Volca from any MIDI keyboard. You can also send note messages from your DAW and use the Volca as an analogue sound module. Compact size, battery-powered operation, and built-in speaker for enjoyment anywhere The filter is a 12 dB/octave, resonant low-pass filter, a recreation of the one found in the Korg MiniKorg-700S from the mid-1970s. The filter is reputedly voiced differently to that of the Volca Bass, which is also modelled on the 700S.