Officially endorsed by Korg, the essential guide to the Volca FM has been created by the world’s leading Volca expert Tony Horgan. This interactive guide explains everything about the Volca FM, with easy-to-follow text, illustrations and photography. Make rapid progress with the quick-start guides, then look deeper into the amazing Volca FM. Every control is covered in detail, FM synthesis is demystified, and all the parameters and algorithms are fully discussed and illustrated. Jump between sections using hyperlinks and take it at your own pace. This is the perfect companion for all Volca FM users.
The full chapter list:The full chapter list:
1. About this book
- Hello
- Get in touch
2. Quick-start guides
- Keyboard notes
- Select and play a pattern
- Create a pattern
- Save a pattern
- Synchronise with other Volca units
- Connect via MIDI
- Record the sound
- Effects and EQ (equalisation)
3. How the Volca Bass sound is created
4. Tempo
5. EG Section
- Understanding the EG section
- Attack
- Decay/Release
- Cutoff EG Int
- Sustain On
- Amp EG On
6. Octave
7. Filter Peak and Cutoff
- Understanding the filter
- Peak
- Cutoff
8. LFO Rate and Int
- Understanding the LFO
- LFO Rate
- Sync the LFO to the tempo
- LFO Int
9. VCO Section
- What is a VCO?
- VCO Pitch
- VCO Buttons
- VCO Wave
- VCO Group
10. Soft buttons
- Memory/Write button
- Step Mode
- Slide Edit
- Play
- Active Step
- Record
- Step Record
- Transpose note
- Motion sequence keys
- Clear Active Step
- Clear All
- Func
11. Keyboard functions
- Understanding the keyboard
- VCO Group
- LFO Target
- LFO Wave
- VCO Wave
- Sustain On
- Amp EG On
- Clear keys
12. Power
- Mains and battery power
- Auto Power Off
13. MIDI In
- MIDI: an overview
- MIDI cables
- Selecting the MIDI channel
- MIDI Control Change messages
- Slide Time, Expression, Gate Time
- MIDI Control Change numbers
- MIDI RX Short Message
14. Sync In / Sync Out
- What is Sync?
- Changing Sync steps
- Changing Sync polarity
14. Headphone socket and speaker
- Audio connection and speaker
15. Automatic tuning
Learn how to:
* Create killer patterns in seconds
* Use Motion Recording to transform your sound
* Add funk, swing, echo and fill-in effects with Stutter
* Layer sounds for bigger impact
* Tune sounds to add musical elements
* Use the Volca Beats with a DAW and MIDI controllers
* Sync with other Korg and MIDI equipment
* Record and process the Volca Beats for high quality results
* Discover undocumented secrets and tricks
* Access Global Parameters and start-up settings
The full chapter list:
1. About this book
- Hello
2. Connections
- Basic set-up
- Connect instruments
- Sync connections
- Listening and recording connections
- Effects loop connections (send and return)
- Direct effects connections
- Connect multiple Volca Mix units
- Power connections
3. Width
- Creating a stereo image from mono sources
4. Dynamics and Speed
- How the Dynamics effect works
5. Tempo, Play and Sync
- Control the tempo of each unit
6. Send effects and Aux In
- Send knob
- Send Out
- Send / return effects
- Aux In
7. Faders, Mute, Volume, speakers
- Setting channel volumes
- Setting the main volume level
- Muting channels
- Speakers
8. Lo/Hi Cut
- Using low / high cut
9. Global parameters
- Global parameters
10. Further reading
218 Pages, 61 patches
Contents
01 About this book
* About the author, ways to make contact
02 About the Volca Modular
* About the Volca Modular
* Patch cables
* Front panel patch point inputs and outputs
* Front panel connecting lines
* What is CV (Control Voltage)?
