ONE MINUTE SYNTH REVIEW!!! Ep. 12 KORG Volca FM
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- Опубліковано 14 гру 2024
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/ **All music in this video is created using the Korg Volca FM. (except the opening title theme which is Juno 106)
In this episode I review the fantastic little FM synth the Korg Volca FM. This is a fantastic piece of kit if you're looking to try your hand at FM synthesis. Let's see if it's up to the challenge!
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When he starts naming the programs... I haven’t laughed that hard in a while.
😂 ah, the g.l. ass pad.. cl ass ic
Now I'll forever read those programs differently.
Bro I'm Hollering right now!
"Can Korg's brittle bite sized brittle beast bring back the bounty of FM syntheses to the masses?"
Dude.
One minute review ...9:06 mins... Accuracy is optional
Haha, it’s a long running joke since when I started the channel in like 2016. Only long time fans get the inside joke. Sorry.
...enjoyed the excess ! Additive synthesis with time !
Intro!!
It's one-minute *intro* ^^
A third party firmware update adds true key velocity from an external keyboard. Don't miss it !
2:38 finally a synth that speaks my language.
The Volca FM is so much fun when you run it threw fx pedals and sample into a Digitakt or something.
Just picked up my first volca, i was struggling for a second to choose between the FM and the Beats, I ended up going with the FM because I figured if I really dug into the editing I could potentially make my own drum sounds. I'm glad I did, this little thing rocks, made a sequence that inspired an entire song within the first hour of messing around. Thanks for the review man, your advice definitely helped me choose
Happy to see a John Chowning pic. I'm a CCRMA alumn. FM put us on the map!
Damn spitting bars with that alliteration!
You get right to the guts of your synth reviews, sir, I like your opinions a lot. I'm thinking of getting one of these for my hardware setup after inspecting the other Volcas. I am in love with the Sytrus FM synth I use in software on FL Studio, and though it took me a while to really wrap my head around it can make all sorts of amazing percussion, pads, and atmospheres (fine control over disharmony is the key). I wonder if one of these can fill that out for me in hardware form while also being quite fun and portable... Hmmm :)
There is a certain brightness coming from this man. Such easy watching.
Free Breeze comment of the year!!! Thank you so so much!
Man i just love everything about this channel. the styling is just spot on.
Thank you Stanley, I really appreciate you saying this!
I just got one of these beauties for my birthday today, and I absolutely love it! I saw this video a few months ago originally, and I've watched it multiple times. This is a great video, and a great introduction to the synth.
Excellent and informative review thanks.I love my volca FM,but still have a lot to learn.
8 / 10 is fair! Just like you, I got it, tried it and put it back in the box, because I had a lack of time for digging deeper into it, what you have to. But it will get it's chance, as I saw some some really nice videos demonstrating it's power.Don't know if you said it, but you can transfer DX7 patches via sysex to the volca!
Another top notch review, I know I really enjoy my volca FM because it often surprises me and I find a lot of flexibility in such a small box.
I also love my Bluebird, I see it perched back there.
Thanks Trinin! I'm thinking about following this up with how many cool ass sounds this thing makes. It's all under the hood!
This is 1 of my 2 favourite Synth channels!!
Very clear, easy to understand,clever and cool!
Wow! Thanks Rickson. I'm so happy that you like it. I'm really attempting to up the production value episode to episode. Trying to make this more a cool synth show. So we can have a community around it!
Keep working my bro! i'm telling my friends about checkin this channel!
You're killing me with this alliteration, bruh. Keep it up.
Thanks, that thoughtfulness truly tickles me turquoise ;)
These videos are so fucking high quality what the fuck
soops I have to enslave many elves to assist me with the making of each one. Lol. Glad you're enjoying it!
This has by far become my favorite synth review channel of all time. Awesome review, as usual! it seems that most FM synths do take a lot of warming up to, but once you learn, they're absolutely FANTASTIC.
You're such an awesome supporter!!! I want to do series on weirder synths I find. FM synthesis is a challenge, but I loved it!
Super high production value, subbed!
I didn't even know what this was 5 minutes ago but I know I need it
it's true FM synthesizers don't get a lot of love like the analog synthesizers it does take time to learn and play with to get the sound that you want but when you do get the sounds that you like and you know what you're doing man you going to love it!
The anmation was lovelly! Thank you, love your channel!!
Man this has been the best review and break down of the Volca FM. Thank you for taking the time to make this.
Thank you Gil, I’m glad I could bring you value with this, it was fun to make it!
nice my friend. i think i convinced my wife to let me get one for my bday next month but i haven’t the faintest idea about how to use a synth. this was a great little primer.
Nice change in style here. The in-depth review is EXACTLY what we're after!
