SYNTH VS SYNTH -- KORG VOLCA KEYS or KORG VOLCA FM?
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
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/ Korg Volca Synths Face off! Let me know what you think, would you choose the Korg Volca Keys or the Korg Volca FM?
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this channel is incredibly dope
Thanks Robert, just trying to entertain you awesome peeps as much as possible!!
Agreed and subscribed!
this is life
i agree, et en plus il a pris un nom francais.
A bare lightbulb while wearing shades in a darkened room. Is it dope or dope?
It’s dopeeeeeeeeee
@@NoirEtBlancVie Very dope. Where did you get the light bulb stand?
Don't rack down on Wesley Snipes! ;)
Very Steam punk Noir in nature! I love it. My studio will have some of these for aesthetics too.
Your script writing is only outmatched by your delivery sir. Incredible vid.
Hey thank you! Love your username, very clever indeed!
@@NoirEtBlancVie ah thanks! I wish I could take credit, but it's just a username I saw someone else using on AIM way back in the day. I typically go by Saltee, SalteeDoggo, or Albatrocity. Those, I came up with myself.
I just finished watching the Jexus videos. I can't believe CZcams hasn't recommended your channel to me before, I've been binging synth vids since I decided to make music again a few months ago.
Your content is refreshingly good. Best I've seen on CZcams in a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time. Thank you for the reply!
This channel is underrated af. This video helped me a lot and I picked up the FM two weeks ago for my first synth, people told me I was crazy to buy an FM synth as a first synth but i've been learning and its not as hard as people say. I love the Volca FM and all the possibilities it has. Also its like a mini DX7 and as a heavy fan of 80s music I can say that's a big plus for me. But one week ago I picked up a used Volca Keys for $65 because why not? I can learn the two types of synthesis and have a great setup from the start (also the price was pretty good). Thanks for the videos! and Merry Christmas!
I also have a 49 key Midi that I can connect to them.
'Basing the approach on what you could learn rather what you know', is a grand philosophy when creating. Thank you.
Damn the cooler Daniel actually exists? 😂
Damn! Lol
This video is actually nostalgic for me because it’s what got me into synths, and how I bought my first synth (Volca Keys)
Thanks for your cool content!
FM .. They are both good, but I All ready have a Microbrute and a MeeBlip Anode, either can do more or less what the Keys can. FM is definitely a learning curve, and I still don't know it very well at all; but some of the FM sounds I "stumble" on are just amazing.
Totally right, I think the Keys is a little watered down, 3 voices is cool, but the FM is so much more of a fun trial and error box. I loved the opportunity to learn about it!
I've found that people don't teach fm well, because most people on youtube don't know exactly what happens and what the point is of the sound design. I think it's easier to divide the process into modualting a sound with frequency or amplitude, because that's basicalky what the settings do. The scaling for example, it seems foreign, but its basically a line left to right (where one point is a break point which is usually the centre of the scales.) when you move away from the break point either left or right you can make a curved or straing line that either moves up or down. This just represents volume. You're turning the volumes of an operator either up or down as you play further away from a break point. Why? Eq - volume balance and harmonics.It deoends what the operator is doing at the time.
Both. I love the rich warm sound of the keys, when you hit the sweet spot in it's configuration. Sure it has limitations but for such little money it's forgivable.
I like the FM for it's sheer variety of sounds, it really helps to fill a gap in my set up. Some analogues, an FM, and some VST's and I have enough.
Playing both volca's through a midi controller is a must for me.
I have the Volca Beats, Keys, Bass, and Sample. My favorite by far is the Volca Bass, which I tune in 3 octaves and play like a monosynth - a noisy, dirty, raggedy, not always in tune, giant-killer monosynth. Maybe not as sweet as a Moog, but damn that little sucker has hair on it! I like the Keys too, and the others are fun, but that big cutoff knob on the Bass lets you dial some stanky funk and the default portamento is awesome. I was gonna get the FM too, but I just don't dig those glassy sounds. Volca Bass for me! =)
Volca Keys for me.
It is limited but it has his own dark analog voice and can be a natural introduction to subtractive synthesys. And limits, you know, can actually increase creativity.
Volca FM is essentialy a copy of the dx7 engine with just 3 voices of polyphony (which is not good if you want to reproduce the wonderful DX7 pads).
