Thank you for showing those of us who are new to the volcas your videos are super helpful man.

Volcas are the best thing ever invented in the synth world

Dude, you are a genius.

This was a really helpful video to come across since I’ve been having a lot of trouble getting clean signal from my NTS-1. Going to try using the line level outputs to see if that improves things as that is the only difference I can see between how you‘re running your setup vs. mine. Thank you for making this video and helping people navigate a volca setup 🙂

You are such an inspiration Stefan, thank you so much for sharing!

Excellent and complex setup, and a great mastership on your machines 👍

Fantastic setup and great tutorial. Thanks for this. Saved so I can refer back to it as I build my Volca setup. So far I have the Keys and an NTS-1 and have a Sample 2 coming.

Beautiful and inspiring! I got my volca drums and my sample is on its way. Thank you for the insight!

Very nice combination of gear and cables, lovely setup for lots of fun I am sure.

This is really helpful, thank you so much for sharing! Greetings from Argentina!

So clear and concise. Great tutorial

Awesome video, Stefan! Definitely answered couple of connection questions that I was struggling with. I have almost the same setup, except I have a Kick instead of Volca Bass. Everything works like a charm! Thanks again! And just a side note if folks are curious.....This setup appears to have solved the "line noise" issue coming from the NTS-1 when powering the NTS-1 from your USB on your PC. At least for me it did.

Thank you so much for this! Very informative and helpful.

Excellent set-up and well explained, nice one. very similar set-up to mine.

I have 3 Volcas (Keys, Sample and FM) so this is certainly the best way to make them all sync at the same time! Many thanks for the very useful tip. You could actually do this with just a separate 3.5mm stereo jack plug (with no lead) on the "master" volca, but the effect is just the same.

Thank you so much to this amazing video, you are great musician and Volca genius. Thanks to sharing ... GOOD LUCK !

Great Setup-Demonstration 👍 thank you

Thank you so much - Your Video is Very, Very Helpful for Me!!! With all respect, Andrew from Kazakhstan!

Merci beaucoup pour cette partie technique. Très intéressant. J'ai le volca beat et le volca FM depuis quelques jours j'ai du mal à en faire quelque chose. J'adore ton univers musical. Bravo et merci.

@antoniocastro4371

3 жыл бұрын

In english, no???

Super helpful! I had my keystep set up in a wrong way the whole time...

thank you for sharing, very clear

✌🏼thanks for sharing, best from Argentina!

Nice . No questions any more

Dude, you just have a forever fan. Also having a few tracks from your Bandcamp page

Savage video man. Like the setup. You have now expanded my setup.ive all 9 volcas and 3 volca mix, I've 3 nts 1's and have em for 3 of my volcas until now. Now I can use 6 volcas for 2 nts1's and the third to add to another synth all thanks to this vid. Really glad you posted this. Keep up the good work.

@weepwow

3 жыл бұрын

wow, lots of volca etc. power there. I just got turned onto Volcas coming from eurorack, (never seriously considered Volcas over the years) but there is so much more value in Volcas. The sonic quality and low noise is impressive. Started by buying my first 4 Volcas in a week's time, might grab a Mix also next, to use with my Behringer Xenyx. I also have a few small 4 -in eurorack mixers plus a 6 input Sputnik.

@joefoe2329

3 жыл бұрын

@@weepwow you can never have too many volcas👍😎. Incredible little machines. They work wonders with other gear too. Put em through some fx and they will truly shine. I've got some serious soundscapes from the volcas. Get a keystep for midi and your onto a winner.

@kernelpaniiic

3 жыл бұрын

@@joefoe2329 do you send the 3 volca mix outputs to another mixer ? Or do you chain them (the output of the first v mix to one channel of the second v mix, etc...) ?

@joefoe2329

3 жыл бұрын

@@kernelpaniiic yes I have the 3 volca mixes connected to my main mixer(its a behringer xenyx 1204usb depends what channels are available on yours)they are separately connected not chained together, I have one volca mix with the L/R line output connected to the main mixer input(on mine it's called 2track/USB) then the other 2 volca mixes are connected to 2 line in channels via the headphone output on the volca mixes. If you daisy chain the sync out on the volca mix to your volcas you dont have to daisy chain the other 2 mixes. For eg my volca beats is the first to be synced from the volca mix then just daisy chain the rest of the volcas no need to change tempo on all the mixes just the one. I hope this helps sory for the paragraphs👍😎

@kernelpaniiic

3 жыл бұрын

@@joefoe2329 very clear! Thanks for the quick reply. You got a nice setup!