Thanks man!! I'm shooting for 10 minute pieces now, mostly because I think I've got the production value to the level where I can keep people's attention for that length of time. It was a fun one!
I agree RE: you've found your groove. As for keeping people's attention, I wouldn't worry too much about it. You're creating these videos that are very specific in what they talk about. Because of this, already, not too many people are going to watch your videos (only because of everything else that is on UA-cam already). A random viewer might only watch 33 seconds. Whereas, those you are seeking out product reviews and actual talk about synths, will watch all of your videos all the way through. That's why I say, for your next video, don't constrain yourself with that mindset. If the video ends up being 15 minutes and the extra 5 minutes are too good to cut? Post the 15 minute video! I will watch it. And by not limiting yourself, you demonstrate that you have a vision and voice and this = more subscribers, meaning, you can keep making dope videos!
"G-L Asspad" LOL
Haha I used to be funny
I like what the trend with all the manufacturers with these "throwback synths" because the 80s synths (or whatever) are incredible but its cool that u can build a rack with a few of them and not have it completely occupy a space and have a hella better workflow.
Awesome review , Ikm getting one of these for Christmas , going to check out your other volca Fm videos , hope you and your family have a great Christmas 👍. You remind me of Jazzy Jeff, stay cool man 🤟🏼
man, your scrip is really well written
I'm so happy to discovering your channel. Your videos are very professional. Good luck!!
man what this content is incredible how are you not a huge channel
Tom Clarke thank you!!! It's probably my inconsistency. I just don't wanna put out crap! So I take a bit of time between vids, hopefully I'll find a Production schedule that works better soon. I really appreciate you watching!
The volcas are brutal! for shure in the future that little piece of cake will be a treasure
Well done again, good sir!
These days it's in fashion to disparage the DX7 and its ilk. However, there are some great sonic capabilities hidden within the realm of frequency modulation. Only three voices is a bit of a blow, but in spite of that, this mini-instrument is still a full 6-operator engine. I only wish that it responded natively to velocity over MIDI rather than compensating with the slider. The Yamaha Reface DX might have the edge with 8-note polyphony and an improved interface, but it's only based on Yamaha's 4-operator engine.
Honestly I believe that if we could take an FM engine and slap a west-coast interface (ala Make Noise) all the nay-sayers would go nuts for it. Having lived through the analog era and the digital revolution and the subsequent backlash against digital (especially FM synthesis) there are two things people hated about the Yamaha frequency modulation instruments:
1) The lack of warmth to the sound, and
2) Not understanding how to shape sound predictably within the engine.
Ironically, the first issue was what originally drew so many musicians to the DX7 in the '80s. They were so different from the analog instruments we had used up to that time. But I can understand the frustration with trying to program the instrument. The fact is, though, that most people who are used to East Coast synthesis have a challenge getting their brains wrapped around the West Coast approach via Buchla or Make Noise, the interface draws you in and invites you to experiment. You don't instinctively understand how the sound will be shaped, but the layout, knobs, and patch points draw you in.
Can you imagine a 4-op FM setup as a semi-modular instrument where you could determine whether an oscillator was a modulator or a carrier by the way you ran the cables and then you could use knobs or sliders to modify your frequency, mixing, and other parameters? I could see a more tactile interface making FM engaging for all those who had written it off.
I believe that in spite of the fact that there is a collective library of thousands and thousands of DX7 patches, the depths of 6-operator frequency modulation synthesis have yet to be fully explored. Providing an interface that invites, inspires, and encourages exploration would lead to a better understanding of the synthesis model and would enable people to engage the engine at a whole different level.
In the meantime, I think that the Volca FM is a wonderful way to get a new generation of musicians interested in this engine and in spite of it's size, it provides more hands-on control than the original DX7.
Thank you for another thoughtful review. It's always a delight!
Peace.
Theta Flux - Goodness Gracious YES!
I should have known that someone had already done this in Eurorack. That is BRILLIANT! Thanks for sharing. Now I'm going to have to get a skiff! ;)
Peace.
2:32: It says “Brassens”, it's named after Georges Brassens, a very well known composer from France who died in 1981.
good vid, i like the extra info coming from you sharing that you actually try to understand stuff, not just play from the hip. keep it up, pls.
Yeah, I'm trying to figure out how to exactly make the video interesting, informative and an attention keeper. I think I got the formula right on this one. Thank you stopping by, I really appreciate it!
I love your video, im def subscribed!!
I just bought this cool device a few days ago... Still trying to get the learning curve, if you have any tips on using it and making beats, id love to hear them!
Again awesome video, can't wait to see more! 🎵👁️🎹
Fantastic content. Easily one of the highest quality music gear reviews I've ever seen
Thank you! I’m trying to keep it up!
