Analog synthesizer for creating kick drum and kick bass sounds
Having revived the classic groove boxes and synthesis techniques of the past, the Volca series focuses on a new target, the most important sound in dance music: the kick drum. The volca kick is an analog kick drum generator designed for sound design. Its circuitry based on the powerful resonant filter of the MS-20 lets you create a wide range of kick sounds, from dry, hard kick drums to fat kick bass sounds that can be created exclusively with analog synthesis. The distinctive 16-step sequencer of the Volca has been equipped with a new Touch FX function to instantly trigger an effect to increase the artist's expressiveness during live performances. Discover the power of analog synthesis to produce kick drum sounds that are difficult to achieve with plug-ins or sample libraries.
Powerful synthesizer for generating kick and kick bass
Analog kick sounds reproduced by the MS-20's filter oscillation
The volca kick generates powerful, present kick sounds using an all-analog circuit. It does not use a typical sine waveform to create these sounds, but a filter oscillation sound derived from the original MS-20. The powerful “REV. 1” filter of the MS20 self-oscillated as the resonance increased toward maximum values, which is why it was used specifically to produce kick sounds rich in complex harmonics.
Simple and immediate are the available parameters that you can interact with to obtain a wide range of kick drum sounds. Start the sound design process using the pitch, bend and time parameters of the MS-20 RESONATOR with which you will manage what in drum jargon is defined as the “body resonance”, colloquially known to many as the “belly”. Then move on to the PULSE COLOUR/LEVEL controls to modify the attack component and the ATTACK/DECAY parameters of the amplifier to manage the envelope of the originating sound. From the driest, most penetrating and present kick drum sounds to the kick bass so popular in mainstream EDM genres: Korg Volca Kick is your new point of reference for the production of analog kick drum sounds.
Drive and Tone Parameters
In addition to the sound generation circuit based on the MS-20 filter, the sound is subjected to a multi-stage analog distortion. The type and amount of distortion can be modified by acting on the “Drive” potentiometer which modifies the character and power of the bass drum sound. With the “Tone” parameter we intervene on the high-frequency components.
Powerful and distinctive kick bass for your beats
The volca kick is not a simple drum machine. You can use the 16-key touch keyboard to play aggressive bass lines based on the massive sub bass sounds generated by the analog circuit, essential for dance genres such as grime or trap. Given the pitch range covered, from low to medium frequencies, in the sequences created with the Volca Kick you can use various sounds, from tuned TOMs to sound effects.
The Volca sequencer to create impactful patterns
16-step sequencer with automation of all parameters
The volca kick features a 16-step sequencer with additional functions that extend your freedom of improvisation. You can use it to lay down a kick drum pattern extremely quickly, or to record in real time while playing a kick bass from the integrated touch keyboard. The pattern chain function allows you to continuously sequence different patterns, to build sequences of extended duration: 32, 64, up to 256 steps by chaining all 16 sequences. The motion sequence function of the Volca Kick records the variations of the parameters induced by the movement of the knobs, to create real automations that can be reproduced during the playback of the pattern; excellent for giving more bite to your loops even in live performances. In the internal memory of the Korg Volca Kick you can save up to 16 patterns and related sounds.
ACTIVE STEP new beats and bass lines in a few steps
The Active step function allows you to skip one or more steps during the playback of a sequence. You can generate DJ-style effects, from the simplest loop-style to the most particular and unusual irregular rhythms. Not a simple sequencer, but a real additional instrument in live performances.
Give your sequences an extra boost with ACCENT, SLIDE and BEND REVERSE
The volca kick allows you to edit each step of the sequence. With the accent function you can program the dynamics of each step (not for triggers) using the potentiometer of the same name, while the slide function is used to blend the steps by connecting them harmoniously, without breaks and will be particularly useful in the production of bass lines. The Bend Reverse is programmable on each single step and consists in the inversion of the pitch envelope: instead of behaving in a conventional way with the traditional "downward" passage, it will generate a particular inverse effect on the intonation of the tail of the kick, from low to high. This Volca does not only generate traditional analog kicks, but innovative sounds and new bass drum patterns.
Breaks and fills via TOUCH FX
The new Touch FX function expands the live expressive potential of the Volca Kick. Among the effects that can be controlled by this touch strip are ROLL , to repeatedly reproduce a sound, Octave , to increase the pitch by one or two octaves, and Sustain to immediately increase the volume of the kick tail.
Extreme versatility and interaction
Play in sync with another instrument
The volca kick features analog sync connectors for connecting to other synths and grooveboxes. Connect it to other volca series instruments, the minilogue, an electribe, or the SQ-1 to synchronize sequences and patterns. The MIDI IN connector lets you use the volca kick as a sound module for your DAW software or play it from a MIDI controller.
Play It Everywhere
Thanks to its compact size, battery power and built-in speaker, the volca kick is convenient and easy to take with you for use in any situation.
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