a lot of people in this and many other threads are (IMO) making judgements on the sounds and capabilities of instruments based on web videos, which i think is a mistake. while i do agree that they are a nice window into the possibilities of the machines and you could probably make a more definite appraisal on something like the beats based on web demos, i think we can all agree that when it comes to analog synths that there is no way to really give a potential buyer a complete scope of the tones you can generate in a youtube video.

taking the compression issues of web video aside.. you guys know how it is with analog... while there are some characteristics to a filter and oscillator that can be pinned down, the ability to morph the sound can radically alter the finished tone.

i know others have suggested, but deciding whether you like or will purchase one of these new analogs is probably left to after you get a chance to use one in person.

There is one thing we can all be objective about - they cost $140 each. Surely, this is of importance here. They're cheap as hell, and these seem to be extremely competent devices for such a low price. So many of these complaints about lack of features just seem silly when you consider how much they already feature for the price tag.

Did you actually read what I typed? I did not ask if there was an attack function. That is quite apparent, as well as the "EG" knob.

I asked about attack length. Many synthesizers have "attack" in the envelope generator. Some are short, some are long. Short attack lengths often don't generate pads, they simply make the note "fluffy".

How short, how long? No specs and Korg USA is unable to answer (contacted them shortly after posting here).

exactly. same way the monotron series has been so successful.

maybe these don't have the most easily integrated outputs, midi, etc...but that's not really that big of a deal.

midi in is a enough for complicated sequences...sample the hell out of these suckers and then use them accordingly.

should be great little starting points, imho

I did read what you typed. The length of the attack is controlled by the position of the attack EG knob when it is routed to amp. If I'm somehow misinterpreting what you are asking for, please feel free to find and link specifications to a synthesizer that actually show the "attack length" you are referring to.

You have the 5/10x time options often for envelopes, or short/long switches.
I do love me some 50 second envelopes, but dont think we can expect that.
Would be neat though, its not that hard to add.

Seriously...

Moog Minitaur: MINITAUR | Moog Music Inc

"VCA EG Attack – Sets the attack Time of a Minimoog-Style ADSR Envelope Generator used to modulate the VCA. Time ranges from 1 msec to 30 seconds."

I've been reading some of your other comments to others. Seems like you enjoy picking on others.

How am I picking on you here?

ADSR = Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release

The ADSR is already routed to amp, filter and pitch. Therefore, the A in ADSR is used to control the attack time while release controls the length on the amp.

I think what you are asking for is EG amount on the amp, which is entirely different than what you said.

I don't read him as picking on you, simply trying to help you, and understand what you're talking about. Attack stage time stats are usually not something people are all hot and bothered by. It has very limited polyphony anyhow, so prolly not your best bet for pads.

We are wondering how long the attack time can be. What the range of that attack knob is, in milliseconds.

Hes just asking how long the attack stage can be, not how much the envelope will affect the amp.
Good question, there is no standard length range, but we dont know yet.

0-10 on the attack knob might be 0-30 seconds, might be 0-5, might be 0-15.

I asked for attack length. I asked if it could make pads. You mentioned the attack knob in the EG section. I wanted to know how long the attack was. I know what ADSR means, I've been using synths for 17 years. Whether the attack knob is related to the amplitude, filter or pitch is not what I was talking about.

Pads are created with amplitude and filter adjustments of the EG, this particular EG has ADSR. How long is the attack?

Yeah, it's misinterpretation here, but I get what you are saying now. By attack length, you actually mean the calculated length of time for the attack. That, who knows? It's rare to see those specs posted on any kind of Korg gear since it's been a digital thing for years and typically measured by numbers in their manuals (example 0-127), not actual time.

I do recall reading that knob parameters can be automated by the sequencer, which if that's true, the envelopes might be digital and follow digital resolution and length.

I agree that it doesn't do the squelchy acid house thing like a 303 (Phoscyon is really good for that) but it does sound like a 303 when the filter is wide open.

I am getting the bass over the rest first because the dedicated analog bass synth i have, that was less expensive than say the moog taurus or something similar, just isn't cutting it. My current bass synth has a great sound but i need something a little more diverse, and hey the price is right! I am guessing a lot of people are in the same boat. Otb is expensive, but getting better. These may not be for you but no doubt there will be some great music made with them that cannot be denied. Plus... Bends!

the other new 303ish type option is the bass station II, since one of its filters is supposed to be based on the 303. hard to say at this point how authentic it is, and obviously the other facets of it like the oscillators will also have their own sound. but the volca bass seems to me like a good idea. for simple bass duties that's all you really need, so the limitations (of the volcas in general) aren't so severe in that case.

Youtube can definitely make things sound worse than they really are, but I don't think i've ever seen a video that makes things sound better than they really are.

I think it's safe to say that the people that enjoy the sound of of the videos will enjoy the sound of the product when it's released (unless there's significant changes of course).

As others have said though, the price factor mitigates this somewhat. For the price these will be going for, they're worth a punt even if you're unsure. I think most people would find $150 worth of useful sounds out of them.

Not true!!!! Did I use enough exclamation marks???? Techno Viking's tune sounds awesome with the handheld camera distortion. The original track is so lame without that crunch.

B

Haha, you win good sir!

I'm wondering if there is a way to use one of the 1/4 signals of the Volca to sequence other synths. That would really up the value.

The Volcas are so cheap everyone and their families are going to be raping these things in their music.

Is there any possibility of the beats getting separate outputs? The beats seems interesting and sounds good (Minus that godawful clap) but it's entirely useless to me if I can't EQ the drums on their own...I mean really, how can the beats be expected to be used in any semi-professional fashion without multiple outputs? I suppose one could record each drum individually and then layer them but my god that's tedious and awful.

AT this price point...I doubt it. Perhaps a mod will come along one day.

I would imagine any "semi-professional" would realize that a $135 drum machine would have limitations and be able to work around them.

LOL. How many times has this been addressed and re-addressed?

I dunno, enough to bring out useful replies such as yours?

I haven't read all 48 pages of this thread to be honest and I didn't plan to, figured I'd just ask and see if any news was heard on the subject. Are you gonna be ok with that?

So I emailed rich formidoni about lending me some volcas for a crazy demo video:dem jamz 5 (dem jamz 4:DX7 disasters released 2moro by the way!) but I haven't heard anything back, would anyone like to see something like that?

yes

Volca Beat... (japanese language)

I need one of these Volca beats right now!!

Oooohhoooo! Uuuoooh? Ooohohoh!!!!

toys!