Korg Volca Keys

Analog synthesizer-loop

• Multi touch type keyboard with 27 notes
• Synthesis type: analog
• Maximum polyphony: 3 voices
• Synthesis structure: 3VCO, 1VCF, 1VCA, 1LFO, 1EG
• VCO: Octave, Ring Modulation, Detune, Portamento, EG Int.
• VCO waveforms: sawtooth and square
• VCF: Cutoff, Peak, EG Int
• Filter type (VCF): Low pass at 12 db/octave
• LFO: Rate, Pitch Int, Cutoff Int, Wave (Sawtooth, Triangle, Square)
• Envelope (EG): Attack, Decay/Release, Sustain
• Delay Effect: Time, Feedback, Temp Sync
• One-part 16-step sequencer
• 8 storable patterns for the sequencer

Volca Keys is the ideal synthesizer for taking your first steps in sound synthesis. Equipped with an analog synthesis engine, 3-voice polyphony (3VCO), multi touch keyboard, filter, LFO, EG, delay, MIDI input and a simple loop sequencer, the Korg Volca Keys will allow you to record the musical phrases you play from its Multi touch keyboard, then play them back using the Motion Sequence, Active Step and Flux functions to process them in real time, even during your live performances.

Thanks to the filter section derived from the circuitry of the legendary miniKORG700S synth (1974) and the Japanese company's half-century of experience in synthesizer design, the Korg Volca Keys can generate stunning sounds given its extremely small size and simple synthesis structure (3VCO, 1VCF, 1VCA, 1LFO, 1EG), which also makes use of a delay effect and sequencer.

You can use the three oscillators to play chords, configure them in unison to bring to life powerful melodic lead lines while also taking advantage of detune, or subject them to the ring modulator to originate sounds with a more metallic flavor. The configuration of the 6 different modes available for the VCOs can be set via a dedicated click potentiometer, which will allow you to choose from: Poly, Unison, Octave, Fifth, Unison Ring, or Poly Ring.

The delay effect on which you can act by varying the time and feedback parameters will provide sounds in the style of vintage tape delays, giving rise to pitch fluctuations as you intervene on the time parameter. The built-in 16-step loop sequencer offers an internal memory capable of accommodating up to 8 patterns.

You can record musical phrases by playing them directly from the instrument's multi-touch keyboard and with the overdub option bring more complex sequences to life. The Motion Sequence function allows you to record the movements of the potentiometers to bring true parameter automations to life while playing the recorded sequence.

To interact in real time on the pattern you can take advantage of the Active Step functions, to possibly deactivate some steps of the sequence, thus recreating a kind of looper giving life to particular rhythmic designs, and Flex, which reproduces the sequence without applying quantization.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Audio output: 3.5mm stereo mini jack
• Sync In: mono mini jack (Max input level: 20V)
• Sync Out: mono mini jack (Max Out level: 5V)
• MIDI: In on standard DIN connector
• Can be powered by 6 AA batteries
• Battery life: about 10 hours (with alkaline batteries)
• Optional power supply: AC adapter "KA-350"
• Dimensions: 193×115×46 mm
• Weight: 377 grams (excluding batteries)