Korg - volca Sample2 - Digital Sample Sequencer Synthesizer

The Volca Sample has always been one of the most useful Volcas since it can be used to play literally any sound you download to it. The downloading process however was the entire problem. The original Sample required the user to sync with a phone or computer sending 'pulses' down as audio cable (of all things) and this could take around 20 minutes (for a full set of sample) before you even found out if the transfer was successful....and sometimes it wasn't. What's more the memory was limited to an unbelievable degree and you'd often find yourself only able to fill half of the available slots. Now, the positive: This new Sample 2 finally fixes these two problems. Data transfer is done lightening quick via USB by computer via new software and by phone app. It's a breeze. What's more, the memory allows to store much more being 8mb storage instead of the previous 4mb. Still in this day and age, that's a low, but I think Korg try to limit intentionally so that you are forced to be creative within a limited capacity, though your guess is as good as mine. To boot, there's now 200 samples slots too rather than the previous 100. The best way to describe the Sample for those unfamiliar is; it's a Sample Player (not a sampler) since it doesn't allow you to record (i.e to 'sample'). It's a very good, compact Sample Player. It allows you to sequence 16 steps (upgradable apparently to 64 if you download the Pajen Firmware). You can control which sample to assign to each key, the speed, length, start point, envelope, pan, attack, decay and hi cut as well as the reverb. Solo and mute are also available - handy for live playing. The Sample 2 has a brand new set of factory samples including kick drums, snares and toms and other useful sounds, so you can create something decent (and very original if you tinker) right off the bat. See video. Many people are usually stuck between purchasing the Volca sample 2 or Drum. Each is really chalk and cheese. The sample can be used to play ANY sounds (including drums), but the Volca Drum is an actual analogue synthesizer and it too covers a whole range of sounds besides drums - including very abstract, bizarre sounds. So, if you want specific sounds to play (with manipulation) opt for the Sample 2 or if you want to explore Syths and experiment with actual sound design, opt for the Drum.

Simple but powerful. A great little sample-playing sequencer gizmo that lets you use good old physical knobs to control many aspects of the sounds. The pre-sets let you knock out some great soundin stuff straight out of the box but it really comes into it's own after you play around with it for a bit and start loading up your own samples. The addition of a USB socket in the Mk2 version (ie. this one) is a small but very useful improvement that makes loading samples very much easier.

Great sampler although can be a little tricky synching it to non korg synths but overall great for providing a ' backing band ' for single musicians as well live .

A christmas present for someone starting out in music production. The fact it can run from battery and is just so incredibly portable has been great. All the needed functionality is at your finger tips and its so accessible and quick to use, a great little production workstation.

Cool product just don't buy through amazon, the product I recieved wouldn't connect to any computer meaning you could only use the initial samples it comes with. Don't buy from amazon if you can buy from a local shop where you can actually get assistance.

Good little box for making some beats but unfortunately I have been unable to connect it to my laptop and put on my own samples. It is a bit confusing how to do this. There is no cable provided to do this. Good sounds that come with it but after a while they get stale. The functions are fantastic and I really enjoy it, I just wish I could use my own samples.

Diminutive but what a great piece of kit. Needs a little bit of time to work out how to use but once done it’s fantastic. Small, light, easy to carry and powerful enough to create some great sequences.

I Find the Volca Manuals are a bit skinny on info for beginners, providing just enough to get started. Plenty of excellent tutorials and guides on You Tube though, to get you pumping out some cracking loops, samples and rhythms without stressing