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Introduction
En
Thank you for purchasing the Korg volca drum digital percussion synthesizer. The volca drum is a
rhythm sequencer built around a digital synthesis engine focused on percussive sounds. Six drum
parts can be tweaked at will to create original drum kits. From pure tone impulses to gritty
distorted crunches, a wide array of sounds can be created, and further enhanced with a
waveguide-based resonator effect to create other-worldly rhythms.
Sound Controls
These knobs and buttons control the sound of the currently selected drum part and
waveguide resonator effect. As illustrated below, each part has two identical layers and the
waveguide resonator is shared for all parts.
PART
LAYER
LAYER 1
LAYER 2
PITCH MODULATOR
SOUND SOURCE
AMP. E.G.
SEND
x 6
PAN
LEVEL
2
SEND
OTHER
MIX
PART
2
PARTS
MIX
2
2
VOLUME
WAVEGUIDE RESONATOR
2
TUBE
STRING
LAYER 1/2 button
Toggle the selected layer. The button will light up when both layers are selected at once.
LEVEL [VALUE] knob
Set the gain level of the selected layer. When EDIT/STEP is lit, this knob sets the value of the
part parameter selected via the SELECT [PARAM] knob.
PITCH knob
Set the pitch for the selected layer.
MOD AMOUNT knob
Set the amount of pitch modulation for the selected layer.
MOD RATE knob
WAVEGUIDE
Set the pitch modulation rate for the selected layer.
SEND knob
EG ATTACK knob
Set the waveguide resonator send amount for the
Set the attack time of the amplitude envelope generator
selected part.
for the selected layer.
DECAY knob
EG RELEASE knob
Set the decay time of the waveguide resonator.
Set the release time of the amplitude envelope generator
BODY knob
for the selected layer.
Set the timbral character of the waveguide resonator.
SELECT [PARAM] knob
TUNE knob
Cycle through permutations of sound sources, pitch
Set the pitch tuning of the waveguide resonator. For low
modulators, and amplitude envelopes for the selected layer.
values, the tuning goes below audible frequencies and
Sound sources (SRC): sine wave <
>, sawtooth wave
effectively turns the waveguide resonator into a
<
>, high pass filtered noise <
>, low pass filtered
delay-like effect.
noise <
> and band pass filtered noise <
>.
Pitch modulators (MOD): rise-fall <
>, oscillate <
>,
DISPLAY
and random <
>.
Amplitude envelope generators (EG): linear attack-release
<
>, exponential attack-release <
>, multi-peak
attack-release <
>.
When EDIT/STEP is lit, this encoder functions as the
PARAM knob, cycling through the following additional
part parameters:
BIT: bit reduction amount
Current sound
FLD: wave folder amount
selection
DRV: overdrive gain
PAN: left-right pan
GAN: pre-mix gain adjustment
(POWER) button
Press this button to turn the volca drum
on. To turn the volca drum off, hold this
button for approximately one second.
Auto power-off
The auto power-off function will
automatically turn the volca drum off
after roughly four hours have passed
with no sound being produced. The auto
power-off function can be disabled using
the global parameters. (See Global
parameters.)
DC 9V
Jack
Connect the plug end of the optional AC
adapter to this jack.
Only use the specified AC adapter.
Using any AC adapter other than
the specified model could damage
the volca drum.
Headphone
SPEAKER
Sequencer and functions
TEMPO knob
Set the speed of the sequencer.
SWING knob
This knob moves even-numbered steps a maximum of 75%
backward. Hold down the FUNC button while turning this
knob to move the steps in the opposite direction.
Step buttons 1 to 16
By default, step buttons 1 to 6 are used to trigger and select
parts. These buttons also represent the 16 steps of the
internal sequencer, and provide access to various functions.
EDIT/STEP button
Enter step edit mode and enable access to the SLICE and
ACCENT buttons. Press a step button (1—16) to toggle that
step on/off for the selected part. Also, while holding a step
Current parameter and value
button, the LEVEL [VALUE] knob sets the probability for
that step to be played. Press this button again to exit.
SLICE button: Enter slice edit mode. Press step buttons
(1—16) to toggle slicing of that step on/off for the selected
part. Also, while holding a step button, the LEVEL [VALUE]
knob sets the number of slices for that step. Press this
button again to exit.
