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Review: Korg Volca FM2 vs OG // DX-7 based synth gets better // Volca FM 2 synthesis tutorial
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2024
- Read the full FM synthesis chapter in my ever-expanding book of electronic music ideas, tips and tricks here:
► Patreon: / loopop
Volca FM 2 Price check links (affiliate links help the channel):
► Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/2rL9x0
► Thomann: www.thomann.de/intl/search_di...
► Perfect Circuit: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
► Amazon: amzn.to/3Q32Fa5
Other gear in this video:
► Arturia KeyStep 37
► TRS A to MIDI DIN cables by Designacable
► Scopes by Melda
► Dexed - free DX7 editor in software and plugin form, includes a synth engine
► Synthmata by Oscillator Sink - free web-based editor (Chrome) - no downloads required
SETUP FAQ: Wait, why is there no MIDI cable connected from the Keystep to the Volca?!
► You could do that, but for this video, the Keystep is connected via USB to an off-camera computer - I needed to go through a computer because I wanted to send MIDI notes from my Keystep but also SYSEX from Dexed, so the computer was also acting as a "MIDI merge" box using Ableton Live, hosting both Dexed and another channel routing MIDI from Keystep to a USB MIDI interface (built in to my audio interface in this case) and from there to the Volca via a 5 pin MIDI to TRS A adapter cable to the Volca FM2.
TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:40 FM2 vs OG FM
4:15 Overview
7:05 Effects
8:20 Velocity
8:45 Transpose
9:15 Modulator attack decay
10:05 Carrier attack decay
10:50 LFO basics
11:35 Algorithms
12:55 Program random
13:45 Unison
14:20 Sequencer
15:50 Arpeggiator
16:40 Motion Seq
18:10 MIDI Seq
19:00 Act/Warp Step
20:30 Diving deeper
21:00 Dexed-Synthmata
21:50 FM Synthesis
25:20 Freq ratios
25:45 Modulators
27:45 Envelopes
31:15 Key velocity
31:55 LFO routing
33:30 Pitch env
33:50 Level scaling
34:05 Feedback
35:35 Pros & cons
38:45 Playing 16 patterns
Other places I hang out:
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► Facebook: / loopopmusic
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► Web: loopopmusic.com
My music:
► Bandcamp: loopop.bandcamp.com
► Spotify: bit.ly/LoopopOnSpotify
► Apple Music: bit.ly/LoopopOnAppleMusic
Submit review and video ideas here (sorry I don’t offer 1x1 sessions/setup/purchasing advice):
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links to stores like Amazon, Sweetwater, Thomann and others. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.
It's kind of fitting that Korg has paid such respect to the DX7. During the reign of the DX7 Yamaha actually bought a controlling stake of Korg in order to keep the company alive. Yamaha made a ton of money from the DX7, and basically subsidized Korg through hard times long enough for Korg's founder to repurchase that stake in the company. I'm not sure if you would ever see something like this in America's business world. Yamaha and Korg recognized that they both need competitors, and valued each other.
incredibly interesting thank you for sharing
Honour and respect above all else. Japan.
Wow... this is awesome to know, amazing, thanks for sharing this.
i’m not crying you’re crying
That is actually so wholesome it makes me happy! I have a volca beats so.i might get this also. Great info btw.
What a beautiful analogy for the mysteries of FM synthesis:
"Changing an algorithm... is kind of like planning a trip in one city, and then getting the city swapped out on you. You're not going to arrive where you planned, but it might be an interesting trip regardless"
😁👍
Zu
i had to pause and consider the simultaneous horror n wonder. that was hilarious along with the compaison of the spiderman game😆 ...then some of the cities may 'seem' familiar BUT your gf is now covered in hair from head-to-hoof and your family n friends have swapped personalities. oh the places we could go with analogies to fm algo swapping
the preset on the original Volca FM "Shortcut" very quickly gets to some pretty good sounds by simply swapping algorithms
That made me smile as well, especially having done it for real and ending up climbing a mountain!
I watch loopop videos before deciding to pull the trigger on a piece of gear
I loved synths and was very excited when the DX7 was released in 1983. I was about 10 years old at the time. There is NO way people back in the 80s would've believed we would still be using this technology in 2022... but here we are. FM synthesis is still unique and interesting, and hey we still have analog monosynth's too!
