Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM - Episode 1: Introduction
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
- Welcome to the first episode in my new series digging into sound design and patch creation on the Korg Volca FM. In this episode we set the scene by discussing where FM and "traditional" subtractive analogue synthesis meet up.
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This was so immensely helpful in introducing a novice to the foundation of FM synthesis. Thank you for the series.
The way you explain this little beast is so easy to understand. After watching many tutorials on this, yours are the best Imo.
Thank you, and I'm happy to help!
It's funny, your Monologue videos really pushed me to pick one up recently. I decided to pick up a Volca FM at the same time, and lo and behold you've begun a series on it as well. Cheers -- keep up the great vids!
+Chris Gabriel I hope you enjoy the new series!
This is the perfect tutorial series. Not a single piece of information out of place. Thank you !!!!! 🙏🙏🙏
That's really kind of you to say, thank you!
This is the most informative discussion on the differences between analog and digital synthesis i can understand. Thank you so much!
No problem, really pleased that it helped!
Thank you for this video! I've always been intimidated by FM but it makes so much more sense now!
you just totally match my synths, got both volca fm and monologue. your tips are really useful, thank you
Relaxing, entertaining and educational, wonderful!
You have a very natural presentation style.
Thank you!
Thanks for these tutorials, I have watched others in youtube but yours are the ones that better explained to a complete noob as me all what this machine can do.
Really pleased I could help out! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thank you for this series! Wonderful for a beginner who loves to understand things!
That was my target audience 😉
I have learnt so much off you, def one of my favorite channels. Thank you, heh, Mr. Osci. Just one question have you ever made a video of your favourite gear. Would love to see one if possible 8)
You make things so clear and understandable.
You've helped me to enjoy the monologue completely. I can't wait to watch the next ones. :D
+Alessio Tiracchia thank you so much. I'm really glad you're getting something useful out of the videos!
Thanks you so much for you amazing effort on breaking everything down to better understand. I'm a complete beginner and started to go down the rabbit hole. It has taken mean forever to finally find a informative video like your to help understand what the Volca FM is. Please do keep your videos coming I have liked and subscribed.
I was first introduced to synthesis with LA (Roland D-70) and PCM (E-mu Proteus) so FM synthesis is not daunting to me in the least. Having said that, when I first bought my Volca Keys and sat down to play it ... I thought it was broken because the sound was choked out via the filter cut off. xD But it turns out that yes, subtractive synthesis is a lot easier to work with.
Great series on the Volca FM.......................very interesting and informative. Have today just purchased one on the basis of your videos. Also subscribed.
Thank you, welcome to the channel and enjoy your new Volca!
Lovely stuff.
I'm going to get this one, because Of the simplicity Of your tutorial
I subscribed as soon as you started talking.
+Ferhan Khan Photography mission: complete. Welcome to the channel.
Cannot wait to see next episode. Was already convinced to buy volca fm at some point, now (by the quality of your monologue series) I just feel that point will come a little bit faster :)
+Łukasz Bieliz haha - you should definitely invest, it's great! And that way you can play along with the videos!
Oscillator Sink ok just bought it and waiting for another ep
+Łukasz Bieliz haha! Great news! I'm recording some new episodes over the weekend, so expect some soon ;)
good teaching analogy and method
Thank you!
Another awesome video
Cheers!
only 2 minutes in and its already philosophical
I'll take that as a compliment.
hell yeah it is
thanks , i needed this to understand my Volca FM better !
+Kristiaan Reekmans glad to hear it's helping. Hopefully the rest of the series will get you even more confident with it. Thanks for watching!
Great videos and very well presented/explained. I wondered if there was a video tutorial about how to create an init preset so that I can replicate the sounds as I watch each tutorial?
You can use my free editor to get an Init patch as long as you have a midi interface and the chrome browser (it's also a nicer place to be doing the patch editing in general):synthmata.com/volca-fm/
Thank you so much...this is brilliant! your videos are so appreciated.
