Korg VOLCABASS Analog Bass Machine - Professional Bass Synth for Music Production & Live Performance | Perfect for Studio Recording, DJ Sets & Electronic Music Creation

This was an impulse buy on Amazon Warehouse (AW) on a bitterly cold night in early February, an evening when I had had a few too many glasses of wine. I was vaguely aware of the Korg Volca series, in that I had seen a few negative or neutral comments about them on various music forums, but I hadn't listened to any audio demos or watched any YouTube demonstration videos. Honestly, these tiny boxes had never appealed, as I like my synths with keys or something I can put in a rack and MIDI up to my rig. So when this popped up on AW in a "Used-Acceptable condition for what seemed to be nearly 50% off the retail price, I thought, well, if I don't like it, I can sell it on for a profit.I'm glad I did. I love this little box, and it looked absolutely brand new in the box when it arrived. Go figure. I like it more than my Pro-1 monosynth -- I think the Volca Bass sounds better than most of my keyboards, with the exception of my Korg Radias. I mean to say, the Volca Bass is fat sounding, and oh!!! it has that distorted squeal that is very similar to a Roland TB-303 (or the Behringer clone). The filter resonance (peak knob) on this wee thing self-oscillates, so if you're looking to do a bit of Daft Punk or Chemical Brothers-style late 90s and early 00s techno work, this little guy can do it, and do it very nicely.Let's get the cons out of the way:The speaker is rubbish. I get why Korg put it there, but the speaker doesn't have the range to actually hear what all the glorious goodness this synth can make. Tip: Use headphones if you're going portable with this. Otherwise, hook it up to your mixer / monitoring system / amp.The MIDI implementation is good, but you can't modulate the filter via MIDI. What???!!! Why not, Korg? What are you thinking? Sigh... So, you must use the Volca Bass's filter knob in real-time. Also, no MIDI out, but it is possible to modify the unit so that it can do MIDI out, so at least there's that option for the hardcore modders.Pattern storage is limited to 8 memory slots. You will use those up quickly, and then you'll have to decide on which patterns to get rid of for later sessions. Also, there is no pattern chaining, so you must manually change patterns in real time, and you will need to do that in perfect sync as there is also no "wait to change pattern" functionality. If you're sequencing a pattern, know that the filter knob adjustments do not get recorded. The octave knob's movements will be recorded, however. On the other hand, it is possible to create 24 patterns when in individual three-osc mode, and with a bit of clever muting, you can probably do quite a bit with that.The smaller, clear knobs ... it's sometimes difficult to see what their positions are. Also, when I reach for the tempo or the EG attack knobs at the top center/left of the unit, I often accidentally brush the big filter knob.No noise oscillator... that's a shame. But not a deal breaker...So them's me cons. On the the pros:Three very stable analog VCOs (digitally tuned for stability, but these bad boys are definitely analog oscillators), any of which can be a Saw or Square wave. You have the options of three independent VCOs, two stacked together, or all three stacked together. There is also a tuning knob for each VCO, so you're able to create a very thick and fat super saw sound. Note range can be adjusted per voice but only if you are sequencing a pattern. Otherwise, all three VCOs will change depending on where the octave knob is set.The playing surface (ribbon?) is really responsive to touch and it's fun to play and slide around on it, but it is important to note that the playing surface is not velocity sensitive. The Volca Bass responds to velocity when connected to MIDI controller, though. Keep that in mind if you want to get the most you can out of this tiny box of joy. It took me a few minutes to work out what the deal was with the black and gold "keys." Tip: The gold keys are the black keys on a keyboard. The rest are the white keys. The lowest note on the surface is an "A". Maybe an "E" would have been better, which is the lowest note on a bass guitar, but from keyboard perspective I suppose it makes sense (an 88-key keyboard's first note is an A.)The filter on this insanely good. I read somewhere that it's based on a Korg 700s filter. I dunno if it is or not. And I don't care. I really like a lot.The envelope seems limited, but it actually has two modes and it is perfectly serviceable. One mode with no sustain segment, just an attack and delay, which is superb for punchy bass tones, and the second mode is with a sustain feature, which is great for more synthy sounds and self-oscillating the filter rez. These modes are switched by holding down the function button and pressing the number 11 key marked Sustain.Pattern sequencing is quick, if not a bit imprecise when doing it in real time. There is some sort of quantization going on, which can be distressing if your timing is off. I