Korg Volca Bass

With its three tunable analogue oscillators and a specially designed filter, the Volca Bass can generate a massive variety of bass and even lead sounds. Part of Korg's compact Volca series, it packs a surprisingly deep analogue signal path into a pocket-sized unit, making it a natural choice for acid house, techno and any style where a driven, characterful bass line is central to the sound.

Three Oscillators, Endless Possibilities

The Volca Bass runs three VCOs, each of which can be sequenced independently or used together, opening up a wide range of approaches. Running all three in unison with slight detuning produces thick, warm bass sounds with natural movement. Setting them to a chord interval gives you harmony-rich tones, while splitting them into a 2+1 configuration lets you run a bass line and a higher melody phrase at the same time. Each oscillator offers sawtooth and square waveforms, covering the core tones you need for most bass and lead work.

Filter and Sound Shaping

The analogue filter has been tuned specifically for bass frequencies. Opening the cutoff produces a bright, expansive sound, while closing it rounds things off into something warmer and more subdued. Pushing the Peak knob adds resonance, starting with a clean, focused peak and moving into the kind of saturated filter distortion that is essential for acid sounds. A single VCF, VCA, LFO and EG round out the signal path, keeping things intuitive and making the Volca Bass a great starting point for anyone getting to grips with synthesis fundamentals.

Sequencer and Performance

The 16-step sequencer draws from the Electribe and lets you programme each of the three oscillators with its own independent phrase, or lock them together for simpler patterns. Up to eight sequences can be stored in memory. The Slide function connects steps with that characteristic sticky pitch and filter movement that defines acid bass lines, and can be applied per step. Active Step lets you skip steps during playback for short loop effects and irregular rhythms, keeping live performances dynamic and unpredictable.

A self-tuning function runs continuously in the background to compensate for the pitch drift that can affect analogue oscillators over time, so the Volca Bass stays in tune from the moment you switch it on.

Compact, Connected and Ready to Go

Sync jacks connect the Volca Bass to other units in the Volca series or compatible Korg hardware, and MIDI In allows integration with a DAW or external keyboard. It runs on six AA batteries for approximately 10 hours and includes a built-in speaker, so you can take it anywhere and start playing straight away.

Key Features

• Three-oscillator true analogue synthesis with sawtooth and square waveforms
• Oscillators can be used in unison, as a chord or sequenced independently for simultaneous bass and melody
• Analogue low-pass filter (12 dB/oct) tuned for bass frequencies with resonance distortion for acid sounds
• Single VCF, VCA, LFO and EG signal path, ideal for learning synthesis fundamentals
• Slide function per step for classic acid bass character
• 16-step sequencer with three independent oscillator parts, realtime and step recording, up to 8 patterns stored
• Active Step function for irregular rhythms and live improvisation
• Self-tuning function for stable analogue pitch throughout performance
• Sync In/Out for connection with other Volca and Korg hardware
• MIDI In for DAW integration and external keyboard control
  

Specification

• Synthesis type: Analogue
• Structure: 3 VCO, 1 VCF, 1 VCA, 1 LFO, 1 EG
• VCO waveforms: Sawtooth, Square
• VCF: Cutoff, Peak, EG Int / Low-pass filter, 12 dB/oct
• VCA EG: On/off, Sustain on/off
• LFO: Rate, Int, Target (Amp, Pitch, Cutoff), Wave (Triangle, Square)
• EG: Attack, Decay/Release, Sustain
• Sequencer: 3 parts, 16 steps, 8 recording patterns
• Audio output: 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
• Sync: Sync In (3.5mm mono, max 20V) and Sync Out (3.5mm mono, max 5V)
• MIDI: MIDI In
• Power: 6x AA alkaline or NiMH batteries (not included), or KA-350 AC adapter (optional); approx. 10 hours battery life
• Dimensions: 193 x 115 x 46mm
• Weight: 370g (excluding batteries)