Moreover the interface is a bit awkward and not the best if you want to be introduced to FM sinthesys . There are far better software tools (even free) if you want to learn FM.
Can you name one of those free fm software?
@@Vaquero_triston well, there are plenty: just google it.
FM8 is probably the most popular (but it's not free). Dexed is free and derives directly from the dx7. But they are just the first two that come to my mind: I know that there are good options even for Ios (in case you own an ipad/iphone). Some choices even for android, but not so many.
I still don't know which one I'm going to buy, but I'm definitely going to subscribe
Thanks! What are your thoughts on each?
Get both
I use both, sometimes at the same time, depending on the application, but the fm definitely has more versatility. I plan on purchasing one more fm to chain them together. Synced to a Minilogue is easy and a great set-up. Wonderful sounds indeed!
Korg Volca series is a great line of synths indeed! I'd say, that Keys is more user-friendly, so if you are new to synths, get yourself a Keys. But well, you can do more on the FM model, but it takes a lot of time to master. Well, it's up to you which one to choose. Anyway, at the end, you will buy both, I know you will. :D
Hmmm. Thanks. Maybe Keys is for me because I know NOTHING about synths.
Volca Keys makes for a nice little bassline machine... very straight forward, just what you need for bass. But to expect it to use it like a real polysynth is perhaps asking too much. Ironically, the Volca Bass is perhaps better at "keys" type sounds. With it's ability to tune each osc to make your own chords and active step per voice to make interesting polyrhythmic sequences, the Volca Bass can create complexity that is perhaps better suited to the treble and mid range.
I dont undertand why everyone raves about the keys. The bass is just so much better in my book.
@@lukehunnable I own both and they're both great and different!
@@lukehunnable The comparison I saw, was that the keys can not only do what the bass can do but, has more range. I'm still trying to decide myself.
@@junglist1soldier
I have both. Trust me, the keys cannot do what the bass can do, and vice versa. But the bass is better because sound output is better.
@@lukehunnable agreed. Love the bass. I’m trying to like the keys more, but the bass is just so sick.
Only some weeks ago i wanted finally buy my first volca synth...but same question: keys or FM. I ordered both at same time ^^
A little bit back in time...i had an eye on the volca keys since it came out.
Since some month i am making synthwave/synth-pop and still a beginner. After buying some great soft synths i had the wish for something more simple and touchable. So i was checking the Thomann page for the volcas and deeper research on youtube and google. I could not decide if i order the keys or the FM...so after some days i decided to buy both.
After they arrived i first taken the keys and played with the synth for some days. I am very happy with what i get, a relatively uncomplicated analoge synth with great sound. Sure there are limitations but for me this is nothing bad. So more time u invest and knowledge u get so more u can bring different sounds ot of it. The echo is very nice too. I own a Monotron Delay and the echo for the keys is the same. It is no superclean digital delay.
It is a analoge echo with a lot of charm and character, hard not to like.
I bought a VST editor for the keys and this is for sure a great update for it when working with a DAW. So u can save and load presets and use automation.
The FM i only switched on and played for some mins with over internal speaker. After some weeks i connected the FM to my interface and i had bought the VST editor for it too. In the first days i used the presets and most the bass sounds. Than i started some research...and i realized that FM synthesis seems to be complex and nothing u understand after some days.
I found the unofficial firmware update adds velocity to the FM. From this moment on the volca FM get a mighty synthesizer!
I found out the volca can read the sysex from a DX7. With the freeware Dexed u can send the sysex to the volca via MIDI. So all existing presets and cartridges for the DX7 and compatible synths are possible to load to the volca. So unimportant if u want go deeper in patch editing later or not, there are thousands of patches for free easy to load in the volca FM.
Since now i can say: I am a vintage fan and love analoge gear...but i total fall in love with FM synths now.
Both synths are great! Great value for the money!
I'd go with the FM. For one it has an Arpeggiator. The DX7 style algorithms are intriguing. I only wish the new synths contained pattern and song options on the sequencers. I guess you can't ask for everything.
Great video. I jumped into the Volca range with both feet buying The Keys, The FM, The Bass, The Mixer, The Sample, The Drum & The Tube Bass.
Of those 7, I'm now down to a more reasonable 5.
