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Korg Volca Keys Analog Loop Synthesizer

Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer, with 3 x Self-tuning Oscillators, Built-in Delay Effect, Unison Mode, Ring Modulation, MIDI In, and Sync I/O
$159.99

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Korg Volca Keys Analog Loop Synthesizer
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An Incredible Price for a Powerful Analog Polysynth

Korg's Volca Keys analog synthesizer is a must-have for any fan of synths, packing huge analog tone and a surprisingly flexible interface into an ultra-affordable and portable package. This 3-note synth has self-tuning analog oscillators for stable pitch, and lets you stack notes to form chord stabs or combine them in unison for huge lead lines. Factor in the fat-sounding filter, delay effect, and a built-in arpeggiator, and you're well on your way to analog synth bliss. Best of all, you can store up to eight of your own patterns for recall anytime with the Korg Volca Keys.

True analog synthesis with 3-note polyphony

Korg's Volca Keys is quite a flexible synthesizer, despite its compact size. Its 3-voice design lets you create 3-note chords, or combine them in unison for huge lead sounds. Even better, there's a built-in delay effect for incredibly vibrant sounds.

Loop and Motion sequencers capture performances

Whether you're playing the built-in ribbon controller or triggering it via an external MIDI controller, the Volca Keys is great for on-the-fly creation. Use the loop sequencer to capture your idea, then use the Motion sequencer to record your knob-turning in real-time. You can easily twist one simple sequence into something entirely new, just one sure sign of a great synthesizer.

Truly portable, and easy to integrate with other gear

With its compact size and optional Volca Power Supply or battery power, the Korg Volca Keys is truly a go-anywhere analog synthesizer. Best of all, it's got the right connections to interface with any of your gear. It's got a MIDI input so you can control it via any MIDI sequencer, and it even has Sync I/O so it can play in time with Korg's Monotribe and Monotron analog synthesizers. Or simply create whatever synth sounds you like, then sample them for sequencing elsewhere.

Korg Volca Keys Analog Synthesizer Features:

  • Portable analog synthesizer with 3-voice design
  • Voices can be stacked as chords, or combined in unison
  • Record your own loops and phrases, then capture your knob-tweaking with the Motion sequencer
  • Sync In/Out makes it easy to play in time with Monotribe or other Volca machines
  • Control via the onboard ribbon or via MIDI input
  • Save your own patterns for later recall
  • Can sync to MIDI Clock from your DAW or external sequencer
  • Operates on 6 x AA batteries Volca Power Supply (not included)

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Desktop Synthesizer and Sequencer
  • Analog/Digital: Analog
  • Type of Keys: 27 x Key Buttons
  • Polyphony: 3-voice
  • Oscillators: 3 x VCO
  • Waveforms: Sawtooth, Square
  • Envelope Generator: 1 x EG (attack, decay/release, sustain)
  • LFO: 1 x LFO (sawtooth, triangle, square)
  • VCA: Yes
  • Filter: Lowpass 12dB/octave
  • Effects Types: Delay
  • Sequencer: 16-step, 8 Patterns
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/8" Stereo (shared output)
  • MIDI I/O: In
  • Other I/O: Sync In/Out
  • Power Supply: 6 x AA, 9V DC power supply (optional)
  • Height: 7.61"
  • Width: 1.81"
  • Depth: 4.54"
  • Weight: 0.83 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: VOLCAKEYS

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Great Little Synth!

I've owned and worked with Synthesizers since 1972. I currently own quite a few Synthesizers from several manufacturers, Behringer, Roland, ASM, Elektron, Modal, Teenage Engineering and Korg, to name a few.

At being over 10 years in the marketplace this Volca Keys has really held up to the test of time. I decided it was time to take another look at it and decided I wanted to have one.

Although it is marketed as an "Analogue" Synthesizer in reality the control signals are generated digitally with the CPU using a 10-bit DAC giving incredible near-analogue resolution. Essentially, this is a Subtractive Hybrid unit; an analogue sound engine with digital control so dial tweaks and note info can be recorded into the sequencer/accessed over MIDI. By the way, this is a good thing not a negative at all.

It's a pretty easy to use, straightforward Synth, with no menu screen or deep diving, pretty much a dial per function arrangement. Great for beginners but powerful enough for experienced users. However I did notice notice that some dials are translucent and some solid. As a rule I found (with some exceptions) the solid dials' movements can't be sequenced, but the translucent dials can be sequenced and are backlit red plus flash to denote which parameters are active or recorded in a 'motion sequence' (motion sequencing captures dial movements into the sequencer). The tempo dials flash in time with the internal/MIDI-clocked tempo and each key/sequence step has its own LED too, convenient for letting you know what's happening at a glance within complex sequences.

It features 3 sawtooth wave oscillators and produces great upfront three-note chords, dirty lead/bass lines, ring modulated sounds and detuned unisons. It also features octave/fifth mono modes, a versatile tempo-syncable analogue-style delay that does reverbs/bit-crushing (from the Monotron Delay).
It also uses the MiniKORG700s filter, which is a great filter. The LFO has 3 waveforms: sawtooth, square and triangle which make for some great modulation variety.

The Volca Keys really packs a lot in and it's very versatile and a true value at such a low cost. It's a nice addition to the Analog Synthesizer part of my Studio's Synthesizer "Arsenal". At this price everyone should own one!
Music background: Synthesizer owner and programmer since 1972
Rated 5/5

Love this synth

Not my 1st volca or even my 1st volca keys it's a great sounding poly synth I've used it in many productions the filter is very unique sounding I've shared a video link the video in the link all the lead is volca keys .. thank you Sweetwater for being all that you are!
Music background: Song writer and producer
Rated 5/5

Great Analog Poly Synth

The Korg Volca Keys is a fantastic sounding analog poly synth even if it were more expensive. This can really get pretty fat too. I love the Volca Keys so much that I made a sample library with it using motion recording and doing two passes of each sound to give me stereo imagining of the LFO phase. If there's one thing that's greatest about it, it's the filter. Korg filters are the best and this filter, based on the miniKORG 700S, is no exception. The different oscillator modes give it a wide range of sounds and one of my favorite features of this is the pitch envelope. The pitch envelope just really sets it apart from synths lacking such control. I've used this with its sequencer and that's totally fun for DAWless jams. I'm now also enjoying using it in sampled form. Every parameter is motion recordable except oscillator mode & resonance and you can motion record all other parameters without limit. I hope to always have a Volca Keys and I just know I'll only ever get rid of it if Korg comes out with a Volca Keys 2.
Music background: Electronic Music
Rated 5/5

really easy to use and good for house / techno music

really easy to use and good for house / techno music.
Rated 5/5

Excellent Budget Synth

You can get huge sound out of this little box. It is very basic, but it does what it does quite well. The built in sequencer and delay are great. I do wish tempo was quantized, but that is my only criticism.
Music background: Hobbyist
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