Thanks Stefan.

Hello ! This tuto is very interesting

Great stuff

Killer! Many thanks!

Great tutorial! :)

Stefan, thank you :)

thank you so much 😀😃

Ah hehe it is what i was asking for in a different video :)

Wonderful video and you have answered so many questions. When you sync out from the keys to the keystep, would a 3.5mm balanced (stereo) cable work well?

Amazing!!!!

Awsome , got more from your video then play around with software in 5 yrs.... ;-)

That's a lot of Connections but Cool 😎 and Thanks

This is gonna be very useful, awesome!

@Opstudo15

3 жыл бұрын

What would be your connection for Microkorg. Can I use with the same chain like you have with Arturia or something else?

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

jjenkm I own and use the MicroKorg Xl in my studio, live and jams. I use it for pad sounds passing though a looper and then to the sub mixer. But if you want to synchronize it with the Volcas you have to choose it to be the master clock and send midi in to the first of the Volca chain. Cheers : )

@Opstudo15

3 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto you save a lot of time, thanks a lot :)

Nice job with the tutorial. I had the original three and recently am getting back into them and added the fm. Loving it. I haven’t gotten the mixer but it does seem like it’s necessary. Thanks so much. I liked and subscribed. :)

Thank u! 🫐🫐🫐

Thanks man Very

THANK YOU! Im 100% a newbie to all of this, but have played piano & Guitar for 10 years. You inspire me to want to learn this. Anyone have advice of where to learn the basics? so i can understand all this DAWLESS stuff? I need it explained like you're talking to a 5 year old. haha

Mpravo file euxomai mono Techniles 🌚🎼😎

I need help. I'm trying to hook up a speaker to the volca drum so I don't have to use headphones . I'd like to play guitar along with the drums but the volume is so low coming out of the speaker. It's a very good, loud speaker. I don't understand why it won't come out louder. Do you know why? Can you give me any advice? I'd appreciate it. Thanks

Awesome sounding and great feelings... well done ! Volca keys and keystep are a great duo... when you put a sequence on the keys can you play notes on keystep without volume loss ?

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks :) it’s about the polyphony I think, the volca keys have 3 voices in poly mode. So for example if your internal sequence on keys is monophonic then you can play 2 more voices from keystep without loosing volume. Cheers

@bridgetslastbreath

3 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto okay ! Thanx a lot and im waiting for your new stuff !!!

Hey Stefan. Do you find that the volca mix is noisy? I've read a lot of reviews that say It's noisy specially when using it to power 3 volcas. But you seem to use it with no problem (and you are quite the expert) I am about to buy one second hand, It'd be awesome if you can share your thoughts before I get it or let it go . . . thanks!!

Just wanted to ask a question about connecting Your setup. Thanks!

Thank you very much!!! :) That’s exactly what I wanted to know! Tell me please, is it possible to use such setup not for jams only, but also for a production (recording) the full lenght tracks, without the DAW? I guess, there is necessity to have a powerfull hardware sequencer? How do you think, is it posible to use the Electribe 2 for such purpose? Or, what is your suggestion? Thanks!

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sashko :) I use this setup for my jams, live performances and in studio also. For production i use 2 techniques. 1st i use this setup here (stereo out in stereo in on my soundcard) and creating the performance (like I'm playing live) and then i record one by one in creating deferent channels on my DAW. 2nd one i recorded them (again like i'm playing live) in multichannel inputs. I group some of them in a stereo track and send some others in different mono channels using my sound card. For my youtube videos i just record a stereo mix* Cheers : )

@Tka4000

3 жыл бұрын

Stefan Torto Thanks! =)

Great contribution. You can tell me the specification of the mixer cable and where to buy it. I can not find it. Greetings from Peru. Video 5:10 minutes. Thank you!

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

It's like this one, from mini jack (stereo) > > to TRS (2x mono) . Greetings from Greece : ) www.amazon.com/VisioSound-3-5mm-Stereo-Mixer-Cable/dp/B01BYOEVOQ

@maltrazo1703

3 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto gracias! Thank you! Stefan

Great video. I noticed that the sequence u played on the keystep was recorded much slower than what the keystep ended up playing. How did you achieve that?