The Tube Bass was a huge let-down & seemed like a big step backwards from The Bass. 'Pure novelty for the sake of it' was my final verdict. I also found The Keys VERY limited in comparison to the musical UNIVERSE that is FM synthesis.
My advice to those choosing between the two would be to definitely get the FM & be patient. It's worth it's weight in gold.
ESPECIALLY if you can afford to splash out an extra £50 for an RK-002 programmable MIDI processor lead, which contains specific Volca software in the Orange plug which allows more polyphony, velocity & after-touch & can also be used with the sample to play the samples chromatically. It's a lot of money for a cable. BUT it isn't just 'a cable'. It opens up the Volcas and makes them far more usable to play naturally. ;)
Dude, I just came by to know which Volca to choose, but I'm actually much more blown away by your rhetorics and choice of words! Plus, the aesthetics in this vid are on point. Linguistics student approves :D Good job! Oh and thanks for guiding me towards my prior choice, the Volca fm :)
The volca fm is useful for getting a Juan Atkins style sound, he used various analog synths as well but the dx7 was also a big part of his sound he didn't have a purely analog sound he mixed in FM with analog for detroit techno.
However since I'm not a hardware purist personally I use software synths for fm synthesis but I use csound to write my own vst plugins to keep my budget low for software so there is more money to service a eurorack addiction.
I've got a Minilogue and Arturia Keystep, with a Volca Sample coming in the mail. I'm choosing the Volca FM, along with getting the Volca Modular, to step into the worlds of both FM and semi-modular synthesizers. Super excited to finally have a hardware setup to play stuff improv/live! Next up is the Novation Circuit and I'll have a complete basic setup. Thanks for this video :)
Keys vs. FM... my solution: they should join up as tag team. So, I got both, because they are totally different and have both earned a place in my heart and my studio. But I can understand your point of view. There aren't many alternatives for the volca fm as a small fm synth at such an awesome price.
Me as well. I feel both add a good bit of creativity together.
This is such a good video. I'm going with the FM, even though the learning curve is so daunting.
I’d say it’s the better choice, FM was really a lot more fun over time than the Keys.
Volca FM not because of what you know, but what you don’t know!
i didn't pick one. for the price, i got both
i bought the keys. then the modular. now i have to have the FM apparently.
and tomorrow, i will probably find the video that makes me want the volca sample. and volca drums.
if i ever buy the volca kick, someone shoot me. i already own ableton.
@@zoned7609 you have volca bass?
I bought a volca keys before I even knew about the volca fm and I kinda wish I got the fm, but I don't think I could bring myself to sell the keys to buy to fm because the keys makes such gnarly drone sounds if you really mess with it and I love how it sounds. I really wanna try the fm but I'd rather save for it and own both rather than lose the keys to get the fm
The FM can drone. Believe me.
Thanks for the insight - I think pairing the volca fm with my volca sample is the flavor for me, even though I also use a Reface DX - I am really on this 80s vibe
Just bought a new Volca FM. I was immediately very satisfied with the sound. You can get surprisingly warm sounds from it. All you need to do is turn that velocity slider DOWN. So for chording and melody playing I think the Volca FM is the better choice. For dirty basslines, however, the Keys does rule though.
Volca FM, for sure. Sonic capabilities! Already have other korg keys. The FM is interesting, that alone would draw me in.
I know what you mean by the longevity of the Volca Keys. It didn't take me long to explore every possible sound with it. Though what made me keep it was the delay which sounded really nice in tandem with the analogue sounds. Just recently bought the FM and it's the best value Volca of them all. If I had to pick one over the other I'd go with the FM but at the price point I don't really have to. Which I think is the Volca range's main drawcard.
I own an FM. Versatile little beast, and the fact you can load DX7 patches into it is pretty cool.
I'll give yah the engagement metrics, my fine YT presenter. To answer your question, it's the FM for me. I'm just starting out learning to make music and to fiddle with synths for sound design. I have a 3ds with a copy of korg's DS-10 software, and am awaiting delivery of a small clutch of pocket operators, a volca FM, and a small mixer/usb interface. I have a bunch of batteries (AAA, AA, USB power bank), and a selection of cables coming. That should give me more than enough capabilities to keep me busy making music on the go for the foreseeable future. The possibility of being able to find and load any old DX7 bank, and to use dexed to design a sound and upload it to the volca were amazing value adds. I'm learning synthesis from new anyway, might as well learn FM at the same time as subtractive. It's all new to me, so it is likely less of a hurdle, not having to unlearn any habits or ways of conceptualizing.
