Is the Volca Keys Worth It in 2023?

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Is the Volca Keys Worth It in 2023?
Today we're looking at the Volca Keys and reassessing it's worth in 2023. While quite barebones, the Volca Keys is still a true analog synthesizer, capable of producing classic sounds. It also features the ability to play chords, which is very impressive for an analog synth at this price point. While worth is going to mean something different to everyone, I definitely think that the Volca Keys is still worth it in 2023! Enjoy the video :)
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Korg Volca Keys: amzn.to/3NnzRKw
Korg NTS-1: amzn.to/3qE4YIS
Zoom Livetrak L-12 (audio recorder): amzn.to/3oTvP3c
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Опубликовано:

25 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 121

@atomsinthemachine2607 10 месяцев назад

The Korg Volca Keys is still an incredibly powerful little synth and is definitely worth it in 2023!

@FreeBeat 10 месяцев назад

Absolutely!

@JacquesLeChat Год назад

lmao this is p much exactly what's been on my mind the past week, perfect timing FB! been plinking around with some POs and an NTS-1 and so far I'm really enjoying them. learning how to structure patterns while also getting really quick satisfying results has been very rewarding. I'm thinking if I can snap up a keys at the right price, even if I don't dive into it right away, it'll be really nice to have waiting for when I'm ready anyway, you've been super helpful all along the way, thanks a bunch!

@FreeBeat Год назад

Glad to help! Have fun :)

@matzer8846 Год назад

Great demo/reminder on a great piece of a not so modern synth ... great sounds Thanks for the best explanation of "paraphonic" in one sentence ...

@FreeBeat Год назад

Glad you liked it!

@X35GG 9 месяцев назад

I’ve had mine for almost 10 years. I just dug it out of my equipment closet today. I forgot how much fun it is to play around with. And it sounds amazing

@FreeBeat 8 месяцев назад

Awesome!

@sKnobloch83 Год назад

for my opinion it's one of the best volcas ever. it needs no update. it's perfect in the 1st version and it's sound is just awesome!... i just love the volca keys

@FreeBeat Год назад

It's pretty awesome!

@sKnobloch83 Год назад

and it's even more awesome in a combination with a keyboard... you already know what i mean bro... 😉😎

@polyman4 Год назад

I agree it is the best volca. though if i could ask for an update have 4 voices instead of 3 and a white noise oscillator would be cool.

@matstjean 7 месяцев назад

Yes! Second place for the bass!

@Marcodub75 4 месяца назад

sure, with a proper keyboard you can make the most out of volca keys. Totally love it.

@massiveBallsX Год назад

I have two of these and always find new sounds.

@FreeBeat Год назад

Awesome!

@rickhopkinson 7 месяцев назад

Cool video and actually you play that tiny keyboard pretty well to be honest 👌👍

@polyman4 Год назад

I own and have owned all types of synthesizers over the years and though the volca keys sounds may not be as rich and complex as moogs or juno 106's etc... I think it does hold it's own because the sound does have it's own sawtoothy character and sometimes if you find the sweet spots real magic can happen.

@Marcodub75 4 месяца назад

my favourite analogue synth, its limitations are its advantages. Analog, rural, and a very warm sound in a pocketsize machine.

@mnksld518 Год назад

I think one of the best features of Keys is the "flux", where you can record notes pretty much without quantization and do things "out-of-sequence".

@FreeBeat Год назад

Definitely!

@smallalien5860 11 месяцев назад

Especially good for ambient. Drop the tempo all the way and Flux the crap out of that thing!

@smallalien5860 11 месяцев назад

Can't understand why more sequencers don't offer this awesome feature. I wish they'd make a Volca Sequencer with Flux that could control other synths.

@LoVeAmBiEnT 2 месяца назад

It’s a great sounding voice and my opinion I have bigger synthesizers, but also I have a fm2, sample and keys. They’re awesome.

@longacre4932 Год назад

I use mine next to a Deluge, 0-Coast, and Strega. The volca keys holds its own for sure. I've cut it from my rig several times and it always comes back because it does what it does so well. It's nasty, snarly, and cuts through a mix.

@FreeBeat Год назад

Right on, that's awesome!

@AlexanderShelestov Год назад

I've bought this one because of you. Like it!

@FreeBeat Год назад

Glad to hear it!

@baltimoreluke Год назад

cool little beat at 4:50

@FreeBeat Год назад

Thanks!

@AlvaroLugosi Год назад

i’ve got 3 volcas and the keys is my favourite for sure! ❤

@isocarboxazid Год назад

I love mine too. It's a simple, beautiful machine. Great with effects.

@FreeBeat Год назад

Thanks for watching!

@SonicVibe Год назад

I’d say it’s worth it I only have the volca samples 2 but man I love that machine and super easy to use for beginners

@FreeBeat Год назад

Absolutely!

@Marcodub75 4 месяца назад

VS and VK together are a great choice. I got 'em both.

