Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Korg volca fm DIGITAL FM SYNTHESIZER. This digital
synthesizer uses a 3-voice, 6-operator FM (Frequency Modulation) sound engine. In
addition to the basic FM sound parameters, there are also a number of volca
fm-specific parameters that provide further sound-editing capabilities. Sound files
(SYS-EX/SYX) created on the Yamaha DX7 can be converted and loaded into the volca
fm. Sounds created on the volca fm can be exported and shared with another volca fm.
In addition, the volca fm also includes a built-in step sequencer, motion sequencer, and
an arpeggiator—plus various voice modes—that can all add movement, depth, and
expression to your volca fm sounds.
FM (Frequency Modulation) is based on synthesis elements known as operators.
The volca fm sound engine uses six operators. Operators can function as either
modulators or carriers; modulating operators apply modulation to audio-source
carrier operators to create sound. The way that these modulating and carrier
operators interact is called an algorithm; the volca fm provides 32 distinct FM
algorithms.
In the EDIT mode, the parameters required for the FM sound source, such as the
LFO waveform and speed as well as the EG level and rate, can be set for each
operator.
TRANSPOSE slider
The pitch can be raised or lowered in units of octaves or semitones.
VELOCITY slider
In PLAY mode, this slider controls the global velocity. In EDIT mode, this slider
functions as the VALUE slider for editing the FM synthesis parameters.
OCTAVE
,
/ OP,– buttons
In PLAY mode, these buttons change the octave range of the keyboard. In EDIT
mode, these buttons specify settings for the FM synthesis parameters and for
exporting.
SAVE/EXPORT button
When not in EDIT mode, pressing the SAVE/EXPORT button saves the FM sound
engine parameters.
Exporting
You can connect the volca fm’s SYNC OUT jack to the SYNC IN jack of another
volca fm unit, and export (transmit) FM sound programs and sequences to the
other volca fm unit.
In EDIT mode, press the SAVE/EXPORT button so that the button blinks, and
then use the PROGRAM knob to select the item to be exported. After selecting
the item to be exported, press the SAVE/EXPORT button again to export it. The
SAVE/EXPORT button lights up while the export operation is being performed.
The SAVE/EXPORT button blinks again when the operation is finished.
Items to be exported
Crnt PGM (currently selected program), ALL PGM (all 32 programs), Crnt SEQ
(current sequence), ALL SEQ (all 16 sequences), CLOnE (all previously listed
items)
EDIT button
Use this button to toggle between the EDIT and PLAY modes. EDIT mode is the
mode for specifying settings for FM synthesis parameters and exporting.
Specifying global parameter settings
Setting the MIDI channel
1. While holding down the MEMORY button,turn the volca fm on.
2.
Keyboard buttons 1 to 16 correspond to the MIDI channels 1 to 16. Press the
button that corresponds to the desired channel, and the LED below the keyboard
button will light up.
Other parameters
1. While holding down FUNC button, turn on the volca fm.
2.
Use the keyboard buttons 1–8 to set your preferences for any or all of the global
parameters. (Refer to the table.)
3.
When you have finished, press the
(REC) button. Your settings will be saved, and
the volca fm will restart. To cancel without making changes, press the
(PLAY)
button.
Button
LED lit up
LED unlit
Parameter
Status
Display indication
Status
Display indication
1
Auto power-off
function
*Enabled
AutoP On
Disabled
AutoP OFF
2 Battery type selection
Nickel-metal
hydride
bAtt nH
*Alkaline
bAtt AL
3 Sync Out polarity
Fall
SyncOt Lo
*Rise
SyncOt HI
4 Sync In polarity
Fall
SyncIn Lo
*Rise
SyncIn HI
5 Tempo range settings
Full (10-600) TEmPo FuL *Narrow (56-240)
TEmPo nAr
6 MIDI Clock Src
*Auto
MdCLK Aut Internal
MdCLK Int
7 MIDI RX ShortMessage *On
MdShrt On
Off
MdShrt OF
8 Sync input/output unit Once a step SyncStp 1
*Once every 2 steps SyncStp 2
*: Factory default setting
Keyboard buttons
Arranged as in a traditional keyboard, these buttons are used to play the volca fm.
