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Post by admin on Dec 22, 2018 5:45:35 GMT
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Post by thetechnobear on Dec 22, 2018 16:16:07 GMT
yeah, if they are 5v then lots of possibilities - esp. since its seems to be very Buchla inspired. of course, outside AEM, if you get 2 of these, you should be able to cross-patch them  |
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Lugia
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Post by Lugia on Dec 23, 2018 5:03:00 GMT
Saw this on YouTube in a really lousy video, very uninformed reviewer. But from what I gathered, this has a typical Volca-type step sequencer combined with some really interesting quantization/scaling possibilities. And that's more or less where the 'typical' part stops, as the rest of this appears to be very Buchla-like, and the "oscillator" (for lack of a better word) is just downright strange, period. My only worry here is that, as of yesterday (via Synthtopia) there's not been any official word from Korg about these, although one poster said he'd spoken with Korg and they said "wait until the second week in January".
If this is real, though...there's your AE controller! Plus a few surprises IF the unit plays nice with +5V. As to that, also...note that CV in point...you have the 3.5mm jack, but also a pin point for 'hot' _and_ ground. Again, if this is real (and I hope to hell it is!), this could blow the doors wide open for the AE stuff to get big in a relatively short time. Hope you're ready for the influx of customers, Robert!  |
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Post by spacedog on Dec 23, 2018 11:48:59 GMT
A few unconfirmed reports of a new Korg Volca have been circulating around t'Internet over the last couple of days. Initial reports describe a normalised Volca-format modular that can be overriden using "breadboard-style patch cables" that we know and love.
Some reports here (and pictures):
One section from the first link stands out as interesting, as follows:
It has shades of Buchla about it and is tagged as a Micro Modular Synthesizer. It has some waveform selections with wavefolding and ratio controls. There are functions for envelopes and wave shaping, a pair of LPGs, some “Woggle” randomisation and a 16 step sequencer. It has a load of patch-wire sockets for patching as well as some Eurorack sized CV in and sync.
This could be an interesting addition to the Patchwire Synth family. Hopefully it will emerge, the pictures do have a very early prototype feel about them.
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Post by spacedog on Dec 23, 2018 13:02:52 GMT
That will teach me not to read all of the new posts before I start a thread, apologies for the parallel discussion.
This potential Korg Volca It looks like it could be an interesting source of extra modulation and LPGs, if nothing else. Having said that, I have yet to venture into the world of Volcas, although I have come mighty close with the FM model, just for that interesting extra source of sounds.
Off-topic: I remember when the DX7 came bounding into the arena (c.1983), pushing all of the Roland family of current synths (TR-606/TB-303/SH-101) to one side, and interestingly one that I still own, the JX-3P (that hasn't been out of its box for quite a while though). Being able to afford the DX7 was a real barrier to entry, hence the DX9 could get you started. Now, being able to buy a Volca FM for such a low price and in such a small format is very enticing.
My hope is that the Volca Modular becomes the entry point for many into the wonderful world of the AE Modular, which can only be a good thing for all of us. I did notice some dicussion on Muff Wiggler that does reference the AE Modular as being a more fully formed modular in the same format.
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Post by thehandoflenin on Dec 24, 2018 0:30:00 GMT
I’m sure Korg will have something new at NAMM however I’m not sure it’s going to be a new high end synth so this may fit the bill.
