Korg Volca Beats

The Volca Beats upholds the tradition of classic drum machines with thick, powerful analogue drum sounds and a super intuitive 16-step sequencer. Drawing inspiration from the iconic rhythm machines of the past, it delivers the kind of dense, present analogue sound that cuts through a mix in a way samples and plugins rarely match. Whether you're building dance floor-ready beats in the studio or jamming on the go, Volca Beats makes it quick and satisfying to get something great sounding.

Analogue Drums with Instant Impact

Six of the most essential drum sounds are generated entirely in analogue: Kick, Snare, Hi Tom, Lo Tom, Closed Hi Hat and Open Hi Hat. Each is shaped with a deliberately minimal set of parameters, so you spend less time menu-diving and more time making music. The kick alone, with just three knobs controlling Click, Pitch and Decay, covers everything from booming low-end thuds to tight, punchy transients. Regardless of how you dial things in, the analogue engine gives every sound a weight and density that's hard to replicate any other way.

For sounds that don't suit analogue synthesis, a PCM engine handles Clap, Claves, Agogo and Crash. Korg has tuned these samples to sit naturally alongside the analogue parts, with a lo-fi, rough-edged character that nods to the drum machines of the 1980s. The PCM Speed parameter lets you pitch these sounds up or down dramatically for more unusual textures.

Sequencer and Live Performance

The 16-step sequencer is inherited from the Electribe and is designed for quick, intuitive pattern building. You can enter steps visually using the 16 step keys, or record in realtime using the touch panel. Up to eight patterns can be saved in internal memory.

For live performance, the Stutter function adds drum rolls and delay-like repeats that can completely transform the feel of a pattern mid-set, and Stutter knob movements can be recorded into the sequence. The Active Step function lets you skip individual steps during playback, while Step Jump instantly plays whichever step you press, making it easy to create short loops and unexpected rhythmic variations on the fly.

Compact, Connected and Ready to Go

Volca Beats connects to other Volca units, the Monotribe or compatible Korg hardware via sync jacks, and MIDI In lets you trigger it from a keyboard or send note data from your DAW. It runs on six AA batteries for approximately 10 hours and has a built-in speaker, so it's just as at home on a desk or a park bench as it is in a studio setup.

Key Features

• Six-part true analogue drum synthesis: Kick, Snare, Hi Tom, Lo Tom, Closed Hi Hat and Open Hi Hat
• PCM synthesis for Clap, Claves, Agogo and Crash with lo-fi character and variable PCM Speed
• Minimal, performance-focused parameter set for fast sound shaping
• 16-step sequencer with realtime and step recording, up to 8 patterns stored
• Stutter function for drum rolls and delay-style effects, recordable into the sequence
• Active Step and Step Jump functions for irregular rhythms and live improvisation
• Sync In/Out for connection with other Volca and Korg hardware
• MIDI In for DAW integration and external keyboard control
  

Specification

• Synthesis type: Analogue (Kick, Snare, Hi Tom, Lo Tom, Closed Hi Hat, Open Hi Hat) and PCM (Clap, Claves, Agogo, Crash)
• Sound parameters: Kick: Click, Pitch, Decay, Part Level / Snare: Snappy, Pitch, Decay, Part Level / Tom: Hi Pitch, Lo Pitch, Decay, Part Level / Hi Hat: Closed Decay, Open Decay, Grain, Part Level / PCM: PCM Speed, Part Level
• Sequencer: 10 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 45mm
• Weight: 372g (excluding batteries)