Korg Volca Kick

Analog synthesizer for creating kick drum and kick bass sounds

After bringing back the classic groove boxes and synthesis techniques of the past, the Volca series focuses on a new target, the most important sound in dance music: the kick drum. The volca kick is an analog generator of kick drum sounds designed for sound design. Its circuitry based on the powerful resonant filter of the MS-20 allows you to create a wide range of kick sounds, from the driest and most powerful kick drums to the most belly kick basses originated exclusively by analog synthesis. Volca's distinctive 16-step sequencer has been provided with a new Touch FX function to instantly manage an effect to enhance the artist's expressiveness during live performances. Discover the power of analog synthesis in producing kick drum sounds that are difficult to achieve with plug-ins or sample libraries.

Powerful synthesizer for kick and kick bass generation

Analog kick drum sounds reproduced by the MS-20's filter oscillation

The volca kick generates powerful and present kick drum sounds by exploiting a fully analog circuit. It does not employ a typical sine waveform to create these sounds, but a sound triggered by filter oscillation derived from the original MS-20. The powerful REV. 1 of the MS20 went into self-oscillation as the resonance increased toward maximum values, which is why it was used precisely in the production of bass drum sounds rich in complex harmonics.

Simple and immediate are the available parameters on which you can interact to achieve an extensive range of kick drum sounds. Kick off the sound design process by using the MS-20 RESONATOR's pitch, bend and time parameters with which you'll manage what in drum jargon is called the body resonance, known colloquially to many as the belly. Then move on to the PULSE COLOUR/LEVEL controls to change the attack component and on the ATTACK/DECAY parameters of the amplifier to manage the envelope of the sound originated. From the driest, most penetrating and present kick drum sounds to the key bass kicks so in vogue in mainstream EDM genres, the Korg Volca Kick is your new benchmark for producing analog kick drum sounds.

Drive and Tone Parameters

In addition to the MS-20's filter-based sound generation circuit, the sound is subject to a multi-stage analog distortion. Type and amount of distortion are modifiable by intervening on the Drive potentiometer, which changes the character and power of the kick drum sound. With the Tone parameter, on the other hand, we intervene on the high-frequency components.

Powerful and distinctive kick bass for your beats

The volca kick is not just a simple drum machine. You can take advantage of the 16-key touch keyboard to play aggressive bass lines based on the impressive sub bass sounds generated by the analog circuitry essential for dance genres such as grime or trap. Given the range of pitches covered, from low to mid frequencies, you can use varied sounds in the sequences created with the Volca Kick, from tuneful TOMs to sound effects.

Volca sequencer to bring impactful patterns to life

16-step sequencer with automation of all parameters

The volca kick features a 16-step sequencer with additional functions that extend the freedom of improvisation. You can use it to lay down a kick drum pattern extremely quickly, or to record in real time while playing a kick bass from the built-in touch pad. The pattern chain function will allow you to continuously sequence different patterns to build extended duration sequences: 32, 64, up to as many as 256 steps by chaining all 16 sequences. The Volca Kick's motion sequence function records parameter variations induced by the movement of the potentiometers, to give rise to real automations that can be replayed during pattern playback; great for giving your loops more bite even in live performances. You can save up to 16 patterns and related sounds in the Korg Volca Kick's internal memory.

ACTIVE STEP new beats and bass lines in just a few steps

The Active step function allows you to skip one or more steps while playing a sequence. You'll be able to generate DJ-style effects, from the simplest loop-style to the most peculiar and unusual irregular rhythms. Not just a sequencer, but a real additional tool in live performances.

A boost to your sequences with ACCENT, SLIDE and BEND REVERSE

The volca kick allows you to edit every step in the sequence. With the accent function you can program via the eponymous potentiometer the dynamics of each step (not per trigger), while the slide function is used to blend the steps by connecting them harmoniously, without staccato and will come in particularly handy in bass line production. The Bend Reverse is programmable on each individual step and consists of the inversion of the pitch envelope: instead of behaving conventionally with the traditional downward transition it will originate a special inverse effect on the pitch of the kick tail, from bottom to top. This Volca generates not only traditional analog kicks, but innovative sounds and novel kick drum patterns.

Break and fill via TOUCH FX

The new Touch FX function expands the live expressive potential of the Volca Kick. Effects controllable from this touch strip include ROLL, to repetitively play a sound, Octave, to increase pitch by one or two octaves, and Sustain to instantly increase the volume of the kick's tail.

Extreme versatility and interaction

Plays synchronized to another instrument

The volca kick comes with analog sync connectors for connecting to other synths and grooveboxes. Connect it to other volca series instruments, the minilogue, an electribe, or the SQ-1 to synchronize sequences and patterns. The MIDI IN connector allows you to take advantage of the Volca Kick as a sound module for your DAW software or to play it from a MIDI controller.

Play it Anywhere

With its compact size, battery power supply and built-in speaker, it will be convenient and easy to take the Volca Kick with you to use it in any situation.

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