The volca fm is a three voice digital synth in Korg's pocket sized format. It rebuilds the engine behind the classic FM sound of the 1980s, with six operators, 32 algorithms and a 16 step sequencer under a touch keyboard. Metallic electric pianos, glassy bells and hard bass are its home ground.
The FM engine, faithfully rebuilt
Frequency modulation reached tones that sampling and subtractive designs could not, which is why those sounds still turn up on records today. Six operators across 32 algorithms match the original layout rather than approximating it. Patch files in SYS-EX or SYX format from the Yamaha DX7 load directly. Decades of existing programmes are open to you.
Editing you can actually follow
FM has a reputation for being hard to programme. Modulator and carrier knobs answer that by moving several settings at once in a way you can hear. Attack and decay for each, plus LFO rate and pitch depth, live on the panel. Deeper work happens in edit mode, where every operator is reachable. Menu diving is optional. A printed parameter list comes in the box.
Sixteen steps, plus motion
Tap the touch keyboard and the loop sequencer records up to 16 steps as you play, catching a phrase the moment it arrives. Sixteen patterns fit in memory. Motion sequencing captures knob movements alongside the notes, which is how a static loop turns into something that keeps changing.
Rhythms that refuse to sit still
Active step skips selected steps within a sequence, and warp stretches a shorter pattern to fill the same playback time as a full 16. Sync that against another unit and the timing skews in ways you would struggle to programme by hand. An arpeggiator adds nine types on top. Pattern chain then strings up to 16 sequences together, for runs of 32, 64 or even 256 steps.
Playing with the rest of your gear
A sync connector links it to other volca units, an electribe or an SQ-1 so their sequencers run together. Connect a second one and patches plus sequence data copy straight across. MIDI in also lets the box act as a sound module for a DAW or a controller keyboard.
Take it anywhere
Six AA batteries give roughly ten hours, and a built in speaker means you can start playing without unpacking anything else. Measuring 193 x 115 x 40 mm, the unit weighs 360 g. An optional 9 V adapter suits studio use. Batteries and a sync cable are supplied.
See it in action
Specifications
| Keyboard | Multi touch keyboard |
|---|---|
| Synthesizer type | FM synthesis |
| Maximum polyphony | 3 voices |
| Structure | 6 operators, 32 algorithms |
| Number of programs | 32 |
| Main edits | Modulator (attack, decay), carrier (attack, decay), LFO (rate, pitch depth), algorithm. Full parameter editing for each operator is available in Edit Mode. |
| Controls | Transpose, velocity, octave, arpeggiator (type, division) |
| Arpeggiator types | 9 (each with 3 patterns of rise, fall and random) |
| Voice modes | Poly, mono, unison |
| Effect | Chorus |
| Sequencer parts | 1 |
| Number of steps | 16 |
| Number of recording patterns | 16 |
| Sequencer controls | Motion sequence, active step, warp active step, pattern chain, metronome |
| Audio output | Headphones (3.5 mm stereo mini jack) |
| Sync | Sync in (3.5 mm monaural mini jack, maximum input level 20 V), sync out (3.5 mm monaural mini jack, output level 5 V). With two volca fm units, sound programs and sequence data can be exported from one to the other. |
| MIDI | In. SYS-EX or SYX files created on the Yamaha DX7 can be converted and loaded. |
| Power supply | AA alkaline battery x 6 or AA nickel metal hydride battery x 6, or AC adapter (DC 9 V, optional) |
| Battery life | Approximately 10 hours (using alkaline batteries) |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 193 x 115 x 40 mm / 7.60" x 4.53" x 1.57" |
| Weight | 360 g / 12.70 oz (excluding batteries) |
| Included items | AA alkaline battery x 6 (for verifying operation), sync cable, edit parameter list |
| Accessories | AC adapter (DC 9 V) KA-350 |
Specifications from Korg. Appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.
