This is wonderful! Can't wait to install this on mine! I've been using the FM to draw me into learning more about frequency modulation. This extends its functionality! I have a ton of patches that I have gathered over time. I'll have to try out some more of these on it now - especially since the velocity sensitivity is now adjusted. Thank you!
Thank you for doing this video! It was exactly the info I was looking to find (as an absolute synth newbie). Very, very useful! Its have been a new instrument😃
Upgrade to Pajen firmware! It adds so much functionality, just make sure either your Korg Volca is Plugged in to a wall wort, have fully recharged batteries or new Alkalines. Firmware won't upgrade otherwise!
Yeah, it really is a DX7 that you can fit in your pocket, well I guess if you have huge pockets haha... The 3 voice limit, holds it back against a real DX7, but other than that, its a great little synth.
Awesome! I'll have to give it a try. Not implementing velocity via MIDI on an FM synth in the first place was really a poor choice. What were they thinking?
Great vid. I'm going to give it a try. Can you toggle the midi velocity off from the upgraded state, or even still apply the slider? I like to use the slider to move gradually like a filter. Would want to keep that.
So what is the unofficial patch doing then for the sysex patches from dexed? The ones that don't work it usually means that some settings are wrong (usually it means operators are turned off when they should be on and the level scale curve settings are wrong), so if you go through each setting you can fix it. Does this patch render that editing of the patch unnecessary then?
Ok, so without the 1.08 or global setting 10 turned on: From reddit "Short answer: I'd hazard a guess that if you looked in the edit mode on the Volca, most of the operators are switched off - switch them on. Long answer: the single patch format on the Volca is subtly wrong. On the DX7 the single patch format doesn't include which operators are on and off. The Volca expects to see that parameter. Where the Volca expects to see that non standard parameter, the official DX7 patch has a checksum which is a number calculated based on the rest of the patch. You might get lucky on some patches and the operators will be correct or correct-ish, but on the balance of probability - probably not. Interestingly - this means the same issue exists with sending patches to the DX7." So when you get 1.08 and turn on global setting 10 it enables" Yamaha mode" which forces all the OPs on Which I believe, for most cases makes editing of the patch on your FM unnecessary now, at least for my personal use so far.
Hey, I don't have any handy, but I've found a ton of sounds in this collection, it may have what you are looking for - bobbyblues.recup.ch/yamaha_dx7/dx7_patches.html
How does external velocity behave when using the onboard slider? Multiply? Override? I like the slider as a performance tool when playing programmed stuff and am reluctant to lose that control.
I will check and get back to you! Edit: worst case, if you don't like how the patch handles it you can disable it via global settings. You can also revert back to official firmware too
Yes it appears so, but I think you will need 1.09 not v1.08. Ranzee has made a video about it and posted the installer on his site: ranzee.com/volca-fm-firmware-1-09-unofficial/
@@NickCapron Thanks for this very useful explanation of the unofficial firmware upgrade! Do you know if the version 1.09 you give the link for also includes the velocity over MIDI like the 1.08? Also, there are 2 versions of the 1.09 on the Ranzee link page, sys_1 and sys_2. Do you know what the difference between them is? Many thanks and please keep up the good work.
@@mickypoo4622 Hey, can't help with the sys1/2 dls via Ranzee's page, but 1.09 should be the same as 1.08 .09 fixes an issue with concerning the Program Change not respecting MIDI channels and adds a new feature "SYSEX Parameter Change support." If you google "Volca FM firmware 1.09 [UNOFFICIAL] - bugfix and Parameter Change support" you can find Pajen's full description on reddit outlining 1.09
@@NickCapron I really appreciate your prompt and helpful reply. I did find Ranzee's video on here so I have asked him the same question about the 2 different firmware files to download. I will also check out the description by Pajen you mention. Good news, I actually bought a used Volca FM tonight (!) mainly on knowing there is the Pajen firmware update. I also have Pajen's beta 7 firmware for my Volca Sample so I already know his work is simply awesome! Many thanks once again.
The ranzee link no longer work - it takes you to a photographer's website. The link on reddit expired in October. What's the point of going though all that work if you then scrap your own work???
Hey Dark Side, the Ranzee link is working for me, he has a direct link to the file here: ranzee.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/VolcaFM_fw108.zip If you still can't download it, let me know, and I send it to you via email if you send it to me via a PM.
Yes without this custom firmware a lot will work, but if you install Pajen's firmware nearly all of them will work on the Volca FM with Yamaha mode enabled.
Bummer, try sending the update on a different device if it keeps locking up. The sound processing on some devices can muck up the file, which makes the Volca unable to read it correctly. GL!
