Volca Bass: Some functions not working...? User Error?

joeyluck · Post by **joeyluck** » Sat Oct 05, 2013 10:35 pm

I'm having lots of fun with the Volca Bass.

I've gone through the manual and have watched several videos, but seem to be lost on some features.

The first is "Sustain On." When it is 'on,' I am not having any results (nothing different happens). My assumption is that the sustain should ring out as something separate from the Decay/Release (because after all, those work without sustain enabled). Even with MIDI hooked up, I can't seem to sustain notes with a sustain pedal. Any ideas? Am I missing something?

Next, I'm trying to understand the LFO... I'm not sure if mine is erratic, or if it is the way it should behave. When I turn up the rate all the way, the speed increases. But as I get to the top (between the last couple tick marks) it slows again and sounds as if it might be going in reverse and then turning it up a little bit more speeds it up all the way again. Is this how it should behave?

Next, should the EG Attack and Decay have any effect when function M12: "Amp EG On" is not enabled? Because mine does not. I suppose I was under the impression that when M12 is off, it acts as Filter envelope and when 'on' it acts as Amp Envelope. Am I wrong? This wasn't clear from what I read.

Thanks in advance!

slug · Post by **slug** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 4:07 am

Your Volca Bass is working fine. The sustain control allows the note to remain as long as you hold your finger on the note triggered.

Sounds like you need to start with the basics. This below is one of my favourite synth instruction videos and will be rewarding if you want to know how synths work. While the Volca Bass has an unorthodox envelope system that is shared for filter and amplitude the principles are the same for all synths which is demonstrated well by Dean Friedman in this School of Synthesis video:

http://youtu.be/atvtBE6t48M

joeyluck · Post by **joeyluck** » Tue Oct 08, 2013 12:01 am

Hi, thanks for the link. I am actually quite beyond basics, but thank you =)
There is nothing that says the LFO should behave the way it does on mine. Nor does any LFO on any other synth I own act this way. It's actually quite annoying the way it works on mine. Also, when it's turned all the way up, different notes played have different LFO rates. Can you confirm that it acts the same way on your Volca Bass?

Thanks =)

slug · Post by **slug** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 1:07 am

joeyluck wrote:I am actually quite beyond basics, but thank you =)

With respect you aren't, otherwise you would know what you are hearing (or at least what i think your are describing) is secondary harmonics, which is the audio equivalent of when you see a cars wheel and at certain speeds it appears to slow down and turn backwards.

You are also hearing that different pitch notes played create different harmonics when modulated by the audio rate LFO. This is wholly typical behavior on any synth with fast enough LFOs which is why Korg would not need to describe it in the manual.

joeyluck · Post by **joeyluck** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 2:59 am

I just found a Sonic State video with a review by Nick where he is pointing it out in a similar manner. All is well. I do appreciate your help.

joeyluck · Post by **joeyluck** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 3:09 am

I am aware of secondary harmonics, but am pretty sure this is not that...

DrHoo · Post by **DrHoo** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 7:11 am

Interesting reading. Might be a good idea to record your rogue sounds & post them here. It would help others to help you.

joeyluck · Post by **joeyluck** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 3:35 pm

DrHoo wrote:Interesting reading. Might be a good idea to record your rogue sounds & post them here. It would help others to help you.

Thank you, that would've been a good idea...

Instead, I compared the unit with another at the store using the same settings and they were in fact different. I ended up exchanging for the other which behaves more as I would expect.

Sorry for any confusion. Thanks for the help!