You remind me of LeVar Burton and this is Reading Rainbow for synthesis! I friggin love this channel! ;D
Nathan Prescott hahahahaha thank you Nathan!
WHY COULDN’T YOU JUST GET A PICTURE?!?! YOU CAN’T DISAPPOINT A PICTURE!!!
You are truly amazing sir. And your videos are so damn helpful and informing for someone who’s a beginner like me. So much charm and style in your channel in general. You put a lot of thought and effort in all your videos and it shows. Subbed for life.
WOW!!! Thank you so so much! I'm doing the best I can, through everything I just wanna keep the stuff quality! I appreciate you so much for subbing!
"rarely are things in Life that Black And White" ........ WELL PLAYED........
I am still very new to synthesizers and recently bought the volca keys, so I like it a lot and realize the need to explore more. I found the preset sequences were very good and showed that you can do a lot. At the moment I am searching for a voicing on the Keys to go with a sequence I recorded using the Keys. It is not easy but I think if I move off of Poly mode I might find it.
From a beginner's perspective, the volca keys is great as it forces you to think in terms of what is available to you - maximum three note polyphony. However, it produces some interesting possibilities when using a sequence which is to play along with the sequence. This allows for different melodies and rhythms when it steals a voice or voices away from the sequence. It could also be considered a drawback but sometimes you just have to work with what you have.
So, here is my comment about the FM: I found this video while looking into a first volca to buy:
czcams.com/video/WJrTk4cgFiQ/video.html
It is very good to demonstrate some of the concepts of FM synthesis as it shows waveforms being used. I can see the volca fm having more possibilities right off the bat with its method of producing sound - 6 operators meaning 6 ways to affect the output.
I think the volca fm is my next purchase.
I'm partial to fm. I look for interesting timbres and fm is crazy good at producing interesting sounds. And it actually starts making sense after awhile.
While being involved with volcas for few years here's what I have to say:
Keys are the greatest. It has totally mindblowing sound. When you don't know any better (first analog) you wouldn't appreciate its liquidy tones and reese basses that come out of it. The best way to use volca sequences is like a preset box, a framework you can work from. So the main problem for volca keys for me is inability to transpose sequence. Yes I can record one easily, but in the middle of a set I would love to bring that sequence I programmed with such care only to find out its in different key. So maybe I should look into FM ? It does everything that keys lack, minus the perfect sound (ok not perfect, it needs a 6db cut of highs).
Good call, the highs are a bit brittle not perfectly silky, still solid. BUT really good ears over there! :)
Thanks for making this dude!! I WAS stuck on which one I wanted to add to my Volca collection. I also have analog synths for days and haven’t gone digital yet... looks like the perfect price and package to learn on for anyone. You have sold me on the FM!! Thanks again.
That's my man! Getting a second FM soon for live sets.
had both but, in the end, just kept the FM... The keys was cool but got tired.
Totally agree, I would love to see more built on this engine. Volca Keys are watered down in my opinion.
Watching synthmania layer the DX7 with the JX8P makes me think the Volca FM and Keys would layer nicely in much the same way.
This guy has anime-style breathing
Agreed. Lol
I had a yamaha dx11 and despite it being only a four operator synth (the volca fm has 6), it was really deep. I could see people being put off by how much work you had to do, but I loved nerding out for hours on the thing. The dx11 cost a grand way back in '89 or so, and this volca is only about 150 and has a sequencer.
FM is one of those things which seems weird and unnecessary. But when you do the research, see how much it is used and how simple it is to program you see why it was popular. And the sound! Cuts thru any mix.
This channel has such a unique and attractive aesthetic. Not to mention this man knows what he is talking about!
They both are THE holy grails of the volca series. I can't choose.
Volca keys is a bit less complex but the fm has its own magic.
Since we are not limited to this or that.. gotta have just one.. I would choose both and expand the landscape of the sounds available. Besides, they both play nice with my Volca Bass.
I'll get both and use'em for my Soundtrack projects.
