View source for Engineering:Volca Keys

{{Short description|Subtractive analogue synthesizer}}
{{Infobox synthesizer
| synth_name = Volca Keys
| synth_manufacturer = Korg
| image = Korg Volca Keys.jpg
| polyphony = Three ([[Engineering:Paraphony|paraphonic]])
| oscillator = Three [[Engineering:Voltage-controlled oscillator|voltage-controlled oscillator]]s (one per voice)
| synthesis_type = Subtractive synthesis
| filter = [[Voltage-controlled filter]]
| attenuator = ADSR envelope with linked decay and release
| fx = Delay
| keyboard = Touch plate
| ext_control = [[MIDI]], sync
| sample = 
}}

The '''Volca Keys''' is a [[Engineering:Analog synthesizer|analogue synthesizer]] manufactured by the Japanese [[Engineering:Music technology|music technology]] company Korg. It was announced in April 2013 at MusikMesse and was at the time one of the few affordable analogue synthesizers available. The Volca Keys uses subtractive synthesis to create sounds and is three-note [[Engineering:Paraphony|paraphonic]], meaning that it can play chords with all voices sharing a single [[Voltage-controlled filter|voltage-controlled filter]] (VCF). 

The Volca Keys is part of Korg's Volca line of compact hardware synthesizers and [[Engineering:Drum machine|drum machines]]; like other models, it features a 16-step sequencer and can be powered using batteries.

== Release ==
The Volca Keys was announced in April 2013 at MusikMesse along with the Volca Beats and Volca Bass, and proved a success for Korg.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Dan |date=2 October 2013 |title=Korg Volca Keys review |url=https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/korg-volca-keys-585522 |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2013 |title=Musikmesse 2013: Korg Volca |url=https://musictech.com/news/musikmesse-2013-korg-volca/ |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=MusicTech |language=en-GB}}</ref> 

Critics received the Volca Keys well. At the time of its release, it filled the niche of an affordable analogue synthesizer, which contributed to its success. Comments were made on its inexpensive price and quality of sounds. ''MusicTech'' stated, "Korg has listened to its customers and managed to hit the perfect balance of price and features"<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=28 September 2013 |title=Korg Volcas Review – The Power Of Three |url=https://musictech.com/reviews/korg-volcas-review-the-power-of-three/ |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=MusicTech |language=}}</ref> and ''Future Music'' seemed to agree, saying that "the Volca synth is revolutionary at this price point" and suggesting that "everybody should own one".<ref name=":0" />

== Design ==

[[File:Korg Volca Keys knobs 2 (photo by David J).jpg|alt=Volca Keys controls|thumb|Close-up of Volca Keys' controls]]

The Volca Keys has a gold faceplate and transparent enclosure. It is lightweight and is a small size.<ref name=":3" /> The knobs on the front are made of transparent and solid plastic and are similar to those on Korg's Monotron, although the build quality is improved.<ref name=":0" /> Connections on the Volca Keys include [[MIDI]] in, sync in/out and 9V [[Physics:Direct current|DC]] power input. The synthesizer can also be run off of batteries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trew |first=James |date=11 April 2013 |title=Korg announces Volca analog synth series, we go eyes-on |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013-04-11-korg-announces-volca-analog-synth-series-we-go-eyes-on.html |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref> The Volca Keys has analogue circuitry but all control signals are digital, allowing parameter control over MIDI. According to Korg, "[the] [[Central processing unit|CPU]] [controlling the Volca Keys] has a 10-bit [[Digital-to-analog converter|DAC]]".<ref name=":0" />  

The keyboard is a touch plate with no velocity sensitivity. It houses a 16-step sequencer with motion sequencing, Korg's version of parameter automation. The only way to set sequencer steps is by the real-time recording mode.<ref name=":7" /> Step entries can be made unquantized with "flux" mode. The sequencer also has an "active step" tool for mutes and shortened patterns.<ref name=":5" />

=== Signal path ===
{{Listen
| filename     = Korg Volca Keys paraphonic behaviour.flac
| title        = Volca Keys demonstration
| description  = A demonstration of the basic sound of the Volca Keys
}}
The Volca Keys' oscillators are digitally-controlled analogue oscillators. They can use [[Sawtooth wave|sawtooth]] or [[Square wave|square]] waveforms depending on the mode of the synthesizer (square in ring modes, sawtooth in all others). Controls over oscillator pitch, detune, portamento (glide) and envelope intensity are available.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Ciarla |first=PJ |date=16 June 2021 |title=ICMP Reviews: KORG Volca Keys |url=https://www.icmp.ac.uk/blog/reviews-korg-volca-keys |access-date=2022-11-15 |website=Institute of Contemporary Music Performance |language=en}}</ref> The mode controls the polyphony of the Volca Keys. Five modes are available: monophonic modes are unison, octaves, fifth and unison [[Physics:Ring modulation|ring]]; paraphonic modes are poly and poly ring. While in unison modes, the oscillators can be detuned from the unison pitch by up to a semitone.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=17 September 2013 |title=Review: Korg Volca Keys |url=https://sonicstate.com/news/2013/09/17/review-korg-volca-keys/ |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=Sonicstate |language=en}}</ref> Modulation can be applied to oscillator pitch from the envelope generator.<ref name=":5" />
{{Listen
| filename     = Korg Volca Keys - Loop demo with live effects.flac
| title        = Volca Keys looped sequence demonstration
| description  = Simple demo loop with built-in filtration effects and other adjustments applied live during playback
}}

The Volca Keys has a digitally-controlled analogue [[Physics:Low-pass filter|low-pass filter]], a recreation of the filter from Korg's MiniKorg-700S.<ref name=":5" /> Control is available over [[Cutoff frequency|filter cutoff]], modulation from envelope generator and [[Physics:Resonance|resonance]]. The filter can be pushed into [[Self-oscillation|self-oscillation]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Nagle |first=Paul |date=October 2013 |title=Korg Volca Beats, Bass & Keys |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-volca-beats-bass-keys |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=Sound on Sound}}</ref>

Modulation on the Volca Keys comes from two sources, an ASR envelope generator and [[Engineering:Low-frequency oscillation|low-frequency oscillator]] (LFO).<ref name=":6" /> The envelope is routed to [[Physics:Amplitude|amplitude]] by default but can be used to modulate the pitch and filter cutoff.<ref name=":5" /> The LFO has three [[Waveform|waveforms]]: saw, [[Triangle wave|triangle]] and square. Controls over LFO rate and depth of modulation to are available. The LFO can be synced to the start of a note.<ref name=":7" />

The Volca Keys features a delay circuit, which some have likened to that of Korg's Monotron Delay.<ref name=":7" /> It is low-fidelity, with low sample rates for the audio processing.<ref name=":5" /> The delay has control over time and feedback; the former can be synced to the sequencer tempo.<ref name=":0" />

== See also ==
*[[Engineering:Volca Modular|Volca Modular]] – another Volca, inspired by "West Coast" style synthesizers.
== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.korg-volca.com/en/ Korg Volca website]

*[https://www.korg.com/uk/products/dj/volca_keys/ Volca Keys product page]
[[Category:Synthesizers]]
[[Category:Electronic musical instruments]]

{{Sourceattribution|Volca Keys}}