MEMORY buttons
The volca fm is equipped with 16 memory locations that are used to save sequences.
To load a sequence, press the MEMORY button, and then press one of the 1 through
16 buttons. Hold down the FUNC button and press the MEMORY (WRITE) button to
enter the save-ready condition. In this condition, press one of the 1–16 buttons to
save the currently selected program number and sequence in the button that you
pressed.
CHAIN function
Multiple saved sequences can be linked together to create a longer and more
interesting performance. Hold down the MEMORY button, and using the 1–16
buttons in which sequences have been saved, specify the range of sequences that you
want to play; the sequences in that range will play back consecutively.
FUNC (function) button
To access various volca fm functions, hold down the FUNC button and press the
appropriate keyboard button. The LED below the key will light to confirm your
selection.
VOICE MODE
•FUNC + POLY: Up to three-note chords can be played.
•FUNC + MONO: One note at a time can be played.
•FUNC + UNISON: All three voices will sound in unison, operating as a mono
synth.
CHORUS
•
FUNC
+
CHORUS
: This applies a chorus effect.
ARP ON/OFF
•FUNC + ARP ON/OFF: This turns arpeggiator on/off.
Tempo settings
•FUNC + 1/1, 1/2, 1/4: The volca fm tempo can be set to one-half, one-quarter, or
equal to the value of the incoming MIDI clock, the SYNC IN clock rate, or the current
tempo knob setting.
• FUNC + METRONOME: When selected, the metronome will sound during
sequence playback.
• FUNC + WARP ACT.STEP: If there are fewer than 16 active steps, they are
compensated to occupy the same playback time as 16 steps.
Transpose
setting
• FUNC + TRANSPS NOTE: The transposition applied by the TRANSPOSE slider
will occur in semitone steps.
(Power) button
Press this button to turn the volca fm on. To turn the volca fm off, hold this button for
approximately one second.
Auto power-off
The power-off function will automatically turn the volca fm off after roughly four
hours have passed with no sound being produced. The auto power-off function can
be disabled using the global parameters. (See global parameters.)
DC 9V
Jack
Connect the plug end of the optional AC adapter to this jack.
Only use the specified AC adapter. Using any AC adapter other than the specified
model could damage the volca fm.
DISPLAY
The value of the selected knob, button, or function is shown in the screen.
Envelope Generator Controls
The envelopes [EG] control how fast an operator comes up to full level (Attack) and how
fast an operator dies down (Decay) after the key is pressed or released.
MODULATOR
•
ATTACK:
This knob controls the EG attack for the selected MODULATOR operator.
•
DECAY:
This knob controls the EG decay for the selected MODULATOR operator.
CARRIER
•
ATTACK:
This knob controls the EG attack for the selected CARRIER operator.
•
DECAY:
This knob controls the EG decay for the selected CARRIER operator.
Installing the batteries
On the back panel, locate the battery compartment and slide off the cover. Insert the
batteries—being sure to observe the correct polarity—and then replace the battery
cover.
Turn the volca fm off before replacing the batteries.
Remove depleted batteries at once. Depleted batteries left in the battery
compartment may leak over time, and may cause malfunctions. Also, remove the
batteries if you will not be using the volca fm for an extended period of time.
Do not mix partially used batteries with new ones, and do not mix batteries of
differing types.
Battery level indicator
When the volca fm is turned on, the LEDs below the keyboard buttons indicate the
remaining amount of battery power. If all LEDs are lit up, the batteries are completely
full. Fewer lit LEDs mean that the battery level is correspondingly lower.
When using the AC adapter, the remaining battery level will not be indicated correctly.
TIP
Either alkaline or nickel-metal hydride batteries can be used. In order for the
remaining battery level to be detected and indicated correctly, the type of batteries
being used must be specified in the global parameters of the volca fm.
TIP
If the batteries are running low during usage of the volca fm, the low battery
warning “bAtt Lo” will appear in the display. If the batteries run down
completely, the volca fm automatically turns off.
TIP
It’s not possible to turn off the low battery warning; however, you will be able to
continue using the volca fm until the batteries have run down completely.
