Analog synthesis Korg Volca Modular

Korg Volca Modular

Creating new sounds that don’t exist in the outside world is an unending dream which has continued since the birth of electronic musical instruments. This dream has evolved and expanded throughout the development of new and unique music production devices. The popularity of modular synthesizers around the world has generated new excitement and interest in the so-called "West Coast style" of synthesis that deviates from traditional synthesis norms. The compact body of this volca synth features eight modules and 50 patch points. While learning the basics of a modular synth, you can use popular features of the volca synthesizer line to control a unique and different flavor of analog sounds.

An analog synth composed of Eight modules

The volca modular is a semi-modular synthesizer consisting of independent analog synth modules, digital effects, and a sequencer. Each of the modules has been carefully selected for its stand-alone completeness. The modules are internally connected so that sound can be produced even before connecting the included pin cables, and the routing is shown by white lines on the panel. Module connections via a pin cable take priority over the internal connections, bypassing them.

SOURCE

This consists of a triangle VCO carrier and a modulator. The complex overtones generated by FM modulation are sent through a wave folder circuit to add additional overtones, producing a distinctive sound. This module is important in determining the basic character of the sound of volca modular.

WOGGLE

This is a random signal generator containing a sample & hold circuit that uses pink noise as its source. Two outputs are provided, allowing it to output either stepped or smooth random noise.

DUAL LPG

This consists of two low-pass gate circuits. Typical of the West Coast style of synthesis, the module packages a filter with an amp, allowing the brightness and volume of the sound to vary together.

SPACE OUT

This is a stereo module that applies a reverb-like effect to the audio signal.

FUNCTIONS

This section consists of two functions (envelope) generators. In addition to an AHR generator with attack, hold, and release, there's a Rise-Fall generator, also known as a slope generator, which not only applies time-varying change to the sound but also lets you patch the end trigger out back into the trigger in as a loop, making it usable as a VCO or LFO.

SPLIT

This module distributes one input to two outputs. It can also be used in the reverse direction, combining two control or audio signals into one.

UTILITY

This is a mixing scaling module that combines two signals in various ways. It can mix not only audio signals but also control signals, as well as inverting or attenuating those signals.

SEQUENCES

This module is for connecting to the internal sequencer. You can set the tempo, and select different rhythm divisions to output via the gate counter.

A fusion of West Coast style in a volca format

Analog synthesizers in which a simple oscillator such as a saw wave or square wave is modified by a filter are referred to as "East Coast style" because of their origin from well-known American manufacturers. Synths of this style, as exemplified by the MS-20, have continued to evolve toward a goal of being used in many mainstream musical genres, thus being equipped with a keyboard for performance. Their sounds are notable for sharp filters and rich presence, and can be heard in many well-known songs.

Synthesizers of the "West Coast style" evolved in a uniquely different direction from such musical developments. Pursuing the freedom that is inherent to electronic musical instruments, these were based on oscillators such as FM modulation which generated numerous overtones, and used random and complex control signals and low-pass gate circuits to vary tonal character and volume, so that slight movement of a knob might dramatically transform the sound. While their potential was acknowledged, the resulting sound and its changes were difficult to predict, causing these synths to be used in a more experimental capacity.

For these reasons, hardware products of this style have been few in number. However, recent years have seen the popularity of modular synths such as Eurorack, as well as DAW plugin instruments that resurrect classic bygone synths of the past. This world-wide movement toward embracing interesting sounds has received renewed attention, spurring a new look at the sounds of this style.

Starting from analog, and freely taking in all elements including FM and PCM, the volca series has also focused on this trend. And now, this distinctive "West Coast style" sound has been added to the KORG volca series.

Randomize function that can generate accidental ideas

The sequencer of the volca modular lets you specify randomization for notes, active steps, and micro tuning. Irregular phrases, rhythms, and scaling that would be unlikely to come to mind can be generated by applying randomness, letting the volca be a source of unknown ideas.

Two new modes added for sequence playback

Two new sequence modes have been added: bounce sequence mode which makes a round trip through the steps, and stochastic sequence mode which gradually proceeds while randomly moving forward and backward. Playing back a recorded sequence in a different form can add dramatic changes to your song or performance.

Specs

• Keyboard: Multi touch Keyboard / Step key
• Synthesizer
  • Type: Analog synthesis
  • Maximum Polyphony: 1
  • Structure: 2 VCO (Triangle), 2 EG, 2 LPG, digital effect
• Sequencer
  • Number of parts: 1
  • Number of Steps: 16
  • Number of Recording Patterns: 16
• Connectors
  • Audio Output: Headphones (3.5mm stereo mini jack)
  • Sync
    • Sync In (3.5mm monaural mini jack, Maximum input level: 20V
    • Sync Out (3.5mm monaural mini jack, Maximum Output level: 5V)
  • Control In: CV-IN jack (TRS mini phone jack)
• Power
  • Battery Life: Approximately 10 hours (using alkaline batteries)
  • Power supply: AA alkaline battery ×6, AA nickel-metal hydride battery ×6 or AC adapter “KA-350” (optional)
• Others
  • Dimensions: 193х115х39 mm
  • Weight: 377 g

Included Items

• Analog synthesis Korg Volca Modular
• AA alkaline battery ×6 (for verifying operation)
• Sync cable
• Pin cable for patching 1 set
• Module reference sheet

User Guide