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Korg VOLCABASS Analog Bass Machine
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Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
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Purchase options and add-ons
Color | White |
Brand | Korg |
Model Name | VOLCABASS |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 8 x 5 x 2 inches |
Item Weight | 1 Pounds |
About this item
- Three analogue oscillators for thick, huge bass lines
- Low-pass filter with resonance specially tuned for classic squelches and screams
- Electribe-style 16-step sequencer with eight memory patches
- Sync In and Out allows clock sync of multiple instruments from the Volca series
- Play anywhere with the built-in speaker and optional battery power
Frequently bought together
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This Item Korg VOLCABASS Analog Bass Machine | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $129.98$129.98 | $129.98$129.98 | $239.00$239.00 | $32.46$32.46 | $50.86$50.86 | $170.00$170.00 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Value for money | 5.0 | — | — | 4.4 | 4.4 | 3.7 |
Versatility | 4.5 | — | — | 4.3 | 4.3 | 3.6 |
Sold By | Last Samurai | Donner Music | SONICWARE | Last Samurai | Last Samurai | Future Station |
model name | VOLCABASS | — | — | MONOTRONDUO | MONOTRONDLY | Volca |
connector type | — | Usb Type C | — | — | Auxiliary | MIDI USB |
number of keys | 16 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 16 |
body material | Bass Wood | Bass Wood | — | — | — | Bass Wood |
weight | 1 pounds | 9.6 ounces | 0.79 kilograms | 0.4 pounds | 0.4 pounds | 0.5 kilograms |
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Product information
Item Weight | 1 pounds |
---|---|
Product Dimensions | 8 x 5 x 2 inches |
ASIN | B00CAKQCHS |
Item model number | VOLCABASS |
Batteries | 4 AAA batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.7 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #12,359 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #6 in Tabletop Synthesizers |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | April 17, 2013 |
Back Material | Basswood |
Body Material | Bass Wood |
Color Name | White |
Number of Strings | 4 |
Number of Keyboard Keys | 16 |
Battery type | Alkaline |
Color Screen | No |
Power Source | Battery Powered |
Warranty & Support
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Korg VOLCABASS Analog Bass Machine
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Honest review of Korg Volca Sample
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Product Description
Volca bass is an analog bass synthesizer that provides carefully selected parameters that allow the user to create a diverse array of fat sounds that can be obt. Portable 303-style analog bass synthesizer. Three analog oscillators self-tune for constant, stable pitch.
From the manufacturer
KORG Volca Bass Analog Bass Machine
From subtly detuned warmth to aggressive acid, the volca Bass takes true analogue bass sequencing to a new level. Instant editing via the intuitive user interface lets you cut/mix/slice your loops on the fly to create powerful build-ups that will transform your dance track.
The volca Bass is equipped with three analogue oscillators to create thick, huge bass lines and a low-pass filter with resonance that's specially tuned for classic squelches and screams. Sync In and Out allows clock sync of multiple instruments from the volca Series as well as Korg's Monotribe.
Convenient functions for greater ease of use
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Bright, crisp sound from Korg's legendary analog filterThe analog filter has been fine-tuned specifically for the volca bass. Turning the Cutoff knob to open the filter will make the sound brighter and more expansive; closing the filter produces a rounder and milder sound. |
Three oscillators generate a variety of bass soundsGenerating the thick and modulated sounds that you expect from an analog synthesizer, the three oscillators can be used in a variety of ways from one-part unison to three-part chords, giving you an incredible diversity of bass sounds. |
SYNC jack and MIDI IN connectorBy using the sync jack you can enjoy synchronized playback with multiple volcas or with a monotribe. You can also use the SyncKontrol iPhone app to wirelessly control tap tempo, swing settings, and synchronized playback with iOS music apps via WIST. |
The Electribe's step sequencerThis step sequencer is designed to make editing easy and to let you add or remove parts in an improvisational way. You can use the 16 step keys to intuitively enter notes while visually monitoring the timing of the notes within the measure. |
KORG Volca Bass
Aggressive sounds that stand up to the drums; fat sounds that support the rhythm; funky sounds that generate a groove - the volca bass is an analog bassline groove box that has what you need for a wide range of bass lines.