03 Patches and sounds
* Talking Droid
* Space Out Feedback Loop
* Correct Answer
* Low Frequency Sweep
* Buzz Bass
* Automatic Bassline
* Automatic Player
* Tuned Kick Bass
* Brain
04 Quick-start guides
* Tips and hacks
* Make a "patch"
* Select and play a pattern
* Select and play a pattern chain
* Keyboard notes
* Record a pattern
* Save a pattern
* Record a motion sequence
* Synchronise timing with other Volcas
* Connect to audio devices
05 Source
* About the Source module
* Source Pitch Input
* Trampoline Bounce - Source Pitch Input example
* Source Ratio Input
* 2-Tone Hooter - Source Ratio Input example
* Source Fold Input
* Throb - Source Fold Input example
* Source Mod Input
* Space Oboe - Source Mod Input example 1
* Simple Drone - Source Mod Input example 2
* Source Modulator Wave Output
* Sub-bass - Source Modulator Wave Output example
* Source Carrier Output
* Throat Singing - Source Carrier Output example
06 Functions
* About the Functions
* Function 1: Attack, Hold, Release generator
* Function 1 Gate Input
* Self-generating Random Gate - Function 1 Gate Input example
* Function 1 Attack Input
* Function 1 Release Input
* Function 1 Positive Output
* Brass Bugle - Function 1 Positive Output example
* Function 1 Inverted Output
* Slow, Fast, Slow - Function 1 Inverted Output example
* Function 1 End Trigger Output
* Bounce Back - Function 1 End Trigger Output example
* Function 2: Rise, Fall generator
* Function 2: Rise, Fall generator "LFO"
* Function 2 Trigger Input
* Function 2 Shape Input
* Release Shape-Shifter - Function 2 Shape Input example
* Function 2 Time Input
* Alien Visit - Function 2 Time Input example
* Function 2 Positive Output
* Metallic Bounce - Function 2 Positive Output example
* Function 2 Inverted Output
* Function 2 End Trigger Output
* Computer Processing - Function 2 End Trigger Output example
07 Clock / Sequences
* Clock and Sequences
* Slow, Faster, Slower - Clock Offset Input example
* Sequences 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 Gate Output
* Accents and Polyrhythms - Sequences 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 Gate Output example
* Sequences Gate Output
* Sequences Gate Output example
* Sequences Pitch Output
* Reverb On High Notes - Sequences Pitch Output example
* Portamento - Sequences Pitch Output example 2
08 Dual LPG
* Dual LPG explained
* LPG 1 Signal Input
* Easy sub-bass - LPG 1 Signal Input example
* LPG 1 Level Input
* Amplitude Modulation - LPG 1 Level Input example
* LPG 1 Signal Output
* Pitch Explosion - LPG 1 Signal Output example
* Play It Louder - LPG 1 Signal Output example 2
* LPG 2 Signal Input
* Organ Bass - LPG 2 Signal Input example
* LPG 2 Level Input
* Time Machine - LPG 2 Level Input example
* LPG 2 Signal Output
* Fuzz Bass - LPG 2 Signal Output example
* Cutoff
09 Split
* About the Split module
* Split Input 1 / Output 1-A, Output 1-B
* Split Input 2 / Output 2-A, Output 2-B
* Power Station - Split example
* Split mixer
* Lift Off - Split mixer example
* Lift Off (Extra Bass) - Split mixer example
10 Utility a, b, c
* Utility a, b, c
* Signal Input a
* Signal Input b
* Signal Input c
* c knob
* Intensity Control - c knob example
* Volume Fluctuation - Utility a, b, c example
* a+bxc Output
* Self-generating Sound - a+bxc Output example 1
* Basic Wave Mixer - a+bxc Output example 2
* a-bxc Output
* Pulse Width Modulation - a-bxc Output example 1
* If I Was A Pitch Man - a-bxc Output example 2
11 Woggle
* About the Woggle
* Woggle Sample Input
* Video Game Jump - Woggle Sample Input example
* Noisy Reverb - Woggle Sample Output example
* Woggle Trigger Input
* Simple 4th Note Trigger - Woggle Trigger Input
* Woggle Stepped Output
* Random Release - Woggle Stepped Output example
* Woggle Smooth Output
* Space Bee - Woggle Smooth Output example
12 Space Out, Microtune
* About the Space Out module
* Space Out Signal Input
* Add reverb to an external sound source
* Carrier Wave Always Audible - Space Out Signal Input example
* Space Out Amount knob
* Space Out Amount Input
* Dry / Wet Foghorn - Space Out Amount Input example
* Space Out Signal Output
* Rocket Explode - Space Out Signal Output example
* Microtune
13 CV In, Gate In, Sync
* CV Input, Gate Input
* Using CV and Gate to play notes
* Calibrating (tuning) the CV Input
* CV Output 1
* CV Output 2
* CV Input mixer example
* Sync In / Out
* Sync connections
* Receive swing from another Volca
* Sync problems
14 Volume, audio out, headphones
* Volume
* Headphones Output (audio output)
15 Buttons
* Play, Active Step
* Record (live recording)
* Step Record
* Memory, Write
* Func
16 Keyboard
* About the keyboard
* Scale
* Tonic
* Microtuning
* Microtuning keys
* Octave keys
* Randomize keys
* Gate
* Sequencer mode: Bounce
* Sequence mode: Stoch.