much prefer to sequence a pattern in Step Rec mode. Speaking of modes, the Active Step mode is useful and fun.At the moment, I tend to use a Beat Step Pro to sequence more complex patterns. Other times, I will set up a zone on my workstation to play the Volca Bass via MIDI in real time. I'll even swipe at the playing surface from time to time when playing other synths. You'll definitely want to put some effects in the signal chain, such as pedals or some other multi-fx unit, as the dry sound may be a bit in your face. But even dry, it can sit in a mix at low volumes.All in all, I'm really impressed by the sound of the Volca Bass. I had no idea that I was missing this in my life, and I'm glad I bought it. I'm now considering selling my Pro-1, as I have had that turned off since the beginning of February when the Volca arrived and I don't need two monosynths which cover the same sonic terrority.For its size, it's a little powerhouse in a tiny, tiny box. Could the UI (knobs), memory storage and MIDI implementation be improved? Sure, those could be better, but if you can snag one of these for $100 or less, it's definitely worth it.Well, first things first..I'm 30 years old, from sothern California. My dad is a old school Dj that still performs at weddings & other events, but he started out in 1981 Dj'ing at "bobby mcgee restaurant & nightclub". After growing up around a whole family that revolves around music since I can remember, These devices bring back those memory's from the beginning for me! The way they even look & sound is almost a perfect mirror reflection of what I've experience from the past. This review is for the "korg volca bass" so I'll tell you how it sounds to me. The volca bass sounds pretty much like the korg monotribe as far as quality goes, it's simple & great.The operation & programming is why I love this unit the most! I'm a "real-time" performer, meaning when I play live or even in studio I prefer to pretty much keep the beat going simply put..I do not like sitting for longs periods of time editing music. For me I like to be in a "live event" type state of mind, I find i work better under pressure when there is always that "what if I mess up, ect" going on in my brain I just give all I got at that point. So this Volca bass & the other 2 units are great for someone that likes the process of creating, making,mixing,editing layers on layers of an infinite amount of variations music in front of people, these are made for you!I'm not going in-depth with operation because I'm good at 95% of what these babies can really do so if you have any questions fill free to contact me. I don't know much about the "write" functions but everything els I'm good with. Basically I got all three at once because they make up the basics of music. Somtimes I find myself building a drum pattern first, then I work on the bass line, then I use the volca keys (or what I call it volca-synth) for many different things. What's nice is just making a few cords on the (flux) setting, making is record realtime without quantization all the patter of music. Meaning on flux mode it will not correct or off tones ect..but this allows for a more complex pattern to be recorded:) so after making a nice chord you can play on top of it or whatever you want.The thing they don't tell you about all three of these unites especially the "keys" is that you under the right light condition, you can see right through these things! So in the middle of a mix you look down & it's pretty dang trippy some times! you can see the red led lights inside from parts of the sequencer actually blinking from the inside out while on the outside most the knobs blink/flash strobe, to show the movement that was recorded while playing in memory mode. Also I say "most" because there are a few knobs like "peak knob " if I remember right, that do not light up & they are not suppose to light up. So it's not broken or anything if your not seeing certain a knob/light not flash.Some bad things, hard to use with my big hands but very doable.. Had to go to GC & buy like 70$ worth of korg A/c power supply's for them all still not bad..also I'd be willing to pay more if the had more functions & a little better built, I'm not complaining trust me. So that's all I have time for now. ThanksIt has a great sound and pretty easy to get started with. It would be improved if it had an app or companion plugin but that’s what I would want, not necessarily what you might want. It arrived quickly and was intact. Only minus is it ships without an electric plug. It runs on either battery or plug but comes with batteries. I’d prefer it cane with the plug and I buy my own batteries.If you like analogue electronic music and you can't afford a "big" synth, then this is for you. I bought this one to complete my set of three Volcas, which also include the Volca Keys and Beats. These are extremely smartly designed instruments which will appeal to a wide audience. I like my 1980 electronic music and it only took minutes to get some superb pads, arpeggios and other wonderful sounds from these synths. Always been a real Korg