Erm, sorry to be that person, but I kind of did. Back then I thought to myself that I'd get one choice synth from digital and analogue and buy them with the view of them being used in the future. And I did - a DX7 and a Juno 1. I still have them and still use them.
I Looked at this and thought these would be pretty landmark repesentations and would likely be relevant in the future.
@@crunchyfrog555 Did you really think the DX7 would be relevant 40 years later?!
@@lundsweden Yup absolutely. At that time, analogue was being seen as old hat. I thought this would be a passing fad and I was right on that. But also I knew that an early model flagship digital synth would be equally treasured so that's why I plumped for both. I fully intended to splash out on them and with the view to keepp them, and I did just that.
I would say that I am in no way unique on this. Many thought this way.
There is only analogue and digital for audio, so it's not exactly that unsual to foresee this.
@@MonitorSmith DX7 isn't hard to program at all, it's why they gave 32 algorithms
Yeah, FM and analogue aren't going anywhere, modular is the father of subtractive synthesis and synths and the modular market has only boomed, leading to a revival of analogue synths, then FM is a basic and _essential_ type of synthesis, it's not going anywhere just like subtractive isn't leaving anytime soon.
Dang, dude! I’m always thoroughly impressed by how well-made your videos are!
Love ‘em!
As a DX7 fan I will be getting this ASAP. The polyphony on the first Volca kept me from buying one, but having a pocket DX7 with six voices is damn near perfect for me as I love minimalism, but still want to be able to play basic chords. It sounds like they added just the right amount of reverb and chorus, too, as a bonus.
I had the original Volca FM, loved it! I will definitely get the FM2. I think it is the best of all Volca’s
EDIT: im totally wrong and must have been confused. It's 6 OP.
I mean it's 4 op not 6 so the dx7 comparisons are a little off
I agree with Rich. 3-notes was a joke. This is a near-buy now. I got the PreenFM2 instead of the Volca OG - but now this is 6-voice, its better UI/UX then the Preen. Though the Preen has 14-voice poly, it misses the Seq (though does have arps). So yeah I might trade in the PreenFM2 for the VolcaFM2. = I can still say I have an FM2 whatever outcome :D
Opsix is cheaper now, more polyphony than you'll need....
@@billimnot5962 It's not fully DX7 compatible, though, especially for what concerns envelopes. The Volca FM isn't perfect either, but most sounds are almost identical and you can anyway dump any DX7 program.
"This may seem complicated at first, because it is..." That made my day. 😀
What an informative video. One of the best I've seen with the side guide and top graphics. subbed.
Thank you this is one of the best explanations I’ve seen of how FM synthesis works
Sample was my first groove/drum/beat machine. (Wanted to save money while learning process.) It’s shocking how solid it sounds and fun it is to use. I think this little guy is a no brainer. This is wonderful.
It would be game over if they made a Volca keys 2, the possibilities would be amazing
Or a Volca Beats 2 with the snare mod done, step probability, 64 step sequencer, bar reset, 6 outs, midi out
That’s what I’m waiting for 🤞
+1 for Volca Keys 2 with 4 voices and more waveforms as currently not versatile enough
@@jeremiahfire1798 6 voices, please. That'll be an instant buy, even with that shitty, noisy delay effect. :D
@@billimnot5962 I'd settle for just the snare mod
Have wanted a Volca FM for a while now. Glad I waited.
Will definitely be getting one of the new ones.
On mobile, KQ Dixie is a good DX7 clone with intuitive touch screen controls that can export patches to the FM
Exactly
Caustic has a nice FM synth built in, too
@@vecvan I had that Years ago on Android before I got into iOS. It would be excellent to see a new version. Caustic reminded me of Reason rack interface.
I got KQ Dixie and BLEASS Omega this weekend. Both sound very nice!
I prefer dedicated hardware.
I had a DX9 the 4 operator version of the DX7 back in the mid 80s. I could get electronic pianos and brass from it it was impossible to program. I miss my old DX so might just get one of these.... Thanks for the great demo 👍
as a current DX7 owner, this is a good idea. The DX7 is massive and 15KG...
You had me at "6 voices instead of 3"
Really cool news! The Volca FM have always been one of my favorite Volcas!