@@paulmiller6336 make sure you check out this bit as well:
czcams.com/video/ROCDnJ1bJB8/video.html
Oscillator Sink thank you
Hey, Thanks a lot for your videos about the FM, this is really helpful and you are a great teacher ;).
Just one question, how do you get the "init" mode ??
+neelclaudel there isn't an Init mode per se, it's just a patch that I've created that acts as a starting point. I'll do a video on how to build your own soon, but check out my recent video on "synthmata" for an easy way to get hold of an Init patch. Thanks for watching!
thanks for this fast reply. I will, for sure, keep your channel in mind :)
Hi Mr. Sink, ;-) loving your videos and music. What is the best piece of hardware the newby (re: skill-set) should buy to learn synthesis on? Peak? Digitakt?
I am no enemy of menus, but I'd go for something that represents as much of the main aspects of synthesis knob-per-function. You haven't specified budget but I'll aim at the low-mid range.
The Digitakt is wonderful but it's not really where I'd go to learn synthesis - it can do synthesis, but it's a sampler at it it's heart. The Peak would be a wonderful place to start from the standpoint of the sound if you were willing to make the investment, but might be overwhelming with possibilities.
I still think even today that the original Minilogue offers a great deal for the money and gives you access to pretty much everything you'd expect in the traditional subtractive world. The Bass Station 2 sounds great and is a very versatile, capable monosynth. If you are somewhat curious about modular synthesis then the Minibrute 2S is a great gateway there.
That's not exhaustive but there are some ideas for you.
@@OscillatorSink Thanks, very helpful. A follow-up (just one), if I may. If price were not a factor what would you recommend? 🤔 Edit: I mean in the 1000s, not the tens of 1000s. ;-)
@@avantgardenovelist er, get a Sequential Prophet 6 I guess?! But I'm specifying a desirable synth which fits the bill there - I'm unconvinced that as a *learning* tool you'd learn any more about fundamentals of synthesis on a 3 grand synth vs. a 500 quid one, or even a 250 quid one if you shopped around.
You could also argue that a really well specified modular system would really force you to learn the fundamentals - but you'd have to understand those fundamentals in order to spec a system, so it's catch22.
@@OscillatorSink Thanks so much for taking the time. Much food for thought...
With regards to the sequencer and designing different parts i.e bass, keys etc. do you know if it's possible to create a sequence that plays them at the same time, like stacking them?
There are tricks you can do with level scaling to make a single patch which transitions between the two types of sound within a single patch, but you cannot use two different patches at once, which is I think what you are asking?
@@OscillatorSink Ah ok yeah I think that was it - I was just wondering if I can make full arrangements on it, but it sounds like I might need to link up a few other synths to get a more complete piece. I guess I could record the patches I create individually into a DAW and layer the track up there?
@@WarrenWintersUI that's probably the best solution - unless you're jonesing to buy more synths of course!
@@OscillatorSink Haha, definitely tempted. I'm sure I have enough time this evening to go down a best synth under £300 rabbit hole 😆!
Hello how are you? How can I do to record a sequel live, and that the metronomo is not heard?
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can you tell me how you select or how you made the “init” patch you use? Is it just turning off all other operators leaving 1 operator as a carrier? Thanks a lot for all these breakdowns.
I send it using my editor that I built, but yes it's as you're describing. I think it's algorithm 5, all operators but 1 turned off, envelopes set up as an organ (L4 0, L1-3 up to full, rates all set just below full).
Hey! First of all, thank you infinitely for your videos, I've watched all the tutorials, even for the gear I don't own, and it's the most useful thing in the world. I really appreciate everything you do, the videos, the synthmata, and the patch packs.
Hi, thanks for the kind words! Dexed expects a "cartridge" format (that's 32 patches packed together), but my patches are in the single patch format. If you want to send them to your Volca from the downloads then something like Elektron C6 will work, alternatively, I'd just suggest using the Synthmata links which will send them to your Volca for you.
Hey I love your patches that you have made for volca fm but I am now using mainly dexed how do recommend opening up your patches with dexed?
I think the best way is to use a software midi loop back driver. Or if your daw supports playback of sysex data, you can probably drop that onto a track and "play it in".
