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Volca Modular

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Volca Modular
The Volca Modular
ManufacturerKorg
Technical specifications
PolyphonyMonophonic
OscillatorComplex oscillator
Synthesis typeWest-coast style additive synthesis
FilterLow Pass Gates
AttenuatorFunction generators
EffectsSpace out (reverb)
Input/output
KeyboardTouchplate
External controlCV input[a]

The Volca Modular is an analogue synthesizer[b] manufactured by the Japanese music technology company Korg. It is part of their popular Volca series of affordable electronic synthesizers and drum machines.[1] Like other Volcas, it sports a 16 step sequencer and can be powered by batteries. It is a semi-modular synthesizer,[2] with patching being available to create new sounds.[c] It is still in production, retailing for around £140.[1]

Release

Leaks

Volca Modular was released ahead Winter NAMM in February 2019,[3][4] although information about the Volca Modular was leaked in December 2018.[5] The news spread throughout online forums throughout the time before the official release.[6][7][8]

Reception

The Volca Modular was unique at its launch, filling a niche in the market as an affordable modular synthesizer. It was received quite highly by music technology reviewers but received criticism for its size and easily damageable DuPont patch cables.[1][2]

Review scorings

Design

The Volca Modular was inspired by the "West Coast" design of synthesizers, produced by the likes of Don Buchla and Serge Tcherepnin in the 60s and 70s. West Coast synthesizers were based around the idea of adding harmonics to simple waveforms using complex oscillator cores and wavefolding,[11] unlike the filtering of high harmonic waves used by the contemporary "East Coast" pioneer Robert Moog.[12]

Buchla Music Easel
The Music Easel, an inspiration to the Volca Modular

The Volca Modular's colour palette is also inspired by the Serge-Buchla synthesizers, with their iconic red, white and blue livery.

Of all the Serge-Buchla synthesizers, the Volca Modular is most similar to the Buchla Music Easel in terms of modules and capabilities. It features a triangle-wave based complex oscillator core, dual low pass gates, function generators and a source of uncertainty (Sample and hold).[13]

Modules

The Volca Modular has of 8 distinct modules, with a total of 50 patch points to be connected:[12][14]

Oscillators

The oscillator section contains a two VCOs that can only produce a triangle wave. The oscillators are set up in a modulator-carrier relationship to perform FM synthesis. The modulator is usually silent (though it can be heard through patching) and its pitch is determined by a ratio to the carrier pitch, controlled by the RATIO knob. The depth of frequency modulation is controlled by the MOD knob.

The oscillator section also has a wavefolder, which adds additional harmonics to the complex oscillator by folding the waveform multiple times. The amount of wavefolding is controlled by the FOLD knob.

Function generators

Low pass gates

The Volca Modular's dual low pass gates (LPGs) are a cross between a Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) and a Voltage Controlled Filter (VCF). This gives the Volca Modular a distinctly natural sound, with sounds becoming both brighter and louder as cutoff increases. Unlike a typical VCF, they do not have resonance and are unable to self-oscillate. The only control for the LPGs is the CUTOFF knob, which controls the cutoff of the each LPG individually.

Space out

Space out is a digital reverb, the only digital part of the Volca Modular. It is distinctly digital and cold but, according to MusicRadar "without it, the Volca Modular can sound dry and lifeless".[1]

Mixer

Woggle

Split

Click divider

Notes

  1. ^ The Volca Modular does not support the Eurorack voltage standards.
  2. ^ With the exception of the Space Out module.
  3. ^ Being a semi-modular synthesizer, the Volca Modular has a default signal path that patching alters.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Truss, Si (2019-07-24). "Korg Volca Modular review". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  2. ^ a b "Korg Volca Modular". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  3. ^ Korg, UK (24 February 2019). "Korg releases new products at Winter NAMM".
  4. ^ Elisabeth (2019-01-15). "Korg Volca Modular – A Battery-Powered West Coast Modular Synthesizer". Synthtopia. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  5. ^ "MATRIXSYNTH: NAMM Leaks: New KORG Volca Modular & Volca Drum". www.matrixsynth.com. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  6. ^ "Korg Volca MODULAR | AE Modular". forum.aemodular.com. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  7. ^ "KORG Volca leaks already: Mini Modular and Drum - MOD WIGGLER". modwiggler.com. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  8. ^ synthhead (2018-12-21). "Korg Volca Modular, Volca Drum Coming At 2019 NAMM Show? (Unofficial)". Synthtopia. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  9. ^ "Korg Volca Modular synth review: As weird as it is affordable". Engadget. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  10. ^ "Review: Korg Volca Modular". MusicTech. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  11. ^ Meyer, Chris. "West Coast Synthesis | Learning Modular". Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  12. ^ a b UK, Korg. "Volca Modular". Korg UK. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  13. ^ USA, Korg. "Specifications". Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  14. ^ Wilson, Scott (2019-01-15). "Korg's new Volcas are a Buchla-inspired mini modular and a digital drum synth". Fact Magazine. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
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