Korg Forums

TheDoctor · Full Member Joined: 28 Mar 2019 Posts: 162

Ok here is the thing:you have to get rid off something and substitute with something else.

What Volca you'll keep and why? And what you'll get instead and why?

Feel free to suggest anything, I mean if you think a Keys with a pedal is better than two synth go for it.

I just would like to see what you like/hate about it and what you do with it.

roblabs · Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 4:06 pm Post subject:

I had all three and sold the keys and beats. Still have the bass, still inspired!
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TheDoctor · Full Member Joined: 28 Mar 2019 Posts: 162

Mr NOYJ · Joined: 21 Mar 2015 Posts: 32 Location: Brighton

The bass was the first one I got - and it's still one of my favourites: the fact that you can't chain patterns is more than compensated for by the fact that you can split the oscillator into three, set different active steps for each, and have a massive great polyrhythmic soup going on. I also love what you can do with the square LFO, jumping between original and target notes in precise timings.

The keys was the second; it's fine, but I find the sound palette limited...

The beats I have now is the third one I have bought; I returned the first two after being disappointed each time (d'oh!) with its limitations, volume output and sound palette (ahem, let's not mention the snare) - but I am now a completist, accepting of its shortcomings, and have used my current beats for a few things - and I like it! It sounds especially good through the filter on a monotron duo.

So I think if I had to ditch one, it would be the keys...

roblabs · Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 6:50 pm Post subject:

The keys went after I got a minilogue. The beats was cool but the snare was rubbish...replaced with a tr8, imo one of the best drum machines I've ever used
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megamarkd · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2019 2:50 am Post subject:

I've got the Beats but I'm pretty underwhelmed by it. I'd sell it, chuck in a few more $$$ and get a Model:Samples if I was more motivated (read as: not so lazy) to list it somewhere. I feel percussion can't be done completely with analogue. Still there are some instruments that sound better in analogue and I have an abundance of analogue drums that all sound better than every part on the Beats, but it's like a never ending search for a decent snare so digital it's going to have to be. All my (80's and 90's) digital drum machines have died, it's time to replace them.
Side note: I have a Circuit but I don't like the very limited drum programming, otherwise it'd be a perfect candidate for my digi-drums.
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Stuff I'm using: Umm right now, well there's a Volca Drum, a Micro Freak, an ADX-1, a Pulse, a Blofeld, a UNO Drum, KeyStep/Beatstep Pro/Keystep Pro (one of each), a Circuit, a LiveTrak L-12 and this nonsense: The Brief-case as it was about a bit over a year ago (the the complete ridiculous GAS monster collection here)and here

TheDoctor · Full Member Joined: 28 Mar 2019 Posts: 162

Koekepan · Platinum Member Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Posts: 617

Tough call.

I think that I'd keep the Keys, because it has substantial tonal variation available, with the ringmod options, as well as knob-action control of the portamento and detune level, and optional three-voice paraphony.

The Bass is very, very good and I do like it a lot.

I never got the Beats. In the end I got a Boutique for that 909 basic soundset, and I have various options for kits in my workstations.

I don't feel under-supplied with drums.

TheDoctor · Full Member Joined: 28 Mar 2019 Posts: 162

Koekepan · Platinum Member Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Posts: 617

To be fair, the Keys isn't as varied as, say, a Behringer Model D. But given solo/paraphony, octave, fifth, unison ringmod and paraphonic ringmod, there's a lot to like already.

Add to that the filter, the envelope and the delay circuit, as well as the LFO, and you have a whole range of sounds.

Sure, it's three saws. But you can do a lot with three saws. It will do good pads, good atmospherics, good plucks and good leads within its gamut. No regrets.

Darkside · Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 4:55 pm Post subject:

Strangely enough Volca Keys shines the most in all kind of mono/unison stuff, while in that poly/paraphonic mode it's nothing too funky to rave about. It still should have been done without that crappy delay, as that's most likely causing noise and quiet output. In that last parameter - output loudness - Bass is definitely the winner. And what about the beats: well, in the beginning I got all three, sold the Beats the next year and bought another one from a friend about two years after selling mine. By itself Volca Beats is somewhat out of balance within itself: some sounds kick ass while others just don't fit anywhere. And yes, it's good to use the Beats complimenting something else, but it's not quite capable of being the one drum machine to cover a whole track and that's down to that big disparity between those sounds inside it. So yeah, at the moment I have all three, but if any of them would have to go Beats would leave the place first, keys would be second and Bass wouldn't go anywhere. May-be it will be joined by that NuBass screaming acid spitter one day.

TheDoctor · Full Member Joined: 28 Mar 2019 Posts: 162

ShoNuff · Full Member Joined: 27 Oct 2014 Posts: 221

kept all three because i don't think i'd make a good sale on them. each has something to offer, and they don't take up much space. but i use the FM and Sample more. modified the Beats with a pull-out capacitor in an adaptor (was the only way i was going to succed with that mod), and the separate outs. sounds ok through a gated reverb (most things probably do) - and i'm planning on doing MIDI out on mini-TRS to all of them and using them as sequencers. other than that, i'd welcome more mods to Keys and Bass appearing. i will probably continue to pick up volcas if they turn up cheap.

TheDoctor · Full Member Joined: 28 Mar 2019 Posts: 162

djresonator · Joined: 26 Feb 2012 Posts: 4 Location: new york

I had the Keys and the Beats when they came out and sold them. While it’s nice to have analog gear for cheap, they’re too limited for me to keep. The Volcas are great for people just starting out and on a budget. But that’s about it. The Behringer synths and the Roland Boutiques offer more for a few extra dollars. But if $300+ is out of your price range, there’s always the IK Mulitimedia Uno synth and drum machines for $200.