EXCELLENT demonstration, sir! Love this FM synth.
This is really well done. Learned a bunch. Very new to synth.
You have a new fan. Loved the review.
Thanks Brian, it’s an old vid, but still a good one.
Volca FM rules. It was my gateway into linear FM. Great review 🎛
Thanks, good to see you here as always!!! I was super excited to get this piece!!! I want to expand on this series, but we'll see.
Noir Et Blanc Of course my man. Your style of reviewing and taste in synths is right up my alley
+Noir et Blanc Vie, speaking as one who Max 7'd two of them together as a six note device with velocity sensitivity (which works great btw), I can point to one hazard of purchase: It may lead to vintage tx802 purchase. Peace.
a wonderful little VHS shaped box of goodness
Thanks for a video that actually goes into how use this synth. So many of them are just 7 to 8 minutes of sounds with nothing to tell you how to achieve them. Great Video!!!
how come I never heard of you? great vids!
Hmmm, most people haven't heard of me...Just gonna keep at it, hopefully it will catch on soon!
....and thank you for your kind words!
Nice vid btw. Helpful! I wanted a deepmind 6 but decided I’d go with somethin cheap and portable and oh boy was I surprised 🤩
you need more exposure bruh. maybe you can get on the sonictalk podcast!
Absolutely. His style isnt too far from magazines like FACT. And honestly, he makes way better content than their hit and miss against the clock
Hmmm...OR should I start my own Podcast? I'll get BoBeats, Red Means Record and Myself on a Skype each week and we'll make it happen! (or sonicstate, I'll settle for sonicstate guest spot lol)
Such high praise Adnan! You're such an awesome supporter! Sonicstate is great, but due to their channel being so big, they have to put in other content. Nothing wrong with it, I'm just trying to be dope as shit people who love synths are seriously the coolest most intelligent people I know!
That's how I feel too haha. Synth enthusiasts are super supportive. Maybe its the age group or something... Keep your uploading man!!
Noir Et Blanc Vie please don't do this to my heart that'd be too much
You've clearly put a lot of time and effort into these videos. They're very helpful. Keep on killing it!
The Korg volca FM has become my favorite of the volca collection.
Awesome review dude, I just bought this volca fm and your vid helped a lot 🤘🏻thanks homie
Great vid. You got yourself a new sub
Holy crap, your Volca videos are amazing. Subscribed!
Thanks Ramon!
new favorite channel dude! also sweet riff on the soul chords
Thank you!
I love the intros instantly subscribed
Thank you Jon-Nolan, I appreciate it!
It´s awesome as ass to find a new cool synth channel. Instant subscribe!
I'm glad you think my channel is cool! It's pretty tough to know if people actually appreciate my stuff, of if only I think I'm interesting haha
I know that it's not recommended, but it will be my first synth. I am a total noob, but also curious and patient. I just love how it is possible to create sounds, not just adjust presets. I'm an indie game designer, and this will be part of my soundtrack composition. BTW I also never actualy composed anything. Thanks for the review. Made it a lot easier to understand.
You’re welcome, I really wish you luck composing for games, I love video games especially BOTW recently
No way to save your sounds other than through the sync out to another volca? Keep that in mind
You are The Dude. That is all.
Krakatoa lawn mower dude - you're as cool as a Siberian cucumber.Got the MPC1 but i aint havin no fun,oh what a silly billy cos i should love it a ton !
This caught my interest for a few seconds cause I'm always interested in small and non-backbreaking gear. Then remembered I had a volca a few years ago, but the user interface did not work for me...press a pad and expect a function to work? Nope. Sold that thing. But thanks for the explanation of FM synths.
My pleasure!
awesome video, great channel! cheers
When they finally do the Matrix Reloaded and Further the way it ought to have been done ....you my friend should be Morpheus the Wise ! Got the look
How do you connect your synthesizer to your keyboard?I would like to know.Also I found you were the only person I can count on for reviewing synthesizers!
i am currently choosing between four little synths, this Volca FM, -- Modal Skulpt -- Korg Monolouge -- Arturia Minibrute - i have seen and heard the Microfreak, but dont like it, will think about it, and if you have any input feel free to share, i am a pretty experianced keys player, but NOT a synthplayer, - but i like the "brutality" of synths!
Good video. Nice production value and good thoughts. Subbed.
I love my DX7
THanks ArtFluids, I'd love to have a fullsize FM like the DX7 with a similar footprint to the Prophet line. At the end of the day I'm just trying to be the youtuber with the most rhyming in a review. I think I hit the mark in this one LOL.
Very serious rev, escpecially the part of being patient, Rom wasnt built on a day..
