Korg Volca Beats

1 audio output, 1 MIDI input.
No effect if not stutter that may have applied to the parties.

UTILIZATION

Very easy to use but suddenly we quickly made the rounds.

SOUNDS

Sounds ideal for techno.
The tempo in transmis tendency to décaller slightly. it is better to assign a tempo via MIDI IN.
Some parameters are controllable via MIDI but would have had to push even the MIDI implementation work.

OVERALL OPINION

The bass drum and toms are just génialaux. I took it just for that.
As against the snare / clap are dirt zero.

I wanted a small analog BAR to test mods on the circuit. And that's what needs to be done on it to use 100/100 and given him more punch (snare), as well as separate outputs.

Notable features:

o MIDI input, but not out!
o Audio out mono
o Section "keys" but not tactile Management velocity
o Storage of 8 sequences: too light, especially without export
o No power sector provided! (Batteries included but it's something)
o The global hash functions or pattern ("share") of good quality
o The rest has already been widely said again

UTILIZATION

Super subjective opinion, but probably consensual:

The use is top, very intuitive interface, and a few "hidden" features fully explained in the manual that extend a few more features (for example: press <Func> + <Power> start to change global settings).

SOUNDS

I was not sure what to expect:

o Excellent sound overall, slap in the ears!
o The bass drum is great, especially with the decay!
o The snare is not so successful as that, I think, contrary to other opinions
o PCM sounds are really well chosen and playing with the PCM Speed ​​knob, it gets cool sounds!
o No panoramic

OVERALL OPINION

The Q / P is really excellent, definitely.
Remains to be seen as part of the offer because demands Volca Beats in his studio. I think the use companions to create rhythmic slightly anywhere / anytime, other than with an MPC-like.

PROS:
o Super nice to work with
o Sons PCM
o Sounds pro, it is not in the gadget
o tactile keys that I feared are excellent
o Effects hash well rendered

CONS:
o lack of memory slots and the inability to export
o not velocity sensitive (but volumes of shares remain adjustable)
o No AC adapter ...

The Volca Beats is a small box mid-analog rhythms, mid-PCM, very simple and very compact.
It's a little back to basics with a BAR that is to be nomadic, evidenced by the batteries and the small built-in speaker, but especially affordable.

Cohabit four analog sources:
- Kick
- Snare
- Hats
- Toms
and four sources sampled (conversion output 10bits):
- Clap
- Claves
- Agogo
- Crash

One effect, assignable to a source or all: the stutter, sort of contraption whose purpose is to produce repetitions.

Battery, speaker, grafted and output sync (mini-jack), MIDI in and headphone / line mono.
No separate outputs, a change is possible but risky.

The sequencer allows 16 steps, real-time or "TR" edition.

UTILIZATION

VB is simple, no submenu twenty pages, no twisted configuration.
The manual is brief, it will be used to get an idea of ​​how the beast, but do not expect the moon.
Editing is the same taste: easy.

SOUNDS

VB has a great sound in general, and more specifically a superb kick.
The Snare is average but nowhere near as bad as some say, it's a matter of taste. For a more dynamic and broad Snare Drumulator I prefer the E-Mu, but again it's personal.

Toms are really good (I like the little toms but usually those of the VB are great), the Hats are almost perfect.

And PCM? Just the name is scary. Samples, yuck?
Absolutely not, even if we are not in the top of the wig more better, PCM VB are really well chosen and not especially feel the "color" of digital samples, may be due to 10bits DACs very low-fi .

OVERALL OPINION

I've had very little time, I enjoy a lot with.
For the price it is essential to listen and test.
If the sequencer is not that of a GPA, there is no reason to use VB as "sound module" driven by what you want.

I have some strange boxes like this: TR707 (incredibly surcotée, but it is because of its simplicity and its separate outputs), DR110 (cheap, cheap, cheap), TR505, R8, DR550, RY30 .. .
BV is part of PT. Inevitably, next to a TR808 and a 909 it's poor, but in an already rich set there is nothing to be ashamed. Better than VB in the same price range? Future Wolf Akai maybe? Not with MFB anyway.

I love this little BAR not pretentious. I have an idea to make a Vermona a few times, plus a MachineDrum, and that's for sure: I keep the VB.