KORG Volca Beats
The volca beats provides six of the sounds for which the greatness of analog shines most clearly: Kick, Snare, Hi Tom, Lo Tom, Closed Hi Hat, and Open Hi Hat. Paying careful attention to the standard sounds that are indispensable for dance music and that are included on numerous synthesizers and sampling CDs, we've designed powerful new sounds that could not be produced by any means other than analog.
KORG Volca Keys
Volca keys is a 27-key analog lead synth that generates unbelievably powerful sound from its compact body. Starting with a filter section that uses the circuitry of the legendary miniKORG700S (1974), it delivers astonishing sound that takes full advantage of Korg's half-century of know-how in circuit design.
KORG Volca Sample
The volca sample is a sample sequencer that lets you edit and sequence up to 100 sample sounds in real time for powerful live performances. It’s a powerful addition to any existing volca setup, or simply on its own. The new volca lets you recapture the excitement of the first generation of samplers, in which any sound --- vocals, spoken words, ambient sound, or glitches --- becomes material for your creations!
Volca Bass
Volca Beats
Volca Keys
Volca Sample
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the sound quality, quality and ease of use of the musical instruments. For example, they mention that it's a great analog synthesizer, easy to get started with and great for beginners. They also say it'll bring countless hours of enjoyment and is worth the money.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the sound quality of the musical instruments. They mention that the sounds are good, fat, and almost a perfect mirror reflection. The filter is smooth, and the volume output is superb. The MIDI capabilities make the sounds seem endless, and with the speakers are helpful. The classic acid machine really screams and can make some great sounds.
"...sound to it and is by no means your classic acid machine, the thing really screams and can make some great sounds...." Read more
"...with no sustain segment, just an attack and delay, which is superb for punchy bass tones, and the second mode is with a sustain feature, which is..." Read more
"...The way they even look & sound is almost a perfect mirror reflection of what I've experience from the past. This review is for the "korg volca..." Read more
"...The speakers are helpful since the tiny speaker in the Volcas is kind of small...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the musical instruments. They mention that it's a great little machine, an awesome little synth, and a simple analog synthesizer that swings far above its class. Some say that the MIDI implementation is good, but you can't modulate the filter via MID.
"...In summary, I think these are really great, affordable little machines...." Read more
"...The MIDI implementation is good, but you can't modulate the filter via MIDI. What???!!! Why not, Korg? What are you thinking?..." Read more
"...Either way this is a great analog synthesizer that swings far above its class and a wonderful place to discover analog filter addiction." Read more
"...reverse to combine the signals of the three Korgs--a very cheap and simple mixer...." Read more
Customers find the musical instruments easy to use. They mention it has a great sound, is simple, and is great for beginners. Customers also say it has an easy way to connect the output of the various units together.
"...Maybe the iOS app is convenient and easy to use, but it still adds an extra layer to getting sounds on the machine...." Read more
"...sounds pretty much like the korg monotribe as far as quality goes, it's simple & great...." Read more
"...Multi Headphone Splitter (Black and White)]] - a very simple way to connect the output of the various units together on their way to an outboard..." Read more
"It has a great sound and pretty easy to get started with...." Read more
Customers find the musical instruments fun and bring countless hours of enjoyment. They say the machines are responsive to touch and fun to play and slide around on. Customers also mention that the Active Step mode is useful and fun.
"...against, but that leads into my next point, which is that these machines are just fun, especially for someone starting out working with..." Read more
"...Speaking of modes, the Active Step mode is useful and fun.At the moment, I tend to use a Beat Step Pro to sequence more complex patterns...." Read more
"Lots of fun, but be prepared to take a bit of time to figure it all out. That for me is the adventure!..." Read more
"...So why do I give it four stars? Because for the price, its amazingly fun!..." Read more
Customers find the value of the musical instruments to be great. They say it's worth the money, affordable, and a great purchase. Customers also say the sound this instrument generates is worth the trade off. They mention the analog control is amazing for the price and the mixer is very cheap.
"...In summary, I think these are really great, affordable little machines...." Read more
"...is used in reverse to combine the signals of the three Korgs--a very cheap and simple mixer...." Read more
"...Yet the sound this instrument generates is worth the trade off. It is juicy, deep, rich and super analog in its roundness...." Read more
"Sounds are good and the analog control is amazing for the price, but without use of a separate sequencer the 1-measure lines it produces are really..." Read more
Customers are impressed with the musical instruments sensitivity. They say it's far more responsive to just noodling around, and really responsive to touch. They also appreciate the fact that it'll be velocity sensitive if controlled via midi.