Stop lying. We all know your favourite is Sample ;)
😂
The Arp still being limited to 3 notes is a bit of a bummer, but they seemed to have gone all-out on this upgrade otherwise, and I'm glad they didn't remove the metronome all together. I'm incredibly excited for it to be released! Thanks for such an in-depth overview.
ARP is now six notes as of firmware 1.10 ;)
loopop is the perfect teacher I always missed at school. 🤩
The king of synth UA-cam reviews! Cool upgrade!
Very interesting tool! It makes FM synthesis way more accessible than all those 80ies staples. In such a compact form factor. Nice!
Just want to take a moment and appreciate the unbelievable pace at which you are putting these videos out. Completely unreal and the effort shows through; hope you're remembering to take some time for yourself! Cheers
Thanks very much! Indeed these past and coming few weeks are slightly more intense than usual - the pace should become less insane after May :)
damn I got the original just a couple of months ago and now I want to get this one
Wow, I will come back to this video a lot, it's the best FM video I have ever seen, I finally seem to understand how Dexed/Volca FM sounds work, maybe I will be able to do more than use oscillator sinks randomize function in the future :)
Great fm sound module! Great overview as well
Wow so glad I saw this vid I was just going to order the volca fm ..I’ll get the fm2 now
Thanks for another great review.
I can not wait to hear what VolcaNiced, the master of Volcas, can come up with on this machine!
21:45 I believe the reason live parameter updates don't get sent to a connected Yamaha DX-7 is that doing so would cause played notes to be truncated. The DX had a terrible flaw IMHO in that receiving certain MIDI/sysex information caused its oscillators to reset. Heck, just pushing one of the synth's soft buttons to change patches could make it go "TWANG!!" during a live performance. Hence, the "SEND" feature in Dexed, in case you needed time to ramp down the volume pedal beforehand. At least that's my take on the situation.
Months into owning the original Volca.
Discoveries and surprises continue,but the game has improved with the new updated version.
So, now more discovery and surprise me.
Looks like they made great improvements. The original 3 voice limit and lack of velocity sensitivity was exactly what put me off when I was looking for a small portable FM synth.
That's why at the time I chose to build a Preen FM 2, which didn't have those limitations (and uses true frequency modulation, while the DX-7 actually uses phase modulation). But that is not an option for those who want to have access to the DX7 patches.
I probably would have bought this if it was on the market last year. Thanks for the video!
Technically true frequency modulation would alter the fundamental, even the preen is phase modulation!
the program randomizer is such a great feature, i use it all the time on the wavestate
would you say that the synth makes sense even if you only use the randomizer without diving into the adventure of FM synthesis? I love the sound, but I guess on the volca it is really hard to actually create sounds from scratch without any additional software (which I don't want to use)
@@AngMoKio8 yes for sure, especially for the price. The thing is you can get results with just hitting the randomize feature. Also if you like the synth, naturally you will grow with it and what seems hard now will make sense later. For example when i first got my Kronos i hated the interface and editing sounds but because i really liked the keyboard i kept it and after a year or two i can navigate and create my own sounds with ease. ✌😎
love the FM, great review!
Well done Korg...
Thanks Loopop.
ok, now this is worth getting.
I wish all the Volcas were this upgraded version type.
I'd also like to see some kind of Super Volca with a few put together.
We might, eventually.
@@Jason75913 Was just a random thought but there is probably a market for it at least in a limited edition amount.
@@ryanperrault8174 We may eventually see a Super Volca, Volca FM and Sample have gotten updates so far, I bet more are on the way.
We won't see some kind of, say, multi-Volca-FM thing because it would compete with the Opsix.
The Volca Keys was one of my fav synths ever until it just quit making sounds after 3 years... If they made an upgraded version I would buy it in a heartbeat.
@@inthefade my volca keys crapped out on me too.
An amazing video of a much improved Volca FM @loopop. I skipped the first volca FM, but this one really impressed me due to your video and is now on my shortlist. Kudos!
Makes me wonder how this compares sound wise (f.e. DA & effects quality) to that other great FM synth from KORG, the opsix. Furthermore if Yamaha ever will recreate and improve their lineup from the 1980s...
The dac in the fm2 is definitely improved over the original. It’s much fuller and lively sounding. I compared them side by side with the new effects turned off on the fm2 and using only 3 voices.
thanks for video! also beautiful examples you play :)
0:51 that's absolutely hilarious, I don't think I've ever heard you crack a joke before and I've been a fan for years 😂
Simply the best reviewer!!.