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ben
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Post by ben on Dec 30, 2018 13:32:33 GMT
Yeah might be a nice addition to AE modular system Mostly interested in sequencer and maybe to drive some cv signals in and out for some wave modulation. But in general I believe AE modular get's us covered with all it's features and micro modular won't offer more than it is possible to achieve with the current modules (besides keyboard) |
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Post by Codex Runicus on Jan 5, 2019 17:40:21 GMT
<abbr>Delete this... saw that the other Volca Modular thread is older and more active than this one.</abbr>
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Post by sycophante on Jan 15, 2019 9:26:21 GMT
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Post by thetechnobear on Jan 16, 2019 11:10:04 GMT
the manual is also available now : hereimportant section for us is this :  important note: this means its not directly compatible with AE modular, as volca can send in negative voltage.robertlanger , I guess, we should assume that negative voltages could damage some modules (if connected directly via pin headers) also sending 5v into the volca modular from AE may damage it also: it should be noted (from reference card) the pitch on the wires is 0.5v/octave
so what does this mean for AE integration? - we can obviously use the CV in... you will want a Y cables (as that cv in is a stereo jack, right channel is normalled to pitch, v/oct 0-6v) - audio can be sent via the headphone out to the AE audio in - sync is 5v pulses, so should be ok, from AE cv out for 'direct patching' whats possible? (with a diy circuit) we'll need a common ground, so you'll need to connect either headphone jack or cv to AE. AE -> volca both audio and cv are bipolar, so +/- 3.3v. however pitch is 0.5v/octave, this implies probably the best scaling is +/- 2.5v. getting 0..2.5v via scaling/offset is easy with an op-amp, but Im not sure how to get a negative voltage without a -ve rail. probably unipolar signals will work, but wil have a DC offset. volca -> AE again given 0.5v/oct, we probably should scale by 2x , and offset by 2.5v, easy enough with an op-amp, which will also automatically clip the 3.3v (6.6v) to 5v issue is this might clip audio, so perhaps having an attenuator on the input makes sense? (hmm, i guess for some of this, we will need 2 op-amps, otherwise we get inverted signals?!)
have to say this makes it a little less enticing to me... its 200$, thats quite a lot of AE modules. we already have the (new) LPG, (new) 2 env , and waveshaper, multi fx, divider, which covers a lot of the things in the volca what's interesting, perhaps for robertlanger , is whats "missing" in the AE line-up Id say: - complex oscillator - woggle? - scale/offset (a+b*c) one thing that is nice about the volca is the fact it has a keyboard/sequencer/automation (as is the norm with the volca series) , the pitch/gate is available from the sequences section also unfortunately there is no parameter/cv automation available (just the pitch/gate) i.e. automation outputs  so we could use pitch/gate sequencing for AE, but as its 0.5v/oct it will need to be scaled, and we dont have any options to automate any other parameters so I don't know now, I was really excited... but not so sure now... for sure its fun on its own, its small, portable and standalone - but not sure it adds much to my setup in the end |
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Post by thetechnobear on Jan 16, 2019 13:27:54 GMT
(updated above post, to take into account bipolar control cv, and 0.5v/octave for pitch used by VM)
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Post by fugubot on Jan 16, 2019 17:26:38 GMT
What does the Volca Modular need to be compatible with AE modular's patchwire connections? Is it automatically compatible or might there be incompatibilities with voltage, etc.?
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Post by ecleinjr on Jan 16, 2019 18:48:59 GMT
the manual is also available now : hereimportant section for us is this : important note: this means its not directly compatible with AE modular, as volca can send in negative voltage.robertlanger , I guess, we should assume that negative voltages could damage some modules (if connected directly via pin headers) also sending 5v into the volca modular from AE may damage it also: it should be noted (from reference card) the pitch on the wires is 0.5v/octave
Ohhhhhh man thank you for this. Found out about it being released yesterday and since my first synth was a volca keys I was ecstatic about the possibility to patch in directly to do some automation. But then the possibilities that you just stated popped into my head and after seeing the manual it became clear that it wasn't all that I thought it was going to be. I'm thinking about getting the volca drum to run through my modular because I love the design and screen but the demos have been a little underwhelming for that as well. Guess that what I get for believing Korg would actually come through with this one. |
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Post by ecleinjr on Jan 16, 2019 18:54:42 GMT
What does the Volca Modular need to be compatible with AE modular's patchwire connections? Is it automatically compatible or might there be incompatibilities with voltage, etc.? Refer to the thread in the lounge about the problems with compatibility. There's an in depth look at the manual posted that will clear things up for you |
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Post by thetechnobear on Jan 16, 2019 18:58:39 GMT
yeah, perhaps admin can merge the two threads... or lock this one? perhaps also rename the other one, and move it to patch wire synths. (i suspect discussion on the volca modular are going to ongoing ) |
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Post by thetechnobear on Jan 16, 2019 19:02:27 GMT
you're welcome. perhaps if the volca modular proves popular, it might be worth tangible waves creating a 'volca bridge module'. the VM could be quite useful as a keyboard/sequencer for AE via its patch outputs (sequences) robertlanger , perhaps it might be worth you doing a prototype module for Superbooth, I could imagine that might fire up some publicity/interest from the "Press", if shown as a way to 'extend' your volca modular to the next level. |
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Post by ecleinjr on Jan 16, 2019 19:10:14 GMT
That is a really good idea, I'm still surprised that they didn't consider systems AE Modular when they were designing it.
