The Korg Volca Keys is a polyphonic analogue synthesizer with a built in Electribe-style sequencer.
Featuring three voices and 27 keys, the Volca Keys generates powerful and tuneful chords and melodies in a compact form. Utilising a simple structure of three VCOs, one VCF, one VCA, one LFO and an EG, Korg has packed in everything you’d need to get into true analogue synthesis, and the Volca Keys compliments the Volca Bass and Volca Beats range of analogue instruments. The three oscillators can be used in unison to generate thick, lead lines or to play chords. It’s a great way to get into the world of sound design and synthesis.
The filter section is derived from the miniKORG 700S from the ‘70s and offers bright, chunky tones when open and rounds out when the cut off is lowered. The voicing function is an awesome way of dealing with how the oscillators are combined, with a simple, one knob operation with six combinations to choose from - Poly, Unison, Fifth, Unison Ring and Poly Ring. This gives you a massive scope to develop a unique and wide variety of sounds.
The Electribe style sequencer section lets you record phrases as you play them as well as to use the keys for individual note input, easily creating loops and phrases, while up to eight sequence patterns can be stored in the internal memory. To add further movement to the sequence there is also a delay effect which adds depth and dimension just like an analogue delay unit.
The main features of the Korg Volca Keys include:
Fantastic lil piece of gear. Sounds incredible for the price! So much fun to play with. You can get some mad sounds going when you chain it with other stuff. The 16 step sequencer is also neat. Built-in delay effect comes in handy all the time. The learning curve is quite smooth. Still learning new tricks though, after having used it for a few weeks!
Highly recommended )
Fantastic product, very well built, easy to learn to use, fun to use, inspirational, I bought a Korg Volca Beats, it was so good I bought this Korg Volca Keys. These items are very good and very reasonably priced. The shop and service is very reliable.
kind regards
Kenny
Despite the small size it can gave you a lot.
Love Octave and Unisone Ring mode, not very satisfied with Poly mod - it gets out of tune frequently when you work hard with settings.
Also not very satisfied with the filter - it's a bit steppy sometimes.
Anyway, the gear is worth to try, especially with external MIDI controller.
Real vintage analog synth, amazing for Berlin School sound design (via external MIDI), the filter and the low end are capable to put out warm bass line as well. The delay circuit introduce a very nice "low fi" noise, perfect for dirty sound. Wide range of sound opportunities here and very easy to get them. 100% recommended.