Korg VOLCA FM Owner's Manual

Owner's Manual for Korg VOLCA FM Synthesizer (1 pages)

Specifications:

823/823944-volca_fm.pdf file (30 Jan 2024)
  • Manufacturer: Korg
  • Category of Device: Synthesizer
  • Document: VOLCA FM, File Type: PDF Owner's Manual
  • Updated: 30-01-2024
  • Count of Pages: 1
Download VOLCA FM Manual (1 pages)

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Data: UPD 30th January 2024

Korg VOLCA FM Synthesizer PDF Owner's Manual (Updated: Tuesday 30th of January 2024 11:52:08 AM)

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Compatible devices: Poly-800II, Nu:Tekt NTS-1 digital kit, Karma, KROSS 2 Series, pa 500, DSS-1, Wavedrum mini, TRITON.

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Text Version of Korg VOLCA FM Synthesizer Manual (Summary of Contents)

(Ocr-Read of Document's Main Page, UPD: 30 January 2024)


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-specic parameters that provide further sound-editing capabilities. Sound les 
(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
This slider raises or lowers the pitch 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 ,/ OPERATOR +, – buttons
In PLAY mode, these buons change the octave range of the keyboard. In EDIT 
mode, these buons select the operator to edit. By selecting “A” (All), you can edit 
parameters that apply to all operators. 
SAVE/EXPORT button
When not in EDIT mode, this buon saves the FM sound engine parameters.
Press the SAVE/EXPORT buon, and then use the PROGRAM knob to select the 
save location for the program. Press the SAVE/EXPORT buon again to begin 
saving. To cancel the save operation, press the EDIT buon before pressing the 
SAVE/EXPORT buon.
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 buon so that the buon 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 buon again to export it. The 
SAVE/EXPORT buon lights up while the export operation is being performed. 
The SAVE/EXPORT buon blinks again when the operation is nished.
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 buon to toggle between the EDIT and PLAY modes. EDIT mode is the 
mode for specifying seings for FM synthesis parameters and exporting.
Specifying global parameter settings
Setting the MIDI channel
1.  While holding down the MEMORY buon,turn the volca fm on.
2. 
Keyboard buons 1 to 16 correspond to the MIDI channels 1 to 16
. Press the 
buon that corresponds to the desired channel, and the LED below the keyboard 
buon will light up.
Other parameters
1.  While holding down FUNC buon, turn on the volca fm.
2. 
Use the keyboard bu
ons 1–8 to set your preferences for any or all of the global 
parameters. (Refer to the table.) 
3.  When you have nished, press the 

 (REC) buon. Your seings will be saved, and 
the volca fm will restart. To cancel without making changes, press the 