About the MIDI implementation chart
The volca fm can be controlled via MIDI; simply connect the MIDI output of an
external MIDI device to the MIDI IN jack of the volca fm. The MIDI messages that can
be received by the volca fm are listed in its MIDI implementation chart. You can
download the MIDI implementation chart for the volca fm from the Korg Web site.
LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator)
•
RATE:
This knob sets the LFO speed of the FM sound source parameters.
•
P.DEPTH:
This knob sets the depth of the LFO applied to the pitch of the FM
sound source parameters.
PROGRAM
Normally, this knob selects the program. In EDIT mode, this knob selects the FM
synthesis parameter.
ALGRTM
This knob selects the operator algorithm for the FM sound engine.
MOTION SEQUENCE
This function records knob or button operations that are performed while a sequence is being
recorded. Once the sequence has made a full cycle from the step where an operation was
performed, record is automatically deactivated. During recording, the knobs or buttons that
you operated are lit or unlit according to the sequenced operation.
• FUNC + ON/OFF: This turns motion sequencing on/off.
• FUNC + SMOOTH: If this is turned on, the parameters change smoothly during each step
according to the motion value recorded at the beginning of each step. If this is turned off, the
parameters change abruptly at the beginning of each step.
TIP
Some parameters won’t play back smoothly.
• FUNC + CLEAR: All recorded knob adjustments will be erased.
TIP
Motion Sequence can record operations of TRANSPOSE, VELOCITY and all clear knobs
except TEMPO.
CLEAR (erasing data)
• FUNC + ACT.STP: All values in the active step will be deleted
• FUNC + ALL: All sequence data will be erased.
• FUNC +
(REC/ERASE) during playback: Use the keyboard buttons to remove individual
sounds.
ACTIVE STEP mode: FUNC
(PLAY) button
Using the ACTIVE STEP mode, each step of the current sequence can be individually turned
on or off; disabled (off) steps will be skipped during playback and recording .
While holding down the FUNC button, press the
button (ACTIVE STEP) to enter active
step mode.Each step of the current sequence can be turned on/off. Steps that are turned off
are disabled and will be skipped during playback and recording. The LEDs below the
keyboard buttons representing the active steps will light up. When you’ve finished, press the
FUNC button to exit active step mode.
Restoring all factory default FM sound programs and sequence data
1. While holding down the FUNC and MEMORY buttons, turn the volca fm on.
The
(REC) and
(PLAY) buttons will blink.
2. Press the
(REC) button to restore the factory defaults and start volca fm. Press the
(PLAY) button to cancel the reset operation and simply start volca fm.
Restoring the factory defaults will erase any saved FM sound program and sequence data.
MIDI IN jack
By connecting a MIDI cable to this input, the volca fm can be played and controlled
by the MIDI output of an external device.
SYNC (IN, OUT) jacks
These jacks allow you to synchronize your volca fm to Korg volca, monotribe or
other equipment—including an analog sequencer or a DAW. The polarity of the
SYNC jacks can be set using the global parameters.
•
SYNC OUT:
a 5 V pulse of 15 ms is sent at the beginning of each step.
•
SYNC IN:
If this jack is connected, the internal step-clock will be ignored, and the
volca fm sequencer will advance according to the pulses received here.
(Headphone) jack
Connecting your headphones to this 1/8”stereo mini jack will mute the volca fm’s
internal speaker and allow you to create music in private.
ARP (Arpeggiator)
The arpeggiator plays the individual notes held on the keyboard in a rhythmic
pattern.
• TYPE:
Select one of the available arpeggiator patterns using this knob.
• DIV:
Use this knob to change the note timing resolution of the arpeggiator.
TEMPO
The Tempo knob controls the speed of the onboard sequencer and arpeggiator.
VOLUME
This is the master volume knob; use this to set the output level of volca fm.
(PLAY) button
Pressing this button will cause the current sequence to begin playing. The
(PLAY)
button will light up during playback. Press this button a second time to stop
playback.
(REC) button
This records your performance on the keyboard buttons as a sequence. If you press
this button while stopped, you’ll enter record-ready mode (the button will blink);
when you then press the
(PLAY) button, recording will start (the button will light).
You can also start recording by playing the keyboard when in record-ready mode. If
you press the
(REC) button during playback, recording will start from the point at
which you pressed the button.