"...The playing surface (ribbon?) is really responsive to touch and it's fun to play and slide around on it, but it is important to note that the..." Read more
"...It also surprisingly is velocity sensitive if controlled via midi—nice touch...." Read more
"...easier to use and get started than the volca keys, far more responsive to just noodling around to get improvised bass-lines...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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I'm glad I did. I love this little box, and it looked absolutely brand new in the box when it arrived. Go figure. I like it more than my Pro-1 monosynth -- I think the Volca Bass sounds better than most of my keyboards, with the exception of my Korg Radias. I mean to say, the Volca Bass is fat sounding, and oh!!! it has that distorted squeal that is very similar to a Roland TB-303 (or the Behringer clone). The filter resonance (peak knob) on this wee thing self-oscillates, so if you're looking to do a bit of Daft Punk or Chemical Brothers-style late 90s and early 00s techno work, this little guy can do it, and do it very nicely.
Let's get the cons out of the way:
The speaker is rubbish. I get why Korg put it there, but the speaker doesn't have the range to actually hear what all the glorious goodness this synth can make. Tip: Use headphones if you're going portable with this. Otherwise, hook it up to your mixer / monitoring system / amp.
The MIDI implementation is good, but you can't modulate the filter via MIDI. What???!!! Why not, Korg? What are you thinking? Sigh... So, you must use the Volca Bass's filter knob in real-time. Also, no MIDI out, but it is possible to modify the unit so that it can do MIDI out, so at least there's that option for the hardcore modders.
Pattern storage is limited to 8 memory slots. You will use those up quickly, and then you'll have to decide on which patterns to get rid of for later sessions. Also, there is no pattern chaining, so you must manually change patterns in real time, and you will need to do that in perfect sync as there is also no "wait to change pattern" functionality. If you're sequencing a pattern, know that the filter knob adjustments do not get recorded. The octave knob's movements will be recorded, however. On the other hand, it is possible to create 24 patterns when in individual three-osc mode, and with a bit of clever muting, you can probably do quite a bit with that.
The smaller, clear knobs ... it's sometimes difficult to see what their positions are. Also, when I reach for the tempo or the EG attack knobs at the top center/left of the unit, I often accidentally brush the big filter knob.
No noise oscillator... that's a shame. But not a deal breaker...
So them's me cons. On the the pros:
Three very stable analog VCOs (digitally tuned for stability, but these bad boys are definitely analog oscillators), any of which can be a Saw or Square wave. You have the options of three independent VCOs, two stacked together, or all three stacked together. There is also a tuning knob for each VCO, so you're able to create a very thick and fat super saw sound. Note range can be adjusted per voice but only if you are sequencing a pattern. Otherwise, all three VCOs will change depending on where the octave knob is set.
The playing surface (ribbon?) is really responsive to touch and it's fun to play and slide around on it, but it is important to note that the playing surface is not velocity sensitive. The Volca Bass responds to velocity when connected to MIDI controller, though. Keep that in mind if you want to get the most you can out of this tiny box of joy. It took me a few minutes to work out what the deal was with the black and gold "keys." Tip: The gold keys are the black keys on a keyboard. The rest are the white keys. The lowest note on the surface is an "A". Maybe an "E" would have been better, which is the lowest note on a bass guitar, but from keyboard perspective I suppose it makes sense (an 88-key keyboard's first note is an A.)
The filter on this insanely good. I read somewhere that it's based on a Korg 700s filter. I dunno if it is or not. And I don't care. I really like a lot.
The envelope seems limited, but it actually has two modes and it is perfectly serviceable. One mode with no sustain segment, just an attack and delay, which is superb for punchy bass tones, and the second mode is with a sustain feature, which is great for more synthy sounds and self-oscillating the filter rez. These modes are switched by holding down the function button and pressing the number 11 key marked Sustain.
Pattern sequencing is quick, if not a bit imprecise when doing it in real time. There is some sort of quantization going on, which can be distressing if your timing is off. I much prefer to sequence a pattern in Step Rec mode. Speaking of modes, the Active Step mode is useful and fun.
At the moment, I tend to use a Beat Step Pro to sequence more complex patterns. Other times, I will set up a zone on my workstation to play the Volca Bass via MIDI in real time. I'll even swipe at the playing surface from time to time when playing other synths. You'll definitely want to put some effects in the signal chain, such as pedals or some other multi-fx unit, as the dry sound may be a bit in your face. But even dry, it can sit in a mix at low volumes.