(PLAY) 
buon.
Button LED lit up LED unlit
Parameter
Status
Display indication
Status
Display indication
1
Auto power-o 
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 O MdShrt OF
8 
Sync input/output unit Once a step SyncStp 1
*Once every 2 steps
SyncStp 2
*: Factory default seing
Keyboard buttons
Arranged as in a traditional keyboard, these buons 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 buon, and then press one of the 1 through 
16 buons. Hold down the FUNC buon and press the MEMORY (WRITE) buon to 
enter the save-ready condition. In this condition, press one of the 1–16 buons to 
save the currently selected program number and sequence in the buon that you 
pressed. 
CHAIN function 
Multiple saved sequences can be linked together to create a longer and more 
interesting performance. Hold down the MEMORY buon, and using the 1–16 
buons 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 buon and press the 
appropriate keyboard buon. The LED below the key will light to conrm 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 eect.
ARP ON/OFF
•FUNC + ARP ON/OFF: This turns arpeggiator on/o. 
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 seing. 
• 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: Switches the operation of the TRANSPOSE slider to 
semitone units.
 (Power) button
Press this buon to turn the volca fm on. To turn the volca fm o, hold this buon for 
approximately one second.
Auto power-o
The power-o function will automatically turn the volca fm o after roughly four 
hours have passed with no sound being produced. The auto power-o 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 specied AC adapter. Using any AC adapter other than the specied 
model could damage the volca fm.
DISPLAY
The value of the selected knob, buon, or function is shown in the screen. 
Envelope Generator Controls
The envelopes [EG] control how fast an operator comes up to full level (Aack) and how 
fast an operator dies down (Decay) after the key is pressed or released. 
MODULATOR 
• ATTACK: This knob controls the EG aack for the selected MODULATOR operator. 
• DECAY: This knob controls the EG decay for the selected MODULATOR operator. 
CARRIER 
• ATTACK: This knob controls the EG aack 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 baery compartment and slide o the cover. Insert the 
baeries—being sure to observe the correct polarity—and then replace the baery 
cover.
  Turn the volca fm o before replacing the baeries.
  Remove depleted baeries at once. Depleted baeries left in the baery 
compartment may leak over time, and may cause malfunctions. Also, remove the 
baeries if you will not be using the volca fm for an extended period of time. 
  Do not mix partially used baeries with new ones, and do not mix baeries of 
diering types.
Battery level indicator
When the volca fm is turned on, the LEDs below the keyboard buons indicate the 
remaining amount of baery power. If all LEDs are lit up, the baeries are completely 
full. Fewer lit LEDs mean that the baery level is correspondingly lower.
 
When using the AC adapter, the remaining baery level will not be indicated correctly.
TIP  Either alkaline or nickel-metal hydride baeries can be used. In order for the 
remaining baery level to be detected and indicated correctly, the type of baeries 
being used must be specied in the global parameters of the volca fm.
TIP 
If the baeries are running low during usage of the volca fm, t
he low baery 
warning “bA Lo” will appear in the display. If the baeries run down 
completely, the volca fm automatically turns o.
TIP 
It’s not possible to turn o the low baery w
arning; however, you will be able to 
continue using the volca fm until the baeries 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 slider 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.
• FUNC + ON/OFF: This turns motion sequencing on/o.
• 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 o, 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 buons to remove individual 
sounds.
ACTIVE STEP mode: FUNC button +  (PLAY) button
Using the ACTIVE STEP mode, each step of the current sequence can be individually turned 
on or o; disabled (o) steps will be skipped during playback and recording .
While holding down the FUNC buon, press the 

 buon (ACTIVE STEP) to enter active 
step mode.Each step of the current sequence can be turned on/o. Steps that are turned o 
are disabled and will be skipped during playback and recording. The LEDs below the 
keyboard buons representing the active steps will light up. When you’ve nished, press the 
FUNC buon to exit active step mode.
Restoring all factory default FM sound programs and sequence data
1.  While holding down the FUNC and MEMORY buons, turn the volca fm on.
The 

 (REC) and 

 (PLAY) buons will blink.
2.  Press the 

 (REC) buon to restore the factory defaults and start volca fm. Press the 

 
(PLAY) buon 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. SYX sound data les for the Yamaha DX7 
can also be received.
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 
paern.
• TYPE: Select one of the available arpeggiator paerns using this knob. 
• DIV: Use this knob to change the note timing resolution of the arpeggiator. 
TEMPO
The tempo knob sets the playback tempo for the arpeggiator and sequencer.
VOLUME
This is the master volume knob; use this to set the output level of volca fm.
 (PLAY) button
Pressing this buon will cause the current sequence to begin playing. The 

(PLAY) 
buon will light up during playback. Press this buon a second time to stop 
playback. 
 (REC) button
This records your performance on the keyboard buons as a sequence. If you press 
this buon while stopped, you’ll enter record-ready mode (the buon will blink); 
when you then press the 

(PLAY) buon, recording will start (the buon will light). 
You can also start recording by playing the keyboard when in record-ready mode. If 
you press the 

 (REC) buon during playback, recording will start from the point at 
which you pressed the buon. 





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