fan, but never though I would be able to own three new Korgs for less than £350!What stands out for me on the Volca Bass is the ease by which you can make some great basslines in a matter of minutes. The 3 VCO setup is extremely clever. If you use the built in sequencer you can either create monophonic sequences using all three VCOs in unison (and detune them separately up to one octave up or down), or you can use two in unison and one as a separate voice or indeed programme 3 tone polyphonic sequences using each VCO for a separate part. By using the mute function you can then quickly switch parts on or off creating a lot of effect with just the one sequence in your performance. I also really like the way how you can set the destination of both the envelope generator and LFOs to control volume, filter cutoff and in case of the LFO also the pitch (of all three VCOs). The LED readout is extremely handy when you need to tune your VCOs, set the tempo or octave.Only thing you need to keep in mind, you do need to know a bit about synthesizers before you can really get the best out of these Volca's but it should not take a beginner long to understand how everything works. The instructions are limited, but there is plenty of information and videos on the internet to get you going.Never really fell in love with this machine after an initial play around Xmas 2018 it largely gathered dust whilst concentrating on my piano and keyboard compositions. But I fired it back up a few months ago and quickly realised to play anything meaning full it needed to be midi controlled by a full key size yamaha keyboard ?. After making some adjustments I did manage to create some very nice sweeping synth sound scapes which I remixed into some of my older compositions and breathed new life into them. In regards to the step sequencer I have never managed to create anything fluid it seems to have a mind of its own it is particuly frustrating when after a third note is played the machine takes over and starts to produce its own sequence. Any further notes that are added are sequenced in by the machine some what randomly. I know you can play around with sequencer but I have failed to get a real good fluid groove produced. Any way I have now purchased a Korg Micro S which appears to be a thousand percent better and easier to produce some great grooves and sound scapes and so my advise is to put your £125.00 or so towards a korg micro or even something else which is more the real dealThere is no doubting the amazing value and fun to be had with this three analogue VCO synth. However, the quality of the build reflects the relatively low price and this is a problem for me. I found that the touch strip sometimes didn't register my presses, which was frustrating, and I could not use this reliably as a pro instrument alongside my elektron and novation gear. I am very glad that I purchased this from Amazon Prime because of their excellent returns policy.EDIT: In response to the comment below, it was totally unfair to compare the volcas to Elektron, because of the huge price difference. Although I was disappointed by the Volca Bass that I received, I do really like Korg products in general and I would wholeheartedly recommend the Korg Gadget iOS application as one of the very best music making applications available on an iPad or iPhone. It's like having a whole suite of Volcas in your iPad, only better because there are several devices that have not been made into volcano...yet?I bought this because it is so low in cost but it does sound pretty good for the money. The bass frequencies it can generate are not as low compared to a Moog but definetely the squelchy resonance is similar to a TB303. The sequencer is basic it would have been nice to have some parameter recording like the other volcas. Along side other synths which i have it is not in the same league as the Microbrute or MS20. My advice to the cash strapped is try and save a little more and have patience to get the Microbrute as this is going to be and is a synth that will go down in history as one of the greatest analogs. The volca bass however simply repeats history in what it acn sound like.The envelopes are not as fast as i like to so you will not get a punchy bass from it.It is very fussy about cables. The ideal cabling is a stereo 3.5mm split to two monos for a stereo mixer channel but do not use 3.5mm to stereo 6.3mm TRS as mixers will generally take this as a TRS wired circuit and which results in sound cancelling (a weak noisey signal yuuk). It is also possible to use 3.5mm mono to 6.3mm mono to a mono channel i believe but there is debate around this wether this increases the noise from the unit. This unit is noisey but only noisey when a sound is generated.The overall quality of build suggests a more expensive device. And it is pretty looking. Lovely to see the flashing lights as a sequnce is played.The only real missing thing i think korg missed in the design is the MIDI sync to tempo is totally fixed so the tempo adjustment does not translate to 1/4xmidi, 1/2xmidi, 1xmidi 2xmidi etc; as it does on the Microbrute.