Korg Volca FM is out!

[Lost to the Void]

Yeah I still don't get it. Take one of the most complicated forms of synthesis, and place it into a tiny interface with few tiny tiny controls and a crappy display.
I use FM a lot but this would drive me fucking crazy trying to do anything useful.

[ekwipt]

I'm sure it fine with presets, you know you can load presets into it right? Make in FM8 to DX7 specs and export out? I wonder if that's psooible. Good for live use?

[Thies]

There is already a M4L editor for the volca FM.
http://www.dystopiandisco.com/

[processing]

Cheers for sharing Thies! Currently working on the next update - it will give you full parameter control inside Ableton.

@ekwipt - can import patches via a sysex library tool. Cannot export! No MIDI out (sure someone will hack this in the coming weeks). Will be building a sysex patch import tool inside the M4L editor with deep randomization options. In the meantime if you're on a Mac - can recommend https://www.snoize.com/SysExLibrarian/ - note you'll overwrite your patches (all 32!).

Sounds amazing - automating the fm algo with an LFO and running it through heavy reverb/delay - produces the most insane sci-fi atmospheric soundscapes. Will be great for live (you can also daisychain two for 6 voice poly).

[Lost to the Void]

There is already a M4L editor for the volca FM.
http://www.dystopiandisco.com/

What's the point?
Editing in a computer to run your hardware defeats the whole point of having hardware ie hands on.
You might as well use software FM

[Mono-xID]

There is already a M4L editor for the volca FM.
http://www.dystopiandisco.com/

What's the point?
Editing in a computer to run your hardware defeats the whole point of having hardware ie hands on.
You might as well use software FM

I'm with Steve here. Makes absolutely no sense.

[Wiu]

There is already a M4L editor for the volca FM.
http://www.dystopiandisco.com/

What's the point?
Editing in a computer to run your hardware defeats the whole point of having hardware ie hands on.
You might as well use software FM

I'm with Steve here. Makes absolutely no sense.

^ This

Half the point of hardware FM synths is to feel the pain, stress and utter loathing of programming the things. Everyone knows this!! You're not a real musician until you've thrown a DX synth at a wall, called it a cunt and stamped on it a few times. Despite peoples crazed claims, no one really understands FM synthesis anyway. It's all about random button mashing and hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

[MountainTapes]

There is already a M4L editor for the volca FM.
http://www.dystopiandisco.com/

What's the point?
Editing in a computer to run your hardware defeats the whole point of having hardware ie hands on.
You might as well use software FM

Nah.

I say cheers to the chap who made this M4L editor. I very much look forward to jamming on my ableton push 2 with this editor running then I get the best of both worlds.

[yentz]

I say cheers to the chap who made this M4L editor. I very much look forward to jamming on my ableton push 2 with this editor running then I get the best of both worlds.

thanks from me as well

[Críoch]

I think this by far the most hands on FM option I've come across yet.

Though u agree with Steve, it will be nice to have the M4L computer aspect to save time twiddling.. Getting back to what's important; having fun.

[Mslwte]

one of the things i was disappointed about with the reface dx were the controls on the synth., i havent had a play with the reface but seeing the video and having to use up and down buttons to navigate through the parameters was an instant turn off. ive had enough of the struggle with the tx81z, navigating that is a pain in the arse and the editors dont really work that well or at best look uneasy on the eye.

now we have a hardware option that records automation and already has an editor that im sure will work very well. i know the volca has small controls but i dont really give a shit haha.

now korg, go and build a ms20fm for fuck sake.

[Lost to the Void]

The point is, if you are going to have to go in the box to edit, what the fuck is the point of having an OTB FM synth in the first place?
It`s not for the sound quality, it`s not for the interface, so what is it for?
Just to have a "thing"?

[Alume]

I agree, I have an A4 which includes overbridge. I was quite excited about it and still am but for editing parameters I turn to the original unit. Though for editing setup features, like midi stuff and other things like voices and routing I sometimes use the editor(50/50).

For me a good editor is one that shows you the grand scheme of the synth, like a mindmap, whats under the hood.

That is very valuable in understanding the synth very quickly, though real synthesis shit just be otb imo.

[Mslwte]

I probably wouldn't edit to much myself as I don't normally work in that way. The editor for something like that is cool, it's 2016 so it should be standard but it's not a deal breaker for me. The part that appeals to me so much is the recording of automation and the fact it's proper FM and has more than 2 controls to manipulate.

Partly it's materialistic, partly having knobs to play with. And mostly it's not using a mouse lol.

I think this product fits my creativity perfectly.

[Lost to the Void]

Well with the A4 the main thing is it basically sorts out DAW integration, it`s not really an editor as such.

I was kinda enthusiastic about the Volca (bearing in mind I have no other volcas) as I wanted an FM to use in my PA, but after it came out and after watching the Sonic state dude try to flap about with those fucking tiny nobs and shit, it just seems utterdung (at least in a live club context), and having to use an ITB editor defeats the object, because there are much better FM synths in vst land.....

Another toy basically. I`m going to have to suck down the wallet damage and go with my first option, which was the Monomachine.

[Revaron]

For me having the editor that lets you virtually turn the knobs from ableton is pretty pointless, again, might as well just use software. But as the Volca has a full DX7 spec, what I am hoping someone will sort out is a fully featured editor that will let you make a patch on the Volca utilizing the full power of the engine. When the clever people have had a chance to work out the Volca, I'm sure updates to existing DX7 editors will appear. Obviously it'll be hooked up to the computer for this, but once it's done you can unplug the volca and use it to play that patch anywhere, and you'll be able to tweak it live in a way that you can't with pretty much any FM hardware. And the fact that they have put it together in such a way that you can apparently program a decent patch purely from its own controls is cool if you just want to jam on it. There's obviously lots of compromises, it's small, etc, and I'd be disappointed if the sort of editor I'm hoping for never materialized, but to me it looks flexible and fun. I totally get why plenty of people don't rate the Volcas, but I've got a Bass and Keys and think both of them are loads of fun, so I'm still excited for the FM.

[ekwipt]

What are options are there, Yamaha DX200 being one?

[Alume]

The Yamaha reface dx, ehm thats only new model i know atm.

Also the monomachine is mentioned. I think the A4 does fm synthesis with the new os update but im not sure.

[WOLF!]

What are options are there, Yamaha DX200 being one?

Not for me. I had a DX200 but quickly sold it.
You still need the editor to acces most parameters on a DX200.
Most data knobs on DX200's are fucked as well!


I don't like editors for programming synths because I buy hardware to get away from the screen while i'm creating sounds or just play.
The only thing I find handy about editors is when you can easily automate synth parameters via that editor.

I find that when I need software to program a synth the interaction with the synth goes away and I feel like working with a vst synth... .

From what I have seen about the Volca DX it still has my attention and it seem very (small)hands-on.

[Kuchta]

Half the point of hardware FM synths is to feel the pain, stress and utter loathing of programming the things. Everyone knows this!! You're not a real musician until you've thrown a DX synth at a wall, called it a cunt and stamped on it a few times. Despite peoples crazed claims, no one really understands FM synthesis anyway. It's all about random button mashing and hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

[/quote][/quote]

Ha!... This.