If it was compatible, I feel like a lot of people here would be all over it including me.
If Robert did make a module that worked as a bridge I know I would definitely be interested.
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Post by admin on Jan 16, 2019 21:12:28 GMT
yeah, perhaps admin can merge the two threads... or lock this one? perhaps also rename the other one, and move it to patch wire synths. DONE! Thanks for the suggestion. |
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Post by admin on Jan 16, 2019 21:15:43 GMT
important note: this means its not directly compatible with AE modular, as volca can send in negative voltage.robertlanger , I guess, we should assume that negative voltages could damage some modules (if connected directly via pin headers) also sending 5v into the volca modular from AE may damage it also: it should be noted (from reference card) the pitch on the wires is 0.5v/octave Wow, this is really important to let everyone know! I think that many people will look at the Volca and think that because it has the same patchwires it would be instantly compatible with AE and then they could really damage their gear either way! I'll talk to robertlanger to maybe put up a warning on the tangible waves website! |
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Lugia
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Post by Lugia on Jan 16, 2019 22:08:42 GMT
Just had a look at this thing on Sweetwater's site, and they're saying that the CV IN jack outputs two distinct signals: +/- 5V and 1 V/8va. So the pitch tracking only seems to be an issue if patching direct-via-pins between AE and VM. As for the -5 V issue, the best fix at present would be to pair two Soundmachines NS1 Nanobridges since the 'protected' pin jacks won't pass the negative voltage and won't pass anything above +5V as a 'safety'. Two of these are US$70, plus a bit more for some short 3.5mm patchcables to link them. That fix should work for AE and Bastl pinpatchers.
As for CV rescaling...the immediate solution there seems to be on the VM itself, via the CV adder section. Simply dial in a multiplication factor of .5, and there you are. It seems to me that this circuit might also be the key for an AE-side module, since it's simple and obviously pretty cheap. Stacking up four of these and perhaps adding a fixed .5 / variable (with pot) multiplier switch would be a simple fix.
It's interesting...the fixes needed to bring the Volca Modular into the AE etc pin world are already out there, for the most part. It's just a matter of ingenuity and typical modular voodoo to slap 'em all together.
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Post by robertlanger on Jan 17, 2019 8:55:40 GMT
Hi Guys,
great to see a vivid discussion here about the volca modular; I think AE and the VM can benefit from each other alot - KORG making the pin-wire patching popular by their market power and AE as a REAL modular that can extend the VM if people reach its limits. I try to get a VM as soon as possible - just contacted KORG - and if some kind of bridging is necessary I will definitely make a module for this!
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Post by rockysmalls on Jan 17, 2019 20:54:11 GMT
“we already have the (new) LPG, (new) 2 env , and waveshaper, multi fx, divider, which covers a lot of the things in the volca what's interesting, perhaps for robertlanger , is whats "missing" in the AE line-up Id say: - complex oscillator - woggle? - scale/offset (a+b*c) “ ——————————————————- I would love to see the Complex Oscillator in AE.. but i think with the wavefolder and just FMing two oscillators we can already do it? ( i’m no expert ). just be nice to have it all in one discreet module. we have sample and hold (woggle) but not the gliding version that is in the volca.. does anyone know patching that might smooth out the sample n hold in AE.. probably the slew limiter robert has on his sunrise list may do it. Also I think the LowPass gate in the volca is Buchla/O-coast style ie, it has a filter integrated so I don’t think we actually have that in AE yet. but again, could perhaps be patched?? I guess the 3.3volts is because it can be battery powered?? it will be a shame if they are not easily and directly cross patchable.. even if only in a ‘wildcard’ experimental ‘suck it and see’ way.. but Robert is on the case already..! and, really, I don’t mind... I have an AE modular! ... and co-incidentally a Nord ‘the original’ Micro Modular |
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Lugia
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Post by Lugia on Jan 18, 2019 23:46:51 GMT
You da man, Robert! Yeah, I say let 'em in if the AE and VM can complement each other, as I think they will! Probably just a simple 1-space module with rescalers and some "protection" akin to the Nanobridge's circuit would do the trick. I don't even think it would be necessary to make the rescaling bidirectional, because many users would be apt to send CV from the VM, using it as an AE controller for that aspect. Protection circuits should be bidirectional, though, allowing the AE to provide audio, modulation, and clocking to the VM when needed. Toss in a couple of mults, and that ought to do it.
