Getting Started; Modules; Start Patching; Specifying Global Parameter Settings - Korg Volca Modular Manuel D'utilisation

Getting Started

volca modular is composed of multiple modules that can be freely
connected to each other, allowing for a wide range of sonic possibilities
beyond what is usually obtained via common fixed-path synthesizer
architectures.
Input / Output
Each module has a unique set of inputs and outputs.
Inputs are denoted by a thin outline, and outputs by a thick outline.
Input Output
Refer to the Modules section for detailed information about each module.
Signals
Connecting inputs and outputs will transmit signals between modules,
which will in turn change the sound produced by volca modular. These
signals are in fact variations of electrical voltage, and can be of several
types: Audio, control, gates and triggers. Some of these modules have
knobs which can be used to attenuate the control input signal.
• Audio signals vary between -3.3V and +3.3V.
TIP The protruding shape on the corners indicate audio signal outputs
and inputs that can deal with them. However, signals are essentially
interchangeable so feel free to experiment with unusual connections.
• Control signals are used to modulate various parameters, they can
either be unipolar (positive modulation), varying between 0V and +3.3V,
or bipolar, varying between -3.3V and +3.3V (positive and negative
modulation).
• (Gates) are signals that quickly rise from 0V to +3.3V and hold
that voltage for a certain duration before falling to 0V again. They are
often used to indicate the duration of a note.
• (Triggers) are signals that quickly rise from 0V to +3.3V, and
quickly fall back to 0V. They are often used to denote punctual events,
such as the resetting of an envelope generator.
Connected
By default modules are internally connected, so the volca modular will produce
sound even when not connecting modules using the included pin cables.
When connecting an input and an output with a pin cable, the default
connection for that input will be ignored.

Modules

SOURCE
Inputs: pitch, ratio, fold, mod
Ouputs: modulator, carrier
This module consists of a pair of triangle VCOs
(voltage controlled oscillators), one called the
carrier, and the other the modulator. The signal
generated by the modulator is used to vary the
frequency of the carrier, this process is called
frequency modulation (FM). Frequency
modulation allows users to create sounds with
very rich harmonic content, and often with a
metallic characteristic. The output signal is then passed through a wave
folder circuit, controlled by the FOLD knob, which inverts the wave shape
at certain thresholds in order to further increase the harmonic content.
TIP Additionally, the oscillator's overall tuning can be modified by holding
the FUNC button and using the RATIO knob (+/- 50 cent).
Since the source's oscillators are made of discrete analog circuits their
tuning will vary depending on environmental conditions such as heat.
The tuning can be especially unstable just after powering up the device.
FUNCTIONS
This module consists of two distinct function
generators (often called envelope generators).
AHD generator (left)
Inputs: gate, attack, release
Outputs: positive, inverted, end trigger
This is a three phase generator: attack, hold,
and release. It generates a signal that rises
according to the attack time at the start of a
gate signal, holds until the end of the gate,
then falls for the duration of the release time.
When the release time is reached, a trigger is
sent to the end trigger output.
Rise-Fall generator (right)
Inputs: trigger, shape, time
Outputs: positive, inverted, end trigger
This generator only has two phases, rise and fall. The shape determines
the balance between the rise and fall time, whereas the time determines
the overall length of the rise-fall cycle. When the cycle ends a trigger
signal is sent to the end trigger output. By connecting the end trigger
output to module's own trigger input the Rise-Fall generator will start
looping indefinitely, allowing it to be used as a continuous modulation
source, similarly to an LFO.
SEQUENCES
Inputs: clock offset
Outputs: fourth, third, half, gate, pitch
This module is the interface to the internal
sequencer.
The pitch output is the pitch of the current
step. A gate signal is sent to the gate output when a note should be
played for the current step. A gate will also be sent to the other outputs
according to a gate counter:
• /4 (fourth) : once every four gate
• /3 (third) : once every three gate
• /2 (half) : once every two gate
The clock offset input can be used to modify the sequencers tempo by
+/- 20BPM.
WOGGLE
Inputs: sample, trigger
Outputs: stepped, smooth
This module is a sample and hold circuit that defaults to
sampling a pink noise source. A sample and hold circuit
samples a voltage when triggered, and holds that voltage until triggered
again. The sample input can be used to override the noise source and
sample any signal. Everytime a trigger signal is received on the clock
input, the value of the sample input is remembered and sent to the
stepped output. The smooth output will look similar to the stepped
output, but changes of value will glide smoothly instead of jumping
immediately to the next sampled value.
SPLIT
Inputs: input 1, input 2
Outputs: output 1-A, output 1-B, output 2-A, output 2-B
This module duplicates an input to two different outputs, so that
a signal can be split and connected to more than one output. Using this
module backwards is also possible, in which case it becomes a passive
signal mixer, combining two control or audio signals into one.
DUAL LPG (Low Pass Gate)
Inputs: signal, level
Outputs: signal
These are two individual low pass gate
circuits, which consist of the combination of a
low pass filter and voltage controlled
amplifier. The level input determines both the
gain of the input signal passed to the output,
but also the frequencies that are let through. This means, a high level will
give a loud and bright sound, whereas a low level will give a quiet and
muffled sound. The maximum cutoff frequency of the low pass filter is
determined by the CUTOFF knob.
UTILITY
Inputs: a, b, c
Ouputs: a+bxc, a-bxc
This module allows to combine and attenuate
signals in various ways. "c" is used to attenuate input "b", and the result
is then added or subtracted from input "a". All inputs can be either polar
or bipolar, and both control and audio signals are supported. Additionally,
when there are no connections to input "b" it defaults to 3.3V, in which
case a fixed voltage offset can be applied to "a" by controlling the value
of "c".
SPACE OUT
Inputs: audio, amount
Outputs: audio
This module applies a digital spatial effect to the
input audio signal and outputs the audio to the
headphone jack, and the internal speaker. The
output can be used to patch the resultant audio to
another input.