I just got myself a Volca FM2 and a Volca Keys, after watching numerous videos to find out which one was right for me nd then couldn't decide in the end. I must say, the FM2 seemed pretty intimidating for a beginner, but your video really made it look a lot easier than expected. (excluding the whole 'sound desingn' part, that is kind of tough, and I will probably just skip that and enjoy the sounds available xD) So thank you very much for this video and the clarification on some things!
This this is so good, its such a completely differnt sound to the typical subtractive synth sound and just a million times more complex (sounding)
Darn you, loopop. Making me buy so much stuff. It’s all been life changing though, so I won’t Mad. It’s healthier than buying a bag
Have been gassing for one of these, but still not available in the US.
But I now have Dexed on my iPad, so I can play FM sounds with my Yamaha YC61 keyboard, which has great audio/MIDI connectivity with iPad, through usb cable.
Update: I ended up buying an FM2 from a Japanese vender on Ebay. Love it!
30:40 It's so quaint to see Dexed showing essentially the same envelope editing screens as we enjoyed on the Yamaha CX5M Music Computer starting in 1983, ha ha. What's old is new again. Thank god we no longer have to load patches using data cassette tapes or click-and-drag all the on-screen controls with a chunky roller-ball mouse (or arrow keys!!). 😀
This video inspired me to pull the trigger on a DX100, thank you.
I brought alot of my gear based on you reviews and tutorials.
I just brought the FM2.
If this is my last piece...
I'm good.
The FM2 is a Monster in a Box.
The neighbors are gonna have to deal with it
Yet another thorough review and synthesizer class that covered the subject completely. Right after watching this, I joined your patreon so I could pay you back some, and, if I'm being completely(in-completely?🤔) honest, so I could also get your "in-complete" book. 😜 Speaking of your book, I get why you call it "in-complete" but it is most likely the most complete incomplete book I've ever seen just based on me reading the first few pages, scanning the table of contents and spot reading a section or two. Awesome job! BTW, I put a Korg Volca FM 2 on back order right after watching the video. 🙄😬
Thanks very much!!
Oh!!! VOLCA FM MK2 😻 Thank you Loopop!
This sounds amazing,. Tech has come a long way. Greater and greater functionality keeps getting squeezed into smaller packages. And it is difficult to keep up with the dizzying array of product out here. That’s where loopop come in! Once again I have to thank you and compliment you on your technological savvy. I’ve made a number of purchasing decisions from educating myself from your videos - and never regretted one!
QUESTION: What is the app you use for your oscilloscope?
Thanks! I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle. Occasionally I’ll use scopes by VCV
Fantastic clean and amazing lesson ,Thanks .
I currently use my Volca FM 1 a lot, especially since updating the firmware to the third party version that allows for velocity sensitivity via MIDI. I can see a future wherein I use both. I'm excited that Korg made a new version with a lot of cool stuff that doesn't completely render the older version obsolete. I feel the same way about the Sample 2.
Now, if we could just get a Beat 2 with the snare mod and some added functions like those in the FM 2...
Or if the Volca Sample 2 (which I sold)was actually a sampler with more than 8mb of memory. Also the Pajen firmware for the original Volca Sample made for a better musical instrument. Why Korg omitted such an update themselves is a mystery to me.
I had a Volca FM, loved it most out of my volcas, the other was Drum and Keys. Yeah, the FM 2 is probably the best Volca money can buy right now.
That update is why I still have my OG FM and haven't pulled the trigger on one of these yet. I had been trying to load certain dx7 patches that didn't sound right, and apparently Yamaha and Korg have two different ways of sending/receiving sysex. The pajen update allowed for choice. I highly doubt this one does, and I hated the disappointment of, say, finding a bank of Brian Eno patches and half of them either wouldn't make a sound or didn't sound a thing like the example. Still skittish on that with this one.
Its great that Korg has expanded the poly on this. I was really excited for volcafm2 at first but then I got to thinking about what I really wanted in an FM synth. I looked at the OPSix but wanted more than 37 keys. Ultimately I found and bought a dx7IIfd with E! expansion in great condition. It cost a lot more (like buying 5 volcas) but I remember enjoying the one I had a long time ago and I am so glad I picked up the real deal.
