How do you sync the Volcas?

[jsrockit]

I'm trying to sync my Volcas together using the sync in and out and I can't seem to get it to work. I've only used Midi in the past, so analog syncing is new to me. The manual seems thin in this regard... making it seem as simple as running the sync out of one machine to the sync out of the next machine. However, when I do this, it doesn't sync.

Right now I have the sync out of the Beats connected to the sync in of the Bass. Hitting play on the Beats does not start the Bass. What am I doing wrong and thanks for your help.

[Jared777]

Hi there,

It sounds like you've got them hooked up correctly but I don't think the Volcas are meant to work that way. You will have to push play on both the beats and bass at the same time to have them playing in sync.

[robosardine]

Yes you need to press play on both at the same time- or pressing play on the second as the first ends it's cycle. It's just the timing that's in sync- not the start signal. Don't worry- it's easy and they will stay perfectly together- its actually better than having midi if you only want to sync the Volcas/ Monotribes to each other.

[jsrockit]

Thanks guys. I see what you mean. Works fine. Thanks again.

[1_inch_punch]

I had some success last night syncing to my ZOOM R8 recorder - copied the sync out sound from my Volca

- sliced it to a single pulse in audacity - imported the slice back into the R8 track sequencer as a sample - laid that sample across 8ths for as long as I wanted the track.

There is a trick you can do with the R8 - you record/bounce out that sequenced sample..

then import sound file that to the dedicated metronome track of the R8.....

..that gets sent to the Volca via the headphone out - you can record Volca in sync to the R8 and perform multi tracks recording over the top - or sync to any sound files you may wish import to the R8.

Pretty sure it will work with the big brother R24 to0.

[chris-korg]

i do have a sync-solution that works:

midi-clock and start/stop is comming from midipal (mutable-instruments)
midi-output of midipal goes to midi-in of a doepfer msy2-converter
from there it goes via sync-cable into sync-in of volca or monotribe
connect other volcas or monotribe via sync (chain)
press the play bottom of all volcas or monotribes (they will not start)
press "run on" on the midipal
all volcas / monotribes will start and run in sync
press "run off" on the midipal
everything stops

yes, it is rather complicated but it works....

[pmboos]

I have been thinking of getting a Volca Sample and FM and wondered if I started one with MIDI how the other would get started. Nice to know how that would work...

(Wish Volcas had MIDI Thrus as well, I can understand why they don't due to space, but still can wish...)

Cheers,
Paul

DW-6000, DVP-1 are my bread and butter.

[Pigdog]

pardon my ignorance. im a novice. but, how do you sync the volcas with midi?

[Weirdofromouterspace]

pardon my ignorance. im a novice. but, how do you sync the volcas with midi?

MIDI clock source (in my case: E-RM Midiclock) to Volca Beats Midi In, Volca Beats Sync Out to Volca Bass Sync In. That's all.

You could also distribute the clock signal (e.g. by using a Kenton Midi Thru) and go to the Midi Ins from there, but I'd only do that with more than three Volcas (for instance 2 and 2, if you own four of them) as to avoid too long daisy chains.

[supermel74]

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... aQodpYkC-Q

[pmboos]

So what would people's recommendations to go from a Volca sync to MIDI clock? (preferably with a start/stop signal, but I realize that may not be possible)

[megamarkd]

So what would people's recommendations to go from a Volca sync to MIDI clock? (preferably with a start/stop signal, but I realize that may not be possible)

There are quite a few analogue sync to MIDI clock converter that go from being simple pulse converters to comprehensive synchronisation code converters and timing synchronisers.
I'd suggest going to eBay and doing a search for "MIDI sync" in musical instruments. You should get a result for an eBay store named Touchprone. Check out what is in there.

[LM]

I have the MIDI Out mod on all my Volcas, so I can choose any one of them to be the master clock (usually the Beats), with MIDI sync going from its MIDI Out to a Thru box and then to the other Volcas' MIDI In.

I just press start on the Beats and all the others follow along accordingly.

[pmboos]

Thanks for the quick replies... I think I saw your mod LM either in a different post on this forum or a different forum. I'm a bit worried about modifying my Volcas and I also will be getting a mounting rack of these when I get my Vixen Mixer.

The actual sync signal I am hoping to change to MIDI is the one coming from my MiniJam Studio. I already split the sync from the audio signal.

Separate question that I realized also as I noodle on options in my head, if I further divided that signal say with a standard splitting cable so I could keep the lag time low (i.e. reduce the daisy chaining), would I start getting too much of a voltage drop?

Cheers,
Paul

[LM]

My mod is based on one that I saw a while ago in a link from this same forum, which does not require any drilling on the case, or taking the Volca apart (other than just opening the back/bottom piece).

https://123fixblog.wordpress.com/2017/06/30/volca-fm/

I fixed the missing ground line on that mod's MIDI Out by grabbing it from the Volca's MIDI jack shield in the adapter.