Can't argue with your analysis at all. I ended up sticking with the Keys but you are correct, the 3 note limit was a pain but they are so cheap I ended up buying another used one for less than a $100. With the right midi controller I now have a six note analog beast. With that said, I'm also disappointed with only being allowed one wave form for all voices. And you need a drive or gain boost to get the volume needed for more warm patches that require the cutoff to be set low. I already understand FM synthesis and in away that's what made me sale my FM. It's a beast also, but honestly it's still a digital synth that has already been tackled with VST 's and the amazing FM7 app that can run on an iPad 1. Therefor I sold mine and bought an octave and delay pedal to go with my dual keys.
Nice how do you get to play 6 note polyphony on both. Do you set the midi in both to the same channel - is that how you do it? :-)
Aaron Baird I set the midi channel to a different channel on each. The controller I have will let you set touch points to different channels. So I can play a six not chord with the both of them. If I set the midi channel to the same, when I press a key it would just stack notes still making it a 3 note synth but with two oscillators for each note.
What do you mean "touch points"? like a keyboard split?
Danny Cisco yeah just like a split except I don't have to split sections or ranges. Sound prism allows you to set each key to a different midi channel. That's why they call it touch points.
I wonder if you run your MIDI controller through a PC to MIDI Ox if you can add the extra channel automatically - send out data on two channels?
Keep them both. One can't beat a pocket analog for the price of the keys, although it's probably best not to expect it to do much in the way of polysynth duty. I do get that if you already have a ton of analog synths, it might have less to offer other than portability though. If you are into FM, there are also some great software options out there that are easier to programme than the Volca, have more voices and are way cheaper (iOS synths like Phasemaker and NFM).
I choose them both. I have skipped bying only Kick and i have my doubts about Mix also.
Thanks for the video. I've been thinking about buying one of the Volcas. I'm leaning towards the FM because I've read it's the most versatile. I know nothing about synth playing and little about music so I'm having to read a bit.
I'll have to admit I'm surprised by how inexpensive these Volcas are.
The production value of you videos is amazing
FM-synthesis is just not for me. So I started downloading patches for the DX7 and ended up transferring them via an iPad. So it came to me: why use the Volca FM at all and not use a synth on the iPad instead and avoid the hassle with the transfer?
I like hardware because I can turn knobs, have an instant result and have the physical experience like I would have with a real instrument. That’s not what you have with FM-synthesis, let alone the menu-diving you have to do on the Volca. So the FM actually was my first sell on eBay and I will get a Keys instead.
clear spoken, nicely edited, getting to the point with just the right amount of personal comments.
excellent video
Hey, just found your channel and I want to say thanks for making cool and thorough explanations. I've been a bassist for years and just now are adding electronics to my bag of tricks. Awesome videos!
Like you said "it's what's right for you" and everyone's answer will be different because everyone has different gear and therefore, we all have different gaps (or needs) in our collection. You're right the FM offers much more possibilties than the Keys and is a pocket Hercules. I decided to buy and keep both as I don't own any Korgs outside of Volcas and Monotrons; they don't take up much space and both are very affordable. Darn GAS.
well done - just finished 3 of your videos - I saved your fm overview and will watch it again and again to learn from your mastery - thank you
3 years ago as today, analog synths are just more expensive than FM synths from the 80's.
I think pretty much anyone would be better served by picking up a vintage Casio , Kawai or Yamaha FM synth. The are a little hard to learn at first. However, the build quality on those 80's FM keyboards is tank like. Solid keybeds, usually with velocity and sometimes even aftertouch. They may weigh a ton and be huge, ut you can also use these as your master keyboard.
There are a few 4 op and 6 op editors for PC, less for Mac. :(
But really for the same price or a little morethan a Volca, you have a good chance of picking up a DX27, DX100 or a CZ1000.
The Volca keys is cool for it's price for sure. I have a hard time thinking of any other analog that is such a good value. Even including Behringer!
I own several Yamaha Portatone keyboards which have many sampled voices. Therefore, I didn't see the need to own a Volca FM with all of its preset voices. So the Volca Keys seems the better choice for me to experiment with an analogue synth plugged into my keyboards and controlled by MIDI. That is just my preference as I did research both before deciding. I also think that, for me, playing with an analogue synth is more appealing than an FM synth.