I can not figure out how to set it the staring point you begin with in this instruction. Any advice so I can follow along. New to this. Thanks for making this video series. Thanks!
+Martin Brossman hi Martin - check out my video concerning my free browser based Volca FM editor called "Synthmata". That has a great way to get an initialised patch like I'm using here (it's not identical, but switch over to Algorithm 5 and turn off all but operators 1 and 2 and you're good to go for the first few videos in the series at least!). Let me know how you get on!
I will look into it. Thanks!
@@OscillatorSink Ha! Just logged in to ask the same question 2 years on ... so rather late to the party , but it would have been helpful to have "how to set up your volca fm in this basic state" so new users like me could follow the tutorials with volca in hand. But to echo many others - these are the best video tuts, thanks so much & well done.
Is there any note priority function/setting on the Volca FM?
Not to my knowledge. The two monophonic modes both operate as last note priority, if I recall correctly.
Hi, I have a technical question that no one can answer. You're streets ahead of most others technically. Perhaps you can help.
My question: Is it possible to increase the pitch bend range of Volca FM ? The current range is set to +/- 2 semitones.
Dexed's sensitivity or range is adjusted by hitting 'Parm' button and adjusting the 'Pitch Bend Range' potentiometer from +/- 0 to 12 semitones. Most synths have this functionality. It seems you can increase the pitch range associated with the Volca FM's EGs but not the pitch bend wheel.
I've tried using RPNs 0x64 and 0x65 with no response.
Hex data sent to Volca FM as follows:
B0 64 00 ; ; Pitch Bend Range
B0 65 00
B0 06 0C ; ; 12 Semitones
B0 26 00 ; ; 0 Cents
B0 64 7F ; ; We're done
B0 65 7F
I've not ever seen a Volca support RPNs so I suspect that's a non-starter.
The DX7 could have its pitch bend range adjusted using sysex:
F0 43 00 08 41 0y F7
Assuming midi channel 1 and where y is the range (0-12). (I had to look that up, it's not something that I was able to pluck out of the air).
But the Volca doesn't respond to single parameter messages, only full patches, and the function parameters (of which pitch bend range is one) aren't in the full patch format... This is my round about way of saying: I don't think you can, sorry.
There is the unofficial firmware though - that might support it (or you could petition the coder to add it if not?).
@@OscillatorSink I'm working on a smart Portamento midi cable. It works OK with the limited +/_ 2 semitones pitch bend range, but +/- an octave would be much better. Thanks for the sysex info.
Hi there. Great videos. I'm trying to use synthmata with my beatstep pro to edit the FM but I can't seem to get any connection between them. I've selected the beatstep in sythmata and the FM is on Ch1 but it's not sending any info to the volca. Anyone have and ideas to get synthmate to work with the beatstep? Cheers.
Hi there, sadly the Beatstep (including pro) and Keystep don't pass Sysex data correctly (I don't know why, but I've confirmed this with testing), so you can't use it with synthmata or any other editor. So you'll need another MIDI interface I'm afraid.
There are lots of USB-Midi cables around, and some of the cheap ones work, but they're kinda hit and miss, but I've had multiple confirmations that this one from Roland works great:
www.roland.com/uk/products/um-one_mk2/
I hope that helps!
@@OscillatorSink thanks for the reply. I can stop searching now. I've got an older midiman 2x2 and that works for sending sysex but I haven't worked out how to have the beatstep or keystep connected to it to play the volca while editing. Not a huge deal but having keys to play while editing would be nice. The way the midiman is built, it is to either usb or mid thru but not both at the same time unfortunately. Cheers.
How recording the new parameter on de track forever?
Press save, choose the preset knob to choose a slot, press save again.
How do you record the different automations on the Volca into your daw, without recording audio (which obviously prints the automation onto your file)? For example, if I want to gradually change the velocity and the decay in my recordings?
I would like to record using midi, because then I could (hopefully) record the keys first, then go back and record the different automations on top of that. Is this possible? And then I guess I need to convert the track into audio at some point, so that I can record new Volca tracks without affecting the old one?