Start Patching!

To begin, let's listen to the SOURCE module isolated from the rest. First,
remove all pin cables and power on volca modular. Make sure the volume
is set at a reasonable level, and disable SPACE OUT by turning the
AMOUNT knob all the way down.
As indicated on the front panel, the SOURCE's carrier audio output is
internally connected to the audio input of the left unit of the DUAL LPG,
which is in turn internally connected to SPACE OUT's audio input. In order
to hear the carrier's output, the LPG needs to be "opened" by sending a
control voltage signal to its level input. For this purpose let's use the
UTILITY module.
Connect the "a+bxc" output to the left LPG level input, as illustrated
below.
Turn both the LPG's CUTOFF knob and UTILITY's "c" knob all the way up,
and you should hear the SOURCE's carrier audio signal. Set the MOD,
RATIO, and FOLD knobs to various values and hear how the timbre
changes.
Next, let's use the FUNCTIONS module to modulate the timbre of the
SOURCE's carrier signal.
First, connect the trigger output of the Rise-Fall generator to its own
trigger input so that it starts looping indefinitely. Then connect the
Rise-Fall generator's positive (+) output to the SOURCE's mod input as
shown below.
Set the Rise-Fall generator knobs to various values and hear how the
timbre is modulated at different speeds and following different curves.
— 4 —
TIP If you can't hear the timbre modulations clearly, try turning the
SOURCE's MOD knob counterclockwise to avoid clipping of the control
signals.
Now, let's disconnect the left LPG's level input and use the SEQUENCES's
gate output and the FUNCTIONS AHD-generator instead. As the panel
indicates, both are internally connected by default so all we have to do is
press the PLAY button to start the volca modular's sequencer. Try setting
the ATTACK and RELEASE knobs at various values and hear how the time
contour and duration of the notes change.
volca modular is about exploration and experimentation so feel free to
connect modules in odd ways.
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 modular 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 modular 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 modular is turned on, the LEDs below the step 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 modular.
TIP If the batteries are running low during usage of the volca modular,
it warns you by blinking all LEDs below the step buttons simultane-
ously. If the batteries run down completely, the volca modular
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 modular until the batteries
have run down completely.
Specifying global parameter
settings
1. While holding down the FUNC button, turn on the volca modular.
2. Press a step button to specify the setting for the global parameter.
(Refer to table)
3. When you have finished specifying the settings, press the  (REC)
button. The settings will be saved, and the volca modular will be
restarted. If you decide to cancel the settings, press the (PLAY)
button.
Step button Status
Parameter LED lit up LED unlit
1 Auto power-off function *Enabled Disabled
2 Battery type selection Nickel-metal hydride *Alkaline
3 Sync Out polarity Fall *Rise
4 Sync In polarity Fall *Rise
5 Tempo range settings Full (10–600) *Narrow (56–240)
6
Sync input/output unit Once a step *Once every 2 steps
*: Factory default setting