@mastaboog749 Год назад

S-1 tweak synth showed up today. Holy crap it's insane, definitely waiting for you to check it out and do some aira jams! Maybe aira with volcas

@geraldclark5812 Год назад

I was deciding whether to buy Volca Keys vs the Roland S-1, I thought the S-1 has a lot more capabilities for a similar price. There is more of a learning curve vs the VK, if you know nothing about synths S-1 might be tough to get started on. I haven't seen much on the East Beast, that looks interesting as well, but for now I'm coming up to speed on my new S-1.

@mastaboog749 Год назад

@Gerald Clark I have the east beast as well it's pretty cool but I need to learn more about patching and synthesis to make it sound great but I got it to interact with my other modules. I can make some fat bass but not much else, I wish I could find a patch tips video!

@FreeBeat Год назад

Nice!

@zoned7609 Год назад

@@geraldclark5812 the s1 has exceeded all expectations for me this does make me want to pair it with the volca keys. great combo of gear

@makers1958 Год назад

The filter “stepping” you’re hearing is caused by the filter (with high (maxed) resonance) “picking out” individual harmonics as the filter’s cutoff frequency is swept. Most analog filters will behave this way, especially if the cutoff slope is relatively steep…

@h8f5 Год назад

My keys gains more character over time. Very analogue and very quirky in its older age. I started on the FM but found sound design on the tiny knobs a little difficult. Went with the keys to simplify things. It can always find a spot in any project.

@annother3350 Год назад

You can use Dexed for Volca FM sound design these days and import any DX7 sound.

@FreeBeat Год назад

Yeah being a proper analog synth does give it some awesome sound for sure!

@alitna Год назад

This might be the first time I truly understood the EG Int!XD If you made a very detailed overview of how all those knobs shape sounds it would be appreciated! Some of them I have a hard time understanding exactly what they do, doesn’t effect anything with my patches.

@FreeBeat Год назад

Maybe I'll do some more in depth Keys content if they start making them readily available again!

@zoned7609 Год назад

EG int is absolutely one of the most useful things on any synth. Easy bass patch on any synth: turn cutoff all the way down, set your envelope shape, then turn EG int / env amount to taste. add unison, or other oscillators. maybe chorus. done.

@jaydeepalmer Год назад

My desert island synth ❤️❤️

@FreeBeat Год назад

Nice!

@julianbatcheler9970 Год назад

I have one and love it.

@FreeBeat Год назад

Awesome!

@stoatystoat174 Год назад

Bass guitar pedals work really well with the Keys. Lets it maintain the chucky substance at the low end which guitar pedals can thin out a bit. I have it running through MXR Bass Envelope Filter, Big Muff Bass, Boss Bass Chorus BE-2B (ooh fancy pants 🤗) Sounds like mechawalnut older two-men-to-carry 2nd mortgage beast.

@FreeBeat Год назад

Oh interesting, I might have to give that a shot! Thanks :)

@Alfernav 9 месяцев назад

Now I NEED one 🤧

@kvfive Год назад

I’d say the new Roland S1 is a better option now.

@FreeBeat Год назад

It looks solid! The keys is a great option for those who want a true analog synth though :)

@EnriquePage91 Год назад

Bro… been looking for it for ages at this point. Why did Roland make such a fuzz out of it only for it to not even be available on Amazon a month later? Idk… s1 looks amazing but it’s also kinda like, “imaginary” as far as I can tell (… I know it isn’t, but honestly… wth Roland? 😂). Seriously, if you’re not in the US, S-1 has gotta be impossible to acquire.

@zoned7609 Год назад

at the price, you could get both :) the s1 sounds pretty analog for a digital synth tho

@Cledus2000 8 месяцев назад

I've got both and I was playing with them together today and they make a great combo! Especially with the Volca going through a little reverb.

@dirtpixel5777 3 месяца назад

What did you use to teach yourself about synth music and this product?

@DmitryA 8 месяцев назад

Excellent synth, but problems with degrading contacts on its rubber buttons make it inconvenient for frequent live use. Big problem of all Volcas, unfortunately (I got 4 of them).

@mauriciogouveia6822 7 месяцев назад

I'm a bass player and I want to have a synth for bass synth in my gigs, but that I can also use for other types of sounds, do you recommend this one?

@Chris-vc1dh 6 месяцев назад

hey, do you need this volca if you use DAW like fl studio where you have all the plugins, please tell me if its used just for DAWless music creating? Thanks

@mikemeengs5720 Год назад

I have some higher-end kit as well, but as you mention, who couldn't use an extra bread and butter poly analog synth?

@sol.green.energy9515 Год назад

the unicorn volca...are they back in production yet?

@Drygon52 Год назад

I ordered one in Febuary and Sweetwater says 'still waiting on item' so I don't thinks they are.

@FreeBeat Год назад

There are a few places that still have them in stock, but I'm really hoping for more units soon!

@jelig72 8 месяцев назад

Yes.

@wiggesobk Год назад

Yes it's still a great Synth.

@FreeBeat Год назад

Definitely!