All in all, I'm really impressed by the sound of the Volca Bass. I had no idea that I was missing this in my life, and I'm glad I bought it. I'm now considering selling my Pro-1, as I have had that turned off since the beginning of February when the Volca arrived and I don't need two monosynths which cover the same sonic terrority.
For its size, it's a little powerhouse in a tiny, tiny box. Could the UI (knobs), memory storage and MIDI implementation be improved? Sure, those could be better, but if you can snag one of these for $100 or less, it's definitely worth it.
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2022
I'm glad I did. I love this little box, and it looked absolutely brand new in the box when it arrived. Go figure. I like it more than my Pro-1 monosynth -- I think the Volca Bass sounds better than most of my keyboards, with the exception of my Korg Radias. I mean to say, the Volca Bass is fat sounding, and oh!!! it has that distorted squeal that is very similar to a Roland TB-303 (or the Behringer clone). The filter resonance (peak knob) on this wee thing self-oscillates, so if you're looking to do a bit of Daft Punk or Chemical Brothers-style late 90s and early 00s techno work, this little guy can do it, and do it very nicely.
Let's get the cons out of the way:
The speaker is rubbish. I get why Korg put it there, but the speaker doesn't have the range to actually hear what all the glorious goodness this synth can make. Tip: Use headphones if you're going portable with this. Otherwise, hook it up to your mixer / monitoring system / amp.
The MIDI implementation is good, but you can't modulate the filter via MIDI. What???!!! Why not, Korg? What are you thinking? Sigh... So, you must use the Volca Bass's filter knob in real-time. Also, no MIDI out, but it is possible to modify the unit so that it can do MIDI out, so at least there's that option for the hardcore modders.
Pattern storage is limited to 8 memory slots. You will use those up quickly, and then you'll have to decide on which patterns to get rid of for later sessions. Also, there is no pattern chaining, so you must manually change patterns in real time, and you will need to do that in perfect sync as there is also no "wait to change pattern" functionality. If you're sequencing a pattern, know that the filter knob adjustments do not get recorded. The octave knob's movements will be recorded, however. On the other hand, it is possible to create 24 patterns when in individual three-osc mode, and with a bit of clever muting, you can probably do quite a bit with that.
The smaller, clear knobs ... it's sometimes difficult to see what their positions are. Also, when I reach for the tempo or the EG attack knobs at the top center/left of the unit, I often accidentally brush the big filter knob.
No noise oscillator... that's a shame. But not a deal breaker...
So them's me cons. On the the pros:
Three very stable analog VCOs (digitally tuned for stability, but these bad boys are definitely analog oscillators), any of which can be a Saw or Square wave. You have the options of three independent VCOs, two stacked together, or all three stacked together. There is also a tuning knob for each VCO, so you're able to create a very thick and fat super saw sound. Note range can be adjusted per voice but only if you are sequencing a pattern. Otherwise, all three VCOs will change depending on where the octave knob is set.
The playing surface (ribbon?) is really responsive to touch and it's fun to play and slide around on it, but it is important to note that the playing surface is not velocity sensitive. The Volca Bass responds to velocity when connected to MIDI controller, though. Keep that in mind if you want to get the most you can out of this tiny box of joy. It took me a few minutes to work out what the deal was with the black and gold "keys." Tip: The gold keys are the black keys on a keyboard. The rest are the white keys. The lowest note on the surface is an "A". Maybe an "E" would have been better, which is the lowest note on a bass guitar, but from keyboard perspective I suppose it makes sense (an 88-key keyboard's first note is an A.)
The filter on this insanely good. I read somewhere that it's based on a Korg 700s filter. I dunno if it is or not. And I don't care. I really like a lot.
The envelope seems limited, but it actually has two modes and it is perfectly serviceable. One mode with no sustain segment, just an attack and delay, which is superb for punchy bass tones, and the second mode is with a sustain feature, which is great for more synthy sounds and self-oscillating the filter rez. These modes are switched by holding down the function button and pressing the number 11 key marked Sustain.
Pattern sequencing is quick, if not a bit imprecise when doing it in real time. There is some sort of quantization going on, which can be distressing if your timing is off. I much prefer to sequence a pattern in Step Rec mode. Speaking of modes, the Active Step mode is useful and fun.
