Volca FM 6-Voice

Probably on the showroom at Sweetwater getting fondled by synth-nerd Hoosiers.

1 Like

Edit: wow, this guy is Canadian, I never knew

1 Like

:smile:

1 Like

I’m secretly hoping sweetwater overnights me a new one, though this is probably an unrealistic expectation on a few levels.

2 Likes

What? There’s a 6 voice FM volca?
I had no idea .

Usually doesnt know theres a party let alone being late for it

1 Like

They did overnight me a new one! Weeks later but still!

This thing is GORGEOUS! I was a big fan of the original, and I love the opsix. Home run korg!!

3 Likes

Hi, I’ve got a Volca FM 2. IMO its an overseen well sounding FM synth:

In combination with an Arturia Keystep 37 and the Keystep’s powerful arp you can generate up to 6 note arpeggiated chords.

Live Recording of these arpeggiated chords, Motion-Sequence (a sort of live parameter locking/recording) and the very intuitive sequencer are fun.
My best invest in the last years.

9 Likes

Does anyone know if MIDI clock is transmitted via the midi out? Is it possible to use as a MIDI through for MIDI clock? I’m actually thinking of getting one to take care of some clock plumbing (so to speak) for a live set while also getting a bonus FM voice. I need analog clock for a Lorre Mill Double Knot but also need a midi through for a drum machine.

Yeah this thing is amazing. I loved the original fm Volca but this one is a giant step up. Would love to see updates to the keys bass and rhythm.

1 Like

Okay I read the midi implementation chart and it seems like it does transmit midi clock. Would anyone who has one be willing to test it out with a device that receives midi clock just to make sure everything works as expected? @ddiamond84 would you be willing to try it out for me? Normally I would just expect these things to work but it is the first Volca with a midi output so it would be nice to get a confirmation.

I’m not seeing many of these pop up second hand. Is the small roland range that much better? I’m looking for a small cheap desktop synth to combine with the DT2 and this seems so simple

Well the Roland S-1 has a lot to give.
I’ve never tried the Volca FM but, feature-wise, it seems very basic as compared to the S-1.
(And I’m not saying this prevents anybody to make excellent music with it)

For what they sell for on the second hand market, they aren’t really even worth selling, IMO, especially the FM2 which is 6-voice. Nice to just have around for whatever reasons needed.

The Volca FM is a different sound than the Roland Boutique range, given that its FM-based. Just depends on what sounds you are going for. If you want traditional subtractive synth sounds, the FM isn’t going to get you there, but it will get you to more interesting / weird places quicker.

4 Likes

If you are new to FM, get a RefaceDX or OPSIX.

Volca FM is nice, but it’s literally a DX7 in a much smaller box, with all the ease of programming of the DX7.

If you are patient and have time on your hands, the Volca is a fantastic value.

3 Likes

I don’t have one, and I agree building a patch from scratch on a 6-op fm synth really does not appeal … BUT … I’ve got this on my wishlist because of it’s patch randomisation feature. Start with a patch that appeals … and keep pressing the button till you hit a variation on that patch that you like.

2 Likes

This is what appeals to me about it too; that and the fact that my DX7 takes up so much space and weighs a metric FM shedload (nice keyboard, mind).

1 Like

You and @DoS have a realistic understanding of the Volca FM. Get one, and maybe consider putting effort into learning to program it on its own terms. There is a zen to programming DXes, but it is painstaking.

1 Like

This is why I pretty much stick to swapping preset cartridges on the DX7 and occasional forays into Dexed.

1 Like

And why I used to collect DXes but never release any music. :rofl:

1 Like

Yeah, I love the DX7 sound, had the DX IIFD myself. The fm2 takes DX patches AFAIK.

I just want a nice small sound module to feed my DT. Patching a FM synth is out of my league lol. But something that invites me to knob/slide around looking for happy accidents is perfect.

The roland SH01-a get’s a lot of praise as well. And there’s a bunch of iPhone apps you can access with the right cable.

1 Like