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

Hi! It is recorded in step mode and not in real time : )

This is great tutorial - Thanks for posting it! - Question: Near the end when you send the Left & Right out from the Volca Mix to your Sound Card: Would sending to your soundcard on your computer also let you integrate all that setup into ableton? Obviously I'm a beginner at this and trying to do all the tutorials I can to get all this sort of thing figured out. Thanks!

@StefanTorto

2 жыл бұрын

Hi! this setup is mainly dawless (no computer integrade). The sound card sends only a stereo in audio mix in the computer, but with midi cables you can control Volcas through ableton or any other Daw. Wish you all the best for your music!

@delgadojeremy

2 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto Thanks for the reply! So then go from the volca mixer - i need to plug to an audio interface. In this case I THINK its: Volca Mix, RCA out to 1/4 stereo, to an audio interface box that connects to computer, Yes?

@StefanTorto

2 жыл бұрын

@@delgadojeremy yep : )

@delgadojeremy

2 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto thanks! The beginner stuff can be confusing! It seems so basic but actually finding the most entry level information can be hard as most assume you should already know. Thanks again!!

@delgadojeremy

2 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto do you have a recommendation for a cheap but not terrible entry level audio interface?

Hi! Great video, but how exactly did you fix the nts-1 and send out stereo/mono problem? My nts sounds in half of volcas volume..

@StefanTorto

6 ай бұрын

Max volume in NTS1 and max volume in send return on the volca mix. Cheers

Hello Stefan Torto, i have one question, the cables you use to connect the volcas to the external mixer are 3.5 stereo to TRS 6.3, but 1 or 2 jacks ? stereo or mono ?

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

Hi! Stereo mini jack to 2 trs mono jacks : ) stereo to stereo*

@SkullCandycs

3 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto Thx Stefan :D

Excellent !!! But What are your sequence Settings for the keystep ( sync clock in/out ... from the the device setting on the pc ) ? Because my start and my stop don’t work with my volca keyS like on your video , but i´m on sync in with the little cursor back the keystep like your video....

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

The "sync" on the Keystep is set to the "sync in" mode (from the switch behind the device) and from the volca keys (or the last volca on your chain you send sync out to sync in to the keystep. In order for the the "play - stop" work on the Keystep the Volcas need to run (play) already a tempo. Cheers

@themooz4118

3 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto The "sync in" is definetly not work for me, record,stop button doesn't work and it is not playing

@rwizluv9472

3 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto THX :D , you're great , keep going like this

Dear Stefan, I have three Korga Volcas (sync all three by 3.5mm cable as U have...) I want buy Novation Impulse 25, but there is only MIDI In/Out presented, not Sync In (Clock), Will it be possible to use Novation keyboard for control the Volcas also? Thanks :) PS: nice set-up a nd video :)

@StefanTorto

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Martin! You have to send midi out from Novation (as master clock) to the midi in of the first volca of the volca chain :)

🔝🔝🔝

As someone looking into getting some Volcas, which would you recommend for first 3/4?

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

It’s like a band , you need a drummer a bass player and a lead instrument for a start :)) for me the first one it was the Keys then the FM and the Drum.

Hi Stefan, Can you use normal TRS mini jacks for the connecting of the volca's sync I/O or do they need to be some kind of midi TRS jacks?

@StefanTorto

2 жыл бұрын

Normal trs jacks will work fine but they need to be stereo for sync :)

@tsibren

2 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto Yep, ofc :) Thanks for the quick reply! All the best.

Thanks for your review! How do you deal with the noise coming from the Volca?

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure Alex : ) The noise it's not so bad that distracts me..i use good cables and original dc adapters and try to have "low" (not peaking) gain on my signals. As you listen to my other volca videos and my recorded Volca albums (like this one : stefantorto.bandcamp.com/album/boards-of-athens-live) there is no noise at all. Only when i record the Volca Keys in Logic (DAW) i cut with EQ the 20k high frequencies. Cheers : )

@K1ngalex

3 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto On my Volca setup I have - 50 db of noise. And this is a big problem.