Totally agree with you on this..............once you get your head around FM synthesis and start to be able to [program in the sounds you want. The FM really is a great little machine.
Great review! Thank you. FM synthesis perplexes me. I vaguely understand it, theoretically, but it gets out of hand so quickly. Do you have any favorite tutorials?
I'm buying a used Keys soon enough. I was considering the FM, but I already get my FM on with Ad Lib Tracker 2.
I have both but if I were forced to choose... the FM just because of its versatility. The keys sounds great, truly, has a detailed noisy character and a very crunchy delay that spices everything up, but it doesn't really does much more.
awesome. thank you so much. i was already close to buying the fm but this gave me the push i needed. you got yourself a new subscriber with this video!
Exactly the review I was looking for. Thanks so much for this.
You’re very welcome.
I have both, and like both for different reasons, as you mentioned the FM for its capabilities, the keys for its simplicity. What I'm missing on the keys though would be different presets... but I guess that's one of the perks of analog eheh
You can do that with automation trick.
These are the two I've been bouncing between getting, thanks! Love the videos, production value matters!
Awesome comparison. Volca FM all the way!
Thanks Brendan! I really appreciate it, FM all day!!
love your videos. great rundown, excellent delivery. the tracks you have in youtube studio are great as well. keep up the good work.
2021 I really thank you for this video , it's really helpful 😁
Am I correct when say Keys is for newbies and FM is for more experienced users...? (newbie synthie here)
Mmm, I’d say the Keys is more what you’d expect, the FM is more exploratory is you give it a chance. They’re both fine, especially since the FM has tons of presets.
I went with the Volca FM, because I felt I needed an fm synth for my setup and this was a cheap solution. I already had an analog mono and an analog poly. Next up: modular setup!
Great video thank you it was to the point and informative. Having had both I really enjoyed the arpeggios the fm provides but unfortunately wasn’t educated enough to shape the sound the way I wanted to so regretfully I sold it but would buy another when I have the time to learn the proper way to use it
I totally agree, it's not something I can really say I really understood at first. The FM is just so much deeper, I hope you can get one and the editor for it next time around!
I was torn between the same two and watched videos over and over for weeks before I got the volca FM. You nailed it in terms of its appeal. The tech is nostalgic but you have so much control. It’s almost like you’re playing an instrument when you tweak and engineer the sound and then you can sample yourself. I don’t take too many notes these days. I just press record and find a place.
Midi can control all the parameters of the Volca Keys, Midi can not set the individual parameters of the Volca FM, it only set a few parameters affecting all oscillators. The Volca FM can receive a bulk DX7 voice over midi but can't change program (voice) over midi. I like them both.
I vote for Volca Keys, because, in the end, it's a true analogue with his own voice.
Volca FM brings nothing that you can't find (better implemented) in software emulations...besides the 3 voice limit and the menu diving needed in order to program it are both a consistent pain in the ass.
If you want to really experiment with fm synthesis, I would suggest the Yamaha reface dx (which price has recently dropped, by the way). You get a really playable keyboard, , great build quality, 2 decent stereo speakers, 8 voice poliphony and an interface which is far better then the one developed for original dx7 (and obviously for the volca fm either).
agree completely. dexed does everything the volca fm does, and more.. for free! where as nothing truly does what the keys does since it has its own unique character . having a portable battery powered analog poly synth is just so awesome even if it's a bit limited. volca fm is a nightmare to program on its own as well, where as you said a reface dx would be a much better option if you need a hardware fm synth
I used to own the FM but ended up selling it again, it was my only actual "synthesizer", next to the Volca Sample. Programming FM patches is fun and sometimes very surprising, but for most jams/tracks I always slowly gravitated towards patches that had a sawtoothesque sound. Generally, I never really used the Volca for the actual FM stuff, but rather for faking subtractive synth sounds.
Now whenever I feel like I need some FM, I'm just getting around with sampling. The arpeggiator was really fun though!
would love to hear your thoughts on the Yamaha reface series
Awesome vid! Do you think for someone starting out in synthesis that getting an analog (keys) is better than starting on FM synths?
This isn’t a CZcams video, this is poem
I really love your channel and it's definitely one of the best synth channels out there! Keep up the amazing work and thank you!
Thank you Rod!
