Korg arguably kickstarted something of a synth revolution when it launched the Volca line. And the Volca FM has been a reliable most loved in the series. (It was also the first “actual” synth I ever acquired, so I have one thing of a soft spot for it.) Now, some 6 yr afterwards, the corporation is issuing an up-to-date model, the Volca FM 2. Like the Volca Sample 2 it produced in 2020, this is a primarily incremental improvement on the prior product, but it does handle some pain details.
Let’s start off with what has not altered — the core six operator, 32 algorithm synth motor. The Volca FM continues to be an unabashedly classic consider on the Yamaha DX7. The kind component is also unchanged, and you can still electric power it with 6 AA batteries. You also however get the exact 16-phase sequencer with “movement sequencing”.
Physically the variations are delicate. The display is now blue eight-segment LEDs in its place of red. The 5-pin MIDI DIN has been replaced with a TRS MIDI jack, but that has also designed area for MIDI out, incase you want to control other gear with the Volca’s sequencer.
The huge changes though, are below the hood. For one the the Volca FM 2 is a six voice synth, as a substitute of a three voice just one. That’s a large change and makes it possible for you to perform greater, richer chords. And it now responds to velocity in excess of MIDI, some thing you generally required a hack to get prior to. You will find also a reverb influence built-in, in addition to the chorus. A small reverb goes a very long way when you happen to be dealing with a synth, specially a digital a single. So this is yet another extremely welcome up grade.
Last of all Korg has additional a randomization aspect. This allows you to immediately generate new and special appears, with no having to grasp the arcane art of FM synthesis.
The Volca FM 2 is out there to preorder today for $170.
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