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

@@K1ngalex wow, this is too much, sorry to hear that, try change cables and maybe check for dc adapters and dc power strip (if you use one).

hi stefan---please give me an help---actually i run all my stufs(volca beats+ keys+korg monologue +guitar and loop station ditto x4)into volca mix...(i use aux in for guitar) and send out of the mix to the loop station input(and output loop station to p.a)..so.. now..im buyng also the bass volca..and obviously i need more inputs. .what do you suggest?to add another mixer as you describe?..but the loop station will be works also for the master as the slave mixer(or submixer)?and..how volca i will have to connect on the mono input of the volca mix and how in the mackie(i think you got the 8 mix mackie)?please let me know if you have some time to spend for me..cheers gabriele italy

@StefanTorto

2 жыл бұрын

A mixer with send/return will be a good solution! You can send separate signals from there to the looper and come back to the mix. I use Mackie Mix 12 fx.

Great Video! Bu I cannot get my keystep sequencer to work. It is not working without my volca mix in play mode and cannot be stopped anymore!!! I have the "sync in" switch on the back of the keystep enabled and keystep on the end of the chain. What is missing, hope you can help me out here.

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

Hi ! In order to start the sequencer of the keystep you have to start the mix (play) first, as it is the master clock. Also in the video I explained how the in/out sync works (the keystep with the volca keys for example). Also every time you change the switch behind the keystep you have to reset the devise (unplug and plug again the usb) to make it work. Hope this helped you. Cheers :)

@JulesJourney2016

3 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto Thanks man! I followed your video and your instructions. But It still doesn't work, I''ll contact Arturia to see what's different. Let u know

@JulesJourney2016

3 жыл бұрын

Found the solution in midi center of keystep. In the sequencer settings option "arm to start " shoudl be "on". Now it works like a charm. I can stop and start the sequence during playback

Hi, Stefan! How do you deal with the hiss of the Volca Sample. I think the Volca Sample sizzles louder than the others.

@eugenekrasnov5261

3 жыл бұрын

?

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Eugene! The volca keys has more hiss than the volca sample, I use good quality cables and original power supplies and that keep the noise down as possible. Cheers

Hmmm, are you syncing what I'm syncing?

great tutorial, good job dude. but i have a problem, nts1 is not working as master fx, tried guitar delay, works great, but not the nts, it works and sound, but not sending fx to other volca. can't understand what is wrong, im sure not the connections.

@StefanTorto

Жыл бұрын

Hi! In what mixer your try to use NTS1 as send return fx?

@vaaksvakuums

Жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto korg volca mix : )

@StefanTorto

Жыл бұрын

@@vaaksvakuums you have to connect the headphones output of the nts1 to the Aux IN in the volca mix. From there you connect the send out of the Volca mix to the Audio IN on the Nts1. Then you can add fx from nts1 and use the SEND knob to apply to every channel on the volca mix. (Nts1 volume has to be on max) Cheers :)

@vaaksvakuums

Жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto did everything as you mentioned already before, but now i notticed barely hearable fx in earphones, but the fact is that fx send knob is maxed out, and nts is in max (when hitting nts note everything is working and fx in nts is working) but not on mix fx send, so don't understand where is the problem, maybe in cables, maybe in some Global settings, maybe deffected gear. That's why im wondering wtf is happening there :D anyways big thanks for your help! I owe you a beer :D or at least you will have +1 new follower :D

@vaaksvakuums

Жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto hey, i'v solved the fkn problem! reason why it wasn't working was a cable! i made some weird solution, so i still need correct cable, it seems it is trs to tr (or ts? ) i tried million ways to solve that epic problem, and after two days i did it :D huuuuh, that was reall annoying. and thanks again for your help anyways, at least you tried and btw did correct suggestions :D

i have volca sample2 and monologue xd~ so should I buy volca mix? Or other good mixer recommend?

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

I like the volca Mix for it’s portability and the ability to send power to 3 volcas. If this is not your main goal I suggest to look for a Mackie mixer :)

@luluhono2266

3 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto OK thank you！

What kind of external mixer do you use? I'm kind of in the same boat and need to get one.

@StefanTorto

Жыл бұрын

a mackie mix 12 fx : )

Hi, I tried Sample + Keys + Mix + NTS1. The effects applied to Volca Keys from the NTS-1 in my setup only come out the left channel of the stereo Mix. I used stereo cables to send and return like you did. Is that just the way it is or can I make it so that the effects are applied to both sides? Maybe a mono setting in the NTS1?