I don't mind programming FM cause I learned synthesizers with a dx100 so I'm good with it.
Without an editor, the DX7II is a lot easier to program than the volca fm.
I find the Volca easier to tweak on the fly than any DX synth.
Nice that they added a reverb, too bad you can’t control the reverb time. I have had the original VFM for a long time now and am still using it, so I would def recommend this. Not sure I need to update though. Great review as always Loop!
Thanks! You can "sort of" control the reverb time using the mix knob - I know it's not the same thing - but you do hear less of a tail if its level is lower
I wonder if it's something they could add in a firmware update, even if it can only be controlled over MIDI
@@rorz999 I don’t know about adding more controls by you can control the reverb mix over midi
It costs almost as much as a Volca but a Zoom MS-70CDR makes a nice addition to any synth setup (stereo version of their MS-50G/MS-60B). Lots of effects you can upload into it. For less a used Zoom G1on is not as good as the MS series, but it can load most of the same effects but can't run as many of them at once and is a little worse for noise/hiss. Behringer FX600 is another pedal that is cheap ($35) while it lacks reverb, it has lots of other good stuff for making an ambient synth track on a budget.
I'm definitely getting one - the 6 voices is a huge huge upgrade for me!
I'm already preordered, 80's goodness LET'S GOOOOO!
The best tutorial ever on FM and dexed...
It'll depend on the actual retail price, but this seems like pretty much a nobrainer. Great way of cheaply adding full FM synthesis capability to a compact setup. I see myself using this with the Keys, and an MPC, and a small midi keyboard. Pack it all up in a neat little backpack, and jam Trans Europe Express style all over Europe's rail network.
🚂 🔊
I think i read 170usd
@@annother3350 yeah I saw it listed for 169. For that kind of money I might even be able to save up for the Autobahn eurotour. Good times :)
You could literally do all the shit the volca does but better on whatever device you typed this comment on
@@wendigo2442 This is the least helpful comment ever. Under your logic no digital hardware synths should ever exist, because since they're all software/programmed, you could just do the synthesis on a PC.
95% of the point of something like this is portability/"giggability" at a reasonable cost. I mean, hell, there are software synth VSTs that cost more than this thing does.
Great synth, great review!!
Damn but I love your synth reviews!
With USB, OLED Screen and fully VST editor, will be a little destroyer! Thanks for this powerful review!
Well this is interesting, the Volca FM is the Volca that I still use fairly often
Looking forward to pairing this with a Keystep pro! 😍
This is very impressive. You could get a lot out of this. Even without diving into fm synthesis proper (which I doubt most will ever do)
Sequencing is interesting compared to the other classic volcas. Weird to not include individual step recording but then include the new warp feature instead.
I wish they all had the same pattern chaining
Refreshingly thorough walk-through of FM synthesis theory (thanks!). Kids today will likely have comparatively weak background in the math involved (sines and how waves interact to create modulation/harmonics), not to mention voice shaping (ADSR, envelopes, LFO, etc.) as well as music theory (instrument timbre/color, beating, chordal structure). So I doubt they'll grasp just how maddeningly complex FM is compared with additive synthesis (where filters did so much of the work for you) or modern samplers (which do ALL of the work!).
Still, the payoff of getting a sweet nectar sound out of an FM synth makes it all worthwhile. While speaking to Dr. John Chowning (inventor of FM), jokingly claimed I had discovered all possible sounds by tinkering with the knobs. He said that is not possible within a single lifetime. And he's certainly correct! Will today's musicians have the wherewithal to even try?
There's a bunch of video tutorials on how to make patches for dubstep, techno, and other electronica styles using FM8. I can get great techno and trance sounds out of my Volca FM (albeit just stabs and pluck leads/basses due to the limited polyphony). A _bit_ challenging, but not insanely difficult. I do not know if FM8 has lost popularity, everyone just keeps bringing up Serum or U-HE synths in VST discussions. Serum is great, but it doesn't sound as good as Massive X to me. U-HE seems pretty incredible, I might try out Hive 2 in the future. I've been in love with FM8 for years now.
So today's electronic music producers have certainly delved into FM synthesis, not sure how many have, exactly. Keyboardists with MODX keyboards have a very potent FM synth at their finger tips, though only a very tiny minority will delve into subtractive sound design, let alone FM synthesis.