Ace video man . Speak the language of synth and speak it as few others can
Thank you William, some have called me a snob before. I just want to share what we all love...synthies!!!
Noir Et Blanc Vie meh being intelligent and articulate is never a bad thing. Keep at it.
love this demo, since you were playing it on a full keyboard in the beginning would you say the 3 voice polyphony is really that limiting?
The 3 voice polyphony is way way too limiting for me to really enjoy it, unfortunately. What can ya do?
Noir Et Blanc Vie thanks for replying. any suggestions for a better first synth in a similar price tag then?
lovely videos by the way. it's nice to see someone who plans before they start speaking.
Really great video
you've won me over with this video. i like you. subscribed dawg
Great video, lots of class
One of the best reviews that I've seen about it!! Thinkin' about to buy one. Have you checked if u can edit it with the "drexed" ?
O w i - D i g i t a l thanks! I think I remember something about it being able to be edited with Drexed, I haven't had enough time to dive deep enough. I apologize.
Dexed, not Drexed :) Maybe a typo.
I pronounce it as D - X'ed.
It's indeed an editor (and VST plugin) for DX7/Volca FM available for both MAC and PC.
One thing to notice is that the algorhythm doesn't transfer but that's easily fixed on the device itself.
Best review ever
Your channel rocks! Receiving my Volca FM today! :)
Thanks. You answered a question I had: Can I use the headphone jack as an "Audio Out" to send sound to my Tascam Pocket Studio? Apparently I can. That's great to know.
Love my FM, love having Volca style tweakyness on a FM synth. Nice once you grok the ethos. ( Annoying that you have to solve the velocity "problem" to use as a sound module )
You're a low-key god at this. I cracked up at "ass" presets. So true.
I love the form factor of these Volcas, but the way I look at it, when FM synths modulate the frequency of a waveform, it ends up sounding like just a bad/cheesy acoustic emulation because such one-dimensional modulations are essentially just a dumbed down fournier transform, which ultimately produces a sound that lacks complexity/character. To me, FM synthesis was a result of not having the computational power for PM synthesis (physical modeling, i.e. Sculpture, Mutable Elements/Rings, etc.). And FM can certainly do some good buzzy modulated saw waves, but any analog synth can essentially do a better job of that IMO. I’d love to see a Volca PM!
And I'm not a hater, just a self-righteous snob. Thanks for such awesome reviews!
Joseph F you are hilarious. Read more and try again.
Thanks. I mean, if you like these these "glass" or "E bass" FM tones, then more power to you!
Joseph F you do not do those sounds on FM... If you do those you might need to check a bit more to what an FM synthesizer CAN actually do. Because what you refer to is the first shitty easy presets, which if you know how you can turn into things great things that no subtractive basic analog synth will do. Of course, it is a matter of taste && experience since FM synthesis is one pretty hard subject.
You're absolutely welcome. Korg spoiled us with the FM, they're really doing a fantastic job in the synth world right now!
Love your videos.
Thanks so much! Trying to continue to bring the goods!
Been messing with dexed. Love it. Feel like this little synth could be a great solution to play with programming fm without having to sit at my computer which I will definitely appreciate because I already sit at a computer when I'm wageslaving.
Mmmm. Sounds from the 3rd plateau lmao
I love it bro, thanks
Is beautiful
Great review hermano
I got the Korg volca keys and. Waiting for this to get at my door .
You won’t be disappointed....at least I don’t think so 🙃
Noir Et Blanc Vie , I am a big fan of fm but I am used to Shallow synthesizer ( po-32 , Korg volca keys , strng ( iPad ) and other iPad synthesizers , Op-z synthesizer engines ) .
Keep jamming positive vibration ❤💛💚
3:03 Albert Einstein has entered the video and possessed this man.
Is it possible to play “on the run on” that?
Upside down br and b ASSEs cracks me up bro.
your great man i share all your videos
Octacon Media thanks! I freaking appreciate that so much!!
good stuff dude. thanks for the post.
Hope my video helped Thom! Really appreciate the kind words :)
What we all came for... @2:39 “G L Ass Pad” 🤣😂🤣😂
do you need a keyboard as well? or can you just play the synth without another instrument?
I think the digital text meant "brass ensemble " . Very good honest video to watch . ;-)
I mean, maybe I just think of ass too much. lol
Are you able to play sequences on top of one another or run a sequence and play free hand over it, like with the volca keys and bass?
KORG VOLCA GO BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Nice review! Subscribed :)
Oh yea, a review w/ a score... you Sir are a scholar.
Love that alliteration with the letter D at the end there 😉 love the vids
Did you hear about IK's new mono synth?
Wow this review is fantastic best I'v ever seen.
Wow that was awesome