* Motion sequence keys
* Clear keys
17 Power
* Power options
18 Global parameters
* Global parameters
* System update (firmware update)
19 Module circuit diagrams
* Source circuit diagram
* Clock / Sequences circuit diagram
* Functions circuit diagram
* Split circuit diagram
* LGP circuit diagram
* Utility a, b, c circuit diagram
* Woggle circuit diagram
* Space Out circuit diagram
1. Quick-start guides
- Keyboard notes and controls
- About the Volca NuBass
- Select and play a pattern
- Select and play a pattern chain
- Record or edit a pattern (Live mode)
- Record or edit a pattern (Step Record mode)
- Save a pattern
- Record a motion sequence
- Synchronise timing with other Volcas and instruments
- Connect to headphones or a mixer
- Connect to an audio interface or sound card
2. Patches
- Introduction to patches
- A1 Bass
- Hollow Oscillation
- Raw Acid
- Two-note Arpeggio
- Pill-popper
- Soft Sweep
- Easy Bass
- You Got The Bass
- Glove Puppet
- Dramatic Arpeggio
- Elephant Drone
- Ray Gun
- Multi-sweep
- Jellyfish
- Sine Bass
- Long Acid Sweep
- LFO Attack Decay
- Brain Freeze
- Seminal Acid
- Soft Bass
- Lightning Bass
- Siren
- Trance Bass
- Sample and Hold
3. Patterns and loops
- About the patterns
- How to program the patterns in Step Record mode
- Curious Worm
- Octave Jumper
- Driving Trance
- Rhetorical Saunter
- Block Rocker
- Waggle Dance
- Easy Dancer
- 80s Acid
- Six Pack
- Funky Monkey
- Space Hopper
4. Vacuum Tube Oscillator section
- About the oscillator section
- Pitch
- VTO Wave
- Sub-oscillator saturation and level
- Oscillator section tips
5. Voltage Controlled Filter section
- About the filter
- Cutoff
- Peak
- Attack
- Decay
- EG Int
- Accent knob
- Filter tips
6. LFO, Drive and Tone
- About the LFO
- LFO Wave
- LFO Target
- LFO Rate
- LFO Int
- LFO Sync
- Drive
- Tone
7. Buttons
- Step Jump
- Play
- Step mode
- Act. Step
- Transpose
- Accent
- Slides
- Memory
- Write
- Rand
- Func
8. Keyboard
- Keys 1-7
- Shift keys
- Motion Sequence and Clear keys
9. MIDI
- MIDI: an overview
- About MIDI Control Change messages
- MIDI CC messages
10. Sync, Swing Tempo, Audio Out
- Sync
- Swing
- Tempo
- Volume and Audio Out
11. Global Parameters, Firmware, Patch Sheets
- Global Parameters
- Power options
- Further reading
- Index
- Patch sheets
- Pattern sheets
CONTENTS
1. About this book
2. Quick-start guides
- Main controls
- About the Volca FM
- Preset sounds
- New features
- Select and play a sound
- Select and play a pattern
- Select and play a pattern chain
- Record or edit a pattern
- Save a pattern
- Record a motion sequence
- Edit a sound
- Rename a sound
- Save a sound
- Clone sounds and patterns
- Import Yamaha DX7 sounds
- Synchronise timing
- Connect to headphones or a mixer
- Connect to an audio interface or sound card
2. What is FM synthesis?
- FM synthesis theory
3. Slider controls
- Transpose slider
- Velocity / Value slider
4. Program edit knobs
- Modulator & Carrier knobs (+ envelopes)
- LFO rate, LFO Pitch Depth
- Program
- Param knob
- Algorithm knob
5. Program edit buttons
- Octave / Operator buttons
- Save / Export button
- Edit button
6. The arpeggiator
- About the arpeggiator
- Arp type knob
- Arp type chart
- Arp Div knob
- Arp Division chart
7. Tempo, Sync, Audio Out, Power
- Tempo knob
- Volume knob
- Mains and battery power
- Auto Power Off
- What is Sync?
- Change Sync Step setting
- Change Sync polarity
8. Play, Record, Memory & Func
- Play / Active step button
- Record / Erase button
- Memory / Write button
- Func button
9. Keyboard functions
- Understanding the keyboard and LEDs
- Voice mode: Poly, Mono, Unison
- Chorus
- Reverb
- Arp On / Off key
- Program Random
- Tempo division
- Metronome
- Warp Active Step
- Transpose note
- Motion sequence keys
- Clear Active Step
- Clear All
12. MIDI
- MIDI: an overview
- Selecting the MIDI channel
- MIDI Control Change messages
- MIDI Control Change numbers
- MIDI RX Short Message
11. Parameters in brief
- Parameter list
- What are parameters?
- Understanding the LED panel
- Select and edit parameters
- Edit the parameter value
16. Parameters in detail
- Every parameter explained in detail
17. Algorithms, Global Parameters, updates
- Algorithms list
- What are algorithms?
- Full-page diagrams of every algorithm
- Global parameters
- System update
- Factory reset
- Further reading
- Index
- Algorithm chart
- Parameter List