"modern samplers (which do ALL of the work!)"
they are just regular subtractive synths, and depending on the sampler, will give you a filter and EGs all the same.
"not possible within a single lifetime"
if you don't exclude junk and unusuable sounds and sounds that overlap with regular subtractive synths, DX7 patches in circulation around the web, and patches too similar to each other altogether, sure, you won't explore every possibility within a lifetime
Hello there, with the 1.09 unofficial firmware you can receive program change messages and the dexed works in real time as a proper editor, just setting the midi channel correctly. You can also disable midi clock in and some more things, dont know if all this is possible in 2.0. Maybe the 1.09 is installable in this version too.
I'd imagine not, since so much has changed. Maybe Pajen will try to hack this one too, though I beleive he's said that their newer products are harder to
It's a pity if Korg didn't implement Pajen's features - they are essential for the gen 1.
They changed a few things that will likely make the FM2 incompatible with pajen's generous firmware
Slick animation thing. Always top quality content.
as always, another great Loopop review! Got me to get one, after being so DX OS-fearing. But where's the Likes, folks?--like 5% of views or so if my math's right, come on!
Nice video as usual. 👌
buenisima comparativa!!! saludos!
This is... just... I LOVE VOLCA ♥️🥰
Volca FM is another level synth, and aside from volca form factor, it is fully fledged DX 7 minus the keyboard. For 100£, there is really nothing remotely close. The next good synth dealing with FM would be Twisted Electrons Mega fm, but that is 500£ synth with Sega Megadrive chip. I have both that one and Blast Beats, it is very interesting approach to FM synthesis. 4 operator though. Anyway, there are two Volcas that surpass the basic entry level - FM and Drum, both are very advanced. I can add Bass too, simply because 3 analogue oscillators for that price are worth it.
brooooo since when did you start displaying the chords you're playing via midi? That's so good! Please keep doing that! I'm still learning that sorta stuff and being able to casually hear/identify a tone I may really like in the background while watching your reviews is like, easily one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
those animations really dope!
Helpful tips in modular synthesis
Great vid Loopop, thanks. I was really hoping they'd have added sustain support - or even just the CC so you could map it. Made sense with just 3 voices, but it seems a missed opportunity with 6 voices, especially as the seq can now send to other gear.
Wait... Whaaaaa no sustain?
Yup, that was the final straw for me with the original (which I sure wish I sold already). I finally got the velocity working and was so pumped to play it with my piano, then... NO SUSTAIN!
Yeah wow. I had no idea. I mean w the 3 voices i wasnt interested as you can get a tx7 etc of old yamahas for under 200. When I saw the 6 voice now I was like heck yeah ill get one...and then... no sustain... is just plain lamesauce... And also why... neeeeeverrrrmind, Korg. When is the drumlogue coming out? Lol
You can always sustain with your fingers.
@@marike1100 ... Nice. 😆 .. Yeah...and while picking your nose at the same time kicking a nun with your sustain pedal foot. 😆. On serious note Be hard to use it to layer or switch between other synths without sustain. Makes it a no go for a lot of people... unless they implement that, which is easy esp being all digital .. and also cc for modulation. Weird neither exist. Really no sense why it doesn't or previous model. I had no idea.
Groooovy video graphics!
You know I really did wish you did a review of Kodamo Essence FM. I did have very similar sentiments about it as you, initially, i.e. about it being software-like, (as well as ugly UI, touchscreen, etc0. But now that I've spent time with it I am literally blown away. It's an extremely responsive touchscreen where you can draw a waveform with your index finger and immediately hear it. I'm not aware of any DAW that can do this, in fact most FM DAWs aren't designed with multitouch touchscreen in mind like Ableton which has a dedicated "tablet" mode. The intuitiveness and the power of this synth are mindblowing. I mean, I had trouble finding a DAW with as much power and as intuitive that it lets a total FM noob create patches, assign voices, etc. in mere minutes. Perhaps it exists, but I asked around for a friend who wants to get into FM and is looking for a DAW that is both as powerful AND as easy and intuitive as Kodamo Essence FM, and so far no luck: everything I was suggested is either less versatile, or is pretty difficult to get into. But, I already got it, I just wish more people knew about it. The way I found out about it was sheer luck. Pure chance, as there are only a couple of videos of it on UA-cam with very few views, and it's like they almost never float up in "suggestions". The company has really great customer support too, and they are about to release a similar product but with keys. The company does like your reviews a lot, they'd probably be delighted if you agreed. But I also do realise that this synth is quite versatile and difficult to fully review in under an hour like Volca so there's that... Anyway, just tossing it out there.