At the moment, I tend to use a Beat Step Pro to sequence more complex patterns. Other times, I will set up a zone on my workstation to play the Volca Bass via MIDI in real time. I'll even swipe at the playing surface from time to time when playing other synths. You'll definitely want to put some effects in the signal chain, such as pedals or some other multi-fx unit, as the dry sound may be a bit in your face. But even dry, it can sit in a mix at low volumes.
All in all, I'm really impressed by the sound of the Volca Bass. I had no idea that I was missing this in my life, and I'm glad I bought it. I'm now considering selling my Pro-1, as I have had that turned off since the beginning of February when the Volca arrived and I don't need two monosynths which cover the same sonic terrority.
For its size, it's a little powerhouse in a tiny, tiny box. Could the UI (knobs), memory storage and MIDI implementation be improved? Sure, those could be better, but if you can snag one of these for $100 or less, it's definitely worth it.
That being said, I started with the Bass about a year and a half ago and admittedly didn't really understand the thing, or how to use it in my workflow that at the time was primarily just clicking around in the DAW. After jumping over that hurdle and learning the various functions and controls, the thing really opened up. While it's certainly got a tinny/metallic sound to it and is by no means your classic acid machine, the thing really screams and can make some great sounds. Granted, I don't have years of experience with higher-end synthesizers to compare against, but that leads into my next point, which is that these machines are just fun, especially for someone starting out working with hardware.
I've seen complaints about them being 'toys', or limited in what you can do with them, and while I won't argue the merits of that based on some folks' perspectives, the small, portable nature of them makes them a non-invasive addition to a small space and perfect for picking up and messing around outside of the desk or studio environment. The price tag encourages buying them over time, and since getting the Bass, I've added the Beats, FM, and Keys to the mix. They each have their own quirks and limitations that encourage creativity. As well, they're powerful enough to be useful, and rather than being overwhelming machines (a bit like the Microbrute is for me as still-an-amature), they're in most respects easy to learn. The FM's a bit of it's own story though, as FM synthesis is complicated by nature.
I'm hesitant to purchase the Sample, simply due to the lack of an audio in. Maybe the iOS app is convenient and easy to use, but it still adds an extra layer to getting sounds on the machine. Which brings me to another point: if you're considering either the Beats or the Sample, you might look first for a used ES-1 or ER-1. They're roughly the same price, but a bit more versatile (although bigger), and at least in comparing the ER-1 to the Beats, sound considerably better (the Beats snare issue is annoying, but not a total deal breaker if the other pros outweigh that con).
In summary, I think these are really great, affordable little machines. Without the hassle of buying old buggy hardware, you get some new portable things with a lot of potential. If you’re looking for machines with ‘recordability’, though, these probably fall more in the jam-box or accent-to-other-machines category.
Have fun!
Top reviews from other countries
O ponto fraco é o auto-falante interno. Muito ruim, mas é melhor do que nada se você estiver fissurado para trabalhar com a máquina e não tiver bons fones de ouvido.
If you're hesitating between the volca keys and volca bass, know that you can't make a wrong choice
Although you're losing the voice modes and paraphonic capabilities of the keys, you're getting an extra selectable oscilattor (square OR saw as opposed to just saw for the volca keys) for more soundshaping possibilities. The volca bass is paraphonic when sequenced anyway, although that's a limited feature.
What stands out for me on the Volca Bass is the ease by which you can make some great basslines in a matter of minutes. The 3 VCO setup is extremely clever. If you use the built in sequencer you can either create monophonic sequences using all three VCOs in unison (and detune them separately up to one octave up or down), or you can use two in unison and one as a separate voice or indeed programme 3 tone polyphonic sequences using each VCO for a separate part. By using the mute function you can then quickly switch parts on or off creating a lot of effect with just the one sequence in your performance. I also really like the way how you can set the destination of both the envelope generator and LFOs to control volume, filter cutoff and in case of the LFO also the pitch (of all three VCOs). The LED readout is extremely handy when you need to tune your VCOs, set the tempo or octave.
Only thing you need to keep in mind, you do need to know a bit about synthesizers before you can really get the best out of these Volca's but it should not take a beginner long to understand how everything works. The instructions are limited, but there is plenty of information and videos on the internet to get you going.