KORG volca keys is a three-voice analog synthesizer with a built-in delay and a 16-step sequencer in a case the size of a notebook. Three VCOs, a 12 dB/oct low-pass filter and a single envelope give you a sound that has sat in electronic mixes for years: a thick lead, a bass or a chord that needs no plugin dressing. Try it in our Warsaw showroom.
Three voices that can sound like one big one
A monophonic synth gets tight quickly, while full polyphony usually costs more money and desk space. The VOICE knob on the volca keys switches between six modes: Poly, Unison, Octave, Fifth, plus Unison Ring and Poly Ring with ring modulation. Unison stacks all three oscillators on one note with adjustable detune for a wide, fat lead. Octave and Fifth place the voices an octave or a fifth apart, so a single key builds a heavy bass or a sharp stab. The LFO offers sawtooth, triangle and square waves and can modulate both pitch and filter cutoff.
Loops and movement without a computer
The sequencer records 16 steps and stores 8 sequences. Motion Sequence captures knob movements together with the notes, so the filter and delay keep moving inside the loop without any DAW editing. Active Step mode switches individual steps on and off while you play, and Flux records a loop that is not tied to the step grid. The delay has time and feedback controls and can sync to tempo. SYNC in and out lock the sequencer to other gear, and MIDI IN lets you play from an external keyboard. Six AA batteries give around 10 hours of playing, and the built-in speaker and headphone output let you play without a mixer.
KEY FEATURES
- Analog synthesis: 3 VCOs, filter, VCA, LFO and envelope
- Three voices of polyphony
- Six VOICE modes: Poly, Unison, Octave, Fifth, Unison Ring, Poly Ring
- 27-key multi-touch keyboard
- 16-step sequencer with 8 memories, Motion Sequence, Active Step and Flux
- Built-in delay with tempo sync
- Built-in speaker and headphone output
- Runs on 6 AA batteries, around 10 hours of playing
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: analog synthesizer, maximum 3 voices
- Structure: 3 VCO, 1 VCF, 1 VCA, 1 LFO, 1 EG
- VCO waveforms: sawtooth, square
- Filter: 12 dB/oct low-pass with Cutoff, Peak and EG Int controls
- LFO: Rate, Pitch Int, Cutoff Int; waveforms: sawtooth, triangle, square
- Envelope: Attack, Decay/Release, Sustain
- Effect: delay with Time, Feedback and Tempo Sync
- Sequencer: 1 part, 16 steps, 8 sequences
- Connectors: headphone out (3.5 mm stereo mini jack), SYNC IN (mono mini jack, max 20 V), SYNC OUT (mono mini jack, 5 V), MIDI IN
- Power: 6 AA batteries (alkaline or NiMH) or KORG KA-350 AC adapter (optional)
- Battery life: approximately 10 hours (alkaline)
- Dimensions: 193 x 115 x 46 mm / 7.61 x 4.54 x 1.81 in
- Weight: 377 g / 0.83 lb (without batteries)
