Korg Volca Drum

Korg Volca Drum - The Drum Synth That Changes the Sound World!

Whether analog, PCM, or FM, the volca series impresses with amazing sounds in straightforward instruments. Now the series has been expanded with a new rhythm machine featuring a completely different sound character: the volca drum digital percussion synthesizer.

Here, a simple trigger waveform is enriched with diverse overtones and distortion through a wave folder and overdrive, then brought to life with a waveguide resonator effect. The 6-part DSP synth engine is designed completely differently from conventional drum machines and produces a broad range of fundamentally different sounds, which can of course also be played with the volca-typical sequencer. With its distinctive sounds, the drum synth refreshes all rhythms and revolutionizes productions.

Digital Percussion Synth with 6-Part x 2-Layer Structure

The term "digital" usually brings to mind bass drums, snare drums, cymbals, or other PCM-sample-based sounds. The volca drum, however, generates its drum sounds through DSP-based analog modeling and oscillator waveforms like sine, sawtooth, and noise. By modifying these waveforms in various ways, many realistic and also exciting, unconventional percussion sounds can be created that are not limited to drums.

Each of the 6 parts has 2 layers and is free from any rules or restrictions. All parts have the same specifications and can be freely used for bass drum, cymbals, etc. You can assign new sounds to these 6 parts without having to follow the conventions of a drum set. A kit consists of these 6 assigned parts plus the waveguide resonator effect settings and can be saved in one of the 16 internal memory slots (10 kits are preprogrammed from the factory).

Newly Developed DSP Engine with Distinctive Sounds

Each part consists of two layers. For each layer, you can choose one of 5 waveform types such as sine, sawtooth, and HPF noise, as well as 3 pitch modulator and amp EG types, all optimized for drum sounds. The layer parameters can be edited individually or simultaneously, allowing you to create the same sound with two layers and thus greatly thicken it.

The generated trigger waveform can be further customized by making it rougher through bit reduction, adding complex overtones by varying the wave folder depth, or controlling the distortion amount with overdrive. This creates novel, distinctive sounds with a sound engine whose structure differs greatly from a typical drum machine.

Once the sound is set, you can fine-tune the balance of the parts by adjusting step timing, panning, gain before mixing, and effect sends.

Waveguide Resonator for Dense Resonances

The waveguide resonator in the effects section is based on physical modeling and adds resonant frequencies to the sound. Two waveguide types are available: "Tube" simulates the resonance of a cylindrical object, such as a drum or long tube, while "Strings" generates the metallic resonance of a string. The three knobs in the center of the control panel allow you to control DECAY (damping), BODY (tone characteristic), and TUNE (pitch). Lower TUNE values create a kind of delay. These controls can be used not only for sound design but also during live performances.

Advanced volca Sequencer

16-Step Sequencer with Extensive Parameter Automation

The 16-step sequencer is perfect for improvisation. The 16 buttons, each corresponding to one of the 16 steps, allow effortless pattern creation. In addition to step recording, real-time recording is supported, where you gradually build a pattern in a playback loop. The pattern chain function lets you play multiple sequence patterns in succession, connecting up to 16 sequences into patterns with 256 steps.

If you want more than just playing drum patterns, you can record your knob actions during real-time recording with the motion sequence function and reproduce them during playback. A total of 69 different parameters can be stored. This is useful not only for creating patterns but also adds much more originality to live performances. Up to 16 sequence programs (16-step sequencer patterns, stored motion sequences, kit number) can be saved internally.

ACTIVE STEP for Skipping and Replacing Steps

The active step function allows you to skip steps during sequence playback. This lets you create "short loop" effects, irregular rhythms, or even polyrhythms by using different settings per part. The step jump function jumps to the step of the button you press during sequence playback. Using these functions for real-time editing lets you create dynamic performances inspired by the moment.

Slice Function for Creating Drum Rolls

The step slice function produces variable drum rolls. With a rotary knob, you can change the number of slices and insert a refined drum roll in the middle or at the end of a pattern as a highlight of songs or performances.

Slice Function for Creating Drum Rolls

The step slice function produces variable drum rolls. With a rotary knob, you can change the number of slices and insert a refined drum roll in the middle or at the end of a pattern as a highlight of songs or performances.

Accent Function with 16 Levels

Accents can be set not only on or off to emphasize certain beats of a step but also in 16 levels to bring out grooves and rhythmic nuances.

Practical Choke Function for Grouping Parts

The choke function sets priorities among similar parts of a drum machine when played simultaneously. For example, if the choke function is activated for the open and closed hi-hat, only the hi-hat part with the lowest number will sound at any time.

Two Randomize Functions Fuel Inspiration

With the two randomize functions, you can randomly change the sound (layer) of a selected single part or randomly vary steps, slices, accents, and active step settings of a selected single part. This allows you to introduce surprising changes and developments in sounds and patterns during a performance.

New Design with Special LCD

The aluminum control panel is treated with an etching process and radiates high quality with engraved text and fine lines. A special LCD is also among the innovations of the volca series. The bright display is very easy to read and graphically presents complex settings, allowing you to immediately understand the relationships and quickly learn to operate the volca drum.

Synchronized Performance with Other volcas, electribes, and DAWs

Via the sync jack for connecting Korg groove machines, you can link the volca drum with other devices from the volca series, an electribe, or an SQ-1 and synchronize playback via the sequencer. Through the standard MIDI-IN jack, the volca drum can even be used as a sound module for a DAW.

Flexible and Ready to Play Anywhere

With its built-in speaker, the compact, handy, battery-powered volca drum is easy to transport and ready to play anytime, anywhere.

Free Software Bundle

The volca nubass comes with a comprehensive selection of music software, including the program "OZONE Elements" by iZotope, which lets you not only create songs but also master them using "AI", the software "Skoove" to help you improve your keyboard playing skills, as well as the DAW "Reason Lite" and various software instruments from KORG and other manufacturers. In other words, the moment you use your synthesizer for the first time, you already have access to a wide range of professional software tools to take your music to the next level.

Volca Drum expands the volca product line with a unique drum synth!