Korg announces the volca series of analog synthesizers. The volca series is a new lineup consisting of three units: the volca Keys lead Synthesizer, the volca Bass synthesizer, and the volca Beats rhythm machine. These units let you create a diverse array of fat sounds that can only be obtained from an analog synthesizer; and you can generate intuitive phrase performances using the loop sequencer. Multiple units can be used in tandem, or together with your DAW software.
Following in the footsteps of the monotron, monotribe, and MS-20 Mini analog synthesizers, Korg announces the Volca series. volca is a new lineup of EDM production tools comprised of three distinct models: the Volca Keys lead synthesizer, the volca Bass synthesizer, and the Volca Beats rhythm machine. These powerful and fun-to-use true-analog devices deliver a diverse array of fat sounds that can be obtained only from an analog synthesizer. Each is also equipped with sequencing/recording capabilities for intuitively generating performances. Multiple volcas can be used in tandem via the vintage-style sync in/out, and with your favorite DAW software or MIDI keyboard via MIDI In. Battery operation and built-in speakers mean that you can conveniently play anywhere and anytime. These are the next-generation analog synthesizers, bringing you the ultimate sounds and grooves with ease and depth. Whether used together or by themselves, the volca series is poised to inject true analog power into any performance or studio setup!
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:05 pm
by fragments
Personally I'm excited. They are supposed to retail for about 150USD a piece. They are supposedly based on the Electribe series which means they will be fun as hell to jam on. I don't know they'd hold up as real studio gear, but for jamming and doing some live stuff. I'm hoping they might have a deal for the trio. There is a rumor is the drum box is 606 clone.
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:05 pm
by big_lurch
looks promising!
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:31 pm
by alphacat
Dear Roland:
What the fuck have you done lately? Jeez. The whole series is more than a little reminiscent of the 303 and similar Roland designs. While Roland ponders whether or not to re-release the 303, these guys are gonna sell a fucking shitload of these units IMO.
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:12 pm
by kleqster
Just preordered the Beats version. £119 and free shipping. Should be lots of fun!
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:48 pm
by Pedro Sánchez
alphacat wrote:Dear Roland:
What the fuck have you done lately? Jeez. The whole series is more than a little reminiscent of the 303 and similar Roland designs. While Roland ponders whether or not to re-release the 303, these guys are gonna sell a fucking shitload of these units IMO.
They are too busy making them shit overpriced performance keyboards and a watered down Juno every couple of years.
I don't write tunes anymore but these look like affordable fun .
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:02 pm
by LilWUB
Idk, why not just get an EMX and have all of that plus more and TOOBZ.
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:09 pm
by fragments
LilWUB wrote:Idk, why not just get an EMX and have all of that plus more and TOOBZ.
Well for one the EMX is VA. A new SD EMX is going to cost you almost as much as all three of these boxes and the prices for used ones (both SM and SD) on eBay are stupid. The three of these together would are potentially more versatile than the EMX. The effects aren't much to speak of IMO. The tubes are nice...but at that point you might as well just buy a stereo tube amp/pedal and then you can use TOOBZ on whatever you want.
I still think these look fun : ) (I miss the shit out of my ESX these days, it was fun to flip on and just fuck about on w/o a computer)
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:15 pm
by alphacat
'Nother cool thing about these is that they're easily sync-able and MIDI-in friendly - which is hardly novel, but definitely useful. Also, at 7.61" x 4.54" x 1.81" you could easily cobble together some kind of portable live rig inside an oversized binder w/ a powerstrip running up the spine and some stompboxes...
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 9:01 am
by wub
alphacat wrote:'Nother cool thing about these is that they're easily sync-able and MIDI-in friendly - which is hardly novel, but definitely useful. Also, at 7.61" x 4.54" x 1.81" you could easily cobble together some kind of portable live rig inside an oversized binder w/ a powerstrip running up the spine and some stompboxes...
Strange, I had the same idea last night, only it was in a briefcase and included my Montron Delay as an EFX unit...
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 12:10 pm
by Blingley
Pedro Sánchez wrote:
alphacat wrote:Dear Roland:
What the fuck have you done lately? Jeez. The whole series is more than a little reminiscent of the 303 and similar Roland designs. While Roland ponders whether or not to re-release the 303, these guys are gonna sell a fucking shitload of these units IMO.
They are too busy making them shit overpriced performance keyboards and a watered down Juno every couple of years.
If the electronic music community put their money where their mouth is like the people playing in churches do, maybe there would be an incentive for them to actually make something that we want.
How many people in here actually have bought a new product costing over $1k? Not many. Electronic musicians are like the most niche market of niche markets on the market.
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:42 pm
by snappy
i would consider buying the bass machine if it has accent. i know it has slide.
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 2:07 pm
by Dahneboy
they look really nice man, if i had the money id buy them
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 3:34 pm
by swerver
alphacat wrote:Dear Roland:
What the fuck have you done lately? Jeez. The whole series is more than a little reminiscent of the 303 and similar Roland designs. While Roland ponders whether or not to re-release the 303, these guys are gonna sell a fucking shitload of these units IMO.
I used to work in a (now closed) well known central london music shop that specialized in studio gear and they couldn't sell the TB303 when it first came out - no one wanted it! It was aimed at drummers or bass players in real bands who were like "this is shit!". I think it retailed at about 300 quid when it was new and they had to drop the price to 150 quid just to sell them. Few years later, during the acid-house era, I bought a second hand one off a punter in there for 300 quid and then sold it for 900 quid lol.
Roland seriously missed a trick there, they could have been creaming the money in for the last 2 decades. They still could if they re-release 808, 909, 303, 606, etc, etc
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:09 pm
by fragments
snappy wrote:i would consider buying the bass machine if it has accent. i know it has slide.
Save about another 150 and you can easily get a DSI Mopho dekstop...love that guy for bass : )
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:32 pm
by Brothulhu
Really interested in getting the beat one, looks so fun
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
korg wrote:SYNC jack and MIDI IN connector allow synchronized performance with multiple units or with your DAW
By using the sync jack you can enjoy synchronized playback with multiple volcas or with a monotribe. You can also use the "SyncKontrol" iPhone app to wirelessly control tap tempo, swing settings, and synchronized playback with iOS music apps via WIST.
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:15 pm
by fragments
^android or I don't give a fuck. ;p
Re: Korg's new Volca series - linkable $150 grooveboxes