Current waveguide
ACCENT button: Enter accent edit mode. Press step
resonator model
buttons (1—16) to toggle accents on/off for the selected
part. Also, while holding a step button, the LEVEL [VALUE]
knob sets the amount of accent for that step. Press this
button again to exit.
MIDI IN connector
SYNC (IN, OUT) jacks
By connecting a MIDI cable to this input, the
These jacks allow you to synchronize your
volca drum can be played and controlled by
volca drum to another Korg volca, or other
the MIDI output of an external device.
compatible equipment—including an analog
TIP: The MIDI implementation chart can be
sequencer or a DAW. The polarity of the SYNC
downloaded from the Korg website.
jacks can be set using the global parameters.
• SYNC OUT: A 5 V pulse of 15 ms is sent at
Setting the MIDI channel
the beginning of each step.
1. While holding down the REC button, turn
• SYNC IN: If this jack is connected, the
the volca drum on.
internal step-clock will be ignored, and the
2. Step buttons 1 to 16 correspond to the MIDI
volca drum sequencer will advance
channels 1 to 16. Press the button that
according to the pulses received here.
corresponds to the desired channel, and
(Headphone) jack
the LED below the step button will light up.
TIP Tapping the step for the selected channel
Connecting your headphones to this 3.5mm
(LED lit up) cancels the selection and
stereo mini jack will mute the volca drum's
reverts to part 1–6 assigned to channels
internal speaker and allow you to create music
1–6. (factory default)
in private.
VOLUME knob
Set the output level of the volca drum.
ACT. STEP button
Enter active step edit mode. Press step buttons (1—16) to set
steps as active/inactive for the selected part. Inactive steps
will be skipped during playback. Press this button again to
exit.
TIP: Use different active step settings on each part to
create phasing polyrhythms.
STEP JUMP button
Enter step jump mode. Pressing a step button (1—16) will
jump to that step. Press again to exit.
MUTE button
While holding this button, press a step button (1—6) to
mute/unmute the corresponding part.
(PLAY) button
Start/stop sequencer playback. This button will light up
during playback.
˜ (REC) button
Record your performance on step buttons 1—6, and on the
transparent sound control knobs if motion sequencing is enabled.
Pressing this button while playback is stopped will enter
record-ready mode; recording will start when the PLAY button, or a
step button (1—6) is pressed. Pressing this button during playback
will start recording from the point at which you pressed the button.
TIP: During playback, knobs with recorded motion will light up.
TIP: When motion sequencing is enabled, record will be automatically
deactivated one cycle after the first knob motion is recorded.
— 3 —
Installing the batteries
Battery level indicator
On the back panel, locate the battery compartment and slide
When the volca drum is turned on, the LEDs below the step
off the cover. Insert the batteries—being sure to observe the
buttons indicate the remaining amount of battery power. If
correct polarity—and then replace the battery cover.
all LEDs are lit up, the batteries are completely full. Fewer lit
Turn the volca drum off before replacing the batteries.
LEDs mean that the battery level is correspondingly lower.
Remove depleted batteries at once. Depleted batteries
When using the AC adapter, the remaining battery level
left in the battery compartment may leak over time, and
will not be indicated correctly.
may cause malfunctions. Also, remove the batteries if
TIP: Either alkaline or nickel-metal hydride batteries can be used.
you will not be using the volca drum for an extended
In order for the remaining battery level to be detected and
period of time.
indicated correctly, the type of batteries being used must be
Do not mix partially used batteries with new ones, and
specified in the global parameters of the volca drum.
do not mix batteries of differing types.
TIP: If the batteries are running low during usage of the
volca drum, the low battery warning "bt.Lo" will appear
in the display. If the batteries run down completely, the
volca drum automatically turns off.
Global Parameters
1. While holding down FUNC button, turn on the volca drum.
2. Use the step buttons 1—8 to set your preferences for any or all of the global parameters. (Refer to the table.)
3. When you have finished, press the ˜ (REC) button. Your settings will be saved, and the volca drum will restart. To cancel without
making changes, press the (PLAY) button.