Oh my days, thanks for expressing what I struggled to. I’ve had my fm for a day and was struggling. Then all of a sudden it hit! I’m in love with my volca fm now. Glad I made the right choice, for me.
Hello. Do you think someone who knows nothing about synthesizers could master the FM?
Thanks for the input.
Frankenstein's Penguin oh definitely! I got mine for £89 second hand from Reverb. I already love it!
@@MisterMurphy Wow. Thanks for the input. I'm guessing with some work and imagination, you could do a lot with one of these.
I appreciate your taking the time to answer. Almost certain I will get one. Should be $150 new here from a company that offers free shipping and a two-year warranty.
Frankenstein's Penguin do it! I’m learning more and more every day. Just wish the weekend would hurry up and arrive so I can spend more time on it. I already have the Volca Sample - linking them both together is even more fun 👍🏼
@@MisterMurphy Thanks for the input. I'm pretty sure I will do it.
Sick hair and sunglasses. Although it is dark you get away with wearing sunglasses at night.
I choose Keys cuz I'm an absolute amateur. I just want to make some dungeon synth/dark ambient music and keys fits the bill.
I made a decision for myself and getting the keys the vocal keys i’m ordering it soon.
Ben Zangri Good pic, I think the keys are a great pic, can’t go wrong with that pick!
I've collected all the Melody Capable Volcas (except the Volca Kick, meaning Volca Bass-Also works for Mono Synth Leads, Volca Keys and Volca FM). I mainly play Organ (in a pinch using a Nord NE-2 for Organ and Electric Piano sounds.
On those occasions I play with a Blues/R&B band and I need "Wedding Band" Strings for a ballad, I can use one or more of the Volcas for that (I have yet to try layering the two together.
The Organ is fully polyphonic, so the 3 Note limitation is minor if you. Voice it right.
The Volca style key velocity is a pain in the ass, so I prefer to play them from a unit without velocity or a manually-adjusable velocity control.
Which is your favorite & why?
FM imo, if you want the best sounds.... the keys if you want to learn how to program your own simple subtractive patches like a million other things can do. The FM just has way richer more complex sounds by nature of what it is
Well that was an unexpectedly suave synth review
Leon Matthias why thank you Leon!
FM. As revealed before, I bought two and polychained them and hacked in velocity sensitivity with some Max 7 programming. The FM can stand alone as a full fledged instrument in ways that the some of the other Volcas can't. That said, I applaud folks that make music happily with the series. With Tats having left Korg, get both! The danger of the Volca FM is however, that the price of used DX's and Tx's may go up. Enjoy! And oh, given a choice on the learning front between Keys and something like Syntorial, I think the latter is the better value. Peace, Daniel
I recently just started getting into hardware synths, as I just got a Volca Bass for Christmas. I definitely want get a physical Drum Machine next (probably that little PO-12). but when it's time to get a lead synth I would probably get an FM because it definitely seems very versatile, and the Keys is probably too similar to the Bass (except not being very TB-303 inspired) and I'm pretty sure the FM might have some nice string sounds (which would be very excellent for making some Detroit Style Techno).
Although it's limited to 3 note chords which is limited, the radical tweakabklity of the volca fm makes it far more powerful than a dx7, the dx7 is incredibly hard to tweak
For the price of any Volca, just get the entire Volca collection + mono or minilogue! NO REGRETS
Nice channel! So I bought a Volca keys a couple of months ago and Im loving it but its really only good as a bassline/riff machine in my opinion. I find its lead melody capabilities very limited. So I need more sounds. Do you think the Volca FM would sound compatible with the Volca Keys if I were to use both in the same track i.e. the FM for melody and the Keys for basslines? Thanx!
Oh yeah definitely! I think the Volca Keys is a little weak overall, but together they can really give you the sound you might be searching for! Think about taking a little top end off the FM, it's a bit harsh filter wide open.
I'm new to this and honestly didn't understand the difference between both... still have to search
I would not choose, I'd catch 'em all! (still own none though)
hmmm, where's your million subs? you're the dopest. definitely, this channel has pushed my music learning process to places I din't even think of before
The FM seems really sick
Have asked myself this question multiple times and I haven't even bought either. you da best 8-)
You're welcome Stephen! The FM is actually an awesome synth, without question one of the best Korg has done in a while!