Korg Volca Drum and Digital Percussion Synthesizer

Model #VOLCADRUM

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Features:

6-part drum synth module with 2 layers per part
Each layer offers 3 types of oscillator and 3 types of pitch modulator and amp EG
Waveguide resonator creates complex tones based on physically modeled resonance
16-step sequencer supports different step lengths for creating complex polyrhythms
Slice function for adding drumrolls to any pattern step
16-level accent function for nuanced drum patterns
Choke function allows you to group parts
Powerful randomize function allows you to randomize either the drum layers or the part sequence
MIDI In and Sync I/O for integrating with your synth rig and other Volcas

Type: Drum Synthesizer with Sequencer
Pads: 16 x Multi-touch Keys
Sounds: 6-parts, Dual Layered
Polyphony: 6 Notes
Kits: 16 (10 factory)
Patterns: 16
Sequencer: 16-steps, 6-parts, Realtime Recording, Motion Sequences
Effects: Overdrive, Resonator
Headphones: 1 x 1/8"
MIDI I/O: In
Other I/O: 2 x 1/8" (sync in/out)
Power Source: 9V DC power supply (sold separately) / 6 x AA batteries (Alkaline, NiMH)
Height: 1.54"
Width: 7.61"
Depth: 4.54"
Weight: 0.75 lbs.
Manufacturer Part Number: VOLCADRUM

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By Tommy Tranq on 7/18/2023

The Korg Volca Drum is a super fun & creative percussion synthesizer. This Volca definitely is unique. It offers six parts each with layers of two individual sounds per part that can be edited separately or together. Programming is very immediate and the controls invite tweaking without having read the manual. However there are a few settings that aren’t immediately intuitive which are accessed with the edit/step button and then scrolled through by the select/parameter knob. These potentially overlooked settings really do add to the sound giving bit reduction, wave folding, overdrive, panning, and gain adjustment. The three distortions here add a bit of grit to the sound and in my experience don’t degrade the sound too much either, being mostly consistently useable at maximum settings. The motion record opens up the sound design potential quite a bit even if it is a shame that motion recording isn’t available for the resonator parameters. I especially enjoy motion recording the rate of the LFO modifier. So many types of synthetic percussion can be made with this synth and, with choke groups, you can treat multiple sounds as a single instrument set. Programming on the Volca Drum is a joy. I plan on holding onto mine probably forever.