Korg Volca Keys

216

Analog loop synthesizer

  • 3 Voice
  • 3 VCOs, 1 VCF, 1 VCA, 1 LFO and 1 EC
  • Voicing function
  • Delay effect
  • Loop sequencer
  • Motion sequence function
  • Active step and flux function
  • Self-tuning function against pitch drift
  • Multitouch trigger pad/step button
  • LED display
  • Integrated loudspeaker
  • Sync I/O 3.5 mm mini mono jack
  • MIDI in
  • Headphone output: 3.5 mm Mini-jack stereo
  • Power supply: 6 AA batteries or via optional power supply (KA-350, not included)
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 193 x 115 x 45 mm
  • Weight: 372 g
  • Suitable bag: Art. 485319 (not included)
Available since September 2013
Item number 312865
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Number Of Keys 27
Touch-Sensitive No
Aftertouch No
Split Zones No
Modulation Wheel No
Number of simultaneous Voices 3
Sound Engine Analogue
MIDI interface 1x In
Storage Medium None
USB-port No
Effects Delay
Arpeggiator No
Number of Analog Outputs 1
Digital Output No
Display No
Pedal Connections None
Dimensions 193 x 115 x 45 mm
Weight 0,4 kg
Show more
2.045 kr
Including VAT; Excluding kr200 shipping
In stock
In stock

This product is in stock and can be shipped immediately.

Standard Delivery Times
1

216 Customer ratings

4.4 / 5

You have to be logged in to rate products.

Note: To prevent ratings from being based on hearsay, smattering or surreptitious advertising we only allow ratings from real users on our website, who have bought the equipment from us.

After logging in you will also find all items you can rate under rate products in the customer centre.

handling

features

sound

quality

106 Reviews

b
(Too) many features in a small box
bertel3 18.07.2014
Many features packed into a small synth. I'm sure this works for some people, but I found it to be way too limited. Although, I know, it's very cheap.

Here are some limitations that I found annoying. Some of these might be hard to guess before actually using the unit:

- It's not polyphonic, it's paraphonic. There are 3 VCO's but they share the same VCA. In practice it sounds like the held notes would be triggered again when you play a new note.
- Although the Keys receive velocity when played live, the sequencer does not record it. So the velocity of every note is 100%.
- No ability to bypass recording midi (key) notes from an external midi-keyboard.
This means that if you simultaneously play live on a keyboard and record your automations on the Volca itself, the notes you played get recorded on every loop, over and over again. You have to record the automation separately.
- Sequencer has only 16 steps. Although the scale can be adjusted: 1/1, 1/2 and 1/4.
- Peak (resonance) cannot be automated or affected through midi.
- No MIDI out. Although you can relatively easily make your own. Similarly to Arturia BeatStep, I would suggest a 1/8 TRS jack (next to the MIDI IN jack).
- Only headphones out. If you plan not to use headphones, you need (half of) an insert cable or some other special configurations.
- The scope of the sounds that you can produce with this is very limited. Although the automation helps a lot, but still.
handling
features
sound
quality
10
3
Report

Report

C
Great little synth for its price
Crane 11.06.2021
The volca keys is a nice little box of character. It has plenty of different flavours to choose from and can sound very lo-fi if you play around with its onboard delay and aggressive filter.

I like the fact that the volca keys is a one-knob-per-function synth without any hidden menus or settings. That way you can get really hands-on with it and makes it a great synth to learn synthesis as well.

The only quirk of this volca is that its sequencer starts skipping steps once you plug in a mono TS cable. When using regular stereo TRS cables, I get a really soft and noisy signal from the Headphone OUT. When using a mono TS, it's really loud and clean. But due some technical flaw in the keys, the sequencer might skip steps because of it.

Generally it's a great little box for the money and certainly works well when jamming with other volcas!
handling
features
sound
quality
0
1
Report

Report

gl
Korg Volca Keys
george l 07.08.2019
First of all you can't find other real analog synths in the market with up to 3 part polyphony at this very low price.
Sounds like a real analogue synth all the VCO, VCF, LFO knobs help you create beautiful vintage sounds
the delay is a bit noisy it's dirty and imperfect but it could be useful in certain situations.
the mini keys are ok for functions but very bad as keyboard especially for chords.
The sequencer and recording is not for me and I prefer using my DAW sending midi to volca
for the price is a good instrument
handling
features
sound
quality
2
0
Report

Report

A
Cant beat this, it just works perfectly
AnthonyO 07.11.2019
Cant beat this, it just works perfectly
handling
features
sound
quality
0
0
Report

Report

YouTube on this topic