Thanks for the note. Yes I saw their Keys version, which seems to have removed what few knobs were there :/ I heard some sound demos with it and it sounds great and the touch screen seems indeed responsive, I just don't see the benefit compared to an iPad with a MIDI keyboard - and you'd get a bunch of other engines like granular, wavetable, drums, samples etc quite easily.
@@loopop OK, so here's my question then: which DAW do you think could actually compete with Kodamo Essence FM in 1. Versatility (300 voice, 16 part multitimbral, tons of stackable FX, etc. and 2. Ease of use, - so that a total noob could pick up making great sounding patches with a 6-operator FM in under 30 minutes?
The reason I'm asking is because I have a friend who is into software based subtractive synthesis, and who has never done FM before, and after spending an evening with K.E. FM he asked me which DAW-based synth would give him all of the above, so that he wouldn't have to spend exactly the same amount that I spent on K.E. FM only on buying 7-8 different DAW FM synths. I tried really hard to find something like that for him, poured over forums, did a bunch of reading and found no worthwhile software-based competitor. So, if you know one, I would be very grateful (as, I imagine, would he). Reddit suggested Opsix Native, but I dug in and found it a bit of a joke compared to K.E. FM. And, personally, FM8 is my favourite, but it's definitely not something that could get him making patches in 30 minutes, took me a while to master. (And sure, there's stuff in Kodamo E.FM that would be very cumbersome to reproduce with DAWs like 4 balanced stereo outs, but he doesn't care about that as much).
@@telumatramenti7250 If you show me how Essense FM simplifies making 6-operator patches beyond any other synth, I'd be interested on that basis alone. Assuming that's not the case, pretty much any DAW except a demo of one can do 16 parts, easily run 300 voices of 6 operator FM, not that anyone would need that many, and add on top of that the versatility of any other engine one would want, a bigger user interface, the option of a mouse if you wanted one, etc. If you think opsix is a joke BTW then you haven't really explored it enough...
"draw a waveform with your index finger and immediately hear it."
Native Instruments and Steinberg have such features on certain products. There should be plenty more out there, I don't know why you are talking about DAWs when eveyone sticks to 3rd-party plugins like Vallhalla reverbs, Omnisphere, Kontak, Fabfilter effects, etc.
@@Jason75913 Names of "certain products"?
Man, when will this be in stock?! FM and PD synth is all my ears can remember. So many new/old ideas 🎸
This may be the piece of FM gear i was waiting for. let me count the ways: 1)i love my DX7 FM sound but only the keyboard/MIDI control still works and it weighs a friggin ton and i am on the fence about even repairing it. 2) i hate the wavestate formfactor also used on the OP6 and will never buy that piece of crap form-factor again. 3)when i bought my microfreak almost 3 years ago, i didnt know it came with 3.5mm-DIN dongles, so i ordered a pair, which turned out to be extra. 4)always room for a little module in my synth rig 5) price i can deal with. thanks for the usual excellent review.
Just a note, I'm fairly sure the microfreak midi dongles are type b, korg uses type a. I could be confusing that with the beatstep pro, however, so I'd double check
@@s3nsec0rruptr80 good call. the freak does use B, and here was me just worrying about the 2.5mm like on the uno synth. but no documentation or labelling on any of the 3.5mm adapters says anything regarding A vs B. the only difference is the tip and ring wires are reversed. i will have to ring them out with the multimeter and find the wiring diagrams from the 5-pin din. what a bunch of BS haha. anyway, thanks for the heads up. i learned something too.
Don't know if you've checked but they updated the firmware and added sustain. Now if we can get them to add midi cc for everything haha but maybe they will add LFO amp depth in the same way they did the Chorus and Reverb depth with holding the function button. They could do that to the P.DEPTH nob easily. Hope KORG reads this!
I was going to get this but instead decided to spend 10 times more on Kodamo EssenceFM... Just because I wanted my FM synthesis to be a "walk in the park" . I also figured if anything could take care of my G.A.S. for the next 5-6 years, there's no other FM product out there that's a better candidate. There's the Opsix but it's not multi-timbral and that's no bono... Still it's pleasant to hear the old DX7 patches.