@StefanTorto

2 жыл бұрын

Hi , normally is a aux stereo out to aux stereo in your mixer. I don’t think NTS1 have stereo mono setting in the output. Check your cables and use a stereo channel in your mixer for the aux track in.

@electrosonicnebula

2 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto Thanks for your answer. I used Send Out from the Volca Mix (stereo cable) to Audio In of NTS-1 and NTS1 headphones Out (stereo cable) to Aux In of the Volca Mix. I thought it was exactly what you did. One idea: I am listening with headphones plugged in to Mix. Maybe through the RCA sockets it comes out stereo. Will try.

@electrosonicnebula

2 жыл бұрын

Actually, no same happens through the RCA outs: only the right side comes out

@StefanTorto

2 жыл бұрын

@@electrosonicnebula 😞, maybe it has to do with the output of your NTS-1. Contact your local Korg dealer to be sure. Good luck with it 🙏

@electrosonicnebula

2 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto The Output of the NTS1 seems fine, with the sound coming to stereo to headphones with effects heard in both ears. it's just that if I use it external effect, I the effect is heard on only one side. So it seem to be the way the Volca Mix is wired or configured? There must be a reason but I never fully understand those schematics

Why are you using a mono channel for Volca FM?

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

To my ears it sound the same as I pass it through a stereo fx. The only thing is stereo in Volca Fm is the chorus (that I do not use). So I don’t find any reason to send it to 2 channels. Last I want to have it the same fx chain with the Volca keys on the Volca mixer. Cheers

Instead of using the volca mix, could you use just the Mackie Mix for all of the Volcas? I don't understand the point of the volca mix.

@HydroSoulMusic

3 жыл бұрын

A lot of these smaller mixers don’t have a effect send which he use on the volca mix. Also you can start them all at once with a play button and mute the 3 channels. And it can power 3 other Volcas so less ac units needed. Think that’s the main points for using it.

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

@@HydroSoulMusic as said : ) plus it's very portable and no need to care power adaptors!

@HydroSoulMusic

3 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto oh yes that’s true. Forgot it. You can power it with a powerbank and a usb to 9v adaptor as well. Got my Volca mix yesterday for a garbain price and the drum is also on the way now.

@electrosonicnebula

2 жыл бұрын

Any mixer is great but advantages of the Volca mix as follow: analog sound (highly noticeable), small, power to 3 Volca instruments, BMP and master clock, external effect aux send adjustable for each mixer channel. Provides mutes, global start and stop, rudimentary eq via filter, some sort of master stereo spread and compression. Not too sure on the last two.

and..i forgot...the guitar signal come from the output of the fender amp..and the korg monologue run through zoom ms 70 and the loop station to

@StefanTorto

2 жыл бұрын

i answer this in the comment before, hope that helps : )

Where did you get the box/tray from?

@StefanTorto

2 жыл бұрын

It’s handmade by my father : )

@PFDarkside

2 жыл бұрын

@@StefanTorto that’s fantastic!

how can i connect this to akai mpk mini?

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

if your pc sound card don't have a midi out, i think you will need a usb to midi hub to do this, : )

very nice video ! but it has so much cables that is non workable

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks , I think all this cables are needed for this setup to work :))

KING\ 11

Why not a second Volca Mix ?

@StefanTorto

3 жыл бұрын

If you notice i have an extra free space for 2 more volcas on my rack ; ) It's one of the next steps. Although the Mackie mixer offers 12 inputs plus 4 XLR inputs* so i can connect my mics and other synths on it.

NTS-1 ADC sounds very bad, isn't it?

Nice davinci sticker haha, did we waste both 240 euros on a vaporizer ;p

@StefanTorto

2 жыл бұрын

lol , yes we did (i had the Micro)! Dynavap it's my daily driver now : )

Peccato che il mixer supporti solo 3 volca contemporaneamente.. Rispetto al drum preferisco personalmente il beats. Ottima la scelta di collegare la tastiera midi al keys, é l'unico che ha senso di essere suonato al momento con una tastiera..

oh my ... that is just ...ok ...im stupid ... why didnt i see that ... i`ll be in the garden chewing on the fence

Unfortunately, such a sync start is not possible.

As we say in french "didactique "

WTF