Answers are highly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
All of the front panel controls on the FM can be addressed via midi cc. It'll depend on your daw, but most of them allow you to write in midi cc data as automation, or maybe via a separate midi track. You can get the MIDI Implementation chart for all of the Volcas from the Korg website - this lists which cc number controls which parameter. You'll have to draw this in / use a different controller to the Volca though as there's no MIDI out (unless you've modded yours).
I just checked out the midi implementation chart, but it didn´t really make any sense to me. I wonder why such a simple, fundamental thing has to be so complicated. Does anyone know specifically how to automate the different parameters (most importantly the velocity) on the Volca in logic pro? I tried searching all around the web, but strangely it seems like I am the only one not figuring this out @@OscillatorSink
In the current version of Logic you just have to add region automation to the part you want to automate and select the CC number for velocity (41) and draw in your automation. I'm assuming that you're already otherwise comfortable with using Logic to control external gear here?
I promise it isn't that complicated - but if you want to control midi devices it is worth spending a little time reading up on how midi works - specifically how notes are played and what cc messages are (and what they're used for). This'll help you better understand your gear, and possibly more importantly, help you troubleshoot issues when they arise!
Here's a link which basically explains how to use the region automation for cc in logic:
www.pro-tools-expert.com/logic-pro-expert/logic-pro-blog/2018/02/03/working-without-midi-draw-logic-pro-x-10-4
Okey, thanks a lot! :) @@OscillatorSink
How do you init a patch? Do I just build my own and save it?
Yes, or use my free Web based editor - search "synthmata Volca FM" and you'll find it.
@@OscillatorSink do I need both midi out and in going to usb or just midi in? I really want to use Synthmata but I'm not sure how to connect the Volca to the laptop. It looks like an awesome program!
@@159awi thanks! You just need out from usb interface to in on your Volca. Make sure you set the mode in synthmata correctly (information in the instructions at the top of the page). You also need up be using a Chromium based browser (so not Firefox or Safari).
One thing i cannot find explained in the whole world wide web is "can I trigger sounds that are coming from Ableton live using the Volcas (the FM especially) or i am stuck with the defaults sounds embedded in the hardware???" ...isn't that the point for having a Midi In???
What do you mean by "trigger sounds?". As in make the Volcas play samples from Ableton? In which case no. I'm not sure what you mean exactly?
@@OscillatorSink Yes, well not trigger samples but Midi instruments in Ableton library or for instance, using the volca arpeggiator with a sound coming from your DAW instead of using it with deafult sounds like...i don't know: gLassPad
Not possible?
@@gabrielemariotti5780 so, you can program other sounds on the Volca - that's what this video series is about, you can also load in other patches - there's hundreds of compatible dx7 sounds out there and I've even released 3 patch packs for it, but you can only use midi to make the Volca play sounds that are stored on the Volca. Midi isn't used to send actual sounds, just instructions (like "play a middle C" or "adjust this internal parameter").
@@OscillatorSink So Patches are the answer...is not the solution i was hoping but at least is clear now, thanks a lot for clarifying it.
Appreciate!
hey man. pls I hope you notice this. my volca fm is arriving in 3 days and I wanted to load the patches you made, but I don't know how. I have downloaded the packs too.
You will need a USB midi adapter, and then the best thing to do is just use the Synthmata links on my website and you can send them just using your browser.
@@OscillatorSink THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SWIFT REPLY!!! was pretty confused cause i wasn't sure if it would work thru usb
Your hands are driving me crazy unless you're pointing or interacting with.
;)
+Guitar Addiction well hello there!
;) you make me want to learn it ...;)
+Guitar Addiction that's about the biggest compliment I could ask for!
Zorro, lost me directly. Newbie.
2 olul. 00
Don’t get the first inputs 🤔
Muy buena explicación, paso un tutorial en español para aprender a usar este maravilloso sintetizador: czcams.com/video/G2cSSPTeYTE/video.html
Very informative, but every time you say "rich"... I react badly.
OK?
Great tutorial greetings from brasil