Thankyou for ending on, and giving more demonstration to, my favourite patch. You and Oscillator Sync and Cuckoo are why I got into volcas. Love 'em, although I only have three. Will have to get this too and maybe link it to the other fm for a really complex combined sound. Can't wait to hear Stefan Torte jam with this in his setup. Maybe the cat will be put on fm1 duties. ; )
Cuckoo is deaf
I know Volcas are usually purchased as first gear, but I think I’m going to get this one. I only have the Sample 2 but have all the POs other than Tonic, Arcade, Robot, and KO ( I have Megaman and the sampler version of the remake escapes me at the moment) as always I regret not getting those 3 thinking I’ll find them cheap somewhere! Always get the version or all of whatever when you can, before some a-hole wants $350 for Rick and morty on Mercari! Not the direction I expected them to go, but I use them constantly in writing and can’t help loveing them❤! lol my excuse for not getting the FM 1 or 2, I have QY100 and Qy300 and Motif, I git the real DX 7 FMs! I’ve become a collector so, I’ll have to include the volcas as well! Thank you Loopop for the video as always you left me well informed. peace!
Those arps at the start remind me of Legowelt-Santiago Chile Arp Track. Nice to track to check out if you like it.
I just got mine finally. It's amazing. I also own a monologue xd and an nts 1. These are all pretty incredible. Additional firmware con might be the inability to do any kind of step input to the sequencer. It would be nice not to have to input notes in real time.
Could be controlled by the beatstep pro to step sequence
How do the XD and the Volca work together? And also how long did you have to wait for it to come off back order
@@mrtrin it took about 4 months to finally get the fm2. I typically use it with the circuit tracks. I set the volca to MIDI channel 3, and the xd to midi channel 4. Those channel numbers are the default of the circuit tracks two midi tracks. Then set up the circuit tracks so that the midi thru acts as a midi out. That way you have two MIDI outputs. Really handy. I take the audio outputs of each of the synthesizers and plug them into the left and right inputs on the circuit tracks. I use a small mixer in between the two synths and the Tracks so that I can turn the stereo outputs into Monos and feed them left and right.
Thank you. Your reviews are great and extremely educational which gives youtube so much more value than all other similar medias. Your camera is very good. The learning process of drum machines and similar bank orientated machines is fast. UA-cam is the only medium I use now. On your patreon site, are there single cycle wave file samples of tones from synthesizers?
Greetings, Hrólfur
Thanks for the kind words and for your interest in my Patreon. Occasionally I post multisamples but not single cycle waveforms
21:55 "This may seem complicated at first because it is"!
Great sound👍
I will be buying one.
Great review. I would like to ask you how many parameters, if any, can be controlled via MIDI CC? Thanks in advance.
That sweet Kraftwelt vibe!
LOL - loved the subliminal message! So I smashed it! Nice!
the new program randomizer is really the best part. (i just like random features in general like arps)
they should really backport that to the original
all synths should have a random patch feature. It was on my Yamaha SY35. Its great for inspiration for not just patches but riffs!
Recently sold my Digitone cuz I didn’t love the sound, but now Im sorta missing the FM sounds.. this might be a great solution to some FM back in my life
@Corruption_ Is_Corruption well duh it’s weak in comparison, look at the price point lmao
Never said anything about liking it more than the DN. May want to do some reading comprehension practice
Who knew Carl Sagan was so into FM synthesis?
At midnight comes surprises~
hi, thanks for making these amazing videos!
is there any way to chose what parameters the lfo affects?
Do you think it's worth buying even though I already have KQ Dixie on my iPad? Having a small battery-powered box with hands on controls and motion sequencing would still be fun.
Still not sure what you mean by chaining patterns, how do I activate that & also if I record a loop how (if I can) can I change to a different Program & play a new pattern over the old loop without the Volca switching the original loop sound effect to the new one.
but can it do a convincing “lately bass”?
In general, any VSTi tool you come across, even a free one, has a richer, fatter sound, more features and greater flexibility in use
super great thanks!
Quite literally am selling my DX7 to buy the FM2. They keys are the only benefit of having the original now and the warm sound from the DA converts but honestly this sounds almost just as warm.