@muppetpaster 5 месяцев назад

1:17 Nowhere on the machine it says "Polyphonic"......It only says "Polyring", relating to poly(multiple) ring(s)modulator....

@pianokeyjoe Год назад

I did like the sound of my Volca Keys when I had it BUT I did not find a way to save my custom sounds so I got rid of it fast! I bought the R3 instead and I was enjoying that much better. But for the price as a Minimoog style synth that does not save settings or patches, it would be very worth it. For the right LOW price... eBay right now is NOT the right place to buy equipment anymore! Most of the listings are from CHINA or JAPAN and the prices are insane! If you are lucky and have a local pawnshop or music store in your town or area, that is your best bet.. like in the olden days before online shopping.

@FreeBeat Год назад

Thanks for watching!

@pianokeyjoe Год назад

@@FreeBeat Sorry, I forgot to answer the title of the video.. YES. Yes it is worth it in 2023 as long as you get it for a reasonable price and think of it as a Minimoog like synth.. no preset saving option

@Andronicus2007 Год назад

Its ok, a bit of fun. But I personally prefer the Volca Bass tone wise.

@FreeBeat Год назад

Fair enough, also a great synth!

@sergioandresrodriguezcor-nf6mk 15 дней назад

I’m a newbie. I have been playing edrums the last three years. I just wanna know if is posible make some songs with this synth and mix it with the tracks that I play with my edrum kit. Thanks for this video

@FreeBeat 8 дней назад

You would need some way to record the synth to actually make the songs. This does have a sequencer, but you won't be able to get anything resembling full songs with just that.

@pedrobotinasguedes Год назад

As a First and only synthetic, between the volca and the Microfreak, which one would you choose?

@FreeBeat Год назад

That's a tricky one, because they are so different in just about every aspect. Ideally I'd go with both, but if I could just have one I'd go Microfreak. It just does SO much.

@epicon6 Месяц назад

In 2024 it’s the shit🎉 Any analog geat is a triumph🎉

@henninghoefer Год назад

2:25 I honestly don't see any value in "true analog" over virtual analog. Both can be done well and both can be done badly. If it sounds good it's good. Given the similar prices, the Roland S-1 seems to be a much better choice now - from the integrated battery, USB-C and MIDI out, over better sequencer and polyphony, to more sound possibilities and better effects.

@FreeBeat Год назад

Yeah, I don't really have too much lean in either direction, but I know there are quite a few folks who prefer the true analog circuitry over digital sounds. I think both synths are great!

@borjonx Год назад

Would the Volca drum be a better first synth? Was thinking drum or Korg NTS-1

@kareljanda3399 Год назад

I'd say the Drum's too deep for a beginner. Got Keys as the first one and had fun using just some fx and looper.

@FreeBeat Год назад

I mean the Keys, the Drum, and the NTS-1 are all very different machines haha. Pretty hard comparison to make in my opinion. Thanks for watching!

@kengreen6901 Год назад

I have Volca Bass and FM, I keep wondering if Keys would be a good addition? Any thoughts out there? Thanks!

@kareljanda3399 Год назад

Soundwise the Bass and Keys are very alike. They differ in the workflow tho.

@FreeBeat Год назад

I'm honestly not sure, as I've never really used the other two. Do you find yourself wanting a second analog voice?

@smallalien5860 11 месяцев назад

Worth it for the flux sequencer alone

@FreeBeat 11 месяцев назад

Thanks for watching!

@plantpoweredmuscle Год назад

Do you think I need the volca keys if I have the Behringer model d? Thinking about selling some stuff to get the minilogue xd or micro freak.

@mastaboog749 Год назад

Model D is kind of a bigger beast than the volca keys. Very popular for bass lines but you can do leads with it as well. The microfreak as lead and model d as bass would be awesome, tho the freak can do crazy bass as well.

@FreeBeat Год назад

I'd say no. The Volca Keys' sequencer and delay effect are really the only "new" things you'd be getting, and probably not worth $150 USD. The Model D already sounds great!

@plantpoweredmuscle Год назад

@@FreeBeat Thanks! I didn’t word that correctly. I actually have a volca keys. I got it before I got the model d. Looking to get rid of some stuff to buy more stuff that doesn’t have as much overlap.

@zackcolbourne6921 Год назад

The real question is: will the Volca Mix ever be worth it?

@roryjineffect Год назад

Ask Florian?

@Old_Man_Jay Год назад

@@roryjineffect Not a good idea. Florian makes great music and would inadvertently cause people to buy volca mixes for no damn reason causing unbalance in the world :)

@Rompler_Rocco Год назад

Just reading "Volca Mix" always makes me laugh, it's like an automatic punchline to any synth discussion 😂 (yet I'd still get one if I wasn't poor 🤷‍♂️)

@zackcolbourne6921 Год назад

@@Rompler_Rocco I got one for $80 CAD once. At that price, they're admittedly a bit less stupid.

@Rompler_Rocco Год назад

@@zackcolbourne6921 Totally! Agreed. I think was just used to Volcas blowing my mind with value, and then the Mix felt like... well, like it should've been $80 ;)