Don't really like the minijack MIDI, and you still cannot send sysex out of the midi minijack. As we can save our patches from Volca FM1 using the Sync OUT, as an audio file ( as we did on tapes with JX3P and 80's gears), the new MIDI out isn't enough to justify the move from 1 to 2. Regarding doubling the memories, it's a good improvement but using DEXED as a Volca manager allows quite easy 32 user "cartridge" sysex. The only really interesting thing to me is the 6 voice polyphony...It would allow to play the EP...but without sustain, i can't see the point. Would definitly keep a Volca FM 1 rather than buying a brand new Volca FM2, and maybe would find a second hand TX81z or DX11 for this amount of money if i wouldnt allready had one...There is a tip though to simulate the sustain pedal, that a guys showed on a video regarding Honer PIANET, might be usefull with the Volca; he uses a "freeze" pedal...What do you think about it after 4 monthes?
Taking the DIN MIDI IN socket off is a deal breaker, for me. 3.5mm stereo sockets aren't really even adequate for audio. They're prone to loose, crackly connections. They're a terrible choice for MIDI.
Maybe I’m a bit ignorant on this subject from lack of experience with more gear, but generally I’ve never quite understood this kind of reasoning. Is it really that bad? No one ever seems to complain about this when it comes to headphones. Why would it be any different with MIDI? Standard 5-Pin MIDI kinda seems like a waste of space to me, and it only ever seems to have stuck around because of purists.
@@Justin-xi6ue People should complain about headphones too. 3.5mm sockets develop faults much faster than 6.3mm / 1/4" sockets, and tolerances on the plugs on cables are not very accurate, so the smaller sockets suffer more problems with a poor fit. The springs on 6.3mm sockets have more travel so they allow for bigger errors in plug diameter. Plus, it takes less force to damage a smaller socket and jack plugs act as a socket breaking lever. The 5 pin MIDI socket is small enough - they even fit on most Volcas. They're a very robust connector that can take thousands of insertions without wearing out. You can try to rattle a MIDI plug around when it's plugged in and you'll have no effect on the signal. Do that with a 3.5mm one and there's much more chance of the signal breaking up. If a headphones socket is loose and crackly, it's deeply annoying, but if it's doing that with a MIDI connection, the instrument becomes unplayable.
@@jjrusy7438 True. Plus, there are two main competing "standards" for wiring a 3.5mm stereo jack for MIDI, plus I think another, less common one, so you end up needing adapters for your adapters.
to me the hum / noise from all volcas does still make it a toy level gear. still like them neverthless. nice video, looking forward to Sample 1 vs 2 comparison
FM 7 will never be beaten and loads all the dx7 and other dx synth patches there is millions free on the internet run it on any old laptop from xp to windows 10 and hook up midi and you have a real DX 7
Give whoever is doing the voice overs a raise
Don't really like the minijack MIDI, and you still cannot send sysex out of the midi minijack. As we can save our patches from Volca FM1 using the Sync OUT, as an audio file ( as we did on tapes with JX3P and 80's gears), the new MIDI out isn't enough to justify the move from 1 to 2. Regarding doubling the memories, it's a good improvement but using DEXED as a Volca manager allows quite easy 32 user "cartridge" sysex. The only really interesting thing to me is the 6 voice polyphony...It would allow to play the EP...but without sustain, i can't see the point. Would definitly keep a Volca FM 1 rather than buying a brand new Volca FM2, and maybe would find a second hand TX81z or DX11 for this amount of money if i wouldnt allready had one...There is a tip though to simulate the sustain pedal, that a guys showed on a video regarding Honer PIANET, might be usefull with the Volca; he uses a "freeze" pedal...What do you think about it after 4 monthes?
Taking the DIN MIDI IN socket off is a deal breaker, for me. 3.5mm stereo sockets aren't really even adequate for audio. They're prone to loose, crackly connections. They're a terrible choice for MIDI.
Maybe I’m a bit ignorant on this subject from lack of experience with more gear, but generally I’ve never quite understood this kind of reasoning. Is it really that bad? No one ever seems to complain about this when it comes to headphones. Why would it be any different with MIDI? Standard 5-Pin MIDI kinda seems like a waste of space to me, and it only ever seems to have stuck around because of purists.
@@Justin-xi6ue People should complain about headphones too. 3.5mm sockets develop faults much faster than 6.3mm / 1/4" sockets, and tolerances on the plugs on cables are not very accurate, so the smaller sockets suffer more problems with a poor fit. The springs on 6.3mm sockets have more travel so they allow for bigger errors in plug diameter. Plus, it takes less force to damage a smaller socket and jack plugs act as a socket breaking lever.
The 5 pin MIDI socket is small enough - they even fit on most Volcas. They're a very robust connector that can take thousands of insertions without wearing out. You can try to rattle a MIDI plug around when it's plugged in and you'll have no effect on the signal. Do that with a 3.5mm one and there's much more chance of the signal breaking up.
If a headphones socket is loose and crackly, it's deeply annoying, but if it's doing that with a MIDI connection, the instrument becomes unplayable.
Plus you have to horse around with the right sized dongle adapter to connect with other gear.
@@jjrusy7438 True. Plus, there are two main competing "standards" for wiring a 3.5mm stereo jack for MIDI, plus I think another, less common one, so you end up needing adapters for your adapters.
to me the hum / noise from all volcas does still make it a toy level gear. still like them neverthless. nice video, looking forward to Sample 1 vs 2 comparison
FM 7 will never be beaten and loads all the dx7 and other dx synth patches there is millions free on the internet run it on any old laptop from xp to windows 10 and hook up midi and you have a real DX 7
Agreed! FM7 is fantastic!
Is there USB? Ahh well guess I gotta goog