Button
LED lit up
Parameter
Status
Display indication
1 Auto power-off function
*Enabled
APO on
2 Battery type selection
Nickel-metal hydride
BAT nIck
3 Sync Out polarity
Fall
SYO Low
4 Sync In polarity
Fall
SYI Low
5 Tempo range settings
Full (10-600)
TMP FuLL
6 MIDI Clock Src
*Auto
MCL auto
7 MIDI RX ShortMessage
*On
MST on
8 Sync input/output unit
Once a step
1StP
Specifications
˜ Keyboard: Multi-touch controller ˜ Sound generators: 6 digital parts (each with 2 osc. with pitch mod. and amp. e.g.),
and a waveguide-based resonator effect. ˜ Connectors:
(Headphone) jack (ø3.5mm stereo mini-phone jack), SYNC IN
jack (ø3.5mm monaural mini-phone jack, 20V maximum input level), SYNC OUT jack (ø3.5mm monaural mini-phone jack,
5V output level), MIDI IN connector ˜ Power supply: AA/LR6 alkaline battery ×6 or AA nickel-metal hydride battery ×6,
DC 9V AC adapter (
) ˜ Battery life: Approximately 8 hours (when using alkaline batteries)
˜ Current consumption: 344 mA ˜ Dimensions (W×D×H): 193 × 115 × 39 mm / 7.60" × 4.53" × 1.54"
˜ Weight: 370g/13.05oz. (excluding batteries) ˜ Included items: Six AA alkaline batteries, Sync Cable, Owner's Manual
˜ Accessories (sold separately): AC adapter (DC 9V
)
* Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice for improvement.
FUNC (FUNCTION) button
FUNC + CHOKE (8): Enter choke select mode. Press step
When held down, this button enables access to various
buttons (1—6) to enable/disable choke for the corresponding
volca drum functions. See below for possible combinations. To
part. Only one of the parts with choke enabled will play at
exit any of these modes, press the FUNC button one more
any given time, prioritizing the lowest part number.
time.
FUNC + RANDOMIZE LAYER (9): Randomize the sound
controls for the selected layer(s).
FUNC + LOAD KIT: Enter load kit mode. Press a step
button (1—16) to load the corresponding kit. Locations 1 to 10
FUNC + RANDOMIZE PATTERN (10): Randomize the
come preloaded with preset kits.
steps, slices, accents and active steps for the selected part.
TIP: A kit consists of the sound controls for each part, and
FUNC + MODEL (11): Toggle between the two waveguide
the waveguide resonator.
resonator models.
FUNC + SAVE KIT: Enter save kit mode. Press a step
FUNC + MOTION ON/OFF (12): Enable/disable knob
button (1—16) to save the current kit to the corresponding
motion sequencing. (See also REC button)
memory location.
FUNC + MOTION CLR PART (13): Clear knob motion
FUNC + LOAD PRG.: Enter load program mode. Press a
sequencing data for the selected part.
step button (1—16) to load the corresponding program, and
FUNC + MOTION CLR ALL (14): Clear all knob motion
its associated kit. Locations 1—10 come preloaded with preset
sequencing data.
programs. Also, while holding a step button, pressing a
second step button will load the corresponding sequence of
FUNC + CLEAR PART (15): Clear the current part's steps,
programs in chain-mode; each program will be played
slices, accents, motion and resets active steps to the default
consequently.
value.
TIP: A program consists of the sequencer pattern for each
FUNC + CLEAR ALL (16): Clear steps, slices, accents,
part, motion sequencing data, and a kit number.
motion and resets active steps to the default value.
FUNC + SAVE PRG.: Enter save program mode. Press a
Returning all data to the factory defaults
step button (1—16) to save the current program to the
1. While holding down the FUNC and PLAY buttons, turn on
corresponding memory location.
the volca drum.
TIP: The value of the SWING, TEMPO and VOLUME knobs
"Fct rESt" will appear on the display, and the REC and
will not be saved.
PLAY buttons will blink.
FUNC + PARTS (1—6): Select one of the six drum parts
2. Press the REC button to return to the factory defaults
without triggering it.
and start volca drum.
FUNC + COPY (7): Enter part copy mode. Press a step
Press the PLAY button to cancel the reset operation and
button (1—6), to copy the current part's sound controls,
simply start volca drum.
sequencer pattern and motion data to the corresponding
part.
LED unlit
Status
Display indication
Disabled
APO oFF
*Alkaline
BAT alka
*Rise
SYO hIGh
*Rise
SYI hIGh
*Narrow (56-240)
TMP narr
Internal
MCL Int
Off
MST oFF
*Once every 2 steps 2StP
*: Factory default setting
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