Also, if this can be cooked up by Superbooth, and people see the AE and VM in tandem patches...they're going to go NUTS!
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Post by thetechnobear on Jan 19, 2019 13:34:14 GMT
I would love to see the Complex Oscillator in AE.. but i think with the wavefolder and just FMing two oscillators we can already do it? ( i’m no expert ). just be nice to have it all in one discreet module. we have sample and hold (woggle) but not the gliding version that is in the volca.. does anyone know patching that might smooth out the sample n hold in AE.. probably the slew limiter robert has on his sunrise list may do it. Also I think the LowPass gate in the volca is Buchla/O-coast style ie, it has a filter integrated so I don’t think we actually have that in AE yet. but again, could perhaps be patched?? I guess the 3.3volts is because it can be battery powered?? it will be a shame if they are not easily and directly cross patchable.. even if only in a ‘wildcard’ experimental ‘suck it and see’ way.. but Robert is on the case already..! and, really, I don’t mind... I have an AE modular! ... and co-incidentally a Nord ‘the original’ Micro Modular yeah, im no expert either... however, I think we are missing a 'proper' FM oscillator, the issue is I don't think you can just feed another oscillator into the pitch input, it wont track properly (for harmonic tones), the carrier and modulator need to use related frequencies, thats why they are usually specified as ratios. ... I think you'd need some kind of 'maths' module to do that accurately... I don't think an attenuator/signal amp would be accurate enough. (though might be wrong) I actually think an 2 OP FM oscillator would be a really useful addition to the AE lineup, it give some brighter tones. assuming an FM oscillator, i think you right, add a wavefolder and then you have a complex operator (btw: appears there are other waveshapers, around might be nice to have some more, I like the wavefolder alot ) |
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Post by rockysmalls on Jan 19, 2019 17:17:22 GMT
I would love to see the Complex Oscillator in AE.. but i think with the wavefolder and just FMing two oscillators we can already do it? ( i’m no expert ). just be nice to have it all in one discreet module. we have sample and hold (woggle) but not the gliding version that is in the volca.. does anyone know patching that might smooth out the sample n hold in AE.. probably the slew limiter robert has on his sunrise list may do it. Also I think the LowPass gate in the volca is Buchla/O-coast style ie, it has a filter integrated so I don’t think we actually have that in AE yet. but again, could perhaps be patched?? I guess the 3.3volts is because it can be battery powered?? it will be a shame if they are not easily and directly cross patchable.. even if only in a ‘wildcard’ experimental ‘suck it and see’ way.. but Robert is on the case already..! and, really, I don’t mind... I have an AE modular! ... and co-incidentally a Nord ‘the original’ Micro Modular yeah, im no expert either... however, I think we are missing a 'proper' FM oscillator, the issue is I don't think you can just feed another oscillator into the pitch input, it wont track properly (for harmonic tones), the carrier and modulator need to use related frequencies, thats why they are usually specified as ratios. ... I think you'd need some kind of 'maths' module to do that accurately... I don't think an attenuator/signal amp would be accurate enough. (though might be wrong) I actually think an 2 OP FM oscillator would be a really useful addition to the AE lineup, it give some brighter tones. assuming an FM oscillator, i think you right, add a wavefolder and then you have a complex operator (btw: appears there are other waveshapers, around might be nice to have some more, I like the wavefolder alot ) —————————- yes, i see what you mean, the ratio’s are part of it.. but I am not after particularly ‘harmonic’ material for my own needs.. would be happy tweaking around to see what oddness i can get... and using the divider module might give some wildcard results?? an FM oscillator would be fandabbydozi .. maybe we could persuade Robert to design a 3operator module for AE? like the FM synth in the Caustic App do you have any examples of other waveshaper circuits we could breadboard ? i won’t have the waveshaper module for a good few weeks yet.. |
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