Korg Volca FM - The Expert Guide

Tony Horgan

Jan 2018 · Korg Volca Expert Guides Book 1 · Tony Horgan

About this ebook

Officially endorsed by Korg, the essential guide to the Volca FM has been created by the world’s leading Volca expert Tony Horgan. This interactive guide explains everything about the Volca FM, with easy-to-follow text, illustrations and photography. Make rapid progress with the quick-start guides, then look deeper into the amazing Volca FM. Every control is covered in detail, FM synthesis is demystified, and all the parameters and algorithms are fully discussed and illustrated. Jump between sections using hyperlinks and take it at your own pace. This is the perfect companion for all Volca FM users.The full chapter list:
1. About this book
- Hello
2. Quick-start guides
- Select a sound
- Edit a sound
- Rename a sound
- Save a sound
- Select and play a pattern
- Record a pattern
- Save a pattern
- Record a motion sequence
- Chain patterns
- Import Yamaha DX7 sounds
- Clone sounds and patterns
3. What is FM synthesis?
- FM synthesis theory
4. Slider controls
- Transpose slider
- Velocity / Value slider
5. Program edit knobs
- Modulator & Carrier knobs (+ envelopes)
- LFO rate, LFO Pitch Depth
- Program / Param knob
- Algorithm knob
6. Program edit buttons
- Octave / Operator buttons
- Save / Export button
- Edit button
7. The arpeggiator
- About the arpeggiator
- Arp type knob
- Arp type chart
- Arp Div knob
- Arp Division chart
8. Tempo and volume
- Tempo knob
- Volume knob
9. Play, Record, memory & Func buttons
- Play / Active step button
- Record / Erase button
- Memory / Write button
- Func button
10. Keyboard functions
- Understanding the keyboard and LEDs
- Voice mode: Poly, Mono, Unison
- Chorus
- Arp On / Off key
- Tempo division
- Metronome
- Warp Active Step
- Transpose note
- Motion sequence keys
- Clear Active Step
- Clear All
11. Power
- Mains and battery power
- Auto Power Off
12. MIDI In
- MIDI: an overview
- MIDI cables
- Selecting the MIDI channel
- MIDI Control Change messages
- MIDI Control Change numbers
13. Sync In / Sync Out
- What is Sync?
- Changing Sync steps
- Changing Sync polarity
14. Headphone socket and speaker
- Audio connection and speaker
15. Parameters in brief
- Parameter list
- What are parameters?
- How to select and edit parameters
16. Parameters in detail
- Every parameter explained in detail
17. Algorithms
- Algorithms list
- Algorithms explained
- Full-page diagrams of every algorithm 
18. System update
- How to update the firmware
19. Global parameters
- All global parameters explained

Ratings and reviews

I was about to give it 5 stars, as comparable to other books in the series this one is the most valuable for the price. But the algorithms part covered pretty weakly. 32 pages of screenshots of algorithms which are provided as part of reference card anyway - is a total waste of space and just "adds" pages to the book. The books is still good, and worthy for begginers. Though it doesn't provides any in depth understanding of fm synthesis (you have to get it from somewhere else) nor it has examples of patches customization for better understanding how everything is interconnected (there are only a few notes). Sadly despite the author experience he tends to add a lot of water in these books purely to add pages count for justification of the price.

If you love FM Synths and own a Volca FM you will really love this guide. It's very helpful with lots of easy to follow pictures and examples. If you want to get the most from your Volca FM get this book today

Tony is truly the Volca guru, and these books are the proof! It's little wonder that Korg endorses his work. Anyone who owns a Volca should buy these guides; they're easy reads with tons of examples and easy-to-follow instructions. You will not regret this purchase!

About the author

Tony Horgan is a writer and electronic musician, and has become known as the expert in all things Korg Volca.